I'm off to the wilds of Pahang again for a couple of days, visiting my student-teachers. It's very frustrating this time because the shortlist for the Booker is going to be announced tomorrow and I won't be around to blog it! (Thanks Deepika for offering to update me by SMS!)My thoughts very much with our Mr.
Can you believe that there aren't even newspapers to be had in Kuala Tahan? (Or decent chocolate bars.) Shall just have to console myself with a stroll in a nice bit of primeval rainforest (left) and hope the tigers don't eat me.
Meanwhile my feeble attempts to read my way through the Booker longlist have petered out. I began Animal's People and really am enjoying it (do hope it makes the shortlist) ... but I find that I can't read novel after novel and in-between crave the roughage of some well-written non-fiction.
I picked up Alan Weisman's The World Without Us from Kinokuniya on Sunday (hadn't even intended to go to Kino - a friend dragged me after our long-time-no-see-meet-up-tea at the Mandarin Oriental) and I'm finding it totally riveting. Just the read I need.
I leave you this space to have a party and entertain each other while I'm away. Just be nice to each other.
14 comments:
Can't get decent chocolate bars in most places in Msia! Should be able to get newspapers at the resorts etc at K.Tahan. Enjoy your trip!
Remember everyone, our mantra:
TAN SHALL WIN THE BOOKER.
I am about to start reading his book (at long last). Just finished Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyovich (think I spelt it right). This was the first book Yann Martel recommended Stephen Harper, the Canadian PM to read.
In the middle of Jasper Fforde's (spelling??) the Fourth Bear about the Nursery Crime Division in Reading tracking down the mystery of the Three Bears and their porridge and the missing journalist Henrietta Goldie Hatchett. In the middle of it all, the pscychotic serial killer, the Gingerbreadman escapes...
caving liz - no newspapers at the so-called resorts on this side of the river. maybe at the mutiara ...
Hi all! I'm done with The Keep (Jennifer Egan). Totally surprised with its ending. Am halfway thru' The Emperor's Children (Claire Messud). Plan to sojourn to non-fiction during Ramadhan. On my list: Fiasco and The Race Beat.
As for Booker, I think MacEwan will win. Again. This time.
Btw, could anyone pls tell me whether Half of a Yellow Sun is worth of my precious time (I'm lecturing, so time is truly precious to me).
The Penguin Book of Gay Short Stories, edited by David Leavitt, 2004 edition.
How was the book poppadamdum?
Inconsistent quality...some were bad, some so so...
Don't have to go that far.. no newspapers in Kajang either. And that's a fair-sized town.
Kamal S,
If you like stories about African culture, civil wars and family/relationships, definitely worth your time. I've been a fan of Adichie's ever since I read her short stories. Fantastic writer, easy read.
Booker finalists:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070906/ap_en_ot/booker_prize;_ylt=AvoTcAVdSUThWnvtY2L_4zJxFb8C
Viz
Thanks Viz. We're all very disappointed that Tan's not on it. But it's great that he got onto the short longlist so we do have something to be proud of. Now I better go read his book.
Of what's on the shortlist, the Animal book and Darkmans facincate me and I want to read them... Where to find?? Anyone found them yet?
i was just about to go looking for Darkmans. dono got or not. Animah, if u find it, give us the heads up, k?
Viz
Dear Sharon,
This is a little off topic. But I wanted to let you know that I met an acquaintance of yours i.e. "loudmouth" Johnson. :)
Pretty much floored me when I found out that the two of you knew one another. What small world it is ... Anyway, she sends her warm regards and looks forward to having your over in Malacca.
Take care and have fun in Pahang.
booker update coming up!
nizam - small world indeed. johnson was my colleague in maktab peguruan ilmu khas for eight years and is still a very good friend whom i miss lots. i don't know of many people who can keep me so constantly entertained! she was also a friend i very much enjoyed sharing books with
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