best friend

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot

Had the time of my life at this year's Big Bad Wolf Sale.

I will never give up reading.

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.
Henry Ward Beecher

favourite quote from current read

"For me, it's not the least important whether something is or isn't a European product. And it's not in the least important to me either if a thing is genuine or fake. If you ask me, people's dislike of imitations has nothing to do with fake or real, but the fear that others might think they'd bought it cheap. For me, the worst thing is when people care about the brand and not the product at all. You know how there are some people who don't give importance to their own feelings, and care only what other people might say..."

Fusun, from The Museum of Innocence

The Help

Recently, I finished reading Anita Shreve's A Change in Altitude and Kathryn Stockett's The Help.

Shreve has made its way to my favourite list ever since I read Testimony. However, her latest novel left me unsatisfied, unlike Testimony. Not the slightest bit gripping. In fact, it had me yawning all the way, not at all impressed with the suspense it built throughout. I was eager to finish it just because. When I finally did, I was relieved. I don't recommend this to anyone. Do google to find out more about the story.

Now, The Help is another story. It is truly an epitome of don't judge a book by it's cover.


This book is special because it is. It's about something real, about the life of the black maids in Mississippi who raised the white children when anti-integration was prevalent. This book is an antidote of their lives, their experiences working with the whites and raising their kids when it could well be their parents' job. That they are called the help, which aptly described what they are. At times humorous and heart-wrenching, this book is a rejoice for humanity and justice. All the time I was thinking that Oprah Winfrey would be perfect for the role of Aibileen - if ever it's going to be made into a movie. Definitely a good read and you'll be moved by it in some ways.

After reading it, I can definitely relate to what the help does. As teachers, I think we are a big help to the kids. We spend more time with them than their parents do. We discover qualities and weaknesses, and we strive hard to give the best to our clients although at times parents don't quite appreciate what we do with their children.

Teachers get students sharing with them stories and secrets which they don't tell their parents and we become a shelter to some who come from a broken one. Students find solace in us when they feel like their parents don't care. And we help them reach the best. We help them to be literate and make them realise that having a dream can bring them far in life.

Whether we realise it or not, we, teachers are the help. It's ironic really that society/parents depend so much on us but there is also this stigma about us that's not really pleasing. Just as the whites would be out of hand without the help, try imagine a world without teachers.

Quoted : "If you read only one book, let this be it". Very true indeed!

Big Bad Book Sale

I went to the Big Bad Book Sale yesterday (thank you Syada dearest!). One word : madness! I went there with my sister, whom I dragged because I seriously thought she needed a break from her intense revision of Biology.

Amcorp Mall was expectedly crowded, even from the outside. Cars were parked on both sides of the road which caused the traffic to be slow. I was beginning to fret when we couldn't find any parking spot after countless detours. As I saw more and more people coming out carrying with them handful of Big Bad Wolf plastic bags, I was anxious. I wanted to jump out of the car! Alhamdulillah, after half-an-hour of searching, we secured ourselves a spot and later hurried to our destination.

When we reached Level 3, we were panting but all of that was forgotten once we stepped foot into the threshold of the hall. Ahhh, books everywhere!! We wasted no time and started book hunting. Throughout the time I was there, I began to accept the fact that foot-stepping, bums knocking and shoulders brushing are common during book sales (is it?). I guess everyone was just too blinded by books to even notice/feel any of those.

While many carried with them a box full of books, I only had 4 of my choice. Each of them costs RM8 each.

They are :

1. Jhumpa Lahiri - Unaccustomed Earth
2. O.Z. Livaneli - Bliss
3. Chris Cleave - The Other Hand
4. Jacquelyn Mitchard - Cage of Stars

I can say that they were totally a good buy, what with Lahiri's hardcover for only RM 8! It's a good thing I didnt get that the last time I was in MPH. I was hoping I could find more, but after 2 rounds I decided that that was it. These will be sufficient to feed me for another month or two.

We left the place immediately after I have paid as I was beginning to suffocate in the sea of people and unpleasant body odors haha!