Monday, August 25, 2008

We Read While Waiting

Yes, went along to the Read While Waiting gather on Saturday at KL Sentral. I decided to take position by the Komuter Terminal and was reassured when I saw other subversives turning up with books. At 3pm sharp, we struck poses and began to read like living statues except for turning pages. My immediately neighbours were Marina Mahathir and Noraini Othman (below), so I was in good company. (Isn't that, ahem, a banned book in Marina's hand?)

I'm not sure if around us anyone noticed what we were doing since passers-by were probably more preoccupied with getting to their destinations. I got bumped by suitcases once or twice, but the worst thing that happened was when someone eating greasy french fries stood right next to me, chomping away.

Never mind, though, I managed to get totally transported by The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, especially as it looked as if Oscar might finally lose his virginity. (Fat chance!)

Another "neighbour", Wan Yian, was also totally engrossed in her book.

The much bigger crowd turned out to be upstairs outside KFC, and I think they made much more of a point.

Here's three more book lovers with their choices.

And a photo call with some of the readers after the event.

I had tea with organiser Zain afterwards while he was being interviewed by the press. The guy has so much enthusiasm that if you attached him by wires to the national grid, he could probably power a city the size of Ipoh.

Zain's photos are on Facebook.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Preaching to the choir though, don't you think?

Anonymous said...

Oh and.. cute girl in the second pic :)

Emily said...

Hi Sharon!

Sorry to have missed you... a couple of us from Bookcrossing managed to be part of the group upstairs!

Chet said...

Emily!

Here you are!

Emily said...

Hi Chet! Thank you for the picture highlight! Hope to meetup with you again soon!

Anonymous said...

That David Sedaris book is crazy funny! Great cover too

bibliobibuli said...

i'm reading it now too. great dipping in book.

ビビ said...

i didnt make it :(

bibliobibuli said...

searched all over for you! ah well, next time!

Anonymous said...

Okay, no one tell me what her name is, or whether she has a blog, etc.

Chris said...

if you attached him by wires to the national grid, he could probably power a city the size of Ipoh.

Believe me Sharon, nothing could light up Ipoh...

Anonymous said...

True eh? I've been to much smaller towns with more going on. But Ipoh is not the kind of place you go to have big fun.

Ipoh is a place you go to live the old times. It's funny that there are a lot of "fake" kopitiams in KL, but if you go to Ipoh you can still get the real thing, coffee in real ceramic cups, made with what looks like a large windsock.