I was drizzle and she was hurricane

Today's smile-inducer : 
Lull me with your words,
Yes you with the silver pen.

Envelope

Today's smile-inducer : Aujourd'hui, c'est le vendredi.

They told her there was no escape from the dreary wheel of routine.
So with a defiant tilt of her chin she murmured
" I'll envelope myself in words, and tucked into a comforting blanket of imagination, I'll drift away on clouds of dreams. "

*pic credits*

Wordy Candy

Ah, the intoxicating smell of leather bound tomes

laced with the tingling scent of mothballs,  

pages so fragile they flutter by like the wings of a butterfly,

a wealth of fantasy, 

knowledge and 

heartfelt emotions

from cover to cover,

a voyage that starts with a single word, 

ending with a dot encapsulating

secrets that never perish. 

A few of you may already know this, but I've started a book blog, in order to separate all wordy degustations from my self-indulgent personal jottings. I've kept it all a little hush hush until now, but I think it's time the curtains were drawn. Guys, I'd like you to meet Wordy Candy. 

If you have time to spare, or you're a bookworm (full-fledged, closet and baby worms included) , hop onto this journey of imagination and print with me. I would love to invite you to join me, as I venture into foreign lands, scrutinize philosophies, gush and go slack-jawed with awe at the eloquency of so many great authors out there and share thoughts where it concerns books and all thing wordy. 

Mischief and a Weak Will

They say a picture paints a thousand words...so here's two :

I know I look a little maniacal with my loot, but without further ado ..I'm cuddling : 

The Hour I First Believed - Wally Lamb

Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel ( It was calling my name !! ... I.just.couldn't.say.no)

The Enchantress of Florence - Salman Rushdie 

I am a book thong. In the crack of a book is where I belong ... 

Whilst at the counter waiting for the cashier to ring up my sinful indulgences purchases, I caught sight of this sign, above a rack full of wispy, delicate looking ribbons adorned with beads on each end. Highly tempted to bring one home with me, imagine my glee when the very nice cashier said that upon signing up for a new membership, I'm thus entitled to a book thong ... wishes do come true !! (or maybe she saw me casting pitiful, longing puppy eyed looks at the rack and took pity ...... = p ) 

Literary Delights

Photo credit

Whilst some friends of mine are compiling shopping guides around UK ( read : 200 GBP for a handbag is cheap !! ) , I have very strong opinions about branded handbags, make up, shoes and other fluttery girly nonsense, but let's just keep that to myself shall we ? So, as I was saying, whilst the charming shopaholics are at their chosen pastime, I've been indulging in the poison of my choice, feeding my addiction for books, books and more books. I say poison because books here cost an arm, a leg and maybe throw in a few fingers to secure that good deal. 

I've been looking at bookstores all over UK and Europe, all of them literary heavens and cultural melting pots, I can't wait to go delve my greedy paws in mountains of printed paper, nevermind the fact that I won't be able to afford anything, it never hurts to dream, doesn't it ? So I thought I'd share a little of what I found with you guys here. Perhaps if you have anything to add, recommend or like me, you have a hunger for zooming off to foreign imaginary lands, hop along on this virtual drool-journey. 

Today, we're going to visit  independant bookstores,  jewels that are probably hidden in places you'll least expect to find a bookstore.

First up, is Daunt Books,
83, Marylebone High Street,
London W1U 4QW

Photo credit 

Often regarded as a traveler's bookstore, Daunt Books has books separated according to countries, so you'll typically get travel guides, novels and memoirs all squished into the same section. Very useful for people who are reading according to countries .. I tend to do that, being obsessed with the Middle East some time back, I'm now progressing to India before I make a pit stop in US prior to zooming off somewhere else on my imaginary travels. 

Photo credit

The store is spread out over three floors, with books nestled in every corner. Would you just look at the beautiful wood paneling, and the entire Edwardian setting the bookstore has ? I think I would love getting lost here....wouldn't you? 

For our next stop, we'll hop over to Ireland, stopping by 

Hodges Figgis 

56-58 Dawson Street, 

Dublin 2, 

Ireland

                         Photo credit 

Founded in 1768, the shop is the oldest yet in Ireland. In fact, if you're familiar with James Joyce's Ulysses, you'd probably have stumbled upon this book depository as the store gets referred to in his work, although the store has since been relocated from its original location. 

