Books for the New Year
We all agree that we grow and mature with experiences and events that happens around us. However, you might find that my booklist have no great differences from those of the past few years (2 to be exact). This year I took the initiative to divide my books into 2 categories - Malaysiana and International. Names are self-explainatory. Books are not according to the ‘goodness’ order.
Books - Malaysiana
1. Livin’ it! A Collection of Stories On Teenage Life
edited by Renee Koh, MPH Bookstores
These essays are truly Malaysian in the sense that they are composed from genuine Malaysian teenagers - those attending Malaysian schools, living in a spectrum of environments ranging from the over-protective Chinese Mum who goes ‘go to sleep-ah’ at 10.47pm to the loving Dad who was always there for his son (who went to Stanford). A truly enriching and surprising read if you have the time to scan through the countless fabulous essays.
2. Malaysian Flavours: Insights Into Things Malaysian
by Lee Su Kim, Pelanduk Editions
She is an authentic nyonya with a doctorate in English - so, expect her to go ‘what the heck are you speaking?’ at our Malaysian English. In fact, she did a whole list of Manglish words for the mat sallehs. Generally I like her book because her opinion is always centered and more moderate than another writer of this genre. The bonus of it was that also included her 3 articles on her life in Texas (for whichever reason she went to Texas I cannot truly recall).
3. This End of The Rainbow
by Adibah Amin, The Phoenix Press
Flawless English written in a Malay style - long twisting sentences which never fail to surprise, and bright, original sentence structures accompanies the shy Ayu (a Malay girl admitted into medicine in the then University Malaya in Singapore but chose to do literature instead) through her First Year. Quite a nice book for university freshmen, but do tolerate some post-World War Two ingredient in it - you know how nostalgic the Malays can become when they’re really into it. And this book really reminds me of this one particular quote of Tunku broadcasted on ntv7 - let us all as one remember that all Malaysians would live together as members of one big family.
Books - International
4. Nicholas Again
by Goscinny and Sempe, Phaidon
I love Nicholas in Nicholas. And now comes Nicholas Again! This book will remind you of how you were during primary school - always picking up a fight, eager to show off (even if it is just a poem marked 7 out of 10), and always oh-so-naive. The illustrations that accompany this book is truly award-winning. The French really do have talent in arts!
5. Love Notes - 101 Lessons from the Heart
by Jim Brickman and cindy Pearlman, Hay House
For those heartbroken blokes and gals, here’s your cure. Though I’ve never been in love, I think this book is, and would always be, a source of solace for those in love in any phase of ‘falling in love’. At the end of the day, always remind yourself that even though you might have been ditched a thousand times and you really sucked in your partner’s opinions, there’s always someone special just right there for you. (Not to be taken too seriously, mind you, JYSim has no falling in love experiences)
6. Essays of E.B.White
by E.B.White, unidentified publisher
Recommended articles: Once More To The Lake, Here Is New York, Afternoon Of An American Boy. The pioneering and one of the best American writers whose style and language influenced so many future Americans. You’ll need to read him to know and experience his magic.
