The Queen of Crime...

Actually, I'd never thought of writing this post. I read Sabbie's comment about Agatha Christie and started to reply but then I noticed, it was longer than I'd expected. Then a thought came to my mind: Why not I just blog about it? So there you go.

I'd always love crime fictions especially whodunits. The first Agatha Christie's book that I read was Death on the Nile. Woah, imagine my shocked when I found out who the killer was. Since then, I'd always loved her books. She had a way to twist around the story, the incidents, the conversations to make us think that it was A but it was actually B. The first-time readers will be shocked with the ending because they fell for her tricks and presumed that it was the obvious one who did the crime. For those who had read lots of her books like me, although we know her style of writing but we cannot be sure. Whenever I read her books and ideas pop out of my mind, I'll be thinking: Is it one of her tricks to make us believe that it is B but it was actually A or is it her one of her tricks to lead us believing that she's fooling us so we will believe that it was A when the fact that B was the real murderer? Trust me, no matter how many books of hers I had read, she always ALWAYS manage to amaze me. Honestly speaking, the first and only book that left me totally breathless is And Then There Were None. This book was so amazing that I spend the whole afternoon reading it and purposely forgot about the test that I had on the next day.

Michelle and my mum told me that although her books are interesting but the starting can be quite boring since they have nothing to do with the murder. For me, I enjoy most of her books from the start to the end. I don't find the opening boring because the opening was the one which gave me an insight look of the characters. All the characters are interesting and most of the times, they had secrets and quite deadly one. Ohhh... I love characters who have secrets and finding out what exactly are their secrects and how deadly are them.

Another thing that I love about her books is how she'd add some twist of romance in it. It's always nice and sweet to read about people getting together. Evertime when I reached the ending, I'd have a huge satisfiscation. You'll definitely see a grin on my face and some giggles too. Hehe...

Just like what Sabbie said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm not saying that you're wrong by not liking her books. There are many books that I don't like to read but others find them interesting and maybe will try to reason with me. Like I always say to Choon Min, we are different people with different interests and likes and I always think that it is these differences that make us special and different than others. Life will definitely be mundane if it is otherwise.

The Lamentation of An Ill Girl

Everytime I watched Damages, my heart really aches. It's like somebody just took it out, played with it, stabbed it and crushed it. I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating but the truth is, I had to try my best to hold back my tears whenever I watched Ellen being manipulated by Patty without her knowledge. Setting Ellen's prioritiy straight??? That's ridiculous. Try watching Close To Home. I really admire Annabeth. For me, no doubt career is important but nothing is more important than your family. Just look at how Patty's family turned out. I always believe that in the end, family is the one who will stick to you to the end although I'm really disappointed with how some families turn out. Betrayal, fighting over some money, abuse??? Sigh...

No no, I'm not saying that I despise Damages. It's a great series but at the same time, it's very disturbing. Sigh... I really wish I'd more vocabulary to describe how I feel about Damages. Besides, my whole body is so weak that I have to give up doing any thinking (that includes my sister unbalanced accounts *grrr...*). My lack of vocabulary is the main reason I was impressed by William Boyd when I read Restless. I still remember the part when Ruth (an English tutor) was describing her ex-boyfriend to Hamid (her student), she had a long list of descriptions. Wow... I wonder whether my mom can do that? Hmmmm...

I still remember the last time I wasn't feeling well. It was during my preparation for my trial and I had to tell you, it was really terrible. Nana noticed and told me that I was studying too hard and I should take a break (not her exact words though but it was something like this). Did I listen to her? Not entirely. I still don't think I did my best. I should had done better. Don't roll your eyes when you read this. I'm not trying to be humble or anything. I just know how I did in my studies better than anyone else.

My body is weak, my head is slightly aching, I'm coughing, having a slight flu and sneezing. Now, I really want to go to bed and read until I'm too tired or too weak to continue (sorry, the suspense is just too strong for a bookworm like me to resist).

A note to myself: You better get well soon or you'll have to suffer the torment of those evil pills. They are glaring at you and they just simply can't wait to get their hands on you and torture you bits by bits when you're trying your very best to overcome your fear and swallow them.



*eyes rolling* Can't believe you're scared of swallowing pills. What a ridiculous girl you are. *eyes rolling AGAIN*

Spy Life...

