Wishful Wednesday 18: Paulo Coelho
Ketemu lagi sama hari Rabu. Saatnya memejamkan mata dan make a wish, berharap peri yang baik hati mau menghadiahi buku-buku berikut ini:
Minggu ini gue ngidam Paulo Coelho, sastrawan yang sudah begitu tersohor namun gue belum pernah baca bukunya.
Beberapa buku diatas memang sudah agak sulit untuk dicari, karena (sepertinya) penerbit akan menerbitkan kembali dengan cover baru *sotoy*.
Buku-buku tersebut adalah:
1. Aleph (terbitan baru)
2. Seperti Sungai Yang Mengalir (terbitan baru)
3. Veronika Decides to Die
4. The Witch of Portobello
5. The Pilgrimage
6. The Devil and Miss Prym
7. The Zahir
Seperti biasa, yang mau berpartisipasi dalam program Wishful Wednesday syaratnya:
1. Silakan follow blog Books To Share – atau tambahkan di blogroll/link blogmu =)
2. Buat posting mengenai buku-buku (boleh lebih dari 1) atau segala hal yang berhubungan dengan kebutuhan bookish kalian, yang jadi inceran kalian minggu ini, mulai dari yang bakal segera dibeli, sampai yang paling mustahil dan hanya sebatas mimpi. Oya, sertakan juga alasan kenapa buku/benda itu masuk dalam wishlist kalian ya!
3. Tinggalkan link postingan Wishful Wednesday kalian di Mr. Linky. Kalau mau, silakan tambahkan button Wishful Wednesday di posting kalian.
4. Mari saling berkunjung ke sesama blogger yang sudah ikut share wishlistnya di hari Rabu =)
Happy Wednesday!
#KadoUntukBlogger #unforgotTEN @GagasMedia
I have been a voracious reader most of my life. And the older I get, the more I love reading and get lost between words and sentences. Besides writing, reading is one of the things that I can’t live without. Reading is like breathing to me. I have the urge to read at least 5 pages a day. It’s a culture, way of life, just call it what you want. Perhaps, I’m a biblioholic – a term used for a person who loves books, or a bookaholic. I don’t care, I’m proud to be a book addict 
During my journey as a reader, I found Gagas Media sometime in the early 2000s. Books like 30 Hari Mencari Cinta, Brownies, Here, After, Beauty and the Bitch, also Kambing Jantan, filled my days during college and work, long before I blog my review.
And then Gagas Media released Kedai 1001 Mimpi and The Not-So-Amazing Life of @Amrazing, two of my all time favorite books from Gagas. From then on, I think Gagas had set foot on the edge of Indonesian literary world. I also learn that Gagas has the most interesting listings, not too broad, not too narrow, but very uncanny.
From romance, comedy, travel lit to Asian literature, Gagas Media fulfilled my needs. I’m looking forward to seeing the new release with sharp edge and more surprises.
So, I’m here to ‘pursue’ Gagas to choose me to be one of the luckiest bloggers to receive a 10 pack of books. If I win, I’ll be happy to review more than 1 book (hopefully more than 5 books). I read at least two books in a month, so you can count on me. I’ll definitely write a review on any book that Gagas will send me (girl scout promise).
Here’s 10 Things I Love about Reading & Reviewing (and Why I Deserve to be a Winner):
1. Books Make Me Happy
As a biblioholic, I’m always eager to find a package with books inside. So, imagine that I get 10 books from Gagas Media. Not only happy, I’ll be thrilled!
2. Books are Good Medicine for my soul
Giving up my job for my son left me sad and unfulfilled. I have to admit, I experienced the symptoms of depression. Luckily, I found my passion: writing and reading. I used to be an avid reader during high school, but then quit sometime during college because I was more focused on playing and writing music. During my second finding, I was so thankful that I appreciate my precious time by reading and trying to give thoughts with a word or two on Goodreads. Then I decided to write my reviews on my blog. Books have helped me to overcome all the bad feelings. Thanks to Gagas for helping me to open the secret window
3. Reading and Reviewing Keeps My Soul Alive
I’m not exaggerating, reviewing books has helped me to write better. Reading alone is very joyful, but not giving a review is like I’m on debts. It’s a pleasure to write a review and share it to the world. I’m a member of a Book Blogger Community, and I’m so happy to read, share and discuss the books with my fellow biblioholics. We agree that reviewing books is (almost) as important as reading.
