Deal's Library

Newes From The Dead by Mary Hopper

2008-08-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard about a girl who was sentenced dead for infanticide and gained back her life? She lived to tell her tale.. Have you ever heard of this kind of story? What if this story happened in real life?

This happened to Anne Green.

Anne Green was accused with infanticide, when in the actual truth, she bore a still birth infant. This book narrates what happened the moments when Anne Green reflected on her transition of being dead and returned back alive. It's pretty complicated unless you have the book at hand.

I would suggest you to read this book. As I've learned a lot from them and would be happy if you got to know what I knew.

So far, Mary Hopper had written a splendid book. The narration of Anne Green's thoughts was clear, precise and page turner. I was eager to know what will happen in the end. FYI, I didn't cheat. I followed the story from page to page. Moreover, the description of England back in the year of 1600 became the most interesting factor for me to read more. This is one of the best books that totally amazes me with the descriptive prosess.

In life, talking about what I've learnt from my reading, you might judge people unjustly. This is when things go wrong in the society. Everybody deserves a right to explain and defend themselves. Too often at times we abuse this right and merely punish them with tortures - physically or mentally.

Oppotunists are every where. All you can do is educate yourself and be independent. Use your brain and be wise. When things go wrong, you can always talk to God. He's the One who have the power to punish us. Praise thy Lord.

People should be treated equally. Humans do have feelings, just in case you've forgotten about it. Well... to err is human and to fogive is divine.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

2008-06-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

Early last week, I asked my father to accompany me to go to a, recently open, local bookshop. The main reason was to dig his pocket to buy me the series of The Chronicles of Narnia. As you can see, he bought me the series~ Yippie~

Off to my review. C.S. Lewis wrote "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" first before he wrote this book, "The Magician's Nephew," but suggested readers to read it before heading to the former. Thus, I read this novel, chapter by chapter and found it very interesting.

I have a very high expectation for this novel. If you've watched "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," you'll have a lot of questions on your mind. Why do they have a lamp post in the middle of the forest? Who is Aslan? Where does the Queen come from? These questions are all answered with great details in this book. And, I must say, I'm truly satisfied with it.

It's funny, witty, serious, happy, sad, nerve-breaking.. everything in a go. It's as magical as Aslan's power. I could feel the emotions, could sense the environment and was very tense when the Queen is around. It's a splendid writing.

I recommend everybody to read this book, especially when you are a fantasy-book lover. It has the same greatness as Harry Potter, though not as witty and clever as Lemony Snickett's "Series of Unfortunate Events." However, it's a must read for you.

I only hate one part, Uncle Andrew. If only he can be deleted from the story. But... without him, there'll be no Narnia. *sigh*

Anyway, happy reading to all.

Narnia World

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

2008-05-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

This book has been on my desk for a year and I didn't touch it at all. Then, a friend came by and asked to borrow it. I lent her the book without hesitation, and, found out later that upon returning the book, she didn't read the book too!

I'm not saying the book is not good. It IS good. I have this block which not allowing me to cry while reading a book. I was very firmed. So, I took a deep breath. I held the book. And started reading it. With precautions that, when there's a sad part, I must stop for a while. I really couldn't stand it.

Love is the most difficult feelings can ever be described. Love between lovers, love between friends, and love among family members. I wonder if love ever stays in my life. I mean, pure love. It's rare. People come and go. So, their loves come and go too.

Mitch Albom wrote a good book. I don't say this is his best writing. I still prefer his "5 people you meet in heaven." But, I'm a woman, who would want to become a mother. Reading the book gave me an insight of motherhood. Am I prepared for a son who keeps forgetting me? This is life. People tend to forget you. If the one that I love will forget me that way, will I stay the same? Questions that will remain unanswered until I am put in that situation.

Mother's love is pure. She'll never let you know the hardship she has to endure. The pains and the sufferings are all done in silence. You might be ashamed of what your mom is.. or who she is. But, she'll always be proud of having you as her child. Always. Eventhough you've been crushing her heart for countless times.

Mother's Day might had passed for a couple of weeks. I still want to wish all mothers, "Happy Mother's Day."

Visit http://www.foronemoreday.com/

Reaching for the Stars by Sheikh Mustapha Shukor Al-Masrie

2008-04-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've been telling the people around me that "everybody has a story within them." I believe that is the truth as we are living in this world as entities. Each individual carries with him a personal task as part of his odyssey. Eventually, this odyssey is a story.

What made me pick this book and read it was the cover. It's beautifully serene looking, and the paper is a tip-top quality. It's pretty cheap (RM20), affordable to almost everybody. Kids in school could afford to buy it, I bet. In fact, the royalties will be given to the author's children as their educational fund. So, these are the best reasons for you to buy this book. [Please be aware that I don't get any credits for promoting this book. This is solely a plain book review.]

Indeed, this book is a gift for Malaysia's first angkasawan, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar. The author, who's his younger brother, took some time to write the book and completed it just merely days before his death. As the reader, I could feel the love that he had for his brother. The respect that he had, and the longingness to be by Sheikh Muszaphar's side. Too bad that they couldn't spend their time together after the success of Misi Angkasawan.

