16 posts tagged “books”
This book is a surprisingly good read compared to the last one. Ha Jin not to be confused with Ba Jin, is a Chinese Native teaching in American Uni and is an accomplished author. The short stories in this book are mostly set in the Chinese revolutionary era. My favourite story got to be the namesake, The Bridegroom, he who married out of convenience to mask his homosexual identity. The irony was that the bride who did not mind a no sex and companionship only marriage. To her, he is a model husband whom care about her, and furthermore she could escape the ridicule of being left on the shelf. I just thought (again) that gay man is the epitome of a perfect man in a woman's heart.
There are some books and news I would avoid, simply because I find the images unbearable. I.e. WWs, any war, Japanese occupation in Singapore, Nanjing massacre and the red revolution.
There are some books and news I would avoid, simply because I find the images unbearable. I.e. WWs, any war, Japanese occupation in Singapore, Nanjing massacre and the red revolution.
I got this book from a book sale long time ago. Thought it will be cotton candy and fuzzywuzzy bunny kind of tales about new motherhood... I was wrong. This is so difficult to read and I skimmed my way through it. It was painful. The author tried too hard to be clever. Not witty-funny. She made a point but would go 2 page long. She went round and round and round again. -_-
This books marks the 2nd worst ever book in my lifetime as a bibliophile... The first was a Stephen King's book about some Red Indians (Anyone knows the book?). I gave up after reading the first few chapters.
Reading this book was so painful that my mind devised its own escape strategy, presumably out of self-defence. I am serious and not kidding. Maybe I am. See the video.
This books marks the 2nd worst ever book in my lifetime as a bibliophile... The first was a Stephen King's book about some Red Indians (Anyone knows the book?). I gave up after reading the first few chapters.
Reading this book was so painful that my mind devised its own escape strategy, presumably out of self-defence. I am serious and not kidding. Maybe I am. See the video.
This is my first ever attempt to read a translated version or simple any book in two languages. I finished the English translation last week and the traditional Chinese version 3 years ago. For readers of this book, you would know how bizarre the story line is, and I am not even going to attempt to provide my synopsis or try too hard to crack the co-relation theories in the book.
Reading the book the 2nd time, albeit in different languages did provide more understanding to the plot and thus feel more involve with the book. I also thought that the English translation wasn't that accurate, like bean jam to describe red bean paste. I am too picky here. But definitely the Chinese translation not only has a better translation and able to project a feeling that I thought should associate more with the novel and other Murakami's works. It's hard to explain... it's the same peaceful and yet sorrowful feeling I associated with when I had read Norwegian Wood (in Chinese and yet to read the English version).
My favourite words and excerpt from this book:
Nothing to worry back then... Just lived each day as it came. As long as I was alive, I was something. That was just how it was. Living turned me into nothing... But the longer I've lived, the more I have lost what's inside me-- and ended up empty.
So the movie will be
released end of this year, but seldom the movie adaptation is better
than the book. Imagination takes flight to where no one else can go with you
I had read reviews on this book by other bloggers whom had strongly recommended it. I didn't want to have a high expectation, but if I had sacrificed sleep to finish any book and lived the emotional turmoil of the protagonist, it's a good read IMO. I love the ending which was brilliant. Read the Amazon review here and read the book too!
I had read reviews on this book by other bloggers whom had strongly recommended it. I didn't want to have a high expectation, but if I had sacrificed sleep to finish any book and lived the emotional turmoil of the protagonist, it's a good read IMO. I love the ending which was brilliant. Read the Amazon review here and read the book too!
At the rate I am going with books, I will finish my collection in 10 years' time. This book is not even mine.
The short stories in this book are not written by Haruki, but rather his personal selections of other authors' work. The stories have a dark or gloomy tinge to them. I don't recommend this as a suitable birthday present, unless the receivng party is your foe.
My favourite is David Foster Wallace's "Forever Overhead". It's about a 13 years old boy spending his birthday with his family He was beginning to be aware of the changes happening to his body. This is an extrapolation of his internal dialogues and (outward) experience at the swimming pool. The way this is written, time slows down and the reader goes through the same journey and experiences as the boy. Great story here.