4. Books Make me Grow
Yes, books had helped me to think and feel better. I see things in different perspectives. I also try to do a mind-processing and do some research about a topic after reading. Petals from the Sky made me think about meditations and being a vegan. I had to think twice before I eat animals.
5. Books Make me Travel Without Moving
I’m a stay at home mom who’s in charge of my 3 year-old son. I don’t go out a lot and I have to give up my dream as a traveler (maybe one day, not now). Books, of course, help me to move from one place to another, other countries, space, even fictitious kingdoms. The Journeys and Life Traveler helped me to widen my horizons and dream about my future destinations. Thanks for giving me a feel-good atmosphere during the reading session.
6. Reading and Reviewing Helps Authors to Write Better
I have never put myself as a critic. As a writer, I got mixed reviews about my work. Some are good, some are OK, some said I have to stop writing. Reviews helped me to grow and try to write better. I also got feedback from many authors about my reviews. I always do my best not to hurt others’ feelings if my review is not satisfying. So, book bloggers are like midwives to authors. The ‘process’ might be painful, but when you’re through, it’s like carrying an olympic torch.
7. I Judge a Book by its Cover
One of the reasons I buy a book is because of its beautiful cover. Gagas books are beautiful, edgy, and eye-catching. They make my bookshelf colorful too.
8. The More I Read, the More I Acquire, the More Certain I am that I Know Nothing
That’s a quote from Voltaire. The more I read, the more I’m hunger for more. I’m never satisfied with the books I have. Reading is addictive and yet so contagious. I want more and more.
9. Books restrain me from gossips
Seriously, women, especially moms, are the most active gossipmongers. I guess it has something to do with age. Women my age tend to love (celebrity) gossips and soaps. Of course, I’m one of them, but I’m tired of it. So, I restrain myself from daily gossips, infotainment and K-Drama by indulging myself with books. It’s more fun
10. Inheritance
I might not have tons of money, but I’d like to inherit my habit of reading and reviewing to my son. I want to share opinions, knowledge, and history with him. And I believe, he might find it in handy someday. He can have all the books that I have, and one day he will read my reviews on the blog too
I hope I’ll be one of the luckiest bloggers.
I know that Gagas will randomly select the books for me to review, but here’s my wishlist. I adore all the covers.
1. The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra
I’m fond of Asian literature. The Scent of Sake intrigues me, with the geisha and feminism as the flavor of the story.
2. Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
I don’t have a daughter, but I really want to read this book. I used to read Maya Angelou during college, but never this book.
3. Letters to Sam by Daniel Gottlieb
The high rating on Goodreads stunned me. I have autistic cousins, so reading this book is a must.
4. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
This book touches racism, motherhood, and history. Those three are among my favorite ingredients in a book.
5. Paris by Prisca Primasari
Paris is the most romantic city in the world, people say. Since the book was praised by many readers, I want to read it too.
6. Restart by Nina Ardianti
I love Nina’s writing on the Glam Girls series. Ijul, one of my fellow bloggers, gave a 4.5 stars. WOW! It must be a great book. It would be an honor to review it
7. Believe by Morra Quatro
LDR has been a hot topic on twitter. Morra is famous of her quotable sentences. I’m never tired of romance, and I’d like to experience romance a la Morra.
8. Bangkok: The Journal by Moemoe Rizal
Bangkok is one of the most memorable places for me. I love its hecticness, culture, and food. In 2008, I went there for a honeymoon with my husband. I’d like to see Bangkok from Moemoe’s perspective.
9. Melbourne by Winna Efendi
Why Melbourne? Melbourne is not one of the most romantic cities in the world, as far as I know. I’ve never been there, and I don’t know what’s what in Melbourne. I’d like to read this one.
