‘One glance at a book and you hear the voice of another person, perhaps someone dead for 1,000 years. To read is to voyage through time.’
– American astronomer and planetary scientist, Carl Sagan
Next Chinese New Year, I may make some cookies, thanks to a book I bought at the Popular Book Fair at Emart, Tabuan Jaya recently.
I received a message from the bookstore a week ago informing me about the book fair which was taking place from Nov 1 to Nov 24. “Buy 10 EngBooks @RM20 & 70% off for 3 ChiBooks. Spend RM50. Get a RM5 voucher. T&Cs apply. More Info @PopularFB,” said the message.
Ten English books at RM20? It was a good offer I could not resist. So last Wednesday, after doing my usual shopping at Emart Supermarket, I visited the fair.
I came across the cookery book on cookies by chance. The book was hidden under piles of other books.
Because it was still tightly bound, I could not flip through the pages.
But since I was paying RM20 for 10 types of different books, I considered the cookery book a bargain. After all, I was only paying only RM2 for it.
When I reached home and took off the tight plastic cover around it, I was immensely pleased it contained the recipes of some of my favourite cookies like Cheese Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cashew Nut Cookies.
I also bought two books on Sudoku and a book on Crosswords. Sudoku is a logic-based, combinatorial number-placement puzzle. Playing Sudoku, I’ve learnt, is good for the mind and can improve one’s number skills.
A crossword puzzle, on the other hand, consists of a grid of squares and blanks where words intersecting vertically and horizontally are filled in according to the clues.
Regular crossword puzzle solving can help improve memory and brain function, learn new words and strengthen our vocabulary.
At home, I already have a few books on Sudoku but none on Crosswords.
Again, I consider the books on Sudoku and Crosswords very cheap.
A fan of Jane Austen, I could not resist picking up her novel “Sense and Sensibility.” The English novelist (December 16, 1775 – July 18, 1817) was known for her six novels which interpret, critique and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.
I love “Pride & Prejudice”, a 2005 historical romantic drama film directed by Joe Wright, in his feature directorial debut, and based on Jane Austen’s 1813 novel.
The filmwas successful at the box office, grossing US$121.6 million worldwide on a budget of US $28 million. It also received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards Knightley’s performance.
“Pride & Prejudice” also received four nominations at the 78th Academy Awards, including Best Actress for the 20-year-old Knightley as well as other accolades, including the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Wright.
I had the chance to visit the Jane Austen Centre Exhibition and gift shop in Bath, United Kingdom when I visited the city, famous for its Roman-built baths, in 2005 but didn’t.
This was because I was on a 20-pound weekly allowance while pursuing a print journalism course in the UK then and did not have much money to spare.
Meanwhile, at the fair, I also picked up a novel called “Red Azalea” by Anchee Min who grew up in the last years of Mao’s China. Born in Shanghai in 1957, Anchee came to America in 1984 and attended English as a Second Language classes while working as a waitress house cleaner, fabric painter and model.
In 1990, she received a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from the Aer Institute of Chicago. She wrote “Red Azalea” over eight years. It won the Carl Sandburg Literary Award in 1993 and was a New York Times Notable Book.
As a journalist, I wanted to find out what she wrote, her style and why it was so special.
I also picked up a book on “Classic Science Fiction Stories” with classic tales by Jules Verne, Jack London and H G Wells. In my school days, I read a few science fiction stories by those authors, but I have forgotten them now. I thought it was time to get reacquainted with the stories again.
I also chose a book for my younger sister, Ah Lan, who works in a Chinese restaurant in Johor Bahru. On every festive occasion, she is tasked with the job of helping her boss to decorate her restaurant. I hope she will find the book, which teaches five-party projects useful.
For my niece, Ah Hong, who deals with many customers in her job, I bought for her “The Ultimate Customer Experience” by Scott McKain. I also hope she will find the book useful.
There were many children’s books including those by English children’s author, Enid Blyton. There were Blyton’s books on Famous Five, Malory Towers and the Secret Seven. I was tempted to choose some of these books but luckily, I managed to resist the temptation. You see, I already have many unread books at home.
If, like me, you don’t mind buying old and cheap books from a bookstore, do visit the fair at Emart, Tabuan Jaya.
Remember, reading has many benefits including expanding your knowledge, boosting your cognitive function and making you smarter.