The first time I came across this book was on mph website. The cover caught my attention and 2 things came to my mind: a) this girl was walking at a fast pace to avoid those who were following her or b) this girl was following someone. It also reminded me of a spy movie (I think it was) which I caught for a few minutes at Michelle’s house. I’m not sure of the title but it was a black-and-white movie starring Audrey Hepburn.

After reading the summary, this book was immediately on my wish-list. Why? Read this:

‘What happens to your life when everything you thought you knew about your mother turns out to be an elaborate lie? During the long, hot summer of 1976, Ruth Gilmartin discovers that her very English mother Sally is really Eva Delectorskaya, a Russian émigrée and one-time spy.’

For a girl who loves thriller (NOT horror) and crime fiction (especially Agatha Christie’s, even though some despise her books, *cough Daniel and Naveen cough*), there’s no wonder that I’d like to check out this book. By chance, I saw this book in this booklist and immediately, I got my cousin to buy for me. (Hehe…)

After the death of her brother, Eva was approached by Lucas Romer and her brother’s job was offered to her. She thought of rejecting the offer but her father convinced her to do so by telling her to accept it for the sake of her brother. Since she loved her brother very much, she decided to accept it.

Later, she was brought to Lyne Manor and there, she was trained to be a spy. As we know, being a spy is not easy and you cannot trust anyone and that was exactly the most important rule told to her by Lucas:

‘Maybe it’s the only rule you need. Maybe all the other rules I’ll tell you are just versions of this rule. “The one and only rule”. Don’t trust anyone – not even the one person you think you can trust most in this world. Always suspect. Always mistrust.’

After her training, she joined Lucas’ team and worked in a small news agency. Their task was to spread rumours through the news and eventually, helped to avoid the up-coming war. On one of her journey, something weird happened. Her next journey was even weirder and she almost got herself killed. After these entire journeys, she found out the inevitable truth – she was betrayed.
Just as much as she doubted the truth of her mother’s story, Ruth was intrigued and later she was asked to do something for her mother. As an English teacher whose job was to teach foreign students, we were introduced to some of her interesting students. Ruth was a single mother and she had to deal with her brother-in-law who showed up out of the blue and stayed at her house.

This book may not be as gripping as Agatha Christie’s novel but it is quite interesting since it’s like reading a former spy’s diary. Who doesn't like to read somebody else’s diary and especially that someone is a spy??? I did have my suspicion about the outcome of Eva’s life but it seemed a little impossible. Just in case you are wondering, my suspicion turns out to be correct. Bottom line, I did enjoy reading this book.

Just so you know, this book was the winner of the 2006 Costa Novel Award and had been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club 2007. So just exactly how good is this book, go figure ;)

Missing You...

Since somebody *coughChoonMincough* is complaining about the length of my post, I'll try to keep this short.

I remember last November when I read about Kenny Sia's missing hamster, I was quite sad for him since I love hamsters. Then, on the second day of Chinese New Year, before I went to KL, I went to my beloved 2-years hamster, Hammie's cage, the cage was empty!!! I couldn't find the big, white, furry hamster anywhere!!! Then I noticed that the cage was opened and only I realised that my little cousin was here on the day before. And of course, I cried.


My darling Hammie

Now, I won't get a chance to take care of him, see him getting old and eventually, die like my previous Snowy who passed away 2 years ago.


My sweet Snowy

To Hammie: Please take care of yourself and be extra cautious when you are moving around. Avoid those big, scary dogs and cats if possible. If you are tired and find it hard to find any food or fending yourself, please come back if you still remember the way back home. The door is always opened for you.

Pain of Dysfunctional Family

For me, a good book is a book which holds a key to your inner soul. The moment you read it, it will unlock your soul, release all the emotions that you’d been trying to suppress. The more you get to know the characters, the more you wish to understand them. Without knowing it, you start to laugh along with them, cry along with them, smile along with them, sigh along with them… If they did something wonderful, you wish that you can give them a big hug and give then a pad on the shoulder; if they were feeling down or going through the toughest moments in their life, you wish that you can lend them your shoulder for them to cry on, give them an assuring hug, squeeze their hands and tell them that everything is going to be ok.

Not every author can do that. I’d read some very boring and mundane books. I couldn’t connect myself with the characters and they were like total strangers to me. The descriptions were not detailed, powerful and vivid enough. Some could even make me sleep.

After reading Alice Hoffman’s Skylight Confessions, I have to admit that this is a very good book. The story revolves around Arlyn Singer, her son and daughter – Sam and Blanca, and later her grandson, Will.

