Canada.

I'm going to Canada tomorrow morning, so there'll be no mind-boggling illiteracy from me for the next two weeks.

Lucky readers!


Write you later. Go read Something.


-The illiterate Blogger-

Little writing and Lotsa writing.

iKnow that the issue following this sentence is an old one and that you may not want to read anything pertaining to it-- but iAsk you to spare me some of your patience, please.


Have you ever read a book that, in spite of its simple English and childlike approach, has completely amazed you? Many people have been saying these days that a true writer doesn't need to use a fancy vocabulary and elaborate descriptions in order to impress readers; I'll plead guilty to this as well because iBelieve that it must be quite difficult to convey a deep meaningful message in so few and modest words. The Little Prince, Totto-chan and The Alchemist are actually three of my favourite books and they do something with the imagination that does not require an abundance of three syllable words.


I do a bit of writing myself however, and there is a part of me that refutes the generalization of such a belief. You cannot apply it to all writers. Sometimes there is no other word to use for that certain story or that certain moment except for a certain three syllable (and possibly difficult) word. At other times, the atmosphere cannot be created without turning to elaborate wordplay because the message you wish to convey is simple and can be tastefully delivered in a not-so-simple way. Good examples? The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Pride & Prejudice. Yes, I know that they represent two forms of literature... iJust daren't mention a modern novel at the moment. Many modern novels fall in the category between simple and elaborate, save for that Mr.Norris novel that I never finished.


My conclusion is that a true writer is about as undefinable as the art of writing. So to anybody reading this, anybody who likes to argue this particular issue-- stop wasting your breath (or internet space for that matter). There is only one way to define what a true writer is-- that is to become one. So get to work, you philanthropic philosophers. I want to see your work on the shelves!


Write you later. Go read something.


-The illiterate Blogger-

To Penang and Back!

Hello again, my non-existant readers!

I've just been to Penang (Malaysia) and back, with the family. iThink that I have gained weight since then-- after all, who goes to Penang Island for the sunshine and sea? It's the food that attracts people! Nasi Kandar, fresh prawns/crabs/whatever and all sorts of kuih-muih. In short, a fun trip.

While I was there, iStopped by a second-hand bookshop in town. There were loads of books (published) from the 60s and onwards and the place reeked of aging paper. I used to be a school librarian, so it was very natural and enjoyable to walk about the place; even bought a few books. Mainly old hardcovers of books I've yet to read (Heidi, Wuthering Heights, etc). I also found a very tattered copy of Alice in Wonderland.


So here's my question to knowledgeable readers and book collectors. Do you know a good book-binder or book-mender?



Once upon a time, iRead a young adult fantasy novel titled 'Inkheart' (soon to be a major motion picture, apparently). There was a character in the book who happened to be a book-binder-- he repaired old books and bound them with new linen covers. Although I've always been aware of these book doctors, it wasn't until iRead Inkheart that I took an actual interest in the idea of binding old hardcover books.


Ever since, I've accumalated a few (note: four to five) old books that could use some new binding....and one that needs major surgery, so to speak. I'd be very grateful if any one of my non-existant readers could recommend a good book doctor in Malaysia that could help me.


Here, my rambling comes to an end for today; iHope that this entry has gotten you thinking about those old and yellowing books you may have stored in a dark corner of your home. Keep them in good condition, poor things!



Write You Later. Go read something.



-The illiterate Blogger-

iLove my Queen of Mystery.

Who is my Queen of Mystery, my QoM?


No, not Mary Higgins Clark (I've not read her in spite of recommendations)


I'm talking about Agatha Christie, who is on my list of favourite authors.

If you've not read any of her books then I demand that you go out and buy or borrow a copy of her novel And Then There Were None!! That was the first of Christie's that I ever read and inevitably the beginning of my addiction. Her writing style is neither complicated nor overly simple and leaves lots of visualisation space for the reader's imagination. However, I am admittedly biased to the ones involving that impeccable Bulgarian detective-- Hercule Poirot.