10.The Calligrapher’s Daughter by Eugenia Kim
Another high-praised Asian literature. I’ve never had enough of cultural, women, and historical fiction books. Since the book won the 2009 Borders Original Voices Award for Fiction, I’m sure it’s worth a read. Reading a traditional book written by an ABK (American Born Korean) must be very interesting.
[Book Review] Crying 100 Times by Nakamura Kou @penerbitharu
“To love, to honor. To cherish, to help. Until death do us apart.”
Waktu itu, kami sedang memperbaiki sepeda motor tuaku.
Waktu itu, ia memintaku untuk menjenguk Book, anjing tua kesayanganku yang sekarat.
Dari dulu, Book sangat menyukai suara mesin motorku.
Waktu itu, Aku melamarnya. Waktu itu aku merasa aku adalah pria paling bahagia di dunia.
Aku kira, kebahagiaan ini tidak akan berakhir. Tapi…
Scene dibuka dengan Fujii yang mendapat kabar tentang keadaan Book yang buruk. Book adalah seekor anjing yang ia pungut ketika masih bayi. Sejak dipungut Fujii, Book sangat bersemangat jika ia mendengar bunyi deru motor Fujii yang khas. Demi kesembuhan Book, Fujii memperbaiki motornya yang sudah lama tak terpakai atas saran Yoshimi, kekasihnya.
Dengan minim konflik dan pace yang tidak terlalu cepat, gue sempat stuck ditengah-tengah, seperti penulis kalau kena writer’s block.
Lalu, Fujii dan Yoshimi yang mulai serius dalam membina hubungan, pura-pura menikah selama satu tahun sebelum memutuskan untuk benar-benar menikah. Tetapi, di tengah proses tersebut, kondisi fisik Yoshimi mengalami penurunan.
Sudah tidak aneh pasangan di Jepang hidup bersama sebelum menikah, hal yang masih menjadi kontroversi di negara kita walau banyak banget yang melakukannya. Tapi, Nakamura tidak menggambarkannya secara vulgar.
Poin plus novel ini adalah percintaan yang manis, juga hubungan Fujii dengan Book. Gue memang gampang tersentuh dengan anak atau hewan piaraan. Juga kosakata Jepang dan adat-istiadat yang menjadi selipan yang gurih. Endingnya bakal bikin trenyuh kok, jangan lupa siapkan kleenex ya.
Pengetahuan bercerita kepadaku. Dalam semua hal, akhir adalah hal yang paling penting. Tak terkecuali kehidupan dan cinta, semuanya ada akhirnya. Itulah kenyataannya… Pada dasarnya, dunia yang diberkahi ini adalah perasaan, hasrat biologis, hak, dan kewajiban yang telah dijanjikan hingga akhir kebahagiaan tersebut.
Kurasa kopi dan beef bowl adalah pasangan yang pas.
[Book Review] The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler
A NATIONAL BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE
A young, enigmatic woman—Lily Azerov—arrives in post-war Montreal expecting to meet her betrothed, Sol Kramer.
When Sol sees Lily at the train station, however, he turns her
down. His brother, Nathan, sees Lily and instantly decides to
marry her.But Lily is not who she claims to be, and her attempt to live a quiet life as Nathan Kramer’s wife shatters when she disappears, leaving her baby daughter with only a diary, an uncut diamond and a need to discover the truth.
Who is Lily and what happened to the young woman whose identity she stole? Why did she leave and where did she go? It is up to the daughter Lily abandoned to find the answers to these questions as she searches for the mother she may never find or truly know.
I got mixed feelings about this book. The first part is very interesting, the middle part is boring *yawn*, and the last chapters are just okay.
I picked this book to get more in depth with holocaust. It’s about a woman who stole one’s identity during war. She was involved in an arranged marriage, gave birth to a baby girl, then disappeared.
Faux Lily wrote letters to her daughter, Ruth, and sent her stones. One day, they reunited just for a moment. Lily/Yanna didn’t tell her husband about Ruth, so that’s it.
