Children Book Review: The Gift of the Magi By O. Henry, Lisbeth Zwerger

rate } ♠♠♠ 
genre } children | christmas | romance | classics 
release day } 3rd October 2006
publisher } Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing 
format } hardback
isbn } 9781416935865
pages } 32 pg.
source } borrowed
age group } children +
interest } all ages
challenge } //
Buy @ Amazon.com | Nolly Book | D BookHaus

The Gift of the Magi
By O. Henry, Lisbeth Zwerger

Via Goodreads
O. Henry's most famous short story, "The Gift of the Magi" has a universal appeal that extends beyond the Christmas season. Set in New York at the turn of the century, the story centers on a young couple and the sacrifices each must make in order to buy the other a gift. The pictures by the award-winning Austrian illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger are infused with the poignancy and delight of this simple tale about the rewards of unselfish love.

My 2 Cents
This is a such a sweet, sweet story to read during Christmas. Beautiful illustrated cover. I must say I love that. This is the story of sacrifice and yes, I am usually into this stuff but for some unknown reason, this book can’t pull me in. Good characters, and great plot. Maybe it’s just not for me. Otherwise.. It’s good.

Read More

Book Review: 1001 Books You Must Reads Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition (1001 Before You Die) By Peter Boxall

rate } ♠♠♠
genre } non-fiction | reference | lists
release day } 23rd March 2010
publisher } Universe
format } Hardcover
isbn } 9780789320391
pages } 1006
source } bought
age group } general
interest } general
challenge }
Buy @ Amazon.com | Nolly Book | D BookHaus

1001 Books You Must Reads Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition
(1001 Before You Die)
By Peter Boxall

Via GoodReads
A newly revised and updated guide to the world’s best literature—all at your fingertips. For discerning bibliophiles and readers who enjoy unforgettable classic literature, 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die is a trove of reviews covering a century of memorable writing. Each work of literature featured here is a seminal work key to understanding and appreciating the written word. Addictive, browsable, knowledgeable—1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die is a boon companion for anyone who loves good writing and an inspiration for anyone who is just beginning to discover a love of books. Each entry is accompanied by an authoritative yet opinionated critical essay describing the importance and influence of the work in question. Also included are publishing history and career details about the authors, as well as reproductions of period dust jackets and book designs.

My 2 Cents
This is naturally a magnet for a Booklist enthusiastic like me, hence my excuse of purchase. Naturally I even have the list *points at the sidebar* listed out for you.

Cover. Beautiful! It’s like that one clean relax moment, where you actually leave everything and read.

List. Boxall has list out books that are naturally known classics; eg. Aesop’s Fables (Aesopus), Metamorphoses (Ovid), The Thousand and One nights (Anonymous), and Don Quixote (Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, up to the recent years novels, eg; Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro), Saturday (Ian McEwan), and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (Mark Haddon). 

Well… I’m glad to say that I have a dent in my have read list. But not as impressive since it is 1001 books. so.. Ouch! I need to read more. But heads up, I won’t read all of the books listed here, cause not all are accessible for me, nor I find them my fancy. Hence the 3 ♠♠♠. But it could be for you, so who am I to judge.

Read More

Book Review: 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew (1000 Series)
By; Garth Johnson

genre } non-fiction | craft & hobbies
rating } All Ages
date released } November 1, 2009
edition } Quarry Books (320 Pages)
ISBN } 1592535402 | 978-1592535408
acquisition } borrowed
purchase @ } Book Depository | Amazon.com

Artists and crafters have always been recyclers, but for many, it has not only become a thrifty choice, it has become a moral imperative. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse contains a cutting edge collection of the most inventive work being made with re-used, upcycled, and already existing materials. The work in this book ranges from clever and humble personal accessories to unique and important large-scale works of art, including paper art, fashion, jewelry, housewares, interiors, and installations.

My 2 ¢ ♠♠♠

This book is filled with pictures of what people have done to reuse their things that can be repurpose to do something else than it was originally made for. Ok honestly.. The actual reason, I’d pick this one up was, the words “1000 Ideas”. I am kind of disappointed. I was expecting tips, tricks and how to’s of sorts. But no…. there are just pictures after pictures after pictures of the products reproduce. What the heck, they are good ideas injected into photos, I guess. But I do wish some of them have tutorials. 

Librarian Muse
I do think this is one of those inspirational books for anybody who wish to start on activities of recycling. I do suggest this should be available in schools and public libraries, since there’s an awareness campaign going on regarding the acts of recycling.

