What I did after my exams...

Is it just me who can't stand reading a book with a dumb hero/heroine?

I had the misfortune of picking up a book with this incredibly stupid heroine. It dampened my mood in reading, I can't believe I don't want to read after NOT reading any non-exam related stuff for so long...

I think Phillipa Gregory chose Mary Boleyn as the heroine in the Other Boleyn Girl for the happy ending (I don't know for sure, because I have only read like 1/4 of the book and I don't think I can finish it), as Anne Boleyn would be beheaded.

I don't know much about this part of English history other than the fact Anne Boleyn would die on the guillotine. And I have to admit I don't know much about Mary Boleyn, but all she did in the parts I read was obeying what other people told her to do, falling in "love" (more likely in lust) with a guy she didn't even know/understand/communicate with...

I know I'm in the minority when I read the reviews on Amazon.com, I'm not the only one though. =P The writing is so bad, and absolutely disengaging... Don't even waste your money on this book.

I have abandoned this book, and started another book I have wanted to read for quite some time-- the Amulet of Samarkand, the beginning is quite promising, let me see if the rest is as good.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a TV series I have wanted to watch for a long time. It has never been shown in any of the TV channels in Hong Kong as far as I know. (Maybe I am wrong.)



It is interesting to watch this TV series, it was produced like 10 years ago (season 1) about these high school students, and although their high school life was a lot different than mine =P, it felt better to watch this than others about high school students now because they make me feel so old. =P

The plot is not exactly new, the vampire slayer falling for the vampire. And the special effects 10 years ago were not good. =P However, it's got a smart and strong heroine! I'm not a man, but I still like looking at her, she's quite pretty. =) Though I don't understand why she wore all these short skirts when she had to kick the bad guys so often, haha!!

And Angel! (Angel was the vampire Buffy fell in love with, he's a guy, his actual name was Angelus. =P) Wow!!!!



The storyline and acting are quite good. No wonder it was so popular in the US.

haha! I am determined to waste at least one month of my time!! haha!!

Kindle

I saw this in Amazon today...

Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle.

We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both "lefties" and "righties" can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

We wanted Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read.

With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand.

And because we know you can't judge a book by its cover, Kindle lets you download and read the beginning of books for free. This way, you can try it out—if you like it, simply buy and download with 1-Click, right from your Kindle, and continue reading. Want to try a newspaper as well? All newspaper subscriptions start with a risk-free two-week trial.

Kindle’s paperback size and expandable memory let you travel light with your library. With the freedom to download what you want, when you want, we hope you’ll never again find yourself stuck without a great read.

We're very proud to introduce Amazon Kindle and we hope you like it as much as we do.

- The Amazon Kindle Team

seems like a really interesting device... hmm... you can even read magazines, newspapers, wikipedia from it... See the video from the link above to see how amazing it is according to Amazon... is it really that good...??

Democracy

I remembered this series of novel I read when I was in secondary school called the Legend of Galactic Heroes. There were these two countries, one with democracy but bad politicians, another controlled by a good emperor who governed justly.

I used to really believe in democracy to be something worth fighting for. Especially while I was in college and in the years 2003-2004. (I joined the first two July the 1st rallies.)

Then as I see all these politicians crazily attacking each other while making all these empty promises for votes. I wonder if universal suffrage will make Hong Kong a better place.

However, recently, my views changed again when I see all the injustices. Now like Yang Wenli in the book- the Legend of the Galactic Heroes, I believe the worst of all democratic countries is still better than the worst of all totalitarian countries.

I don't like the democrats in HK but the DAB is really worse... (I have finally read this famous or infamous essay Martin Lee wrote. And I have to say I can't find any fault with this.)

I think the most important thing for China is not democracy, I don't think the Chinese population is ready for it yet. When will China have the Rule of Law?
(Watch the latest HK Connection documentary on Chinese lawyers if you're interested.)

Without democracy and the rule of Law, even basic human rights can be lost. It's just plain sad to watch the documentary. These lawyers are so courageous.

公盟

The fabulous Dumbledore?

Dumbledore is gay, 'Harry Potter' author reveals

She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore's feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

Dumbledore's love, she observed, was his "great tragedy."

I've never been a great Harry Potter fan. I've read the books apart from the last one. (I've been waiting until after my exams to read it since I'm not particularly looking forward to it.) Seriously I have never even thought about the possibility of Dumbledore being gay, for me he's just a great grandfatherly character. What strikes me are the last two paragraphs in this piece of the news...

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

Seriously, what kind of impression are "Christians" giving now??

What kind of reader I am!

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

What kind of horrible code is this??!! The red bars only shows up in IE, not Firefox, I have no idea how to fix this, but I could see the bars in the original website after I did the quiz with Firefox...

