The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

Title
The Gift
Author
Cecelia Ahern
Publisher
FSC + HarperCollins
Price
RM79.90
Rating
3/5

The storyline is nice. You won't know where it is leading to unless you continue reading and you won't know what the gift is until you finish reading it. As expected, you'll need to get your head into the book to get into the story. Be patient. Continue reading and you'll wanna read til the end. Well, what I'm not happy about is the ending. Why can't all books have happy endings? Why can't all movies have happy endings? I think it is just me but I really love it when the ending of a story is a happy one. The happy part is when the main character realized he made a mistake by neglecting his wife and kids and others around him. The very sad part is he.....ok maybe I shouldn't spoil it. Well, I believe the ending is meant to be as it is to leave some impact to the readers. I almost cried (but I didn't =p ) when I saw where it was leading and at the same time hoped it won't end like how I thought it would but it did. :( Pretty sad Christmas story but I believe it could make you more or less appreciate those around you better...esp the workaholics out there. Go home to your husband/wife and kids! Make them feel loved.

Will I change the ending if I could? Absolutely YES! This guy admits his mistakes....he has changed...c'mon Cecelia..hihihi

Who I'd recommend this book to?
Those who works super hard and forgot they have their loved ones waiting for them at home everyday or those who forgot to live their lives like normal people would; i.e. keeping in touch with families and relatives, get married and have kids and watch them grow and of coz enjoy the weekends. ;)

What's on YOUR bookshelf????

Sure you have more than a book on your shelf....or shelves,rite?????
Well,lemme share what I've got. ;)

GENRE

• IT
  
• Fiction
• Cookery
  
• Business
  
• Romance
  
• Self-Help
  
• Reference
  
• Non-Fiction
• Chic-Lit (A MUST!) ;)

No thrillers and sci-fiction for me. And Don't bother looking for Harry Potter stuff too. Just something I can't relate to. Some stuff are meant to be watched. :p

AUTHORS..not gonna list all but I'm just gonna list a few who has more than 1 book on my shelves. ;)

• Sam Holden
• Mitch Albom
• Cecelia Ahern
• Sohpie Kinsella :)
• Nicholas Sparks

I've managed to list my collections here. There are still quite a number of bookz I'm yet to add; will it keep updated when I have the opportunity to. ;) To have a virtual bookshelf, go to LibraryThing. (Don't forget to share!)

Btw, if you happen to not have books on your bookshelf/bookshelves, start reading or lemme have the shelves. ;)

Quick Survey

Why I do not read much?
	Lazy.
	No time.
	Reading is for nerds.
	Books are expensive.
	Reading is boring and it makes me sleep.
	Not applicable. I READ and love reading. :)
pollcode.com free polls

Why Publishers or Authors Re-title Books

Have you accidentally bought 2 books of the same story by the same author but different title?
I have. *thanks to Mr.Urges* I know money would be part of the reason why this is done but there has to be better reasons, right? As in other reasons for publishers or authors to do it.

Well, after a few knocks on Mr. Google's door, I found a few answers.
1. They would like to boost the sales of the book...and yes, they want more buckz.
2. There is already another book with the same title in the market and they wanna avoid confusion.
3. To fit in the society better...which leads to better sales of course. Many UK books have been retitled in the US...and maybe vice versa.
4. Could be a plagiarized book. i.e. The same book was written by a different author under a different publisher sometimes even in a different country BUT the new author claims it as his/hers. Well, I bumped into this if you'd like to read further on how US and UK handles book plagiarism. :(

Anyway, here are some books I know with 2 titles.

SOPHIE KINSELLA's
The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic == Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Abroad == Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

CECELIA AHERN's
Where Rainbows End == Rosie Dunne I Love, Rosie
If You Could See Me Now == A Silver Lining
A Place Called Here == There's No Place Like Here

J.K. ROWLING's
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone == Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I'm sure there are a lot more out there. I'm also sure there are more reasons why a book is retitled. Anybody who has answers other than the points I've mentioned above, feel free to add in the comment box. ;)

Possible book with answers; yet to find the ebook...hihi
Title
First Hundred Million: How To Sky Rocket Your book Sales With Slam Dunk Titles
Author
E. Haldeman-Julius
Pulisher
Angelican Press

Communicating Effectively by Garry Kranz

Title
Communicating Effectively
Author
Garry Kranz
Publisher
Hylas Publishing
Price
RM39.90
Rating
4/5

Here's why I read this book. I read it to improve my emails. I seldom read serious stuff. I'm not so into serious stuff. I am serious when it comes to work but elsewhere I'm more of an easygoing person and I sometimes say crap just to fill in the silence. =p

Well, I've never worked before. Let alone send work-related mails to some team leaders or clients/users. I first had my hands-on during my first assignment. I used to think everybody (in the same department and doing the same thing) would know what kind of problem normally occurs. That's where I went wrong and my supervisor back then pointed that out. He was very helpful and I'm very willing to learn and correct my mistakes. What I did was, before I send a reply, I would send it to him first for review. Well, that is first hand learning. Admitting that you do not know something is not something embarrassing. That is just how learning is. Don't forget to thank the "teacher" too. ;)

I figured out there are more things I need to know about writing emails especially when it is sent to people outside your company from your email address with the company's name. With that, I bought this book with the interest to learn thoroughly. I won't say my emails are now perfect or very impressive but I know the common do's and dont's.