I don’t understand why Faux Lily left her baby (with no remorse).
1. Everytime We Say Goodbye – Ella Fitzgerald
2. Brown Eyed Handsome Man – Chuck Berry
3. Satin Doll – Duke Ellington
4. Take the A Train – Duke Ellington
5. These Foolish Things – Artie Shaw
6. All The Things You Are – Charlie Parker
7. You Send Me – Sam Cooke
8. I Only Have Eyes on You – The Flamingos
9. Blueberry Hill – Glenn Miller
10.Why Do Fools Fall in Love – Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
Wishful Wednesday 17: Jane Austen
Wishful Wednesday 17: Jane Austen
Ketemu lagi sama hari Rabu. This week’s obsession is Jane Austen. Gue kepengen melengkapi koleksi novel-novelnya dengan lengkap. Nggak muluk-muluk, cukup paperback terbitan Signet saja yang manis ini:
Lalu, selain novel, gue juga pengin banget punya pernak-pernik dan asesoris berbau Jane Austen. Kayak gini:
Nah, kalo ini bener-bener ngayal tingkat dewa. Kate Spade ngeluarin book clutch seri buku klasik. Sebenernya semuanya keren-keren, tapi berhubung minggu ini edisi Jane Austen, jadi ini wishlist gue yang entah kapan kesampeannya, karena harga satu tasnya $300-an *sesek napas*
Seperti biasa, yang mau ikutan Wishful Wednesday, check out Astrid’s blog here.
Selamat hari Rabu. God bless you.
I Am A Book Buying Addict
No kidding, I’m a book-buying addict. Tiap ke mall, yang dicari selalu toko buku dan rasanya belum puas kalau nggak beli satu atau dua buku. Sementara antrian buku yang minta dibaca semakin panjang, belum lagi ebook yang jumlahnya ribuan. I gotta stop this addiction.
Gimana caranya? Gue berjanji pada diri sendiri untuk membaca sedikitnya 5 buku dari TBR list baru boleh beli buku lagi. Dimulai dari:
The First Step- admitting you have a problem.
Hello, my name is Yuska and I am a book buying addict.
*buang napas*
Do you have a problem as well?
Kalau iya, yuk sama-sama mengatasi kecanduan membeli buku. Grab the badge, place it on your blog, make the pledge and compromise! and then of course you can also come cry with me.
Grab the pledge button here
The Pledge
Gue berjanji tidak akan beli buku lagi sampai selesai baca 5 buku dari daftar TBR Pile.
Dan setelah gue selesai membaca 5 buku tersebut, gue nggak boleh membeli buku lebih dari 5 buah.
Exceptions:
Gift Cards, hadiah kuis, dikasih gratis, dikirim oleh penulis/penerbit untuk direview, spending your THR allowance, atau pas ultah ingin menghadiahi diri sendiri, congrats! You can be guilt free for making your TBR even bigger.
Mari sama-sama mengatasi kecanduan beli buku.
Reading Spot: Perpustakaan St. Stefanus
Udah seminggu kayaknya belum posting apa-apa. Karena belum beres baca beberapa novel, jadi gue posting artikel yang nggak kalah serunya.
Masih seputar perbukuan. Kali ini gue menemukan perpustakaan yang ada di dalam gereja St. Stefanus, Cilandak.
Mulanya gue pikir, ini pasti perpustakaan agama. Ternyata, isinya malah 90% didominasi oleh buku-buku fiksi dan non-fiksi (non religi).
Koleksinya lumayan. Di gambar atas, itu rak buku-buku anak. Koleksi Enid Blytonnya banyak juga. Ada juga komik-komik Elexmedia, juga seri Harry Potter dan Eragon.
Tempat baca di ruangan depan seperti ini: lesehan. Cukup nyaman kok, apalagi ruangannya juga ber-AC.
Di ruangan dalam, pengunjung bisa membaca dengan nyaman. Tersedia dua buah meja. Koleksi di rak ruangan ini kebanyakan diisi oleh buku-buku sosial politik dan religi.
