The Hobbit

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By J.R.R. Tolkien

Finally finished a classic! Been having this book for mayb 4/5 years (it was a box set together with the LOTR trilogy) Honestly I'm not a big fan of JRR Tolkien 'cause his style of writing is just too cryptic for me, seriously. But this book was a surprisingly easy and fast read! (though I procrastinated. A Lot.)

Synopsis:
Bilbo Baggins (Frodo's uncle) and a group of dwarves, together with Gandalf went on a hunt for a ginormous amount of gold and treasure amassed by a dragon, Smaug. Bilbo was reluctant to leave the comforts of his hobbit hole initially but eventually he turned out to be the one with the quickest wit in dire situations!

Afterthought:
A great adventure book! And one must definitely admire Tolkien for his detail in creating a whole new world (eg Elvish language and writings) for all his books... Crafty with unexpected plot twists at places!

Personal Rating: 4.6/5.0

P/s since I'll be going away from tomorrow till end of the year, this will officially be the last book I'll read this year! (Total count: 16) Last year I read 14 books so there's a slight improvement, though far from my target of 25!

A Gracious Plenty

By Sheri Reynolds

One of the books that I picked up at the Times Warehouse Sale at Centro Klang a few months back... It was in the 3 for RM 10 pile; that's like cheaper than a bowl of Pan Mee!

Synopsis:
Finch Nobles has been an outcast all her life. With her face scarred by a kitchen accident when she was just four, she was shunned by the local community and seeks solace in taking care for the dead instead.

Yup, she's the cemetery caretaker, a job passed down by her late parents. What's unique is that she can actually communicate with the dead! She listens to their stories and how some of them were deeply misunderstood when they were still alive.

Afterthought:
A classic example of why we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Albeit its unimpressive cover, it was definitely a fairly good read, with a diversified, quirky cast of characters to love or hate--William the cross-dresser, Lucy the pageant queen-turned-rebel, Reba the hypocritical Christian and Leonard, the "I'm-doing-this-just-to-please-dad" policeman.

Personal rating: 4.5/5.0

The Alchemist

Image by chad_d_stud via Flickr

By Paulo Coelho

I actually finished 80% of it as a library book and the last 20% in a bookstore. Honestly I wasn't entirely impressed with the execution & style of writing (yes I found it juvenile like some sort of children's book) because it was just way too simple!

But after reading through some reviews on Amazon.com, I figured I'm not mature enough to grasp its very essence.

Synopsis:
A boy, Santiago travels to find hidden treasures in the Egyptian pyramids that he had dreamt of. Literally he heads off to fulfill his "dreams". On the way he meets a myriad of people, each helping him understand his destiny in subtle ways.

Here's a review from Amazon.com which I found really helpful:

When I thought about reviewing this book, I had many things to say...but after reading some of the other reviews which pick apart and criticize it, I can see the meaning of the book even more clearly.
The writing is simple and clear- not juvenile. It's entertaining and brings a message which does not need to be complicated, except for those who are not ready to see the truth. They are the ones who like their truth heavily veiled and masked, as their self-gratification is in the pursuit. The reality is, the only place you need to look for the truth is in yourself. There is no search required- just your own personal journey.
Life does not need to be complicated, and the folks who have made negative comments about those who enjoy this book have obviously missed the point of it entirely- and they bring to mind the phrase "Casting Pearls before Swine."
You are not going to get anything valuable from this book unless you are READY for the spiritual knowledge which it contains. And that is one of the main points of the book anyway.
Personally, I received deep spiritual messages and peace from reading The Alchemist- and I have been on my own spiritual path for over two decades. This book presents information that only those who have actually paid attention to their journey would understand and appreciate.
If you read it and don't like it, I suggest you forget about it for at least 5 years and pick it up again. You might be surprised.
Update, 10/2003:Oh. My. Gosh. I can't believe how many people just "don't get" this book!!! Look: the point is not about anyone's "Personal Legend"!!!
THE POINT, is that what you search for is usually RIGHT THERE all along, and that the journey you take to find it is about learning lessons and growing as a person. Get it yet? LIFE IS IN THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION!!
Santiago set off to find his "pot of gold," and after a long journey during which he grew mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, he finally discovers the location of the treasure. He follows the directions and find it RIGHT WHERE HE STARTED!
GET IT?!!!
You have what you need inside of you all of the time. You don't need to search outside yourself- you need to look within. THAT is the point.
Sheesh.

