Sunday, July 19, 2020

Review: Ku Cium Haruman Syurga / Ainun Mardhiah Ismail



Penerbit: Daie Millenia
Harga: RM35
Blurb:

Inilah titipan syahid suami kepada Almarhumah Nurhamizah pada saat isteri dicintainya kembali bertemu Pencipta. Selesai sudah tugasnya di dunia dan beliau pergi dalam keadaan reda seorang suami dan orang-orang sekeliling. Subhanallah!

Buku Ku Cium Haruman Syurga merupakan kisah seorang wanita solehah bernama Nurhamzah binti Mohd Shariff ketika hayatnya.

Buku ini sarat dengan pengajaran dan perkongsian yang dapat memberi inspirasi kepada para wanita untuk menjdai hamba Allah, isteri, ibu dan menantu yang cemerlang di dunia dan akhirat.

Jika anda ingin mengubah diri menjadi manusia yang bermanfaat buat keluarga dan ummah, buku ini sangat sesuai dibaca oleh anda dan keluarga. InsyaAllah.

Resensi saya:
Alhamdulillah. Habis baca. Saya membaca buku ini tatkala bosan menunggu Internet yang tak kunjung tiba. Saya bekerja dari rumah kampung sudah beberapa bulan kerana PKP dan mula rasa selesa, sehinggalah masalah Internet melanda. Suasana yang menekankan bagi semua orang yang bekerja dari rumah.

Bagi saya, buku ini bacaan pantas. Saya dapat habiskannya dalam masa sejam lebih saja. Di dalam buku ini terdapat kisah ringkas Almarhumah Nurhamizah nukilan insan-insan yang mengenalinya, keluarga dan kawan-kawan. 

Sebagai seorang pelajar sekolah aliran sains, saya rasa begitu kerdil dan mulia cita-cita beliau, seorang hafizah yang menjadi isteri dan ibu pada usia muda dan meninggal pula pada usia muda di saat iman paling baik. Sungguh cemburu. Sudah tentulah, kematiannya dirindui insan sekeliling. Orang baik, Allah sayang - Ustaz Ebit Liew. Betul?

Semoga rohnya dirahmati Allah.

Pernah dulu keluar satu buku tentang kematian seorang pemuda di Turki, Cerita Cinta Ahmad Ammar.
Saya boleh klasifikasikan buku ini sepertinya. Mungkin kisah Nurhamizah tidak tular seperti Ahmad Ammar, tapi mereka memiliki jiwa yang serupa. Penerbitannya pula bukanlah sebaik Karangkraf, isinya saya rasakan boleh dimantapkan dari segi pengisian dan susunannya.

Saya ingin melepaskan buku ini kepada sesiapa yang mahu tanpa bayaran kecuali kos pos. Saya takut buku ini terus dilupakan dalam rak saya lama-kelamaan. Kandungannya bagus, tapi baiklah orang lain pula memanfaatkannya.

Teringat kawan sekolah yang Nur Hazwani Hasnan yang meninggal dunia awal tahun ini. Seperti Nurhamizah, dia meninggal pada usia muda dengan anak yang masih kecil. Kami sama-sama selalu melepak di bilik belajar dahulu, teringat senyuman dan tutur sopannya. Malah, tak pernah saya dengar dia bercakap kasar aku-kau, semua saya-awak. Didikan ibu, katanya. Dia memiliki kawan-kawan baik yang sentiasa bersamanya dalam susah senang. Cemburu pun ada. Tapi saya begini, dia begitu. Semoga Allah merahmati dia.

Semakin menginjak usia, baru kita sedar. Keluarga dan kawan akan meninggalkan kita satu-persatu. Apa yang tinggal hanya amal baik dan kenangan saja. Jadi, jangan sedih jika kita sendiri.

xoxo
S
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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Review: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons, #4) / Julia Quinn



Synopsis:

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for... well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him until she stumbles across his deepest secret... and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph.

But when Colin returns to London from a trip aboard, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same, especially Penelope Featherington, the girl haunting his dreams!

And when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide... is she his biggest threat, or his promise of a happy ending? 


My Review from GR:

A story of a Plain Jane with something more than meet the eyes. I couldn't be happier than now. 💟 The experience of reading one Bridgerton after another is blissful. Beyond that, to think that I love the new book more than the previous one over and over again. All in all, I love JQ. I need to devise a plan to visit London some day, just because.


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Thursday, January 16, 2020

Review: To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons, #5)




I found this family tree online, just for my reference if one day I'll need to refer back to the book characters. I wonder, if some day Oliver and Amanda will get their own stories. I love those kids so much.