Perpustakaan ini terbuka untuk umum kok, hanya letaknya saja di dalam gereja.
Syarat untuk menjadi anggota, gampang banget.
1. Siapkan 1 lembar fotokopi KTP/SIM/Kartu pelajar
2. Siapkan juga 2 buah pasfoto ukuran 2×3
3. Membayar iuran Rp. 15,000 untuk 1 tahun.
Kalau pinjam buku bayar berapa? Nggak bayar lagi. 15 rupiah yang sudah dibayar termasuk uang sewa buku.
Oiya, kartu anggota berlaku selama satu tahun. Kalau mau perpanjang, cukup serahkan 1 lembar pasfoto 2×3 dan uang perpanjangan Rp. 5,000,- saja.
Untuk yang berminat mendaftar jadi anggota, langsung aja menghubungi:
Perpustakaan St. Stefanus
Jl. KH. Muhasyim IV No. 2
Cilandak, Jakarta Selatan 12430
Telp: 021-7512669
Pic here
Top 10 Summer Reads by Ifnur Hikmah
Masih seputar TOP 10 Books, kali ini gue berhasil memaksa Ifnur Hikmah untuk sharing buku-buku rekomendasinya untuk bacaan liburan ini.
Iif, begitu ia dipanggil, adalah seorang penulis fiksi yang sudah merilis puluhan antologi dan satu novel kolaborasi bersama Aditia Yudis, Mendamba.
Selain menulis dan sibuk liputan, Iif juga maniak baca. Gue tahu banget soalnya obrolan kita memang kebanyakan seputar buku, selain hot gossips, tentunya
Here’s Iif’s Top 10 Summer Reads:
1. The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien. Edited by Christopher Tolkien. Illustrated by Ted Nasmith
As a biggest fan of Tolkien (my Middle-earth name is Idril Celebrindal, son of Turgon from House of Finwe, High King of N0ldor), The Silmarillion semacam kitab suci. Buku ini lumayan berat, nggak bisa selesai dalam sekali duduk. The Silmarillion lebih kompleks daripada The Lord of The Rings, apalagi The Hobbit karena berisi tentang sejarah penciptaan Arda hingga akhir Second Age. Banyak plot hole di The Hobbit dan The Lord Of The Rings yang ditemukan jawabannya di sini. Buku ini diterbitkan setelah Prof Tolkien meninggal oleh putranya, Christopher Tolkien, yang membongkar manuskrip sang ayah. Buku yang gue punya dilengkapi oleh ilustrasi dari Ted Nasmith, salah satu Tolkien artist favorit gue sehingga isi buku lebih dramatis. Gue membaca buku ini nggak berurutan, tergantung lagi mau mengikuti kisah siapa. Favorit gue: Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor, Of Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Of Turin Turambar (depresi gue baca ini dan sedih banget) and of course, kisah kehancuran kerajaan gue; Of Tuor and The Fall of Gondolin (Tuor is Idril’s Husband and Gondolin is one of the great kingdoms at First Age di bawah kepemimpinan King Turgon, son of Fingolfin son of Finwe, Idril’s father).
2. Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Gue berniat membaca ulang novel ini sebagai antisipasi terbitnya sekuel, Revenge Wears Prada, yang gosipnya akan terbit Juni ini. Selain itu, sebelum ini gue baca versi terjemahan dan ternyata gue lebih suka versi Inggris setelah membaca buku Lauren yang lain: Chasing Harry Winstone dan Last Night At Chateau Marmont. Lauren is one of my favourite. Gue suka detail yang dihadirkan Lauren, juga gemerlap kehidupan New Yorker. Semua unsur chicklit ada di buku-buku Lauren. Lovable hero and heroine, fabulous sidekick, the bitch, cheesy conflict, witty, fun, and so girly. Dan siapa sih yang nggak tahu tentang kisah Andrea Sach di majalah Runway bersama The Devil, Miranda Priestly?
