unsaid but hopefully well written: reading

Updates on Reading

favorite September 29, 2018

Because it's been a long time since I write about books and still confidently stating on my profile that I am a lifetime reader, I thought it would be nice to update about my current reading situation.

So, this year, I have skipped two of the most awaited book fair in town : Big Bad Wolf 2018 last April and Indonesia International Book Fair last September. I have to admit that I can't spare my weekends going there because of other plans, but then again, it's been a while since I was properly reading something. I even had books from BBW 2017 I haven't read yet. Wow, that was new.

Anyway, these days, I've been going back on reading because I am contributing on another blog which demands me to read lots of things first before writing about a topic (the blog is on my sidebar, kindly check on that if you are interested in material and design ;)). And I just got a book I've ordered about a month or month and half ago finally delivered to me. I think that's what triggered me to read more and kind of regretting missed the IIBF couple weeks ago.

1. Wonder

Have you watch the movie? I haven't. And before watching the trailer on youtube, I have never had the interest to get a copy. But I watched it somehow and not long after that find a deal on instagram in which the book was sold on a deal (like, 60% of its actual price). I immediately order that (and my long awaited Emma Mills' latest release; Foolish Hearts which unfortunately can not be sent to me at the end) and the book finally arrived earlier this week.

I am not good with review, but all I can say is that this book is that one book that make you feel good. about life. It has all that cliche messages like don't judge the book by it's cover and be kind because everyone is fighting their own battle, but one that hits me best is this one :

picture from here

I'm not wholeheartedly agree with this one since being right, or at least trying to be right for me, is something absolute. But in other context, it's true that we always have that choice to be kind. Why not saying thank you to your angkot/gojek driver on your destination? Why not hug your friend when they feel sad instead of questioning everything behind their back? Why don't call your parents on your free time and ask them how they are doing? We can choose to be kind in many situation possible.

2. Crazy Rich Asians

I know I'm jumping on the mainstream bandwagon on this one. I have watched the movie last weekend and I loveee it. That and To All the Boys I've Loved Before is definitely two movies I have watch this year (yes, I don't watch movies that often, I only watch k-shows because I have that Viu app on my phone) and wouldn't mind to rewatch.

I was triggered to read the book after several articles saying that there are differences between the book and the movie. This one, I read the e-book version and already halfway through it. And already looove it. It might not quite quotable but I love how the story unfold. Also the setting makes me craving another holiday to Singapore, just because ;)

3. My To-Be-Read List

Since Wonder and Crazy Rich Asians, I thought I could go back to my reading mode (also to do 1 row of book photos on instagram, please don't judge ;D). I was actually starting to read Imperfect by Meira Anastasia but stopped halfway because I always have a hard time reading non-fiction and I don't want to push my way throught it for now (maybe I can continue reading that later). But because I don't want to turn the mode off, I make a To-Be-Read list :

- China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan - because I love the first one even though I haven't finished it yet. And everyone story is interesting! And the details are amazing, and of course it's entertaining.

- The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - because I've been reading positive reviews about this book and it was on a very good deal (20K for a book from a clearance sale) even though it was a translated version. Along with this book, I also ordered Singapore Begins by Agata Barbara and Hello NY by Julia Rothman (eventhough the arrival of these packages are still unknown -,-)

- Foolish Heart by Emma Mills - definitely gonna have this one by the end of the year, once I got my refund.

Yay! I'm so excited about receiving packages of book I actually like! For now, I'm gonna settle with rearranging my bookshelf after leaving it for so long.

bye now! :D

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2017 : Reading

a year in a glance December 29, 2017

In summary, my reading in 2017 has been... bleak (ha!).

I read less than 10 books this year with only 1 that is not fiction. I read more on wattpad though, from fanfiction to novels (and I can actually recommend some stories because it's actually good. Go check them out here : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). I still haven't read my 3 non-fiction book from my Big Bad Wolf haul last year and there's another 1 I just bought last night, another 2 I order earlier this month and another one I have yet to buy but been wanting to buy since last year.

Looking back at my reading habit at this time of the year makes me realize that I haven't really enjoying reading like I used to. I was occupied with any other things (such as playing candy crush, the guilty pleasure of the year, and maybe the changes that happened in my life; changes of my working place, of my weekend agendas, of my life in general, and so on).