Read More

Book Review: The 100 Greatest Photographs of the Paranormal

The 100 Greatest Photographs of the Paranormal
by; Janet Bord, Richard Holland

genre } photography | paranormal | non-fiction
rating } PG-13
date released } October 22, 2010
edition } Jade Publishing (148 Pages)
ISBN } 0956530729 | 978-0956530721
acquisition } friend
purchase @ } Book Depository | Amazon.com


Why did I pick it up?
Actually this book has been shove directly into my hands and was told to read it immediately, then write a review about it. Not really sure why though, but hey, free book, I can’t be picky. hahah

My 2 ¢ ♠♠♠

My first reaction when my friend shoved this book into my hands was, "If you've read one of this book, you've read them all, since they be recompiling the same or so stories and pictures in any of this sort of book anyway."

It turned out, I was right. I’m not surprise, since I’ve actually picked up different version of this sort of compilation in different times of my life, and so far most of them just change their covers, and walla! New book!  It includes the same content of hauntings, fairies, weird paranormal events, and whatsoever that’s usually included in it.

In this particular book, they have included small short summaries of accounted encounters and there are also photographs included here and there. There’s nothing new, too many repeat accounted events. I for one was disappointed with this book. since I expected at least something new.

Librarian Muse

Any book of this sort is a hot cake. Teens and young adults usually insisted on checking this out, so I recommend if you still don’t have this book and looking for books that would be a definite check out, I definitely recommend getting this one.

Read More

Review: 100 Keajaiban di Dunia; Muhammad Miqdad

100 Keajaiban di Dunia
by; Muhammad Miqdad

genre } non-fiction | Islam | paranormal | supernatural
date released } 2008
edition } Penerbitan Seribu Dinar Sdn Bhd (246 Pages)
ISBN } 978-9833247936
acquisition } bought
purchase @ } 1st Choice Books @ International Book Fair, Brunei
language } malay

Semakin tuanya dunia ini, semakin banyak kisah aneh dan ajaib telah berlaku yang tidak akan dijangkakan oleh pemikiran manusia. Buku yang menghimpunkkan sebahagian daripada kejadian aneh dan ajaib ini menunjukkan kekuasaan Maha Pencipta ke atas seluruh kehidupan di alam dunia ini.

Rakaman dan catatan yang dimuatkan sebagai bukti kepada keajaiban yang berlaku bukan ada campur tangan dari usaha manusia malah ia benar-benar berlaku kehendak Allah SWT.

Maka bukti ini sudah pasti memperlihatkan kebenaran yang selama ini banyak di kalangan manusia tercari-cari atau menafikan apa yang berlaku ke atas kehidupan di atas dunia ini.

Kebenaran itu hanya datang dari Allah SWT dan kepalsuan itu adalah dari manusia yang lemah dan daif.

- Penerbit

Quote

Bulan september 2006, di sebuah kampung di kepala Batas, Seberang Perai Utara telah dikejutkan dengan kemunculan kejadian aneh, iatu pokok pinang berwajah manusia menggerunkan.

Why exactly I picked out this book?

I was in book heaven (it was a book fair & I feel like a kid in a candy store), I found this book by chance and I got curious when I saw there's a picture of a humanoid face on a tree in the cover.

My 2 ¢ ♠♠♠

Book Cover. Great appealing cover. I got suck in by the face thing, a picture of the back of the hand coincide with the Jawi words of Allah and of course, something looks like there's smoke coming out of somewhere.

Aiyaya yaya.. what have I bought! Oh man.. seriously. Let me translate the title for you: 100 Wonders in the World. I was actually expecting something else! This book is full of mostly pictures of strange paranormal & supernatural things. And some of them have been proven to be hoaxes. I just wish the author of this book did his homework about some of the things he had included in here because, it is embarrassing to actually read the chapters of what has been proven to be hoaxes.

The first part of the book, is called "Bukti-bukti Kebenaran untuk Mereka yang berfikir". (Proof of the truth for the ones who can think). Second part is called "Bukti-bukti Kebenaran untuk Mereka yang Mempunyai Hati" (Proof for whoever has a heart). This is where you see pictures of clouds, the tsunami, stones, body parts, nature, resembling the word Allah. the miracle of unaffected mosques during devastating natural disasters. The one that attracts my curiosity is the floating rock (where exactly is that from?)

Third chapter is "Tanda-tanda Kebenaran yang Menambah Iman dan Takwa." (True points to increase faith). This chapter is actually interesting since Islam & the science collide. They compliment each other in this chapter from the human chromosomes to the universe, Noah's ark, fire demons, origins of the Hajar al-Aswad, etc there's even a sub chapter regarding the Quran wavelength.

Chapter four is "Makhluk Ghaib dan Misteri Selain Manusia Wujud di Mana-mana" (Supernatural creatures and mysteries, other than human exists everywhere). Yup... ghost, demons, and whatever in between. Scary.. but yeah.. this chapter I won't be able to read in the middle of the night =X

Bottomline, this book is full of interesting pictures and articles. Some are disappointing, some are awing and teh pictures are just colorful eye treats.

Librarian Muse

Umm.. Well...honestly.. I won't add this into any of the school library due to some of what I've said about it above. This would interest any leisure readers out there.

Read More