At the first few pages, I was very disturbed by Arlyn’s actions and choices. This story started with a funeral dinner held for Arlyn’s father. That night, when she was standing outside of her house, she whispered a bargain:

‘The first man who walks down the street will be my one love and I will be true to him as long as he’s true to me’

Later, John Moody showed up in front of her house and asked her for direction as he was lost. After some events, they ended up marrying each other. But it was not a happy marriage. He wasn’t always there for her and most of the times, he didn’t talk to her. Her son, Sam was not as normal as the other children of his age. He always thought of all the bad stuffs and in order to get rid of them, he would stab his fingers with a straight pin. Later we’d get to know about Blanca. By the time her character was introduced, something bad had happened to the family and it’d affected them very badly. Sam had become a drug addict and only Blanca remained as a sweet angel. Meridith, a girl who had a past which she couldn't let go, became their overeducated nanny and played an important and significant role in the two children's life.

As the story began to unfold, sad events happened and each one of them hit the characters very badly and affected them in many ways. Seeing how the characters suffered, I had a strong urge to cry out loud. I tried to fight back those tears but it didn’t work. I even broke down a few times. I know it sounds rather ridiculous but I couldn’t stop it. Everyone makes mistakes. The lucky ones had the chance to correct their mistakes but some had to live with their mistakes and suffered the consequences of their mistakes.

Just like what is written on the jacket of the book, Skylight Confessions is a shimmering, powerfully gripping story of fateful dependence and family history. The story lingered on my mind for a long time and I’d learned some important lessons of life, family and love through the characters. Although this book can be a little depressing and achingly moving, but it is good and we can see hopes at the end of the story.

A tearjerker, this is definitely a wonderful book and it’ll be a loss if I didn’t buy it at the first place. After this book, there is no doubt that I’ll look up for more Alice Hoffman’s books.

First...

Yesterday was quite a day for me since I had quite some first yesterday (since it is already passed 12 am).

Although yesterday was the second time I prepared lunch but yesterday was my first attempt to cook porridge. After adding a little bit of this and that, it turned out to be quite satisfying. I didn't expect that since it was my first. If you are thinking why is this girl making such a big deal over a simple meal like porridge, I guess I have to let you know that people have this misconception that I hate cooking and do not wish to learn how to do so. Now, I'm doing my best and grabbing any opportunity that I have to brush up my skills to prove them wrong. But I'm still a beginner so don't expect much from me. Besides, I seriously doubt that I am as talented as Remy although I really wish I am. *dreaming look*

'Anyone can cook...'

Yesterday, I also attempted to write a review on a book that I'd read and love. It didn't really turn out as good as I wanted it to be and I have a funny feeling about the review. Sigh...

Yesterday, my driving instructor showed up unexpectedly. I thought we would be driving at the usual spot but I was wrong. Really wrong. Instead of going straight, he asked me to turn left and casually telling me that 'we are going to town'. ARGGHHHHH... It was my first time driving at the small yet rather busy town. It was also my first time dealing with numerous traffic lights, 2 roundabouts, U-turns and the scariest of all, numerous cars. At first, I was quite calm but at my first junction which was the T-junction, I failed to control properly and the car stopped completely when it was my turn to turn into the main road. I can imagine how those long-waited drivers behind me cursing at me. Luckily for me, it only happened once yesterday. After the incident, I was very nervous throughout the one-hour drive. I just couldn't imagine myself stopping in the middle of the traffic. After that, he asked me to drive to the mini stadium. I drove round the parking lot and made a lot of U-turns. At the first U-turn, he didn't ask me to press the brake pedal and it didn't cross my mind that I had to do so (stupid me). Luckily my mind didn't go blank and I managed to control the steering . If not... That is really a scary first-time for me. When I finally reached home, I was shaking all over and I almost cried. Just to clarify matters, nowadays I don't cry over small stuffs anymore and if I cry, it means that I'm really scared or heartbroken. There'll be another lesson in about 12 hours time and I guess I have more confidence through my first experience. Hopefully, like Daniel said, I'll get the hang of driving soon enough. *finger crossed*

All these driving stuffs remind me of a joke that I told Daniel. 'After the driving lesson, I really wish people still use carriages. Slower but nicer. And...

Horse = Prince Charming (WHAT!!! A girl can always dream, can't she?) ;)

Love after grief...

What do you usually seek for when you're at the beach? Seashells? Pebbles? Have you ever thought of looking for bottle which has a message sealed in it?