Fate had played its role inevitably well. The landing for Soyuz was supposedly perilous to Sheikh Muszaphar, but in turned, it was Sheikh Mustapha who had lost his life due to knocking his head over a flower pot (which I think is pretty ridiculous). Maybe, if it is not because of the author's death, we would not know whose life the reaper will take. I think, in some way, Sheikh Mustapha held a deal with the reaper. He wanted his brother to cure him, but he was not there, so he waited for him to come back. But then, it was destined to be - he left.

I got the author's message. Family ties should never be taken lightly. You've been with your family for your entire life, you can't ditch them. They are the ones who know you best. When there are no friend around, they'll always be there, no matter how notorious you've been to them. Because family will never let one of the members behind.

I have a very close relationship with my elder sister. When I read the book, all I think about was my sister. Is she happy to have me as her sister? Is she proud of me? In my humble perspective, I've always seen her as the greatest blessing from God. I don't care what she had done, is doing and will do, I'm proud of having her as my sister. My thought upon reading the book was, I truly understand why Sheikh Mustapha wrote the book. Each word that he had scribbled has meanings. It's love in a special way.

I'm sorry for the loss. However, you can't be sad all the time. What if the dead is keeping an eye on us? They would not want us to grieve over their passing all the time. They wanted us to move on. As long as their memories are still in our mind, they wouldn't mind if we keep going on with what we have to do. Life goes on. When it's our calling, we'll meet them again. I know it's not that easy, for I had been experiencing too many deaths right at the front of my eye. Again, keep on moving on.

The book has proven the author's love for his brother. What more could our beloved astronaut ask from him? He had left a very significant gift. I bet, it's the best gift that Sheikh Muszaphar ever received - a simple story from the heart of a brother.

God bless his soul. Amen.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-12-02T11:36:00.001-08:00

I had finished reading this book a while back. Yet, I haven't had the time to make a review til now.

I am not a huge fan of Harry Potter. Suffice to say I'm only a fan. Thus, I didn't hurry myself to grab the book and read it as soon as it was out. Since the gap between the last book and the previous one, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, was long, I can hardly remember lots of facts. I may consider another reading for the series.

Back to my review, this book is worth reading. I read it in a couple of days - due to responsibilities for my family - but man, that was fast. It shows how the book is totally moving and interesting. Although I think the ending is too sudden, I bet JK Rowling had been trying extremely hard to figure it out.

This final book talks about what does it take to destroy Voldemort. Mainly, it's about the journey of avoiding the Death Eaters. I can feel Harry, Hermoine and Ron's curiosity and anxiousness while they are travelling. In fact, I could imagine how it would appear in the wide screen later on.

One thing, I didn't know what to say about Dumbledore. I think, there's not much point there. No offense to Dumbledore's fans, but I could only think that it'll be better if there's more about Kreacher. And, Dobby's sudden death is just like Sirius'. Too short to be felt. My feelings wasn't actually being channeled into pure sadness. I wanted the feelings. Like a total lost. I couldn't get one.

Yes, Severus Snape is a must in every review. The fact that I have read too many synopsis pre reading the book had immensely cut off half of my interest in reading the book. It was stupid, I know. I shouldn't have read those as Snape's part is not as interesting as it should be. Frankly speaking, I am a bit disappointed myself. However, I always know that Snape is on Dumbledore's side. Always. I do not need proofs to believe people. I just knew it who I can trust.

Harry Potter is not a hero after all. That's what He's been telling himself. I think, JK Rowling wanted to tell people that everybody needs other people to carry out their success. You're successful not because of yourself. There are hundreds of people who brought you to where you are now. Of course, you're part of it. Yet, other people does involve in your quest.

Here's where you can read more about the book.

I give this book:

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

2007-10-27T03:43:00.001-07:00

For those who favour mysteries or maybe more to genealogy, I would suggest you to read this book. The first part of the story might be very slow and dreadful to read. However, you won't put away the book once you started to get to know the past. It was crazy how the author had crafted it. There may be tiny flaws like, how can the bone be discovered that late as if nobody cared after the burnt. Yet, the story is captivating, so moving.

At first, I was confused by Vida Winter. I thought she was Adeline, but then, she sounded like someone else. More like a third person. And I was nearly right (because I came to a conclusion that she is Adeline).

Margaret was amazing. I was hoping the author will put her with Aurelius in the end. It seems like she's with the Doc instead. Well, the ending was good. A nice finishing. A remarkably fine touch of the author.

Here's the website.

I give this book:

Welcome to Deal's Library

2007-10-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome~!

In my whole life, the thing that I wanted most is a library. Perhaps, I'd like a library as huge as the one in Beauty and the Beast. However, who am I to have such affluence to own such a library. Without the money, I will survive. I can still read. It does not mean that I will quit reading because I don't have a library.

The purpose of this blog is to record my reading. Sometimes I read too many books that I forgot about having read them all. I am still young and my hunger for reading must be satisfied. I don't mean to create this blog for a group of audience. But, I don't mind visitors.

Happy reading!