Through this book, I've discovered a new book rental near my office. I make my resolution this year I will bring myself to the shop. (If it still exist-lah)
https://www.leabooks.com.my

I bought the book myself on early 2018, though I've read the book around 2017. My love for the Bridgerton series become my motivation for collecting the book. Since the Duke and I will be in Netflix, we'll need to wait for a while to see Eloise and Sir Philip Crane.

I find Eloise the most daring among the Bridgerton's sister. Who will just dash out to the countryside and finding her man, in that particular time and setting? I couldn't. I would not jump into that kind of situation, she's really brave. Sir Philip is a botanist and that reminds me of my mother. She adores plants. I've been to a lot of greenhouse, I'm eager to see the kind of greenhouse in 18th century. Also excited about the setting, they have ponds which Amanda and Oliver love to go, also the place where their mother suicide. The twins attempts to send her away was very wicked but she manage to outwit them. Having seven siblings sure brings good experiences. Reading someone outsmart kids, is like watching The Pacifier, replace the bald guy with Eloise. That's one of my favourite movie and I love young human. They'll say whatever in their heart. Moreover, this is the only book in JQ series with the most kid involvement in present time in it. In other book in the series, kids always mention in the past (as Simon's past) or just in the background.

When Eloise's scheme running away to the country had been found out by her brother's, Anthony and Colin didn't straight away marry her to the fellow. They have strong love for their sister. In other way, she'll have her say in it, thank god, at the moment she's already in love with Sir Philip, despite his overbearing ways. That scene was also very entertaining. There's a lot of good memories in the book, but I can't recall straight away. I'll read it again some other time since I've the paper book copy now.

I need to start working now. Adios.

15/01/2020







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Friday, January 3, 2020

The Final Day Year 2019

Sudah 2020, tapi kereta terbang tak ada lagi. Joke tahun ini. Tahun ini genap lima tahun aku berhenti kerja sebagai librarian. Omg, am i still talking about this? Seriously, Sol. Stop living in the past. Hence that was I always said. Yeah, life been great. Honestly, my language (BM) has been better. Now I know the difference between "dari" and "daripada". Even using the proper punctuation. 

I've got more sense of money and relationship. Family come first. I even got 3 years in a row, well not whole year but I manage to save money to travel to four countries. That being said, includes six months being homeless in 2018, living in office, sleeping in car and yada yada. Though I manage to rent a house just before ramadan because that's just too sad. Eating alone.

Sebenarnya saya nak tulis dalam bahasa, dari mana datangnya bahasa asing di atas pun tak tahu. Mungkin sebab kepala otak ni berfikir dalam bahasa Inggeris. Saya merindui kawan baik saya. Masih ingat kawan sekolah saya, Jah? Dia dah tiada. Malam ini, tiba-tiba saya teringatkan dia. Saya jahat, dia baik. Dan orang baik selalu Tuhan ambil dahulu.

Kalau dia masih ada, kami mungkin akan makan malam tahun baru bersama. Sambil saya meluahkan masalah kerja di syarikat yang tak memberikan bonus tahun ini. Dengan segala penat lelah, jerih payah bersengkang mata menyiapkan beratus-ratus item setahun, akhirnya diberikan berita bonus yilek. Tapi jangan risau, anda boleh bekerja dari rumah seminggu akhir. Luangkan masa bersama keluarga. "Tapi jangan lupa kerja." Tapi jangan risau, saya masih makan tahun baru bersama kawan lain. Cumanya soul itu kurang. 

Funny thing. Tiga bulan, sprint reading demi mencukupkan kuota membaca tahun ini, saya banyak membaca buku tentang kahwin. Maybe, I secretly wants to know, How Do People Get Together. Serius. Tak adalah susah mana. Fiksyen and realiti sangat berbeda. Ms. Beribiru, now Mrs. sudah pun jadi ibu. Hud namanya. That boy, sooooo seriously cute.

Adik saya, another Sol sudah tinggal bersama umi. Saya nak balik kampung dan buat kerja di rumah saja, tapi selepas fikir semula. Tak mungkin saya boleh tinggal lama dalam suasana kampung lagi. Saya bukan party girl, jauh sekali suka akan suasana hiruk-pikuk kota raya. Bahkan, saya bertukar syif malam sebab saya suka tenang. Saya cuma sukakan kemudahan, access to everything I need just on my fingetips, gitu... Di kampung misalnya, saya perlu memandu ke Teluk Intan untuk beli Domino's/ McD, itu memerlukan dua jam masa pergi dan balik. Belum kira lagi duit minyak kereta dan kelaparan semasa pergi dan balik. Sedangkan dua jam itu saya boleh guna untuk baca sebuah buku! I rest my case.