He's such a funny character: neurotically neat, proud of his moustache, obsessed with those grey cells and fond of sweet things. Some readers may find his ego a turn-off; personally, I think it's interesting to see him justify his bravado. It's one of the things that compels me to read on. Sometimes I just hope he'll get it completely wrong. Plus... well, how many of us have tried to solve a mystery before someone in the novel did?

Anyways...

I recently read "Hercule Poirot's Christmas". Agatha Christie wrote this book for her brother-in-law, who had once remarked that her books were not bloody enough. Hence, she wrote this crime in such a way that the detectives could be certain it was a homocide and not a suicide or natural death (as such is the case of falling off a cliff or undetectable poisons). That is to say... the victim is found with a slit throat and lying in a pool of blood.


Mmmm. Good old-fashioned murder.


This one goes on my list (iLove lists) of QoM favourites. It has all of my favourite factors (You may not want to know what these factors are-- especially if you haven't read the book and are planning to). Apparent violence, a locked room situation, a dinner party of sorts, a dashing unexpected guest, complicated family bloodlines and Hercule Poirot. Like in most of her books, Christie manages to make a psychological display of her characters by using Monsiuer Poirot and the readers' suspicious little minds as her tools.

I think I've dragged on for long enough. Hopefully this entry has not discouraged you from reading any of the QoM's novels!



Write you later. Go read something.


-The illiterate Blogger-

My List of Good books iHate.

iPromised a list, so here it is! Take no offence if you love the books iHate. After all, it must be a good book if it got such a strong reaction out of me, right? It is in my opinion that a good book is a book capable of producing a strong reaction from its readers, negative or positive. This is after putting aside the general critique for a good book (decent writing, a plot that hasn't been done over a quintillion times in the same way, etc). But I won't set anything in stone... books and the critique of books; these two are both ambiguous topics, no?


Now...onwards to the list! These are the books I'd read twice only for an English Literature class!

My List of Good books iHate.

+ The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

+ Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

+ Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End of The World by Haruki Murakami.

+ The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o

+ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

+ Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.



+ The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean

End

You may have already guessed it by now but just in case you were wondering: yes, I do use the term 'iHate' loosely. Some of these books are very difficult to hate because they were written very beautifully and provoked much admiration from me. On the other hand... some of them I downright disliked.

I would like to apologize for the first book on the list right now, because I have never finished reading it. That's how much iHated it. You'll probably critisize me for not giving Hosseini's book an honest chance-- I'm just not a fan of books that repel me enough to put them down immediately.

I'll leave you here to think about your own list of Good books you Hate (if you have any). See you next entry!

Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-

What iWrite and Why iWrite.

Have you ever...


...read a good book but still hated it?


iHave.


You pick up the notorious tome at a library or you buy it because it's supposed to be a literary masterpiece. There's a sort of mild anticipation to devour this book, perhaps because it's won several literary prizes and the recommendation of popular critics. At home, the atmosphere is perfect. A good warm beverage on a rainy evening, you're on your favourite couch with a very lovable and furry pet. You've waited for a time just as such for this special, special book.


Alas, it does not satisfy! I do not mean to say that the book is not good. On the contrary... I concur that it is a very good book with an excellent concept, realistic characters, wonderful style and a unique perspective. But I hate it anyway and wouldn't read it again if you tempted me with all the Jordan Almonds in the world! It is a book that causes me discomfort when I read it, that disagrees with my moral values extremely, that makes me feel extremely depressed-- you get the idea. Sometimes it is even a book that, for some reason unable to be logically elucidated, merely infuriates me. I will later post my current list of these books that I am illiterate to.


This is my conflict with literature, my relationship with all things literary. You can call me silly for it or you can agree with me or you can just never ever visit this blog again because I'm a horrible writer. Eitherways, I'll continue to type at this keyboard about books.... and while I'm at it, I promise to throw in entries about films, society and other funny things.


What iWrite: Books. Movies. Society. Jordan Almonds... 'nuff said.


Why iWrite: Apparently it's not healthy to talk to family members about books they are liable to find boring. Mainly because they're also liable to kill you for trying to do so.


So welcome to my Blog! I am the illiterate Blogger; obviously I'm not literally illiterate but please do try to find the irony in that title. I happen to think that it quite promptly reflects my disposition when it comes to critically acclaimed novels!


Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-