Of books and choices

(No pictures, you'll be bored. Just some reviews about some books I read. Go on then if you really want to find out)

When my computer went crazy last month, I'd resorted to the famous old style (during which the word internet meant nothing at that time), but nearly-extinct free time activity; reading books. Since they had shown much loyalty - no doubt as I had to them - to me, I'd do them justice by listing them here starting from the early days of March (the long month of hope - that I'll get my computer working back - and patience) until early April.

Here goes the list:

1. From Beirut to Jerusalem by Dr. Ang Swee Chai - on hold
2. Laskar Pelangi by Andrea Hirata - PDF; on hold
3. Twilight Saga by Stephanie Mayer (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn) - PDF; checked
4. Ketika Cinta Bertasbih ep. 1 by Habiburrahman El-Shirazy - checked
5. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella - checked

Sorry to say but I just can't stop there (so, here's the continuation):

Anybody There by Marian Keyes - currently reading

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - to read

Midnight Sun by Stephanie Mayer (Twilight Saga 5th book) - PDF; to read

Ketika Cinta Bertasbih ep. 2 by Habiburrahman El-Shirazy - PDF; to read

Sang Pemimpi by Andrea Hirata (dari tetralogi Laskar Pelangi) - PDF; to read

Edensor by Andrea Hirata (dari tetralogi Laskar Pelangi) - PDF; to read

Peperangan Rasulullah SAW - waiting list (since I'm the last person to have to read it during usrah, I'd make it in no hurry to return it back to Kak Nabihah, but of course with permission *wink*)

Maryamah Karpov by Andrea Hirata - PDF; not in hand, currently searching, any idea?

Nama Beta Sultan Alauddin by Faisal Tehrani - on air by now, I guess.

Conclusion and... some reviews:

Not that I'll read them all. I doubt that I could even finish them by the end of the year. This is just a presumptive list I make so that I'm not missing each one of them and as a reminder for me to return some of the books that I borrowed (hint: anybody who borrowed mine, please do the same)

Alhamdullilah that my eyes are still in good condition and crystal clear since you must've been thinking of how I've been reading PDFs on the screen for hours without getting any eye sore. I must be really determined to do so because reading from laptop is not very comfortable and you'll get joint ache and back pain from sitting too long. And also because - I look hideous wearing spectacle, so to say. Thus, please don't try this at home.

I read fictions more than non-fictions. I guess, it's because non-fictions are way more exciting and faster to finish than non-fictions. More over, reading non-fictions will require more time for thinking and digesting the particular knowledges and facts they want to convey. Plus, I may need quite a serene and tranquil atmosphere for reading. You couldn't just pick anytime, anyday to read them, because you are learning from them. Am I not right? You need to concentrate to be able to understand - yeah, I'm a slow reader when it come to non-fcitions. That's why I like it if the author can blend knowledges, facts, fantasies, advices, histories etc. in one whole book. Faisal Tehrani is a good example. I learned a lot from his book, Tuhan Manusia, Advencer Si Peniup Ney, 1515 and Kombat 1511.

Reading Twilight Saga, made me wonder of how gifted a person could be to have created such a story. Fantasy blend in reality and surprisingly they still make sense although I tried very hard not to believe in them as I'd tried - unsuccesfully - with Harry Potter before. I envy her.

Laskar Pelangi was somewhat brilliant! I've never ever before read a real life story that hold my breath every second or so by each word. It's amazing how these 10 children - so called Laskar Pelangi - turn the destitute, penniless, impoverished world of them into mesmerizing adventurous child fantasies - and some of them really turned into reality. They're daring, bold and audicious in their own way. I'd say it's worth a reading. And you have to watch the movie too. It's slow but oh, they're cute, funny and lively! They did take all the strong emotions ever exist on earth. (Okay, this maybe too exaggerating, but believe me, the book is great!)



Ketika Cinta Bertasbih by Habiburrahaman El Shirazy. Well, I could say that this book somehow kind of a little bit twist from his celebrated Ayat-ayat Cinta except that there are more to it than just Islamic love story - not that I have any objection. It's a complex love story - that I can understand so far, but far more enthralling to include the life hardship as an oversea student without any scholarship. Well, that was quite unacceptable though, to make live with selling tempe and bakso and also to study, what with being the sole bread winner of the family too (the money from the selling then goes to his family in Indonesia). This - the willing to survive and finish study although it's been 9 years already - what kept me reading until the end. Now I'm waiting for the film which is due soon, InsyaAllah.



I guess, that's enough for now.

I'll be glad if you can share your list of books too. And feel free to leave some remarks here.

Reading all these wonderful stuffs makes me wonder if I'd better put down my sthetoscope and white coat, rather, pick up the pen and begin writing my own book. It's a hard choice then, anyway. I can never make them. What do you say?

Then again.

A doctor is a doctor.

A reader is a reader.

And a writer is a writer.

Can they fit in nicely for me?

I never know.


Always without wax,