Dulu, saya rasa memandu adalah perkara paling membuang masa. Anda perlu fokus semasa memandu. Tak boleh membaca, sakit badan. Kenapalah saya beli kereta dan perlu memandu? Tapi itu lebih baik daripada menaiki motor. Sekurang-kurangnya saya boleh melayan audiobook atau menonton drama masa memandu (jangan tiru aksi no. 2). Setakat ni, masih selamat. 

Itu saja untuk kali ini. 

Harapan tahun 2020. Saya akan menulis lebih banyak entri. Mungkin review atau sekadar carutan. Selepas terdiam 2-3 tahun, mungkin sudah tiada orang datang ke blog ini. Saya tak perlu mengagumkan sesiapa. Mungkin saya masih baru dalam mencarut semasa menulis, tapi saya boleh cuba. :) Oh no. I can't.


2019, thanks anyway.


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Friday, September 13, 2019

Review: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2) / Julia Quinn



First publication: December 2000/ Piatkus Books
Pages: 384.
Rating: 4/5

Blurb:
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...
--Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814
But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry--he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield--the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's determined to protect her sister--but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...

Quote:
"Before she knew what she was about, she was jumping about like a crazy woman, yelling, “Yes! Yes! I win!”

“You don’t win,” Anthony snapped.

“Oh, it feels like I’ve won,” she reveled."
— Julia Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2))

"The unexpected moment [is] always sweeter."
— Julia Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2))

"Sometimes there are reasons for our fears that we can’t
quite explain. Sometimes it’s just something we feel in our bones, something we know to be true, but
would sound foolish to anyone else."
— Julia Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2))

Review:

I read this soon after I finished reading The Duke and I. I'm almost forgetting Anthony's character in Bridgerton Series. Maybe because he's not charming enough? Or maybe I'm seeing him a protective brother that I will never have. By all means, he's said to be the famous rake (to Kate especially, since she's so against the idea of her sister marrying Anthony), but I can't picture him that way. Before reading this novel, I didn't know that human could die from a single bee sting and there are people who allergic to bee sting. I've only heard (read: watched documentaries) that a lot of bee sting will poison human blood, etc. I had to say Kate is the most stubborn lady I've met. This is the classic 'fall for your sister' story. Glad this story ends well without complicated 'jealous sister' drama etc. That is one of the reason I like JQ. 

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Movie Review: Ready or Not (2019)







Description from Wikipedia:
Ready or Not is a 2019 American black comedy horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from a screenplay by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy. The film stars Samara Weaving as a newlywed who becomes hunted by her spouse's family as part of their wedding night ritual. Mark O'Brien portrays her husband, with Adam BrodyHenry Czerny, and Andie MacDowell as members of his family.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Review: An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3) / Julia Quinn



First publication: 2001 / Piatkus
Pages: 354.
Rating: 4/5

Blurb:Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Review:

I'm in the midst of sorting books in my library. There's a total of 1742 ebooks and counting in my TBR. I don't know when I have time to read all of this! Panic start to rush :) I have this weird addiction. Stacking piles of books to read.

The other day, I talked to Kak Mai about this book. She's just starting reading JQ series after months of us (read: Bonetarians) persuading her. Not really persuaded, but you understand... If 2/3 of us talking about this in group, who would've resist the temptation, right? Peer pressure is real. Anyway, she complained this book pace is very slow to the point it become so boring as compared to other previous two books. I said to her, for me, Benedict is not an alpha male. He's like the advisor in the Bridgerton, a very sensible second child, though I do not remember whether he's the second child or not. Haish~

Sophie & Benedict reminds us to the Cinderella story sets in 1800's, minus the fairy godmother. With Sophie as the Cinderella & Benedict as the Prince Charming aka the savior. Just like Cinderella, Sophie's life is a tragedy that unveils into romantic journey with a twist. I like the way Benedict solves Sophie's problem in jail. Reader might think Sophie is very indecisive (just like Cinderella) which make this novel a very slow burn indeed. Luckily we have moms. Who need a fairy godmother when you have Lady Violet Bridgerton? I think in this story, she is bad ass mother of all. 

Love,
S





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Friday, September 6, 2019

Review: Virtue and Vanity / Astrid Jane Ray


Publication: Feb 2016 Kindle  Link
Pages: 528.
Rating: 3.7/5

Synopsis: With crushed dreams and a heavy heart, Isabelle Walsh becomes the wife of New York City millionaire Sebastian Everett. On the surface, her rich and beautiful husband is the embodiment of every girl’s dream, but Isabelle will learn just how deceiving looks can be. By the time she discovers there is real danger hidden behind those captivating green eyes and thick layers of sophisticated appearance, it is too late to escape Sebastian’s cruelty. Without a thread of compassion, he shows her the true meaning of hell, making it abundantly clear her fragile feelings mean nothing to him.

