While we talked business over a steaming hot morning coffee, I also mentioned about my interest in reading to my business asociate. She asked me what book I am reading. I told her that I am reading Bookstore because I am interested to know more about bookshops.In fact, I have visited a few interesting bookshops in London,Beunos Aires, Boston,Melbourne and Sydney.She told me about an interesting book entitled Rich Dad,Poor Dad. Btw, she also reads books in French. How nice if I could also read mathematical books in French especially the discourse by Descartes.
Honestly, I love to be able to read in Arabic for my soul and in French for my mind;-)

After sending my wife to Starhill, I entered the Starbuck cafe' at KL Plaza. Then I ordered a cup of mocha americano as recommended by the salesgirl. Honestly I am always lost on what to order every time I go to Starbuck or Gloria Jeans-too many brands of coffee to choose from. After making myself comfortable, I took out my notebook and began to write notes of what I see and feel inside the cafe'. This is my first time writing in such a place. I got the feeling like a writer writing his first draft of his next novel along Champs Elyse'es in Paris!
The music and the ambience are the gravity and the lubricant pushing my creative juice down to my pen and paper.

Soon the movie entitled The Tailor of Panama will come to my local cinema. That reminds me to read the book by Le Carre' which I bought at London Terminal 3 Airport on 7th June,1997! I bought the novel for more than four years ago and never find the time to read. Every time I want to read the book, I always prefer to another another book. I think I am *not* doing justice to the author;-)

Actually, I have a few more books that I have bought that keep gathering dust. The execuse is the same as above.My rate of reading book is half my rate of buying books!

HAMKA

I really like Hamka approach towards understanding of Islam. Just now I saw a book entitled Tasauf Moden at a stall besides the mosque. Since I don't have money with me at the time ,I have to remind myself to bring RM 15 next Friday.

Just bought the August issue of FastCompany magazine. This magazine costs me RM 25.00 a month!
This beautiful magazine is worth every cent if not for the contents but its design and print quality. I would rather forego my lunch and dinner to buy this magazine.

If anyone would like to read online,please check its website at:
http://www.fastcompany.com

Now, I better start looking for all the receipts of payments for my purchases of books,magazines etc. Kudos to Malaysian government for giving back our money we spent on buying books etc.( limited to RM500 only).

I hope this policy decision will make the book buyers and the booksellers smile:-)) I do.

To-day, I am reading the last chapter of Anwar Ibrahim's The Asian Renaissance. Just to check his views on the future of Asian after 5 years he had written the book. Like it or not, I am observing the uncertain and turbulent political,economic and social change of my country and her neighbours.

To-night my friend asked me whether I have book on Sejarah Melayu. I don't have any. That reminds me to buy a few books especially those written by Malay and Indonesian Islamic scholars. I am guilty as charged for neglecting to read books on Malay culture and history:-((

Reading is the key to knowledge:
---------------------------------------------
To-day my wife bought two books about Islam. I told her I am very happy that she attended Islamic religous class and willing to learn more about Islam. This is the culture of knowledge that I am propagating to my family members and friends. We need to attend lectures, read books and discuss about the subject matters of our interest. Learning is a life long process to knowledge and wisdom.

A Passion For Books
------------------------------
To-day I saw the above at Times Bookshop. It costs RM 59.90! It is the book about books for book lovers. Below is the website of the book at Amazon.com:-

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0812931130/qid=995812191/sr=1-3/ref=s
c_b_3/103-1117392-8829401

From the Back Cover :-

"This book about books is a treat for every book lover and collector, the
people who realize that buying books is a necessity, not a luxury."         
-- Bookman Book Review Syndicate

Took my son Maher to MPH Bookshop at MidValley. Not many people there yet because it was only 10:30 am.Met a friend Dr Judin who was accompanied by his wife and daughter. We chat about books and my mailinglist bookcafe.

WORDS OF NOTHING
--------------------------------

I see nothing,
but I am not blind.

I hear nothing,
but I am not deaf.

I say nothing,
but I am not mute.

I feel nothing,
but I am not heartless.

I do nothing,
but I am not dead.

I am nothing,
but I think,
therefore I am.

Berisman

I was introduced to Mischief Bookshop by Jacklyn Chong, a member of our bookcafe mailinglist. To-day is my second visit . To my lovely surprise, I found the bookshop decor is very impressive! It may not have the size of MPH at Midvalley or Kinokuniya at KLCC , but I think it is small and cute. It contains certain books which I can't find at bigger bookshops.

Remember the film called You've Got Mail? This is something similar like the bookshop around the corner. Btw, it just my personal view.Why not have a look for yourself?

To those who have been to this bookshop, please post your comments here.

Now I am reading my Bookstore back. It is quite interesting how readers wrote about their 'love affairs' with their favourite bookshop. To some, it is a ritual that they must visit their bookshop very week. It is also a social place where you meet friends over a cup of coffee . In all humility,it sounds like me;-)

To-day I drop my book and start reading a few article in Asia Week on Warriors of the Digital Divide.I wish I can do something similar like those great guys....

I am now 1/3 of the way of The Bookstore. The more I read the more I discover for myself that I am really a bookshop junkie! I will enter any bookshop if I see one~especially those with cafe'.

On Thursday 5th of July,2001 I went to see Prof N of UKM .We had lunch at UKM Golf Club and discuss on how to make our bookcafe mailinglist more active.

Now, I am reading The Bookstore ...

Last night I brought my friend Yahya to browse the books at Kinokuniya Bookshop.It has 30,000 sq.ft of space with a wonderful view of KLCC garden. He bought two books.

Now, I am not in the mood to read any books~ just love to browse and read selcted articles from Fastcompany magazine.

Being busy these few days....Now it is time for me pick up Hamka's book again.