Buying English Books in HK

The biggest English bookstore in Hong Kong must be PageOne, I have never bought any books there. The books are so expensive, and most of the time I can't find the books I want there.

I usually shop first by choosing a book at Amazon.com, you can browse through parts of the book after entering details of a valid credit card. (They won't charge you for it, I guess that's just to make sure you can actually buy a book.) Then I'll buy the book at Paddyfield.com. You can buy a book there at the original price. And you can get free delivery for purchases over HK$150.

I have recommended this online bookstore to many of my friends. (I thought many of my friends knew, then I discovered some still don't, that's why I am writing this post.) Try it if you want to save money on your books.

I still can't find a good English second hand book store on the Kowloon side (to sell my books) yet. (I'm too lazy to drag all my books to one I found in Central.) Please tell me if you know of any.

GROW old together??

I remembered reading an article on the newspaper about the story of a wife who decided she had to break up with her husband because he did not grow at the same pace with her over the years of their marriage.

I know how that can happen. Even when two people are together, their pace and direction can be remarkably different. And when one grows really differently, the other will also be affected.

Even if you're in love and in synchrony the day you're married, how can you know that this person will grow like you in the future?

On the other hand, is that a justified ground for a divorce??

I have finally read this book (and I'll write about it later on my other blog), and... I am too lazy to type it up or scan it, so sorry for the poor quality.





I guess it's also true for non-Christian marriages, in the old days, marriage was not as fragile when individual personality was not that emphasized. Marriage was about family more than about individual then, and it was much more likely that couples could grow old together.

P.S. I have finished writing a brief review here.

Book Storage

The problem with my love for reading is how to store books.

I have ran out of shelves for putting books on long ago and started storing books in boxes. However, they got so high, I can't even get them down... I have recently bought two more boxes to put under my bed...

And then there's the problem of storing paperback. I don't know why the quality of paper of English paperbacks are so much poorer than that of Chinese books. (And I don't read Chinese books much these days.) They got yellowish much more quickly. (Probably want us to buy hardcovers, but I can't buy hardcovers for every book! Not every book has the hardcover version anyway...)

I tried a lot of ways and still my books are deteriorating rapidly.

I have seriously considered e-books, but I really hate reading from the screen and it's just different to curl up in your bed with a real book.

Here's my latest investment in an attempt to protect my books and conserve the environment... a bit expensive tho...





Supposed to be a dehumidifier... wonder if it works...

Any good ways to protect your books you can share??

Here's some info I found years ago, I've been following most of the advice as far as possible. (No air-conditioning room for storage I'm afraid. =P) Still...

Long wait... my TBR list growing...

The latest novel by my No. 1 fav writer Diana Gabaldon opened on its first week of sale #8 on the New York Times bestselling list. And I have ordered it before it was published... however, I have just got it today... HAHA!! So happy!!

I have also got the latest book by Suzanne Brockmann-- Force of Nature as well. It is on the NYT list as well... (I couldn't wait for Jules and Robin's story... so I got the hardcover as well... Her previous books in the Troubleshooters series are such good military and suspense fiction. Unlike those written by men with great action plot, where the heroes have relationship/sex with the female characters, purely to satisfy the "Jame Bond" complex of readers/writers in my opinion, because you can find no other reason why these people would suddenly sleep together, other than the adrenaline rush, I suppose. The plot may be exciting, but the characters are usually poorly developed... As for women, lots of them tried writing romantic suspense out there, but the end result is usually something that is neither suspenseful nor romantic =P However, it's very different for her books. I have always loved reading her books, really good action plot and characters whose development and relationship evolved around the plot, but her skills seemed to be deteriorating in Into the Storm, I hope I didn't waste my money on Force of Nature...)


It was not until today that I realised I've got two books on the top of my TBR pile with homosexual heroes... =P HAHA!!

How many books did you read last year?

I'm sure the results from Hong Kong will be even worse with NDS and PSP =P, but it's still pretty unbelievable for me when I see people who don't read for pleasure. This is a report from CNN. I think those who don't read won't read even without internet, TV or movies, if you love reading, you can always find time to read.

While I'm really busy these days, I still read. I used to be able to read 5-10 books/week when I was in secondary school, (No, it's not a typo.) I am already happy now if I can read one book per week, because I'm trying to study for my coming exams next year. Still I can never imagine one year with a book. Enough talking, let's see some of the results from the report here.

One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.

The survey reveals a nation whose book readers, on the whole, can hardly be called ravenous. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year -- half read more and half read fewer. Excluding those who hadn't read any, the usual number read was seven.