But life has strange ways of playing with one’s fate.

In an intriguing turn of events, the same man who had once shattered her to pieces, suddenly starts treating her with extreme care and swears there will be no more pain. Isabelle has been tricked too many times to believe him, but the devil she bargained with refuses to give up on his mission to earn her forgiveness as well as her heart. While Sebastian unfolds from a monster into Prince Charming right before her eyes, Isabelle finds herself falling under his spell and getting closer to making a choice that might be fatal for both of them.
 

Review: 
I browsed some recommendations list from Goodreads and found this book. This book was very popular among GR reader's back then. Caution: This is not a quick read. 528 pages is a commitment, this is why I tend to find historical cliche more appealing. But this novel is surprisingly enjoyable for happy ending seeker (read:me). I'm kind of reminiscing the feel when I'm reading my first novel when I'm in high school, it's kind of nice.  



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Review: The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) / Julia Quinn


Publication: June 2006/ Avon Books
Pages: 384.
Rating: 5/5

Blurp:
Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?
—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813
By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy sutiors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.
But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her… but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke… for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love. 
Quote:

"Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest will soon follow.

-Lady Whistledown"
— Julia Quinn (The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1))

"Where is he? Bridgerton!" he bellowed.
Three chestnut heads swiveled in his direction. Simon stomped across the grass, murder in his eyes.
"I meant the idiot Bridgerton."
"That, I believe," Anthony said mildly, tilting his chin toward Colin, "would refer to you."
— Julia Quinn (The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1))

"To say that men can be bullheaded would be insulting to the bull."
— Julia Quinn (The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1))
My review
The Duke & I gonna be adapted into Netflix series soon. This is the second book of Julia Quinn I've read. At the moment I'm in the mood of historical romance, sitting by the pool, quite posh weekend getaway with friends. What a bliss. It took a long time for me to start Julia Quinn series despite the abundance of recommendation and good reviews. Glad I did not abandon my intention reading this series after all. 
_____
 I think I did a great disservice to the book, considering I read the book for quite a few years before I actually write one review... I have read the book (again!) And liked it better.- 2019
_____





Happy ending.
S
   
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Thursday, August 23, 2018

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye
-.-

I read a book just a couple days ago, the poem excerpt was on the first chapter, i fell in love instantly. This poem was not new to me. In fact, I wrote this poem in my diary the first time I read it. It brings memories and make me think of my late father and my late bestfriend in school.
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Saturday, March 26, 2016

Review: Mat Diari / Syamnuriezmil




Harga: RM 10
Beli dari: https://www.facebook.com/thechapterbookstore
Tarikh Baca: 24 March 2016

Cerita bermula saat Firyal menaiki ETS ke KL untuk satu talk. Dia terjumpa sebuah diari tak bertuan di tempat kosong sebelahnya. Diari seorang lelaki yang bersedih atas kehilangan orang yang dia sayang itu sangat berganja baginya. Dalam perjalanan pulang ke Ipoh seorang lelaki duduk di sebelah mengacau dia yang khusyuk membaca diari peribadi orang. Harith kata Firyal kena belanja dia makan kalau dia teka ending diari itu dengan betul. 

Penangan diari itu Firyal sampai propose Bai untuk bercinta. Yalah, takut nanti jadi macam kisah "Aku" dalam diari. Firyal tak mahu menyesal. Bai tolak, kawan baik dia ini sudah tukar status jadi IN RELATIONSHIP di FB. Adoilah Firyal. Nasib awaklah. Betulkah Bai dah ada kekaksih? Tak jadi Firyal nak gencatan senjatan dengan Bai. Bai yang baik hati ini, perkenalkanlah Firyal pada kawan dia, Harith, dek pemergian Bai ke Jepun lama. Mana tahu rupanya pemilik diari itu adalah orang yang bersembang dengannya di dalam train, kawan Bai pula tu. Apa nak jadi?

---

Ini bukan buku pertama aku sejak masuk tahun ini. No! Tak ingat buku mana yang first baca sebab tinggal kat kampung. Penat jadi orang bandar sampai tak sempat nak review. Eleh, alasan. 

Ambil masa 30 minit sebelum mula kerja dah habis satu Mat Diari. Bolehlah nak kata, menghiburkan pagi-pagi di office.

Yada~



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Friday, October 2, 2015

Review: That Boy/Jillian Dodd

Rating: 4.5

Very cute and fun-loving story. This book convey it's own story in diary-like writing. A young girl, 6 years old whom other might perceive as tomboy growing up to be woman, kindergarten, high school, college...yada, yada. I didn't expect anything. Childhood story, with the mind of a child talking about football, neighbour, childhood friends, friendship. etc. That friendship would eventually turn into never ending frustrating question, will she realize it or not?