There's also this conversation between me and my friend not so long ago about my reading habit. I was informing her about my recent book purchase and suddenly, she said that she knows the reason on why I read a lot but still clueless about a lot of things. (This is her conclusion since I've been consulting her non-stop about cooking (she kindly video-called me while I was making a trip to the grocery and calling me the whole time I fried my first chicken :"))). She told me, "you read a lot, but you only read fiction (and YA at that), shouldn't you read something with more knowledge on it?"

And I was triggered for a second but then I remember that I've been on the phase in which I was ashamed of my choice of book. I was actually trying to read more articles and 'heavier' books, even non-fiction book (hence my #readingmorediversegenre challenge) to update me on current events and pretty much anything I can update to, but I just can't put my mind into it. And I feel like, I fail; this is just not me.

So I told her that I've read somewhere that I just need to read whatever that makes me happy eventhough other people don't understand why I would be happy reading that. It wasn't a justification, I'd categorize it as me embracing myself. That I don't have to like what everyone else's like and it's alright if people don't really like what I like. And it's not like I didn't gain anything from reading my choice of books. I realize that overtime, I get more perspective, insights, and vocabulary from reading what I like to read.

Just squeeze out the best out of everything, right?

That doesn't mean I don't want to broaden my perspective and knowledge through reading, though. Maybe I can finally start in 2018. But one thing I know, I wouldn't push myself and make me not enjoying a thing I've been doing since I was still a kid. See you and cheers for more reading in the future :).

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Singapore Trip : A List for Book-Place Hopping

books' story April 28, 2017

(I legit want to have it titled A List for Nerdy-Spot Hopping but I'm not sure if that's a correct use of words xp)

Years back, I often stumble into quizzes in which you need to answer several questions about a topic and write them on your blog/facebook notes just to tell things about yourself. One of the topic was about reading and there's always this one question that makes me wonder : what is the title of the book you last checked out from the library?

My answer would always be academic reference book because that is what a library is about almost my whole life and the closest library to me is the university library. When I was a kid though, when I went to my grandparents' house, my grandmother sometimes took me to the public library and l read a lot of Baby Sitter's Club books but that's the only non-academic experience about library and its been a looooong time ago.

The last time I was in Singapore, I had this chance to totally channeling my reading-self (since I mostly exploring the city alone) by visiting a lot of books-related places. Here are the list and maybe it could be the next place on your list too.

1. Bras Basah Complex

Search Bras Basah Complex in google and you'll find that the place is often associated with books. I was interested to visit the complex after reading this post about second-hand books there. When I visit this place on my second day, I think there's some kind of second-hand book fair right in the center of the building. It was huge and the deal was soooo good (like, 10 SGD for 3 books in fair condition!).

still regret for not buying :(

I didn't end up buying for myself though (the cheapskate cell taking over) because I pack light and there's seriously no room for anything if I decided to buy anything (that was my reasoning, but I definitely regret it now -,-) so I only bought two for a friend of mine.

BEST DEAL!!

Other than that, I also visit Cat Socrates, a cute souvenir shops in the second floor of the building. If you don't have much time, you can always search the internet for shops in Bras Basah Complex, write down their number and visit them accordingly. But I believe there must be hidden gems in this complex I haven't found (and so, another reason for me to go there again).

cutest postcards and things you never know you needed :)

If you do visit here, be careful with the escalator (ha!), and took your time to explore the rows of the shops. You might get some interesting vintage shots, book related.

2. National Library

I visit this place on a whim since I need to cross the street to go to Bras Basah Complex and this building positioned right in the junction next to it, and so I decided to visit this first. National Library Singapore was a huuuuge and tall building like most office building in Jakarta. I don't even believe myself when I read that there's an exhibition on level 10 (like, what library is more than 10 stories? I surely am visiting a whole new world).

Bugis area from National Library

Anyway, since there's a security in every level in the entrance to the collection, I wasn't exploring the inside of the library because I'm not sure if I was allowed to be inside. I was just taking the escalators to see whether the library really has 10 stories or more or not (me and my messed up priorities). When I about to exit the building though, I found out this place has a fiction collection in its lower ground. So I went there for a bit and, sighed, how to have that kind of library in my own city?

fiction collection

3. Bishan Public Library

Bishan Public Library

On my first trip I was actually planning to visit this library for one sole reason of seeing a building that was featured in Archdaily. I couldn't make it back then so I did plan to visit this library on my third day.