The short stories in this book are not written by Haruki, but rather his personal selections of other authors' work. The stories have a dark or gloomy tinge to them. I don't recommend this as a suitable birthday present, unless the receivng party is your foe.
My favourite is David Foster Wallace's "Forever Overhead". It's about a 13 years old boy spending his birthday with his family He was beginning to be aware of the changes happening to his body. This is an extrapolation of his internal dialogues and (outward) experience at the swimming pool. The way this is written, time slows down and the reader goes through the same journey and experiences as the boy. Great story here.
My first read for the year and I finished 2/3 of the book last night. I read the first 2 installments more than a year back and this book was out end last year.
Read about the synopsis here. I found the book in the young Adults' section, but this is good read for anyone and better than Harry Potter, IMO. I know a good book when I feel like I am part of the story while I was reading it. The story like HP is set in modern day London, but magicians rule the country. It will be great if this book was made into a movie, so we will see how London is being destroyed by the creatures from "The other place". I also like the sarcasm and wittiness of Bartimaeus, the main character and a Djinn. The book also serves some nice surprises in the story line. Good read.
Read about the synopsis here. I found the book in the young Adults' section, but this is good read for anyone and better than Harry Potter, IMO. I know a good book when I feel like I am part of the story while I was reading it. The story like HP is set in modern day London, but magicians rule the country. It will be great if this book was made into a movie, so we will see how London is being destroyed by the creatures from "The other place". I also like the sarcasm and wittiness of Bartimaeus, the main character and a Djinn. The book also serves some nice surprises in the story line. Good read.
I came across some Jamie Oliver's cook books on the Amazon site. (I always wanted to get his cook books but they were quite pricey)
I can't retrace back my steps on getting a bargain for "The Naked Chef", hard cover and "The Naked Chef Takes off", hard cover for a Better together price of US$40.88. (Whooppee!)
If I chose to purchase the two books from Jamie's first book, "The Naked Chef", the Better together price would be US$51.37. 20% more! Yikes!
AND apparently, there's two pricing for the 2nd title
The Naked Chef Takes Off [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover) U$15.99
The Naked Chef Takes Off (Hardcover) US$26.56
I can't retrace back my steps on getting a bargain for "The Naked Chef", hard cover and "The Naked Chef Takes off", hard cover for a Better together price of US$40.88. (Whooppee!)
If I chose to purchase the two books from Jamie's first book, "The Naked Chef", the Better together price would be US$51.37. 20% more! Yikes!
AND apparently, there's two pricing for the 2nd title
The Naked Chef Takes Off [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover) U$15.99
The Naked Chef Takes Off (Hardcover) US$26.56
ETA: I have ordered and didn't order Jamie's books
I had finished reading this book and enjoyed it. I found this book during a book sale. My practice is to give away the books after reading them, so that my bookshelf wouldn't complain about the weight, but this book is a jem and keeper. I have to re-read this when I have child(ren) next time. :)
This book provides insight on parenting and it's a good read for any parents. The author, Marc Parent documented down his daily interactions with his children, which along he also wrote about his baggage from his childhood and fear of not living up to his and the children's standard of being a father. But at the end of the day, parenting is an on going process for him and he will move forward with the memories and experience he has gained in his children's early years.
What books are on your nightstand?
I need to finish the personal finance book that I have borrowed from the library. Meanwhile I have started another... I set myself to read at most two books at one time, otherwise I could never finish reading even one of them. Consolidate, minimise and tidy up.
While we were out last Sunday, I found this gem of a cook book at Times the bookshop.
I can't wait to try out some of these recipes. I asked hubb to choose what he will like me to cook, afterall he paid for the book. Hehe. ;) He picked Cajun chicken. He also said that he will make me steak dinner once we recovered. He was never fussy about my cooking, which is great and boost my confidence as an adventurous cook. Last week he even cooked twice and I love his efforts. The dishes were mostly cooked and that's great enough for me. ;)
As for me... chilli corn carne. I love this Mexican dish coz they have beans in it. I also want to make more use of my neglected oven. Oh well I will have more free time, which means I will pack bento lunches for my hubb. :)