Basically this book is a life itself.

Jayden - the main character here.
Philip - the friend who never took a role/spotlight. being him the supporter
Danny - the friend who share something common


I kept thinking about this. I tried to read the next book, nothing compares to this. This book contains the innocence of friendship, love and family. Which is why I consider it's a cute story.& no I don't like "The Wedding" that much. Hoping it would stop just that.




_ _ _  _




Hi,

I was wondering whether I should stop blogging or not. Life quite hectic. But no, maybe not. Just yesterday a friend from my GR past invite me to a group, reminding myself that I shouldn't keep away things that make me happy. These days I've been sitting in front of computer for most of the time-FYI-working. yes, i'm working for distraction, though my relatives said it's too much. I wonder what have I missed.

-S-
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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Review: I've Got Your Number / Sophie Kinsella

Hi,
I miss myself here. Really...
Btw, I looked at my post before, about that Anya thingy~~
Turns out that I might be late or something. I haven't received any reply yet from her.
Sad.

Okay, back to the business.


The other day, I stumble upon this chick-lit on my shelf. Thinking back how hard I looked for this book before. Then I realized it is forever on to-read piles---almost forever. duh! In retrospect, I do have few boxes of books unread. Maybe book hoards just my obsession. I'm healed now. Serious!

I must be too excited then.
Ok.

I read this in two sitting. During last holiday (4 days off) I was reaching for something light for my appetite. This book seem suit me well. After two chapters I was off but determination lead me to the end. Truly. I was wrong.

It is really fun. I finish it at 2:00 am. I came back from work about 10 something, was about to continue for tomorrow night. I couldn't. Without realizing I was at the last page and tomorrow I have to work again, too!

I love the way the story goes. Missing phones? Come on. I was picturing the hero would be a charm somehow, a heart melting point of stone-cold me. (Well, he is--not in my way though)  Put more details on him, pretty please. 
Then, the ending? What! So much for movie scenes. 
I love it. I would love if there'll be a bit of family element from between of them. But no sequel.

Note: I need to learn play Scrabble. 

book hangover: 3 days (before I move on to the next book)

-S-
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Monday, November 24, 2014

Review: #WahaiMelayu by Anas Zubedy


Writer: Anas Zubedy
Publisher: Zubedy Ideahouse Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur
Pages:327 
ISBN:9789671109977
Price: RM 24.90 buy from MPH

Sinopsis
The book is entitled #WahaiMelayu: Allah Tak Akan Ubah Nasib Melayu,Kalau Kita Melayu Tak Nak Ubah Diri Kita Sendiri. This bi-language (Malay – English) book is by Anas Zubedy and foreward by Tun Mahathir Mohamad.

Pertama sekali, jangan idamkan wang mudah. Bila kita buat wang mudah, kita rasa seolah-olah kita dah berjaya tapi sebenarnya tidak. Kita hanya syok sendiri. -petikan dari buku.
___
How I get this book.
I received this book from my (ex)boss as a light reading material one evening. She was having lunch at Hilton and came across the book launch event and bought it for RM20 . Anas Zubedy was among her favourite Penang-born writer (she's from Penang!). Thanks to her I'm reading this book.

First thing I did before reading this book was searching the infamous Anas Zubedy in Google. Impressive background, I thought. 

Its a small book collecting all the motivational phrase particularly for Malays in Malaysia. I think this book also suits all but since it says #wahaiMelayu, its audience narrowed down a bit. It's bilingual so even those who thought their english is better than bahasa malaysia can understand. There will be other books on #wahaiCina or  #wahaiIndia  upcoming, from what she heard. Positive thoughts from Anas Zubedy for Malays to reflect themselves. 

Malays.
Even if we consist of majority in Malaysia are a bit lack in every aspect especially economy. Anas writes lots entrepreneurship tips with the hope that people will change Malays way of living and thinking .

Good point is that this book is less word but have strong sense of justice& motivation. It is not only sweet talk but also a book to knock some sense into you (read: me).

One thing I hate about this book is the book cover. Phrase, 'don't judge a book by its cover' has really negative effect on creativity of most of our publication industry. First impression really help for this kind of book.

xoxo
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Review: Soalan Maut untuk Ustaz

Penulis: Ahmad Fedtri Yahya; Shahrizan Daud At-Turabi.
Penerbit: PTS Millenia.
ISBN: 978-967-411-234-9
Harga: RM15 (beli online RM13.50)

Ulasan:
 Sedang bersenang-senang duduk dalam kedai buku orang, aku ambil buku ini dan habiskannya dalam sekali duduk. Buku yang ringkas dan mudah untuk aku fahami. Mestilah sebab tertarik pada personaliti dua orang yang ada pada kulit buku. Tertanya-tanya apa dia SOALAN MAUT itu? Soalan di alam barzarkh-kah atau yang lain.