Bishan was about 12 km from the Downtown Core (MBS, Merlion Park, etc) and I was going there by MRT and planning to went back to Orchard by bus. The library is nicely located right next to the MRT and bus station so it wasn't hard for me to find it.

book-related quotes on the ramp's wall

The building is a bit smaller than the National Library and there is no security. The first level is for magazine and a coffee shop and also a space for children. At the left side of the entrance, there's a ramp to the second floor which is the place for fiction collection and at the end of the room, there's a separate place for study with desk and tables.

I picked up a book randomly and read there, just because xp.

the book I picked up! almost staying for the rest of the day

The next two level was pretty much the same except there are some hanging study room with colorful glasses. You can see these rooms from the outside and even gets into one if there's an empty one (I was afraid though :p).

4. Library @ Orchard

My friend visited this on her trip once and I can't believe I missed that (turns out it wasn't even there on May 2014, so...). The library was located in the third floor of Orchard Gateway. Yup, in the middle of a bustling shopping mall in a shopping street. A total oasis.

What I love about this library is that it's just soooo pretty. Once you stepped inside, there's a different feeling from the hectic Orchard Road you've just been. It has this elegantly designed shelves and reading nook in the second floor (or fourth floor). The fiction collection? Wow it was mad. I mean, I even went mad for seeing books in a book fair in which I can't obtain without paying. What is the reason for me not to be mad when all the books are there for free.

Anyway, I spend a longer time here since I was waiting for my brother for lunch. I told you, it was a wonderful place to read. I even went there again to read in the afternoon before meeting my brother again in MBS.

Reading space with city view

If you went to Orchard Road with some friends and you prefer to read rather than to shop, just spend your time here. A. Total. Sanctuary.

5. Books Actually and Woods in the Books

This is also a destination I missed on my first trip; a hip bookstore and a children bookstore in Tiong Bahru area. I didn't spend too much time there since there's only so much time you can spend on a running store without intention to buy anything. But visiting both book store was actually enjoyable for me. Especially because both are an aesthetically pleasing store.

no taking pictures inside

vending machine for books!

Other than that, the neighborhood was kind of pretty and there are some hip eating place around too.

6. Library @ Esplanade

I visit Library @ Esplanade on my last day just before I had to go to the airport. It was an art library where you can see a room for dance practice and rows of, instead of book, audio and visual collection related to dance, music, and movie. The interior of this library is pretty but the collection itself was segmented. But it was still a good place to visit as an addition to the Esplanade.

artworks outside the library

***

Visiting all these book-related places makes me feel totally elated. Some people might related to this and some people might not, but in a way, it's like finding my own hiding place. Especially those library, how if I have one here in my own country, I would definitely spend most of my time there :). Cheers for better library near your area in the future!

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2016 : Reading

a year in a glance February 02, 2017

Okay, so it's February already and it's sooo late to write about 2016. But I've been busy with this and that in January and in the midst of that manage to write some drafts about 2016, so I just decided to post it anyway.

My first 2016 moments would be about reading. I read this and feel entitled to make a post about my reading in 2016 since I'm a self-acclaimed self avid reader.

In summary, two milestones of my reading on 2016 were me purchasing a bookshelf and going to Big Bad Wolf. Also I didn't keep track of my reading in Goodreads so that I didn't aware of how much I was reading this year. At least I got some of my instant favorites.

First of all, my first bookshelf.

okay, so this is when it was first arrived. right now, it's kinda cluttered

Before this, I didn't have a bookshelf. I used to put all of my books on a closed cabinet and overtime it got full and I have piles of books I just bought and another were scattered in my room so I can just pick them up anytime when I want to need them. But then I had a major clean up and decided that I don't want to have my books scattered all over my room. And since I didn't have my bookshelf yet, I put all of my books in two boxes and put them away for a while. Trust me, for a person who got excited on the idea of book's spine, that wasn't exactly a good experience.

On the beginning of this year, my family went out to department store and while I stay at home I told my father that I might want to buy a bookshelf. So he updated me of the models on sale, I decided on one, and he went home with a bookshelf. Little did I know that buying a bookshelf requires me to be a bit impulsive (and less thinking). The same day, my father build the bookshelf (I was so sure I can do it myself until my father takes over) and we moved it to my room, after getting rid of my old closed cabinet.

