Wishlist: December 2, 2012

Title: Quran and Cricket | Author: Farish A. Noor

Publisher: Silverfish Publications

Genre: Travelog, Culture, History

Format: Paperback, 290 Pages

First Published: 2009

This is the book that only Farish A. Noor will attempt and can write. -Publisher

Almost a decade after 9/11, the media is still wrapped up in the good Muslim-bad Muslim cliche, and we are no closer to winning the War against Terror. Dr Farish A. Noor: academic, political scientist, activist and traveller extraordinaire, lives, eats, sleeps, prays with and interviews students (and others), in the 'jihad factory' madrasahs from Patani to Pakistan, and comes away dazed and confused. With strains of Pink Floyd in his head, he penetrates the deepest sanctums of Islamic orthodoxy, walks with Islamic guerrillas of Patani after dark, sips tea with Kalasnikov-wielding drug lords of Pakistan, and interviews monsters to try to make sense of it all.

*******

Title: Body 2 Body: A Malaysian Queer Anthology 

Author: Jerome Kugan, Phang Khee Teik

Publisher: Matahari Books Publications

Genre: Anthology, Social | Format: Paperback, 240 Pages

First Published: August 1, 2009

The first of its kind. 

A compilation of original creative writings on the gays, lesbians, transsexuals, and transvestites of the country. Long denied voice in the mainstream, the queers of Malaysia are boldly and fabulously represented in 23 stories, fiction and non-fiction. From coming out to changing home, breaking up to breaking down, changing sex to changing heart, the stories are different from anything you may have read in or about Malaysia. Recognize your friend, family members, or even yourself in the stories. by turns poignant, lustful, tragic and hilarious, this book is a testament to the rainbow mosaic that makes up Malaysian society.   

New Year Challenge!!

Howdy guys! It's new year! How's your first day of 2010? You are doing great?! I bet you are.. Unfortunately for me, I'm not feeling well for the past few days (coughing). But, I'm much better today and here I am!! Updating my blog. Well....well...to begin the new year, I guess I should start it with the challenge! I went through several challenges hosting by the fellow book blogger and I find out that this one is really suit a beginner like me. I read about this challenge on Darlyn and Books and hosted by The Royal Reviews, Wish I Read That Challenge 2010 is the challenge that I signed in! Wohoo....

There're four levels in this challenges and I'm not hesitate to participate the Level 4 which is Obsessed Level, meaning that I wish I'd read 20 books through 2010. Yeah! Is that impossible for me?! No it's not!! Since this challenge begins from the 1st of January and will be ended at the end of the year and any books in any category is count, it's totally possible for me. Haha... I've good spirit in it!! I'm not gonna list the books yet, but once I read I'll list 'em. (grinning).

1. One for My Baby by Tony Parsons 

2. 1st to Die by James Patterson

3. The Client by John Grisham

4. A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer

5. A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern

6. Fever by Christine Feehan

7. The Magicians by Lev Grossmen

8. Sepulchre by Kate mosse

9. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

10.The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards 
11. Suzanne's Diary fir Nicholas by James Patterson

12. A Dark Dividing by Sarah Rayne

13. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

14 .Inkheart by Cornelia Funk

15. Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

16. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

17. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

18. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray

19. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Brehrendt & Liz Turcillo

20. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

OK. That's that. Now as a new year start I would to write the review about a local motivational book that, written by an infamous Malaysian motivators and writers Dato Dr. Mohd Fadzillah Kamsah and his young colleague Ahmad Fadzli Yusof. The books is "Kuasa Hijrah Kuasa Untuk Berubah (The Power to Change)". This book is in my possession for almost two years already and got abandoned by me for a period of time. Haha! But now I start reading it again since I left it unfinished last time. Poor book.. (sigh).

This totally-in-Malay-language book, discussing about how you can change yourself in five steps.

1. Analyze and look into yourself.
2. Build up courage and making decisions.
3. State your goals!!
4. Formulate your strategies to achieve the goals.
5. Do everything above with full commitment and consistency.

All these steps are elaborated very nicely using simple words and so very interesting examples, tips and several tasks that you have to do. There are also stories about the people who have achieved their goals and success in their lives. There are also short stories and the values lie within each of every story told. Thus, you'll find out that this book is not a typical , boring motivational book but it's like reading a story book. A story of successful people and how and what can you do to make you life better! So, this book is worth reading after all..yeah!

Here's a testy:

"This book is very practical. It explains the important strategies on how to improve yourself and it's awesome! Congratulations Dr. Mohd Fadzilah Kamsah and Mr. Fadzli". -Tuan Haji Syed Moheeb Syed Kamarulzaman, the CEO of Takaful Ikhlas Sdn. Bhd.

OK, guys! That's all for today have a nice weekend and Happy New Year!! Ciao...