Ternyata kesilapan besar kerana aku hanya mentafsir dari tajuknya saja. Sebagai seorang wartawan saudara Fedtri mengemukakan soalan-soalan cliche dengan jawapan mewah artis/ masyarakat kita. Terduduk bila baca huraian ustaz Shahrizan tentang persoalan tanggapan muslimin& muslimat seperti yang selalu kita baca di media hiburan. Kadangkala terkena batang hidung jugalah...sebab hampir kebanyakan perkara yang diutarakan dalam isinya adalah isu remeh yang kita pandang sebelah mata saja sebelum ni.

Kebiasaan (adat) dan syariat. Seringkali kita ketemu soalan-soalan tentang kehidupan seharian masyarakat dengan jawapan yang sememangnya salah tentang tanggapan mereka terhadap pemahaman agama. Orang kita malah mungkin seluruh umat Islam sendiri seringkali sambil lewa bila menjawab persoalan ini. Benda biasa memang sukar nak diubah kalau tak ada pemahaman. 

Contoh soalan (tak serupa tapi mesejnya sama): 
1.Hendak pakai tudung kena tunggu hati ikhlas dulu. Buat apa pakai tudung (baca: tutup aurat) kalau perangai macam syaitoonnn~kan? 
Me: Betullah pakai tudung kena ikhlas kerana Allah SWT. Tapi menutup aurat itu wajib macam solat lima waktu, tak buat berdosa. Peribadi manusia kan berbeza-beza, jadi wajarlah ada insan yang berperangai tak senonoh disebalik tudung litup. Adakah kerana itu kita jadi tak patuh pada perintah Allah dan berkompromi untuk menutup aurat? 

2. Kisah seorang hamba Allah yang diuji dengan musibah. Selalu kita akan kaitkan si fulan yang terkena musibah dengan dosanya. Sedangkan kita tak pernah kenal siapa si fulan ini dan bagaimana berat kantung timbang sebelah kirinya atau kanan. 

Me: Mudahnya kita cakap, 'Itulah Ali tu dulu kerja jadi pegawai kerajaan mesti rumahnya itu ada dari hasil rasuah etc. Sebab itulah terbakar hangus'

Manalah tahu sebenarnya Ali itu seorang yang amanah sewaktu kerjanya dan Allah sebenarnya menguji beliau dengan harta bendanya (rumah terbakar) untuk tingkatkan martabat Ali disisi-Nya. Sia-sia saja kita memfitnah orang kita tak kenal sebab musibah dia hadapi.

Betullah...soalannya pedas-pedas belaka.tapi biarlah pedas dahulu supaya tak panas di akhirat nanti, ye dak? 

Satu teguran buat pedoman. Syabas. :))

tbc.

xoxo

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Century: One Hundred Years of Human Progress, Regression, Suffering and Hope


I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
-J. Robert Oppenheimer, on the explosion of the first atomic bomb in New Mexico, 16 July 1945.-p. 325

Title: Century: One Hundred Years of Human Progress, Regression , Suffering and Hope.
Conceived & edited: Bruce Bernard.
Other contributors: Terence McNamee; Ricard Davenport.
Year: 1999
Publisher: PHIDON Press, London.
ISBN: 0714838489

This book is a collection of photography book in my workplace. Definitely it's not meant to be borrowed and I wouldn't borrow it even if I want. It's a gigantic book ever! A very heavy one too! I discovered this book early this year (before that I was not interested as the book cover was very unappealing) and since then, this book has been one of my favourite passtime during work. I was rushing to end this book as I will not able to devour it anymore next time. I'll resign next month. I enjoyed it not only the pictures but also the writings. Lots of poems, quotes and historical notes inside.

Some say a picture worth a thousand words. A great book, a book truer than the event itself. Susan Sontag said, 'A photograph is not only an image [as painting as an image], an interpretation of the real; it is also a trace, something directly stencilled off the real, like a footprint or a death mask.'p680.
footstep on snow after the war in Rusia


This person being rescued at Lebanon UN shelter after misdirected shell. Killed 150 people.

All I can say is this book is full of war...war...war...
From the world war I until world war II and continues afterwards, Bosnian civil war, the cold war, Vietnam war ... History never fail to repeat itself.