3. The Look by Sophia Bennett
Buku ini bercerita tentang Ted Trout yang tinggi kurus dan nggak pede karena suka diejek teman-temannya sebagai si Raksasa hanya karena tubuhnya yang tinggi dan alisnya yang menyatu di pangkal hidung. Juga, punya kakak yang secantik Elizabeth Taylor tapi berjuang melawan kanker. Dan, siapa sangka Ted ditawari jadi model. Lalu, kehidupan Ted berubah. Glamour dunia model di balik kisah teenlit, fresh.
4. LA Candy by Lauren Conrad
Iya, Lauren Conrad yang ratu reality show sebelum Kardashians Family memenuhi semua kolom gosip. Ceritanya juga nggak jauh-jauh dari reality show. Tentang Jane Roberts yang datang ke LA dan bekerja di salah satu EO lalu di-casting untuk ikut reality show LA Candy yang bercerita tentang kesehariannya bersama tiga orang lainnya. The Hills banget kan? Yup. Dan selama membaca, gue nggak bisa nggak ngebandingin tokoh-tokoh di LA Candy dengan tokoh-tokoh di The Hills. Tapi ceritanya seru dan serasa nonton The Hills beneran.
5. Mahogany Hills by Tia Widiarini
Novel juara pertama Lomba Menulis Novel Amore yang diadakan Gramedia. Posisi sebagai juara satu cukup mampu membuat gue melirik novel ini. Kesan? A lil bit like Harlequin and Nora Roberts at the same time.
6. Restart by Nina Ardianti
Selama ini gue baru membaca cerpen Meet Cute di blog Nina and I am falling in love with her writing. Lugas. Witty. Dan… Nina yang hopeless romantic memang cocok sama gue. Recommended.
7. Travel In Love by Diego Christian
Di luar sana, Summer is holiday. Dan holiday bagusnya ya diisi sama traveling. Membaca buku ini serasa jalan-jalan ke sepuluh kota, bersama Paras dan Jatayu yang ingin mengobati patah hati mereka. Seru.
8. Vision In White (Bride Quartet 31) by Nora Roberts
Gue bukan penggemar berat Nora Roberts dan nggak terlalu banyak membaca buku dia. Tapi, ketika baca review Bride Quartet, gue langsung tertarik. Akhirnya gue beli buku ini, seri pertama dari Bride Quartet. Versi Inggris karena terjemahannya baru satu dan gue males nunggu terjemahan yang lain hehe. Belum bisa komentar karena belum baca, tapi sebagai bacaan ringan tentang empat sahabat yang punya sebuah wedding organizer, bercerita tentang persahabatan dan cinta mereka masing-masing, well I think I’m gonna falling in love with Bride Quartet.
9. I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk
Ini juga belum gue baca. Tertarik karena review. I Heart New York merupakan seri pertama dari I Heart Series (New York, Hollywood, Paris, Las Vegas, and London). Bercerita tentang Angela yang patah hati dan kabur ke New York untuk tinggal di sana. And… aw… meet cute. Cukup menjadi alasan kenapa gue penasaran mau membaca buku ini.
10. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Ketika gue semakin kelimpungan dengan kadar hopeless romantic yang kian tinggi, gue ingin meminimalisir kegilaan itu, dan caranya adalah dengan membaca buku fantasi. Thanks to Gramedia yang menerjemahkan serial fantasi terbaru, Seraphina. NAGA! Haha. Genrenya sendiri Young Adult. Uniknya, tokoh utamanya, Seraphina, seorang penyanyi yang punya naga. Menurut penerjemahnya yang kebetulan gue kenal di grup Eorlingas (pecinta Tolkien di Indonesia) buku ini worth to read. Terbit akhir Mei.
Thanks banget, If, untuk sharingannya.
What’s your TOP 10 Summer reads?
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (3)
Source: here
Udah lama nggak posting Monday Read. Terakhir bulan Januari.
Mumpung inget, ini list bacaan minggu ini:
1. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
2. Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
Dua buku tersebut masuk dalam kategori event Baca Bareng BBI bulan Juni, yaitu tema Sastra Eropa dan Romance.
Share dong list bacaanmu
Happy Monday.