That choice by Bustos and others is reflected in book sales, which have been flat in recent years and are expected to stay that way indefinitely. Analysts attribute the listlessness to competition from the Internet and other media, the unsteady economy and a well-established industry with limited opportunities for expansion.

When the Gallup poll asked in 2005 how many books people had at least started -- a similar but not directly comparable question -- the typical answer was five. That was down from 10 in 1999, but close to the 1990 response of six.

Who are the 27 percent of people the AP-Ipsos poll found hadn't read a single book this year? Nearly a third of men and a quarter of women fit that category. They tend to be older, less educated, lower income, minorities, from rural areas and less religious.

At the same time, book enthusiasts abound. Many in the survey reported reading dozens of books and said they couldn't do without them.

Among those who said they had read books, the median figure -- with half reading more, half fewer -- was nine books for women and five for men. The figures also indicated that those with college degrees read the most, and people aged 50 and up read more than those who are younger.

More women than men read every major category of books except for history and biography. Industry experts said that confirms their observation that men tend to prefer nonfiction.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Since everyone is raving about Harry Potter 7, though I am NOT a great Harry Potter fan, I just did a search on the web to see if I can find the Harry Potter book on the web...

I could not find the photos of the book. I found this link, supposed to be the first 10 chapters of the last book... let's see if it's the true version tomorrow?? though I won't buy the book until the price drops... HAHA!! (told you, I'm not a fan of Harry Potter, though I have read all the Harry Potter books...)

I'm sure if you're really cheap, you can find the whole book on the web in some Chinese website free for downloading a few days later... (Did I underestimate them? Maybe tomorrow even )

I think the photos one is definitely real... coz I just went to the JK Rowling web, she denied it on her website whenever there were some false rumours about her books. This time she did NOT deny it, just asked all the Harry Potter fans to help preserve the secrecy... well... as I have said I am NOT a Harry Potter fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha!

10 most romantic books ever

I read a discussion on a list of supposedly most romantic books ever
1. Pride And Prejudice
2. Wuthering Heights
3. The Bronze Horseman
4. Bridget Jones' Diary
5. The Time Traveler's Wife
6. The Notebook
7. Anna Karenina
8. Gone With The Wind
9. Rebecca
10. Cross Stitch

I have only read The Time Traveler's Wife and Cross Stitch (i.e. Outlander , my all time fav series!! this is the name for the UK version). I have also seen some of the other movie/TV adaptations, e.g. Pride and Prejudice, GWTW. Wuthering Heights, I tried reading it in secondary school, cannot finish it even after half a year...

Anyway, I can't imagine why Bridget Jones is one of the most romantic books ever...
However, from the discussion, I realised Bridget Jones is actually a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and the more I think about it, the more similarities I found. (Of course, I watched the BBC Pride and Prejudice, so Colin Firth was the Mr. Darcy in both of them. haha!)

As for the Time Traveler's Wife, I don't like it all that much either. It's not boring, the idea of the book is quite original, a time traveler that could suddenly go to another time (it's actually a disease), and he met his wife at another time when she was still a kid. And then when she grew up, she fell in love with him and went to find him (but he still doesn't know her yet.) Seems complicated, but actually very easy to read. The idea is novel, but the execution is not exceptional. Later on, I found the story more like horrifying (a bit exaggerated) than romantic, when the guy could not control when and where he was going and started getting injuries... I'm not going to reveal anymore of the story... but I really don't like it all that much...

As for , it is one of my all time favourite movie. If you haven't watched it yet, watch it!

Reading Gaudy Night

As you grow up, you'll lose contact with your old schoolmates, friends and colleagues. Occasionally, you'll have some sort of a reunion where you meet friends you have not seen for years.

As I am reading Gaudy Night, Harriet Vane (the heroine of the story) made an interesting observation during one of these reunions. When I reflected upon it, I found it very true, however, I have never noticed this before.

"They had evidently kept in touch with one another, for they were discussing things and not people, as those who do have lively interests in common."

Of course, this is not true when you're talking about the latest gossips. Haha!!!

She has a really great sense of humour! This is hilarious!

If you don't know, Diana Gabaldon is my fav writer. #1 New York Times Bestselling Author on A Breath of Snow & Ashes (Book 6 on the Outlander Series)

I just found these videos today on youtube. Probably from some fans gathering...

Video of the Outlander series

Hold on! No, the movie/TV miniseries is still not here yet...

However, some fans got so impatient they actually made these videos or slide show(??). Wow! Anyway it must have took them a LOT of time.

I'm not such a crazy fan after all, I just check the compuserv community where Diana's very active every day... and re-read her books a hundred thousand times... yep, I'm not crazy AT ALL!

Reading

Some people like drugs, some like drinking.