You'll be amazed to see all the historical pictures from all over the world mostly of from the previous century . 1899 until 1999. Cool facts that is unknown to others. Like Fidelio was the only opera Beethoven ever compose. To see the Boxer Rising of Japanese in China, where the human head cutted off bizarrely, suicide, killings,Nazi's execution.There is this one guerilla army proudly smile looking at a head while the other was holding it --almost bring me nightmares.--
Politics and the fate of mankind are formed by men without ideals and without greatness. Those who have greatness within them do not go in for politics - Albert Camus, Notebooks, 1935-42 -pg 322.
What attract me the most is the pictures of Arabs, especially between Palestine and Israel. There are also happy pictures once for a while. Such Marilyn Monroe, World Cup, beauty pageant but it was devastating to know that in other part of the world, at the same time, had been war and disaster. I feel remorseful when I flipped onto another picture of corpses.

I would suggest you read this book if you're interested in history like myself. Why? Because there a lot of important figures in the century portrait in photos and it'll be a waste if you can't relate those with your own knowledge. Otherwise it's gonna be dreadful as you'll probably only see suffering here.
All good books are alike in they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to to you: the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was. 
- Earnest Hemmingway, 'Old Newsman Writes', Esquire, December 1934.-p 322.
ps:Bruce Bernard, the photo editor for this book died in 2000 at the age 72.

pss: I'll put up some pictures later. I can't right now because there's something wrong with my pc uploader.

xoxo
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Monday, October 20, 2014

Cerpen/ Nadia Khan



Ini tentang Cerpen oleh Nadia Khan. Buku yang dipinjam dari PNM eLib sebulan lepas. A great quick read. Perlu fikirkan untuk buat koleksi memandangkan genre cerpen dalam rak masih boleh dibilang dengan jari.

Macam ulasan Cerpen 40 sebelum ni, saya (bersopan guna saya pulak! puii) nak ulas satu demi satu juga.

Mana Dia Pergi?
Cerita pasal seorang lelaki di rumah orang tua. Cerita ni buat aku terus nak menyelak.

Puaka Pak Jaha
Whoa. Memang akan rasa cerita ni akan berakhir dengan kisah seram, tapi tidak. Ada satu perkara yang buat kita sebagai pembaca musykil,  ubat gegat@ naftalena itu masih ada dalam rumah tersebut selepas bertahun-tahun ditinggalkan?? Sah! Tersilap pandang fakta sains bahawa naftalena meruap pada suhu bilik. KECUALI penulis ada nyatakan bahawa mereka jumpa ubat gegat tu dalam bungkusan plastik.

Pinjam Masamu, Kak
Ini cerita sedih, baca sekali menarik. Tapi untuk second time...meh.

Lara di Hati

Cikgu Din
Antara cerita paling patut ada banyak dalam kompilasi ni. Dulu ada seorang cikgu kat sekolah *metadologi  mengajar 'beliau' sebijik macam cikgu Din. Kendian, satu hari masa sesi baru lepas cuti, tiba-tiba cikgu tersebut pindah. Tetiba macam nak pindah Sweden time tu. [Acah je :D ]

ps: dorang cakap Sweden punya pelan pendidikan terbaik kat dunia. Betoi ka?
*metadologi:

(métodologi) sistem yg merang­kumi kaedah dan prinsip yg digunakan dlm sesuatu kegiatan, disiplin, dsb.  

Teleportasi
Science fiction. Terfikir kenapa sci-fi di terjemah jadi sai-fai? Fiksyen sains patutnya jadi fi-sai la kan? kan?
 Cerita dua perempuan sekawan yang volunteer berbayar jadi bahan ujikaji sains untuk satu eksperimen teleportasi berpasangan dengan dua lagi yang juga ahli makmal. Eksperimen itu berjaya rasanya tapi ada kesan sampingan pada salah seorang dari mereka. 


Janji Kak Long
Best [tapi sebenarnya tak berapa suka sebab ada unsur sedih]

Nasi Putih Daging Cincang
Pertemuan semula anak dan ayah. Apa kata orang air dicincang takkan putus? Dan Nasi putih Daging Cincang itu membuatkan aku tersangat lapar saat ini. Cis, kau  memang sengaja Jebat! 

ps:Klise drama sangat.

Epilog Damak
Kesukaan yang teramat! Buat orang nak cari balik filem lama ni kat youtube. Damak and the geng. Mengimbau memori lama sungguh. Olahan semula filem 'kajang Pak Malau' - [tajuk sebenarnya adalah Seri Mersing] dari tempat Damak selepas dia pulang semula ke kampung halaman dan berkahwin dengan Seri . Haish! Ku cuma ingat lagu dia yang mendayu-dayu tu.


