Bibliophilic Me...

It's rather unfortunate of me to believe that Popular bookstore in Seremban is a better one than its rival, MPH. Certain that I wouldn't find the books that I have always wanted at MPH, I ventured to Popular instead. I know I won't regret purchasing Brainwash : The Secret History Of Mind Control (I heart macabre stuff. And it's a non-fiction!). If there's any, it would be the fact that I could not buy the four books which are high in the list of my must-haves. All of them were found at MPH and the discovery was too late for I had already procured the aforementioned book. A mission I would love to see accomplished: to come back with money to buy them.

Hajar @ Jojo Binx wanted to know which books made it to my top 5 of all time favourites, the books that I will reread for any number of times without ever getting bored. Here they are... (in no particular order)



1. Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

This novel revolves around the lives of three friends who are - in the typical American label - special in every way. They are raised solely on the purpose of providing organs for normal people. Yes, this a story of clones. Fear not, it is not ridden with scientific mambo jumbo nor it is too preachy in its conviction. Although one might find the flow tad too draggy, the ending, I believe is guaranteed to leave a profound and lingering impact on the readers. I still felt the hangover of the powerful (and devastating) effect of the novel long after I've finished reading it.

2. We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver

Before reading this novel, make sure you have a dictionary handy. Verbose but eloquently told, it tells the story of a mother recuperating from the tragedy called Thursday. Her son killed eleven people on the eve of his sixteenth birthday. To make sense of her son's motivation to do such deed, she started a tedious correspondence with her estranged husband, dissecting the life and lies in the family prior to Thursday. Engaging, the novel triumphs in its mission to convey the message that evil is born, not built. What unnerves me is that I share so many common traits as the mother. Somehow, I think that this is a parental guidance book disguising as a clever fiction. It'll make those who want to start a family to think twice before making the leap...

3. Ordinary People - Judith Guest

I have raved about it in my previous post. I have little doubt that this novel will become a classic in the nearest future. An inexplicably aloof mother, a battling father and a recovering son make up a seemingly perfect family. A disaster in the recent past looms over the family, threatening to bring them under. It is wittily written and endearing right to the end. I still sympathise Conrad, the little brother who was once shadowed by his brother as he struggles to rebuild his life after the unexpected demise of the older brother and his botched suicide attempt. The novel offers more than an insight into a family shaken by a tragedy. It is a great tale of - as the title suggests - ordinary people.

4. Atonement - Ian McEwan

I earnestly think that the novel is a shade better than the movie. A simple lie, in many ways unexpected and unforeseen especially by the teller, led to the destruction of three lives. Heart wrenching and almost epic in its telling, this novel deserves the spot in the Time Top 100 novels of the century. The twist at the end increases its value.

5. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - JK Rowling

I know Hajar doesn't like the series but she's fully aware that the release of the highly anticipated novel fell on the same day as her birthday. To me, this is more than apt ending to the super popular series. It ties up all the loose ends, answers all questions convincingly, and above all, makes the whole idea of good trumping evil believable. It transcends the scope of a children book what with its darker tone and clever storyline. Heh, it also proves that Snape is a good guy through and through. The epilogue might appear cheesy but for fans like me, it is the best way to end the tale.

I have 5 other notable mentions: I Am Muslim - Dina Zaman, Kill The Messenger - Tami Hoag, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - JK Rowling, Out - Natsuo Kirino, and Freedomland - Richard Price.

Just.Push.Play

Marshaling the much needed confidence wasn't that hard after all. After succeeding in overcoming the seemingly insurmountable first hurdle (the hill part. Anyone can attest to its notoriety), the knots of worry became unravelled.

The plan had been stalled for two years. The 6-month hiatus only made thing worse. I was nearly completely sober from the skills learned previously. Everything drew to a close earlier today. Although I'm only one of the millions who are called drivers in the country, I can't help but to feel elated.

No more waking up early in the morning to go to Nilai. No more meeting with condescending instructor. No more waiting. I'm now liberated.

P.S: Absolutely knackered but can't bring myself to sleep...

Debris from the past...

After this morning's crash course, it's safe to deduce that my confidence has just crashed and burned...Tuesday's the big day. Somehow, today's performance seems like a portent for an undesirable outcome. Gah! I need to keep my wit about me to pass this one.

On board of the new Komuter coach, I laid my eyes on the latest addition to the series of stations. Tanjung Malim. Finally, the spanking new station has been installed with the service. The only regret is, why now?

