I know, I know. I am sooo ketinggalan zaman.

But it does come with a good perk - where I dont need to wait nor pause :))

I am talking about the twilight saga - yes, I have finally been bitten by the bug. Haha. All four years too late. Imagine that..

It started few months ago when my nextdoor neighbor at work gushed about it, she too was like me, a late bloomer so to call, baru nak sibuk discover the fuss of the saga. I still didnt think much of it then, I wasnt much keen on fantasy kind of books/movies, and my biggest reluctance was due to knowing that the word vampire is in it. She however assured me that it is not one that is scary.

And so my curiousity roused - and I wasnt very objectable on the idea of reading the book anymore- in fact I bought two of the series during the BBW (hardcover for RM5 i must add :D) . They however were stashed in my bookcase - on my KIV book to read list, while I happily read my other books first.

Until I was at cousin's house - I had no book with me, and she had the first book of the series. I thought why not, and guess what - I COULDNT STOP!

This whole week I was like a zombie, reading and reading and reading, one after another, like I was racing for a finishing line - non stop. I read till late at night (actually more appropriately morning) and had only few hours of sleep, before going to work, and come back to continue reading. To the extend of masak pun I still read... Like - Pause reading - Heat pot on the stove - Cont read until minyak dah panas - pause reading - throw the fish in - cont reading till time to turn the fish - etc etc.. you get the gist. haha

Soo engrossed I know. My oh My, How I just wished for the last book (I am down to Breaking Dawn already), is done and over with already. Penat!! But definitely satisfying.

OK, now, before you ask whats the whole point of this post, I shall (chewah dah jadi Edward pulak ever so courteous) start with my reviews.

I supposed no need to say -You surely already know the book is mindbooglingly hard to put down - even for me who no longer really fall for the head-over-heels kind of love story. And yes, for the benefit of the non-converts - it is a love story.

Twilight - As it would with most of the best-sellers, the first book usually is the most exciting. When I read it, I somehow could almost understand and feel Bella - like I am her. Her perplexity over Edward's reaction, and her awe with the Cullens. How the book potrayed her being clumsy and prone to all sort of mishaps were very just, and you could just agreeing - no questions asked- how easily she would be among the 'others'. How you could just see why Edward is being so protective over her, and how they just clicked and be each other's soulmate.

The New Moon - It started with harrowing, with Edward leaving Bella in a lurch. Here, for some reason I could not really feel the loss of him going away. Partly because I knew that Edward was coming back -no thanks to the saga being highly publicised and fussed about so much that though I never really followed it, I still knew anyway that he left and came back in the end. Though maybe a tad corny to my liking but still, tt was still nice and all gooey though when Edward came back. I'd have to say that introduction of Jacob is cleverly done, and Jacob is indeed a character that you could warm up to. You know like the 'bad boy' kind of appeal. Fun loving and never cease to bore.

Eclipse - In Eclipse, where differences between Edward and Jacob were highlighted, it had indeed made me question Bella's sanity. Particularly on the fact that the Cullens are generally the cold ones. Its a bit a drawback I'd say, cos Edward is always described as hard and cold (in literal sense of course), and I couldnt help but think - especially on the cuddles - I could not comprehend or in a way accept that this is one of the trait's Bella enjoy. Because I for sure wouldnt be. I mean, when you cuddle what made it nicer or the default expected feeling is to feel warm and fuzzy (in and out)- rather than cold. So that in a sense, kinda throw me off a bit. And Edward's selflessness is starting to tire me. He's like the too good to be true kind of person, too worldly goody. Plus the emphasis on never risking Bella's life was getting a bit too obsessive- in a way that it kind of obscure the out-of-the-world-kinda-love that they have. It made Edward look more like an overtly obedient if not obsessive protector/guardian of Bella, rather than her greatest love. Next to Jacob's funloving attitude (which I obviously prefer by a long mile, as u'd hve guessed), Edward seems like a pale (no pun intended ,haha) option.

The Breaking Dawn - I am just starting. So stay tuned :)

Update: Edward continued to be annoyingly patronizing in the beginning part of the book. When Bella's life is threatened with the child she is carrying, he actually thought of asking Jake to make out with Bella - so long as she will live. I was like, erk... This is too much.. If I were Bella, I would probably have kicked his ass without second thought for even THINKING about it. Tsk tsk tsk... 

Luckily it didnt get any sickening than that, and the story was actually quite interesting. Especially after Bella has become a vampire herself. On how she is adjusting to be humanlike, and trying to remember to fidget.. and sit after standing for a period of time.. Vice versa when she is learning to do things the vampire way, those bits are funny and entertaining to read.

I am also loving the part on Jacob's perspective (part 2). Thanking profusely that it was from Jake's view not Edward (imagine that- must be dull like crazy..).

Though I kinda melted when Bells is already on par with Edward omce she is a vampire herself. He wasnt sooo careful and holding back like a he was before.. AND she gets a blardy ferrari as the 'after' car!!! How i wish..In my dreams..hahahha

On the final part, when Volturi and its entourage came, I was kinda disappointed that they didnt actually fight, and volturi just retreat - after getting nowhere with Bells saving the day. It was kinda dragged a bit, with no action - i am thinking the movie would be a bit dull if they actually follow it to the dot. I mean for book, its ok, but for movie, if the confrontations part stays as non fighting scene, feels incomplete.

All in all, twas a good read. I wished I had read it sooner - but, better late than never ay ;)

I am planning to marathon the movies soon. Tunggguuuuuu...

Sad, sad, sad...