So try reading it! Maybe you'll see it in a different light :)

Personal rating: 4.0/5.0

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Cover of The Five People You Meet in Heaven

By Mitch Albom

Another book that I borrowed from college library. It's a pretty short novel (only 196 pages!) so I finished it in 2 or 3 sittings... A heartwarming tale of the purpose of life, not evangelical or religious in any sense ^^

Synopsis:
Eddie has spent his entire life working in an amusement park, Ruby Pier, after his father's death. Also known as "Eddie Maintenance", his job is to make sure all the rides function properly. One fateful day, one of the rides go awry, and Eddie plunges to his death as he tried to save a passenger's life.

Eddie reaches heaven. He meets 5 different people that have affected his life, one way or another. These people are to explain Eddie's purpose of life on earth. Aptly said in a passage in the book,

"all lives intersect. Death doesn't just take someone, it misses someone else, and in the small distance between being taken and being missed, lives are changed."

Afterthought:
A story of a man's life, begun in joy and ended in loneliness and regret. A soul seeking journey that everyone will eventually embark on, for as each story is different, the need for inner peace is universal.

Awesome book!

Personal Rating: 4.8/5.0

Read more reviews here.

Lord of the Flies

By William Golding

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This is actually one of sis's old, brown and crumbly book but I decided that it was far more interesting than my Chemistry A2 book (the things we do in times of desperation!)

The story:
A group of boys are trapped on an island after a plane crash. With no adults around, the revel in their freedom, go on hunts, (try to) act like grown ups (eg hold meetings, segregate tasks etc) but eventually things go out of hand. The story gets frighteningly gruesome at the end!

Afterthought:
What will we truly become, without a system of rules, and without civility binding us together? What will happen when animal instincts set in? The novel attempts to answer these questions by portraying events on the island in a realistic way.

Though I found the book pretty classic literature-ish and hard to understand at parts, it's still pretty engaging and I finished it in 3 or 4 days!

Personal Rating: 4.6/5.0

Notes on a Scandal

Cover of Notes on a Scandal

By Zoe Heller

Bought it at a whopping 50% off at Times Bookstore warehouse sale @ Centro Klang.. finished it over a course of 3 weeks (don't get me wrong! it's a good book, just that there were lots of distractions)

Synopsis:
Sheba Hart, a pottery teacher at middle school (eg lower secondary) was found to be having an affair with one of her students, Connolly (who is like, 15). The entire event is narrated in full account (plus some personal anecdotes) by one of Sheba's close friend and colleague, Barbara.

The interesting part in the novel is definitely Barbara's point of view in the affair. She describes every event in an extremely forthright manner, and her characters are also really believable.

Afterthought:
Though the plot of the story is incredibly scandalous and unthinkable, Barbara helps us to rationalise the whole situation, to understand that sometimes we are capable of doing insane things without good reason.

This issue (teacher having affair with a fellow student) does occur (though not in Malaysia-so far) so it's a wake up call to how easily we point an accusing finger to the elder one in the relationship.

Should I read it?
The author does infuses the narrator with a streamful of sarcastic yet witty remarks! Enjoyable read! It's like the dark version of Gossip Girl ^^

I'd give it a 4.7/5.0

p.s. just realized it was made into a movie in 2006! Check out trailer here:

A Thousand Splendid Suns

By Khaled Hosseini

Cover of A Thousand Splendid Suns

Borrowed this book from my college library. This book has been the cause behind my negligence in studies for the week! Utterly engaging, especially the 2nd half of the book...

Synopsis:

Mariam is the illegitimate child of a rich cinema owner, Jalil (who already has 3 wives and 10 kids!) She lives with her mother, Nana, at the outskirts of a village, away from the prejudiced eyes of the people. Seeking for some sort of repentance, Jalil visits them weekly, much to the delight of Mariam. But Nana could never forgive Jalil. Nana as told to Mariam:

Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.

