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.