Rizal and I were in BTS last night to catch RED. To kill the time, we thought of visiting border's new location, since i have read all of my books at home. ..
For those who didnt know, borders on 1st floor has closed its doors last september and re-opening on the Gr floor instead. We were quite excited to see the 'new' borders, hoping it would be bigger and better.
The first thing that came to mind when we were toilering the Gr floor was that the new location is harder to access. But, really, nothing compared to the shock we had when we finally spotted the new borders.
You know why?? It was sooo small!! In fact it is now called Borders Express. Still wouldnt believe my eyes i had asked their staff, to make sure that we got it right. Mana la tahu kan kotkot this is just the express outlet and they actually hv other outlet at different location. But nah ah ah. That was it.
I was so dismayed. So disappointed. I have always prefered going to borders instead of kino or mph but now i guess i just gotta find some other place to find my monthly doze of books. :(

Tsk tsk tsk...

Kinokuniya

We went to Kinokuniya last night cos Rizal wanted to get this one hard-to-get book. I didnt really believe him, cos I thought he was just being dramatic, but true enough, there was only one copy left AND the book was already looking worn.

As the condition of the book is no longer tip top, I asked if we could get a discount. I was expecting like 30% off or something in that raange, but guess what,after that back and forth trip consulting the store manager, all we managed to squeeze is a teeny meeny discount - like 5%. Hello...??? a big huge bookstore, and all you could manage were 5%? I wouldnt have taken it, but this is my other half we are talking about. He couldnt have cared less, as long as the book is readable, he's happy.

Anyhoot, trips to the bookstore wouldnt be complete without buying books, ay? I could rarely resist buying books (or anything else for that matter), always using the tax rebate as excuses ;). Good thing, Rizal feels the same thing, so he usually encourages me to get one or two books as well.

What I hate about Kinokuniya is that their books are all wrapped up. So I cant read it before I purchase it. (the irony of it kan, all the books berbalut bagai, and yet the very one book we wanted to get were not in good condition pun)

WOthout being able to flip the pages to see if the book is intresting or not, I am left with looking at synopsis and reviews on the cover. Which for Kino's sake is actually a good thing, cos I ended up having to buy the book to know, rather than reading a bit to know if its any good.

Anyway, my loot is as below.

Bookstore

Gatecrasher
At the time of this updated review I have read gatecrasher and had this sense of dejavu, as if I have read it or seen iyt on the movies. The ending and middle part of the book didnt ring a bell so I must have flicked through it at Borders. What interests me with this book is that it is written by same writer as the Shopoholic series. She goes under different name previuosly, and as I have always enjoyed her books before I decided to give it a try.
It wasnt disappointing as I finish reading it within 2 days. Very light and suitable for leisure reading during vacations!

100+ years old book!!

Yep you read it right. A 100+ year old book. In fact to be precise 120 years old.

In the midst of looking for some documents at his parents place, Rizal showed me this signature on a book



It was signed in 1893!!! Took a second look and yep my brain read it right - it was indeed signed like a century ago. I was astonished! Still couldnt believe it, I looked at the year it was printed. And guess what???



It was printed in the year 1890! How amazing is that.

And the book is still in good condition, I was so so surprised that Rizal just left it there on the bookshelf together with his other books. So good it is (for a century year old book) I bet I could sell it in ebay for good bucks.

I mean arent this book like a history material now..? And arent we supposed to like not touch it and keep it in a temperature controlled display glass ur sumthin like they did in Da Vinci Code??? For a second, I thought that I might torn the pages while reading it.

And you know how did Rizal own this book? He bought it for merely £2 at the NewCastle Sunday Market. Talk about finding treasures huh?

Anyhoot, after realising how OLD the book is, it dawned upon me - What DID people write about those days??? I mean surely at that time life is probably something like a scene out of Sense and Sensibilities, no?

here is a peek..

Out of curiosity, I must read this book or at least read partially since Rizal said it wasnt really easy to read with the old english style of literature.

But honestly what made me really really want to take it home is because I need to capture it... I just have to.. (its just simply too precious to ignore :))) )

the already jagged pages...

seasoned look...

Daughters Of Arabia

When I looked back through this blog, I was surprised to find that I had never once mentioned of my other passion - which is reading.

Being an avid reader, I obviously frequents bookstores and online books/blogs. When I was younger I used to love going to libraries, I could sometimes be there for hours and hours reading one after another book.

In my family, Ayah is the other person who likes to read besides me. So I guess my reading habit was inherited from him. I remember when I was younger we had like a whole wall full of story books, mags, reader's digest and whole lot of other reading materials.

So, upon realising the fact that I hadnt written anything about my books I decided to start with the current book I am reading.

Daughters of Arabia by Jean Sasson

I picked this book when we were in Borders last weekend. Havent really finished reading it - and have been enjoying it so far.

Its a true story about the lives of a Princess from the Royal family of Saudi. She is one of the Al-Saud, and she (narrated by the writer) is telling the story about being a princess and the challenges of raising her children. This book is actually a continuation to an international best seller titled Princess. I am yet to read it, but will surely hunt for it in the bookstore soon.

This interesting book unveiled the dilemma and challenges of being a woman and a mother within Saudi royals. They live in luxury, with tonnes of money but confined and controlled in the men-ruled country. In her eyes, she told us the story of how more often than not, in Saudi the teachings of Islam were being misinterpreted and concluded to suit men's need and convenience rather than interpreted according way of Islam.

Reading this book made me realise, we the Malaysian are probably having the best of every side of the world. I mean the Arabs are rich, but they are not able to do as they please. In the west on the other hand, we are able to do whatever we want but the freedom can easily make us forget and drift us away - or in some cases, could land us unnecessary trouble with racist issues. Here is Malaysia, we have a balance, a real balance. And it is just really up to us to decide how devoted or devious we want to be. It is really up to us to make the difference in our life. And for that I thank Allah for have given us this opportunity and I prayed that me and my family will always be on the right path.

Amen...