I remember that I wasn't in a very good mood that day and arranging books into the shelves got me so happy. I mean you have endless choice of arranging my books. By title or author's alphabet, by size, by year of purchase, by series, by publishers (local and import), by language, by colors... I decided to go with the size though sorting by colors would look so pretty.

Up to now, I have rearranging my books twice and keep it filled up. I'm pretty sure I'm up for another shelf next year.

The second one is Big Bad Wolf.

I went to Big Bad Wolf 2016 twice. The first one was on early days with a friend of mine and the second one was a week later with my family. I had to admit that I didn't buy that much (only 4 books for me, three of them I didn't really into). But the experience of going itself was fun. Well, you got to be in a hall full of books in good condition and cheaper price, I even lasted for hours twice not buying things and just looking. That's how enjoyable going to a book fair for me.

Also the books I purchase on the BBW 2016 inspires me to read a more diverse genre. Recently I only read young-adults with light love story, and I don't really into those I bought on BBW. Maybe I just need to branch out of my genre.

Of all books I read this year, I have several that was a memorable experience. And here they are :

1. The last two books of Gallagher Academy by Ally Carter.

I have the first four book in translated version and really enjoy reading it. For the last two, I got it on e-book form. The story hasn't lose its charm even after years that I instantly hooked by Cam and her friends' story since the first page.

2. First and Then by Emma Mills

I wasn't going to buy this actually. I'm about to pick another (one of them was Sophie Kinsella's Finding Audrey) and decided on this one mostly because it's cover and it's back cover's synopsis. Turns out I'm loving this book to theb point of reading it in one sitting. The book is witty, with story not only about teenage drama but also about growing up.

3. The Unexpected Everything and Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

I read the books without expectation at first and that what makes it better. Especially Second Chance Summer. Spoiler alert, though it sometimes annoying how the main character was hurting people around her because she was hurt, it was all part of growing up and coping with her own emotions.

4. Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

My favorite one. I can't believe that this is actually a book about a girl suffering from mental illness because I laugh so much and so hard. The book is funny and deep at the same time.

5. Riuh by Kinsia Eyusa

Once, a long time ago, I found this uber cute short-story on tumblr and I've been following the blog ever since. Not too long ago, she open a pre-order for a book of her writings and I just can't miss the chance, so I jumped on it and not even regret anything. Riuh is one of the best written thing I have ever read, and it makes me happy. Because, you know, read things that makes you happy even if no one understand why would you be happy reading that (unknown).

Hope to read even more awesome book next year and cheers for more diverse genre.

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An After Thought of Reading Me Before You

books' story September 10, 2016

picture from here

*SPOILER ALERT*

*I HAVE WARNED YOU*

I was, to put it simply, emotionally exhausted.

The first time I was feeling this way after reading a book was when I finished reading Suzanne Collin’s Mockingjay. I had to admit that I was skimming through the last pages that I wasn’t really sure (until now) about what had really happened (I didn’t watch the movie either). It was both surreal but weirdly… imaginable. Like life can be tragic and we just need to live through it.

Reading Me Before You, in the other hand, had made me fall in love with a strong-willed man, that is Will Traynor, and made me think of how I might have limiting myself just like Louisa Clark did. It did, gave me hope (until several last pages of the book), that even a quad who are dependent to others can give a push to a relatively normal and healthy person to live to the fullest. That life is, in someway would seems to be sucks, but there’s always a way around that.

So when they decided that Will had had enough with his life, that he didn’t want to live it because it wasn’t what he wanted (not having a choice over anything and in a constant need of helper), I was… well, can’t quite understand it.

He stressed that it was his choice, that it was the only thing he had control over after his accident, but it just doesn’t hit me as a reasonable. My hopeless romantic self thought why on earth he can have that final chance knowing that Louisa love him but Louisa can’t choose not to lose someone so precious for her growth. Was that only because Will was told as a strong-willed man who always work his hardest to get what he wanted? That a presence of an ever so cheerful and transparent Louisa can not change his mind?

I read an article saying that if he had not given up his life simply because he loved her, it would undermine the whole story.