Tuai padi antara masak
esok jangan layu-layuan
intai kami antara nampak
esok jangan rindu-rinduan

Anak cina pasang lukah
lukah dipasang di tanjung jati
di dalam hati tidak ku lupa
sebagai rambut bersimpul mati

batang selasih permainan budak
daun selasih dimakan kuda
bercerai kasih talak tiada
seribu tahun kembali juga

Burung merpati terbang seribu
hinggap seekor di tengah laman
hendak mati di hujung kuku
hendak berkubur di tapak tangan

kalau tuan mudik ke hulu
carikan saya bunga kemboja
kalau tuan mati dahulu
nantikan saya di pintu syurga 

Tuai padi antara masak
esok jangan layu-layuan
intai kami antara nampak
esok jangan rindu-rinduan

Anak cina pasang lukah
lukah dipasang di tanjung jati
di dalam hati tidak ku lupa
sebagai rambut bersimpul mati

batang selasih permainan budak
daun selasih dimakan kuda
bercerai kasih talak tiada
seribu tahun kembali juga

Burung merpati terbang seribu
hinggap seekor di tengah laman
hendak mati di hujung kuku
hendak berkubur di tapak tangan

kalau tuan mudik ke hulu
carikan saya bunga kemboja
kalau tuan mati dahulu
nantikan saya di pintu syurga - See more at: http://liriksemualagu.blogspot.com/2009/08/lirik-lagu-gurindam-jiwa.html#.VES2b1dskcs
Tuai padi antara masak
esok jangan layu-layuan
intai kami antara nampak
esok jangan rindu-rinduan

Anak cina pasang lukah
lukah dipasang di tanjung jati
di dalam hati tidak ku lupa
sebagai rambut bersimpul mati

batang selasih permainan budak
daun selasih dimakan kuda
bercerai kasih talak tiada
seribu tahun kembali juga

Burung merpati terbang seribu
hinggap seekor di tengah laman
hendak mati di hujung kuku
hendak berkubur di tapak tangan

kalau tuan mudik ke hulu
carikan saya bunga kemboja
kalau tuan mati dahulu
nantikan saya di pintu syurga - See more at: http://liriksemualagu.blogspot.com/2009/08/lirik-lagu-gurindam-jiwa.html#.VES2b1dskcs
Anak Dinihari
Cerita motivasi yang menegaskan kembali bahawa dengan kerja bukan berkonsep makan gaji dan menulis pun boleh jadi orang kaya berjaya. Baru tau sebenarnya ada penceritaan orang lama yang kata budak lahir dinihari ini spesis orang berjaya. Nasib baik tak pernah dengar cerita ni dulu-dulu kalau tak mesti down gila masa kanak-kanak ku sebab aku lahir waktu petang. Sob2x - Well itu bukan kisah sebenar. Anda boleh berjaya tak kira siapa pun anda, bila dan dimana anda lahir...insyaAllah. Kena bersungguh-sungguh jela. Man jadda wa jada.

Cili
Kelakar kot! Pace yang sangat pantas. Kalau ni jadi persembahan mesti kalut penonton.

Kopi Tiga Suku
Memori. Manis.

Budak Baru
Skrip doktor dan doktor pelatih. Berjaya mengharungi housemanship itu... korang memang jiwa kental! <-- I need to review my own life.

PWTC
Respek dengan tema cerpen ni. Bolehla kata cerita patriotik sebab ada terselit pasal kenegaraan, kepentingan memikirkan tindakan dan keputusan kita pada hari ini untuk anak cucu masa depan.

Kopi Kola
Ini cerita pelik. Nasiblah ini cerita cerpen kalau dak...

Kopi, Adele dan Bubur Ayam McD
Walaupun aku suka baca novel cinta, sebenarnya aku benci baca kisah orang yang tersiksa jiwa raga sebab putus cinta. Putus cinta <blerghhhh>. [Sorry. I don't really understand you people!]

Cinta Sekeping Tisu
Lupa cerita ni pasai pa.

Ada Apa Dengan Kina
- okay...next.

Aku, Kesesatan dan Kelab Penari Bogel
Eip! Fikir lucah ek... Takdak aih. Ini cerita pendek bagaimana seorang student baru kat oversea yang tersesat dan jumpa jalan pulang dengan adanya kelab penari bogel sebagai landmark.

Nakahari

Nakahari dalam cerpen adalah satu nama virus penyakit manusia yang baru. Tetiba tertingatkan Matahari - spy yang popular zaman perang dunia pertama dulu.

  ._._._._._._ 

Sedang aku rehat-rehat sambil tunggu waktu berbuka puasa (entri ini dikarang sebelum raya haji lepas), aku jenguk blog kawan dengan entri 'Tiada Tuhan Selain Allah'. Tersentak hati bila baca. 

xoxo

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