For me, reading is my way of escaping into another world when I need temporary relief.

When I read, I'm immersed in it and I can forget about the rest of the world.

Haha, I spent last night and today in another world, rather than studying, which is what I should be doing...

Started reading Anne Rice's book

When I first saw the book, I thought Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt was written by someone with the same name as the Anne Rice who wrote Interview with the Vampire (and thought who would use the name of an already famous writer to publish a book??)

In fact, it was written by the same person!! I read Interview with the Vampire (Chinese translated edition) years ago, and did not like it. Never read another vampire book until Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series.

Really interested in seeing how this vampire-creator-turned-Catholic handled the re-creation of the historical (and fictional) Jesus.

What is Literature?

I hate reading so called "literary" books, most of them are extremely boring and the only good thing it can do is acting as a good hypnotic. (Tho when I have insomnia, I usually resort to studying my notes in bed. 100% effective. So these books have no use to me.)

I have always thought books should be entertaining. It's useless to write books only few can understand and appreciate. The same goes for movies and paintings. I still remember studying The Pearl (written by John Steinbeck) in English Literature in secondary school. It's so boring...

Don't get me wrong. I hate superficial stuff. Like comedy by Stephen Chow. I love books/movies that I can re-read/re-watch again and again, and discover new meaning every time.

Recently I have read a discussion on the web about definition of literature. Diana Gabaldon offered this amazingly good definition, which I think is very true...

"My personal definition of "literature" is "any book that _lasts_." By this definition, most of the literary prize-winners and short-listed titles aren't literature, because they're gone without a trace in three or four years--if not less. (Most people--even dedicated readers of "serious" stuff--can't tell you who was short-listed for the Orange, the Whitbread, the Man Booker, etc.--even from last year.)

Generally speaking, a book needs to have some substance in order to last--but damn few of those that last aren't entertaining.

(And fwiw, even though the _average_ hardcover book these days lasts six months or less on the shelves--all of mine are still in print in hardcover, fifteen years in and counting. Keep your fingers crossed. )"

Unforgettable novels

I was reading a discussion on what made a novel unforgettable, and someone named Jennifer L. Wielt wrote this,

"There's obviously a lot of subjectivity when it comes to defining unforgetableness and identifying things that are unforgettable, but for me a story has to have two things -- deep originality and passion. Talking about them (especially originality) in the abstract can be deceptive because really, there's nothing new under the sun, and what is it that differentiates genuine passion from sentimentality or hot emotion?

Originality, I think, is achieved less by cooking up an unusual story scenario or quirky main character (although there's nothing wrong with these) and more by unswerving attention on the part of the author to the common, universal stuff of life (emotions, experiences, journeys, etc.) as only they can see them and write them by virtue of who they are and what has been their life experience. The originality I'm talking about is pretty subtle when it works its magic because the classics are stories that reach a large majority of us because they deal with universals. Their unforgetableness stems from their ability to present us with the stuff we know intimately and make us see and feel it in new ways, as though for the very first time. It's about tapping into archetypes but doing so through close observation to the particulars of a specific situation and being honest about its currents and complexities.

Passion I find difficult to define because it's one of those things I know when I see or feel it. It has little to do with the melting and clasping and clinging and savaging that happens in Romances (although I _have_ read Romances that are about true passion). It's about the evocation of true, meaningful, real, honest feeling. It's about love, and not just romantic love; it can even be about the denial of love. It's about intense commitment and devotion to a path, to self, to a person, to whatever. Most of all, I think it's about that other meaning of passion -- suffering. Suffering is one of those fundamental life mysteries we're always trying to figure out and relieve. Putting suffering into some kind of a meaningful context or figuring out how to make it go away is a human obsession, which is one of the reasons we have religions and why so many of us are addicted to various substances. So, if a book comes along and it tells a story with originality, that evokes honest, deep feelings and that also shows us suffering (and possibly redemption) and places it in a rich, meaningful context I think its chances of being unforgettable are pretty strong.

For some reason, the one story that keeps popping into my mind as I've been writing this post is Hemingway's THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA. It's such a simple story and pays intense attention to one human experience, yet it resonates with originality and passion and despite its specificity it taps into one of the most archetypal conflicts. Which is probably why I remember it vividly even though I only read it once, way back in high school."

Very well said. I read a LOT of novels, but only very occasionally I can find one exceptionally good one, never mind the unforgettable ones. If only I can put pen to paper and produce such a novel... (in my dreams most probably)

Women who read

I read this funny joke today...

"One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.
Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.

Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, "Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?"

"Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't that obvious?")

"You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her.

"I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading."

"Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up."

"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault," says the woman.

"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.

"That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment."

"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left.

MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think."