By a twist of fate, Mariam's quaint life, secluded from the rest of the world, was disturbed and at the age of 15, she was wedded off to Rasheed, a shoe shop owner in the city. Her carefree life takes a dramatic turn. It is only sixteen years later when a teenager, Laila emerges in her life, that she finds true meaning of love.

Afterthought:
Truly heart-wrenching! I cried twice T.T A terrible, stark naked revelation of Afghan women beneath the burqa, the endless silent suffering that women with nasty husbands have to endure.

The novel also portrays 30 turbulent years of Afghanistan life. Bombs dropped upon them like rain, due to power struggles, revolts, even intervention from the US government after 9/11 attack.

Should I read it?
Extremely well written! Liked it as much as the Kite Runner ^^

I would give it a: 4.9/5.0

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Cover via Amazon

By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

What a light hearted read! An optimistic book with extremely witty lines :)

The story:
It is the year 1947, when Europe is recovering from World War II. Juliet, a writer from London, receives a letter from a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (origins of the lengthy & quirky name mentioned in the book). As more letters are exchanged and Juliet gets more acquainted with the society's members and the island of Guernsey through their eyes, she decides to pay her newfound friends a visit.

She plans to interview them and use their experiences as material for her next book. As she settles down in Guernsey, she slowly falls for the charm and simplistic beauty of the place and its people...

Afterthought:
The entire novel is written in the form of letters, but surprisingly I wasn't bored out AT ALL! The letters are always written with sheer delight and enthusiasm, you can't help but feel that you're the one receiving the letter.

It also shows another side of the impact of WWII, and the importance of perspective in the face of a predicament.

Should I read it?
Extremely readable! In fact I finished it in less than a week! (which is a groundbreaking feat, for me). Oh ya it's a great book for long journeys, I finished most parts of it on the train ^^

I'd give it a: 4.7/5.0

Read more reviews here.

You might also like: My Family and Other Animals

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The Kite Runner

Cover of The Kite Runner

By Khaled Hosseini

Price Unknown (bought by mom from US)

One of the most touching book of all times! Couldn't hold back my tears at the end; the emotions of the characters are depicted in such a raw & honest way that you can't help feeling the same for them :)

The Story:
Amir and Hassan have been friends since childhood; they are practically inseparable, but the fact that Hassan is Amir's servant's son deprives him of the respect that every human deserves. Finally when a time of hardship came, Amir & Hassan are thrown in a difficult situation, where Amir makes a choice that changes their lives forever.

Afterthought:
Read it read it read it! This book brings topics like love, honesty, guilt & redemption to the readers. It was damn touching! My favourite quote was "For you, a thousand times over."

I'd give it a: 4.9/5.0

If you liked this book, try: Memoirs of a Geisha

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The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

By Haruki Murakami (translated from Japanese by Jay Rubin)

RM 32.90 @ Popular Bookstore (bought as a limited edition set together with Alice in Wonderland)

I've always lacked the courage to pick up this 600+ page book (it's almost as thick as your usual Harry Potter!) and after a 2 year long procrastination, decided to finish reading it, once and for all.

But instead of ploughing through the thick tome, it turned out to be quite a page turner. Reason? its tale, or rather, a web of intertwined tales, are logically inexplicable. Bizarre. Out of this world. Basically insane things that people do to stay sane.

Image by Père Ubu via Flickr

Synopsis:
Toru Okada has just quit his job in a law firm and spends the day completing household chores, while his wife, Kumiko works at a publishing company. They have a cat named after Toru's bro-in-law, Noburu Wataya.

Seems like a quaint, happy family, ain't it?

After some queer happenings, like the disappearance of their household cat, and some explicit phonecall from a woman to Okada, events start to take a dramatic turn. Subtle rifts start to take shape between Kumiko & Okada, more characters and their stories are drawn into a series of events, distant yet undoubtedly connected to one another; but each told with its own charm and allure.

Afterthought:
This novel has such philosophical depth that sometimes I can't help wondering if I truly understand everything I see, or if life is simply half-dream, half-reality.

Should I read it?
YESYESYES! Truly mesmerising and thought provoking. Definitely worth every single page of it :)

I'd give it a: 4.7/5.0

Read more here and here.

If you liked this book, you might also like: Sophie's World

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