A thought flitted across my mind. ASiS has introduced me to the world, KY on the other hand propelled myself to the stratosphere. I miss both places to bits and pieces.

Well, the line extension gives me all the more reason to be engulfed in incessant reminiscences...

Closing up!

My mom wonders why I am becoming more taciturn. Is it really so? Well, if there's any reasons why I'm being slightly jittery, it would be that Tuesday's looming nearer.

I wanna pass at the first go!!

P.S; I heartheartheartheart this poster! Shoulda taken it from GSC the other day...

Trailblazer??

"I see that you don't know how to slow down but you're good when let loose speeding."

The kind uncle's remark was spot-on. I couldn't agree more. In the outset, it makes me appear conceited. But I think I know better...

Love is indeed complicated!

Every time I take a train ride across the KL Southern Suburban (i.e. the Cheras area), I will be gripped by the feeling of desiring, or in a more apt fashion, sadness. The large window of LRT or Komuter affords me a good view of the neighbourhood as the train passes by. Even if I take the bus, I can always see the skyline of the area. The spectacle often leaves my guard down and old memories always come flooding back in, threatening to besiege their owner’s senses.

The train lines pass the very roads that were often used to reach my alma mater. On Tuesday, I caught a glimpse of the Petronas station in Bandar Tasik Permaisuri, the one that I passed every time I came back to school after overnight. It had become such a landmark that the mere sighting of the station from the train was enough to trigger the yearning for a time turning contraption. Now, there’s a Shell service station standing next to it. I don’t remember seeing it there before.

From the LRT, one can also see the top of the school’s water tank. If there were one thing I regret not doing back then, it would positively be climbing the positively haunted tank. If I ever use the line, I’ll make it a point to look out for the tower. Without fail, the sturdy profile of the tower quickly transports me to the past. It’s almost absurd but I can’t help it. Nor I can explain it.

Funny thing happened on Tuesday’s morning too. The LRT made a very long stop at Bandar Tun Razak station as if keen to deposit me there. The temptation was overwhelming; I would simply hail a cab and within minutes, I’d find myself explaining my intention to visit the school to the guard. After all, I still have an unfinished arrangement there and I’m bidding my time to strike. Thank goodness that I had an appointment to keep.

It’s always hard for me to describe my time at ASiS. Am I really madly in love with it? Isn’t being school fanatic a trait I customarily shun? No matter how hard I try to come up with the answers, my insecurities heighten and I’ll just let the old memories take over my wit.

This inexplicable commotion of feelings whenever I’m in the propinquity of the school is inevitable even in the long run. I can never understand why such a short stay (as opposed to 5 years, my stint only lasted for two years) leaves an everlasting impact on me. I once concluded that the shorter duration transpired an equal amount of sweetness and bitterness so that there’s no clear winner between the two. I hope my hypothesis will stand and its status as a theory can be elevated to being a law. A law that is only applicable to me, I think.

Cosmic!

A confession to make: I’m a roller coaster junkie. Had I stayed for a few more minutes with them, I would have taken another ride on it. Having tried all the roller coasters at Genting, I must say that the one at Cosmic World comes in second after the Cockscrew.

The Bumper Car was also FUN with capital letters throughout. I still can’t get the image of Fatin reversing in circles waiting to be hit out of my head. That spinning thingy was OK. Fiqry threw a question at me. Frankly, I don’t know. Am I scared of height? Do I experience vertigo at great height? Why did we have an absurdly calm conversation on BTN while dangling a few hundreds feet above ground?

The trip was a blast through and through even though I had to excuse myself early. It would have been out of the world if I stayed for lunch. And a ride on DNA Mixer. Frankly, it’s pretty pointless to spin around at one position. But I can’t deny that it’s far more dizzying than any roller coaster rides!

Thanks Kak Pah for the dorayaki and keychain from Japan. Thanks to everyone who was present; Fiqry, Kamal, Wong, Pam, Kak Pah, Soraya, Ju Vern, Fatin, and the latecomers (Topan, Serap, and Haziq) for this amazing outing!

I’m not surprised if Times Square closes down soon. The layout of the building is just haphazard. Locating escalators can be very tricky. Vienna Bagels was kind enough to dispense free bagels at its newly opened counter, a consolation after a frantic search for an ATM.

Hope that I can manage to join them for the next outing.

P.S: Life’s a rollercoaster ride, jump on one and you’ll make better sense of your life. Nah!