The shop is spread across four floors and is reputed to house a staggering number of 1.5 million books, and is the largest bookstore in Ireland, specializing in Irish titles, academic titles, fiction and bargain books ( bargain books go for around  €.3.99 and €4.99 , compare that dollar to dollar with the price that we pay here and you've got your answer for "Why Malaysians don't read " ) 

Fashioned in green and gold livery, the store exudes an aura of an era past, a whiff of whimsical days when women probably walked around under parasols and both Chivalry and Gallantry still breathed. Unfortunately, the store is no longer an independent bookstore, having been bought over by the HMV Group which also owns Waterstones, a famous book chain in the UK. 

And with that last stop, let's wrap things up for the day. I'll continue posting interesting bookstores as I come across them but before we settle back on earth, here's a last thought. With all the books to be read and bought, possessed and digested .... Louis Vuitton who ?? 

Hi all,

With head bowed low I guiltily apologize for the absence the past few weeks. Since stepping through the doorway to home, I've been having a jolly good time reacquainting myself with old flames, and a few new ones.

Anyway, here's part of what's been occupying my time the past two weeks...

It's the start of another year in the Chinese calender and as such I thought it only appropriate if I let it be known that I've decided to start another blog in addition to this one. I've christened it Wordy Candy. Like the name suggests, this one's gonna be all about books, things to do with books, words and print. I'll provide further details as refurbishments to this new slice of cyberspace gets done. I'll be doing more in depth 'reviews' of the books in my other blog some time in the near future.

Ooh last but certainly not least ....

Happy Chinese New Year to all of you!

P.s : Is it only me but does anyone else out there think that CNY songs are nothing but gongs, cymbals, horrid off key singing, lyrics too centred on wealth and a bunch of NOISE ?!

Belle de jour

Today's Smile-Inducer : I have a problem with relaxation. I indulge in it too much ....

Walked along my bookshelves the other day looking for something light to take the edge off mugging for exams. Dancing my fingertips along the spines of books, I rested on this one. Honestly, it was the cover that drew my attention. Bought this some time back after reading about the author.

My initial aim was to look for something light and easy on the braincells. This book surprised me by being really witty, down to earth and entertainingly X rated. Splendid for cleansing the palate in between mouthfuls of Reconstructive vs Displacive Polymorphic Transformations, Queuing Theories and Reliability Engineering. Nothing like sexy, smart, sharp observations to take away the acrid aftertaste of last minute lamp burning ...

I shall lay off her descriptive sexploits and leave you rather with this ... :

Stop being a workaholic. On the rehab coolness stake : workaholic is somewhere between glue-sniffer and habitual tissue-eater. Alcoholism is so much more you. - Belle de Jour

Lost

I have eavesdropped with impunity into the lives of people who do not exist. I have peeped shamelessly into hearts and bathroom closets. I have leant over shoulders to follow the movements of quills as they write love letters, wills and confessions. I have watched as lovers love, murderers murderand children play their make believe. I have spied on the misdeeds of the mighty and witnessed the nobility of the meek. I have bent so low over sleepers in their beds that they might have felt my breath on their faces. I have seen their dreams. - The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield.

The excerpt above epitomizes so beautifully the power of imagination when coupled with the sword of words..I'm currently lost in this book. Beautifully gothic, eloquently phrased imageries, with vivid armies of character woven in the mix...how not to get lost?

Been listening to a lot of Coltrane and the Jacques Loussier Trio these days. Jazz music like these often send me walking on air with my head stuck right up there in fluffy clouds.

Collecting

I'm a huge fan of Jodi Picoult. The first book of hers I read was Vanishing Acts and I was blown away by her insightful observations on the human emotional make-up. Needless to say, I scoured all the bookstores in sleepy Ipoh looking for her books but came up with NONE. That was years ago before she gained mainstream popularity. Ever since the release of the movie My Sister's Keeper starring Cameron Diaz, her books have been filling the shelves of most major bookstores.

I love collecting stuff. I've now turned to books, trying feverishly to collect every single thing an author has ever wrote. Here's my list for Jodi Picoult.