In my opinion, Will doesn’t have to love Louisa back to undo his decision, he only need to see that he can be helpful in some other way and that life is something worth living, no matter how hard it can be. I had thought that it was the message the author wanted to tell me all along that I got kind of shock to learn that even after meeting Louisa, even having the best last 6 months of his life (his words), and seeing how his family were in the verge of breaking down, he still found no reason of being alive.

I think if he chose to live for himself (and not for Louisa’s love), he is still true to his character who, on his father eyes, ‘quite capable of doing the opposite of what was right simply because he didn’t want to be complying, in some way’.

Still I can’t choose a happy ending for Will, as he said that she can say that she love him now but they’ll never know what would happened in the next six month. I thought it must be depressing to know that you can do nothing (not even the simple act of hand-shaking) for the rest of your life, but still, he always have a choice to live as a good influence to people he had close to his heart.

Unfortunately, he didn’t.

Death, had been a very sensitive subject. I have grow up knowing that death is something you don’t have a power about. In my opinion (and also religion), you don’t choose to die. You just… die. That explain perfectly why I can’t resonate with Will’s word that it was his choice to die. Because on the other hand, when you’re on the verge of dying (medically, not mentally), you don’t have a choice to keep living.

Reading Me Before You had given me a bunch of feelings, despite the ending. It was a note to treat everyone on the same way. I love a particular part when Louisa just asked Will whether his wheelchair could have a puncture from shattered pbotograph frames when Will had always expected everyone to put a pity on him. Or when Will was mad because Louisa had supposed that he would like horse when she decided to watch a horse race, without asking him first and coosing for him.

It was also a shoutout to live boldly and to not letting a mistake define the rest of your life. To take chances, to strive (like Louisa did when she knew that she’s her family’s only hope to make the end meets), to have a second chance (with Katrina’s going back to college and Louisa choose to retrain).

The book really had a good point, it’s just I was on a different note for the ending.

The book also made me thinking what ifs, and thinking that without a true faith and knowledge of life, for some people, death is an option.

see you when I am less emotionally involved with all this #heavysigh #emotionallyinvolved #withfictionalcharacter #every #single #time

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re-reading princess diaries

books' story May 22, 2015

[source]

Guess what, I'm re-reading Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot (ha!)

I don't actually remember, but I think my first time reading the book (the indonesian version) was when I was on junior high school. At that time, I was an avid reader and started to buy my own novels. My collection pretty much starting from that time.

Princess Diaries gets on me pretty fast (obviously) because of its fairy-tale-ish story of an ordinary american girl suddenly being a royal princess of a small country. Of course she also had her own (seemingly petty for a twenty-something me) problems about her bad hair, her too-tall body, her too-big feet, her unspoken crush, and her genius best friend. I'm seeing the stories differently to when I was in junior high school. I never thought that Lilly is annoying or Mia is way too dramatic back then. Also the culture was too different, at least from what I had experiencing.

The best thing is that it was written in a diary format. I wasn't a diary writer in my junior high, but now, that I have started the habit in high school, I fall in love (all over again) and fully understanding about Mia's rambling in her diaries (also fully acknowledge her habit of writing in classes because I did that too, most of the time).

But of course I'm not going to review the book here (See, I'm pretty expert in the rambling area). I'm actually going to quote one of my favorite part from the fourth book, Princess in Waiting. This was when she already going out with Michael Moscovitz, and admitting that she might be different to other people.

She went :

But whatever, I could deal with that. I am totally used to being the only person I know who sits through Empire Records every time it comes on TBS and who thinks it is one of the best movie ever made - after Star Wars and Dirty Dancing and Say Anything and Pretty Woman, of course. Oh, and Tremors and Twister.

I am content to keep the fact that I must watch the Miss American Pageant every single year without fail secret, even though I know it is degrading to women, and not a scholarship fund, considering no one bigger than a size ten ever gets into it.

I mean, I know these things about myself. It is just the way I am, and though I have tried to improve myself by watching award-winning movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Gladiator, I don't know, I just don't like them. Everybody dies at the end and besides if there's not dancing or explosions, it is very hard for me to pay attention.

So okay, I'm trying to accept these things about myself. They are just the way I am. Like, I am good at English class and not so good at Algebra. Whatever.

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unsaid but hopefully well written

Updates on Reading

2017 : Reading

Singapore Trip : A List for Book-Place Hopping

2016 : Reading

An After Thought of Reading Me Before You

re-reading princess diaries

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