I'd always hope to find one since I'd heard many stories involving message in a bottle. Most of the stories are amazing and almost unbelievable. Can you imagine a simple message in a bottle bringing two people from two totally different background and different places together??? Well, this was exactly what happened in one of Nicholas Sparks' book - Message In A Bottle.

This book tells the story of a divorcee Theresa Osborne and a widower Garrette Blake who were brought together by 3 letters which were found in bottles. Because of those compelling letters, Theresa decided to track down the writer of the letters. Honestly, if I were her, I might do the same thing too. Why? Read this:

'Without you in my arms, I feel an emptiness in my soul, I find myself searching the crowds for your face - I know it is an impossibility, but I cannot help myself. My search for you is a never-ending quest that is doomed to fail. You and I had talked about what would happen if we were forced apart by circumstances, but I cannot keep the promise I made to you that night. I am sorry, my darling, but there will never be another to replace you. The words I whispered to you were folly, and I should have realized it then. You - and you alone - have always been the only thing I wanted, and now that you are gone, I have no desire to find another. Till death do us part, we whispered in the church, and I've come to believe that the words will ring true until the day finally comes when I, too, am taken from this world.'

I would really really love to see the guy who wrote this. This letter was very significant to Theresa and it was very improtant for her to know that such man who was capable to love someone deeply and fully committed still existed since her first marriage failed when she caught her husband having affair with another woman. Just like most love story, when these two lonely people met each other, they were attracted to each other and eventually fell deeply in love.

But, it wasn't a smooth ride for the two of them. Although Garrett was attracted to Theresa but he still couldn't forget Catherine. At times, he would feel guilty for loving Theresa. Throughout their time together, Theresa didn't come clean to Garrett about the letters she found and which eventually led her to him.

Naveen told me he was ticked off by Theresa but for me, it was a difficult dilemma for the both of them and it was really unfair. Garrett was a diving instructor in Wilmington, North Corolina. He was very satisfied with his life there and he didn't want to leave. He even owned a shop and a boat there which he would sail from time to time especially if he was feeling down. His life was there and it would be difficult for him to move to other places. Meanwhile, Theresa was a newspaper columnist in Boston and she had a twelve-year-old son, Kevin. With the help of her best friend, Deana, her career started to blossom and she had a chance for a breakthrough. From the bottom of my heart, although I really want them to be together but I just couldn't bear to see any one of them making any sacrifices. It was just too difficult and the consequences were hard although love sometimes meant the willingness to sacrifice for the one you love.

I really like how Nicholas Sparks narrated Garrett's and Theresa's feelings and thoughts. He had the ability to touch the readers with his words and sometimes a small, non-sinificant event can seem so wonderful. He managed to tug at the readers's heartstrings and made us cry along with the characters. Tears of joy and sadness filled my eyes and my cheeks were wet with tears while reading this.

Although the ending was really unexpected but it really potrayed the love that Garrett and Theresa had for each other. If you'd read this book, it's better to read this too. It allows you to understand the author's intention better and it makes the potrayal of the theme - love after grief clearer. And yes, I really agree with Nicholas Sparks : No matter how hard and terrible life can be at times, it's possible to move on.

Welcome...

Hey... After closing my friendster blog, I decided to open a new blog since I really enjoy blogging. It gives me a space to express my feelings, thoughts and hopes. Well, since this is my first post, here's something for you to understand me a little bit more.

Here's the result of the personality test which I took a year ago.

Natural abilities include:

• planning (quite ok...)
• fact-finding (my favourite !!)
• organizing (not extremely bad at this)
• following directions (I'm too good at this ): )
  

Learn best when I:

• have an orderly environment (internet is a MUST for me)
• have specific outcomes
• can trust others to do their part (when it comes to work, I really don't like people who don't have any sense of responsibility)
• have predictable situations (that's why I don't want to be a scientist)

May have trouble:

• understanding feelings (trying my best and working extremely hard on this)
• dealing with opposition (what can I say? People always manage to bully me)
• answering 'what if' questions (praying hard that everything will turn out to be ok)

To expand my style, I need to:

• express their own feelings more (or rather, my own opinion)
• get explanations of other's view (so never ever criticise people's opinion unless they are extremely stupid)
• be less rigid (reminder to myself: STOP being sooooo STIFF!!!!)

This results kind of remind me what a quirky girl I am. Oh well, nobody is perfect and I'm not really a perfectionist too. So long for now...