Latest Additions (Thank you Big Bad Wolf)

1. Handle With Care
2. The Tenth Circle
3. My Sister's Keeper
4. Perfect Match
5. Plain Truth
6. Songs of the Humpback Whale
7. Keeping Faith
8. Mercy
9. Harvesting the Heart

Owned and Read :

1. Vanishing Acts

2. The Pact

3. Change of Heart

Titles Left to Get :

1. Nineteen Minutes

2. Second Glance

3. Salem Falls

4. Picture Perfect

Love Letters

Today's Smile-Inducer : A whole load of Jodi Picoult books !!!!!!!! Yes, I can now die happy (I know some of you are gonna flame me for speaking of death so often, but this is not morbidity, it is a mere expression, though I really don't see what's morbid in dying happy )

Picture taken from www.msnbc.com

I think this was so sweet. And such a pretty little girl too. Sometimes, I think children have the wisdom so many adults are foolish enough to ignore.

Pssssst

I did something really unthinkable and am now the proud mother of over 50 babies ... Lord help me ....

Right now, I feel like that girl in the picture .... lost in a world my own. Assignments, tests and lab reports can wait.. selected ignorance IS bliss.

Treasure Mine

Today's Smile-Inducer : 501 Must-Read Books!! We all need a guide in life. I've found my reading Bible ! I don't know how many of you realized this series sitting pompously on bookshelves everywhere, titles like 501 Must Watch Movies, 501 Must Drink Cocktails *hiccup!* or 501 Must Visit Cities... MPH has the hardcover edition of this delicious tome going for RM59.90.

Dear Santa,

I know I haven't exactly been an examplary kid this year. *Thinks guiltily of Mega Sales and visits to various Toy Stores....* If I promise to be really really good from now till you rein your reindeers in to scare the fur off Chaco ... would you could you will you?? *big puppy eyes*

P.S : Vow of good behaviour starts after confrontation with The Big Bad Wolf. A gal's gotta settle her battles first .... =p

Chocolate kisses, milk and cookies,

Jo

I'm still alive

Hi all, this is just so you know I'm not quite dead yet....albeit the absence from this blog despite the promises to blog more regularly *eyes downcast in guilt* =p

I woke up this morning and was greeted by this realization. It quite hit me on the head really... I've decided what I want to be when I grow up ! *finally*. My dream job's surely, undeniably, unchangeably *for now* a book reviewer !!!!! Imagine I get to read all I want, review them (indulge me and pretend for now that people are actually interested to know my opinion on whether an author can write or crap nonsensical blabber or do both at the same time) write about them, and get PAID to do ALL of the above ! La di da.

Okie dokes, it's time to zoom back down to earth and write up my final year project dissertation. *gulps*

P.s : I'm not drunk, intoxicated, inebriated, not not sober. I'm just really hyped up on God knows what and really inconsistent with my thoughts right now. But happy nonetheless coz it's the end of the week ..... wheeeee

Booked

Today's Smile-Inducer : Seeking hidden treasures !!

Quickie : I just found out the library here stocks pretty good books ! Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, A.S Byatt, Iris Murdoch and Haruki Murakami to name a few. How could I have NOT realized this earlier ??!I'm gonna have my hands full..literally! Tee hee, very bittersweet way to end my tenure here. Dios mio ! Time..stop slipping through my fingers already !

I shall leave here with a line from this book I'm reading that made me laugh since it was kinda unconventional yet made so much sense

" Always remember to stick with the people who know they're flawed and ridiculous. " -Professor Absalom Widgett, from Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination.

As promised

here's how I spent a large chunk of my holidays. Ah, I miss it already ! I managed to squeeze in some reading between the catching up with family, The Boy, and my brother dear who just has the fanciest most interesting philosophies (though we're often at loggerheads at different points of thought)

I really enjoyed all the books I've read so far, with one being the exception for being too morbid even for my taste.

The Footprints of God is light sci-fi whereby a group of scientists create the ultimate supercomputer meant to be greater than God. An otherwise lukewarm story on artificial intelligence, I really loved the way in which Greg Iles twisted and turned and reflected on the many facets than one issue could have. Read it with an open mind and it'll prove to be truly enjoyable =)

Basically in Alice Sebold's The Almost Moon, the main character smolders her mother to death and thus begins a crazy narration from the first person's POV. Whilst reading this book, I randomly quoted paragraphs from the novel to whoever was 'lucky' enough to be on MSN with me at the time, prompting reactions along the lines of "wth are you reading??! " Guess that speaks volumes about the book =P

Through a Glass, Darkly was an interesting albeit unsatisfying read. I need my murders to be brutal, fast and blood curdling. The book failed on almost all counts in this respite. The saving grace here was the detail to which the author painted the picture of glass making and the picturesque descriptions of the streets of Venice.

This was sci-fi/ fantasy and an absolute blast to read ! With a tagline like "Only the victor gets out alive" how could I have resisted it? 7 competitors from around the galaxy are teleported in to the New York Library and they battle to their deaths in order to beat the contest. With a plot like this, expect to meet aliens at every fast paced, blood chilling page turn. Best five hours I've spent so far.

One of the first Scarpetta novels I've read and suffice to say I don't think I'll ever stop ! =D Patricia Cornwell delivers her promise of really good suspense thrillers served on a platter of emotional turbulences, detailed sleuthwork and of course, grisly murders. I love stories that incorporate both a personal as well as professional take on what's going on. Delicious !

A legal thriller, Fury turned out to be a pleasant surprise with elements of fantasy and new age religions lending a throughly enjoyable twist to this fast paced story of trials, tribulations and ultimate redemption. Starting with the brutal rape of a young mother, this tale takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the main character seeks justice for her along with juggling terrorism threats and kidnapping cases. The many conflicting sub-plots within this story first made me wonder if the author couldn't make up his mind as to what genre to really focus in, but when I finally put the book down, I realized, he did ALL genres really really well !

Today's Smile-Inducer : Reminiscing on past sinful delights :P More on that later...

Toodles !

Ouch!

I haven't been a very good girl today. *inserts appropriately repentant expression

You see, whenever I step into a mall, there are two places I never skip. The shoe boutique and the bookstores. In a precautionary gesture to avoid imminent bankruptcy, a private psychotherapy session goes on in my head.

For instance, when a pair of sexy heels catches my eye, the girl in me goes into hyper mode, my eyes shine and I get the Gollum syndrome..But as I reach out to reverently finger soft leather, luxurious velvet or a glittering gem, I ask myself :-

#1 : Do I want it?
Heck yea ! *drools

#2 : Do I need it?
No....

#3 : Does my allowance permit an indulgence such as this?
No...

#4 : Do I have the heart to deprive some deserving charity cause and instead donate to the already overflowing coffers of an already established designer?
No...

#5 : If I were banished to an exile island and only permitted to carry 3 things would this be one of them?
No..

#6 : Do I have 9 pairs of feet to utilize all the shoes I already own?
No..

Having justly psycho-ed myself, I snatch the errant finger away and force myself to walk away

At my next stop the bookstore, I again get that not-so-kindly gleam in my eye, my hands develop a life entirely their own and run together in ill-suppressed glee, a chuckle escapes my lips already curved in a grin. Invariably, I pick up a few treasures and weigh each against the other based on author, plot, cover design (aesthetic value has the word value in there for a reason you know..) and thickness (the thicker the better) and of course the same round of questions are fired :-

#1 : Do I want it?
Heck yea ! *drools

#2 : Do I need it?
No....

#3 : Does my allowance permit an indulgence such as this?
No...

#4 : Do I have the heart to deprive some deserving charity cause and instead donate into the already overflowing coffers of an already established author/publishing house?
No...

#5 : If I were banished to an exile island and only permitted to carry 3 things would this be one of them?
No..

#6 : Do I have 9 sets of brains and 90 hours in a day to finish reading all that I already have?
No..

Having justly psycho-ed myself, I snatch up the book and proceed to the counter to make my payment.

Not one...not two...but THREE!!

"Oops...I did it again"...and again...and again

People, if I ever go out with you do me a big favour and drag me away from them stores will you? Even if I scream bloody murder drag on, I promise I'll explain very nicely to the police if you get arrested. Now, excuse me but I have a date with the wall. My common sense needs some hammer-therapy...