The book is quite small and thin. Besides email, it covers other means of communication such as Instant Messaging, answering a phone call and writing business-related documents; letters,memos and report. Samples are provided when applicable. Do's and Dont's are listed in between sub-topics. The contents are direct. Final chapter recaps mentioned tips in each chapter in the book.

Who I'd recommend this book to?
Anybody who would like to improve their communication skills related to work especially if you deal a lot with clients and people of higher ranks. For those who has been communicating for years, no harm to read to ensure you've got all the things covered and done well.

Here is a quote I used to write on some of the first pages of my books back in uni.

"That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you have understood all your life but in a new way." -Dorris Lessing-

e-Dictionary

Don't understand what a word means?
Well,letz face it. We may love bookz and even read gazillion books already but no doubt we still meet Mr. Unknown Word. :)

My first dictionary was given to me when I was 6 years old. Nice and simple one. My dad taught me how to look up for words. Ever since that, I tend to underline some words I bump into while reading my story books or jot it down on a piece of paper.

Best part is, pick up new words and use them. :) *No,I dunno too many words. :/ still picking up*
As of now, I have to dig real hard to find the time to read sometimes so when I bump into a word I do not understand, I would read the sentence a few times and try to make out what it means. Easy-peasy. Well, I'm still friends with Mr. Dictionary. :)

My favourite is the webster I got free for 1-year subscription of Reader's Digest in 2000.
May not be complete but I'm satisfied with it. :) 99% of the time I could find the words I look for.

When I'm online, I go to the following dictionaries. :) Very helpful. Pronunciation is also provided so that we don't say the word wrongly. Nice eh? ;)

Where I click to? Read on. :)

A. Dictionary.com
Simple and easy to use. Provides synonyms and pronunciation. Sometimes I don't even read the meaning; check out its synonyms. Thesaurus is in a different tab.


B. The Free Dictionary
Thesaurus in the same page...all you need to do is scroll down after the search result is returned.
Its homepage has little games like Hangman, Spelling Bee and few others. Shall you need to refer to other dictionaries like Legal and Medical ones, it is just one tab away. ;) They have a tab on Idioms as well!!!


C. The Urban Dictionary
The name represents the dictionary. Contrtibutors come from everyone. Adding a new word into the dictionary requires few verifications but it is pretty simple. For each word, similar words and how it is normally used is given as well. Very useful if the word you are looking for is a slang. This is where you can find the word "nimbo". :p



Got any other dictionairies you like online? Or any better ones? Feel free to share. :)

Confessions of a Shopaholic for Sale - SOLD!!!

Any Sophie Kinsella fans out there?

I've got a book I wanna sell.


Title
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Author
Sophie Kinsella
Publisher
Bantam Dell
Price
RM20.00 (firm); I bought it at RM32.90
Year It was Bought
2004
Condition
Excellent and wrapped
Reason to sell
I have Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic...dunno how I bought both. LOL
That'z what happens when u shop on impulse I guess. =\
Location
COD in KLCC as of now...will inform if there'z any changes.
When can you buy?
Before 21st January 09 or after 7th February 09.

NOTE : Do contact me atleast 1 day in advance if you'd like to buy.K? ;)

What it was like at the Times Warehouse Sale

Reached there about 11:30am. Weren't many people 'til the clock struck 12 ;) Didn't take many pics coz I drowned in the sea of books after 5mins stepping into the warehouse area.

What I saw?
On 'da way to the sale area, Times banners were placed on some pillars so that people won't get lost *as if u can get lost in Damas* :P


As I approached the area.Saw IT books, health books, cooking books, Harry Potter hardcover book at 50% off, John C. Maxwell books, Francine Pascal books for your teenage kids, some stationaries, VCDs and DVDs, kids' books, Interior Designing book, books on hobbies such as knitting and beadings, book on management, photography and many many more. See it for yourself....you'll need time to look through the sections though. Books are not arranged in any manner. Well, 90% are arranged based on the promotion..like 3 for 10.


Sales?Promotions?
3 for 10, 30% for international books, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% discount for selected titles, orginal VCDs and DVDs, RM10 books, RM12 books and many many many more. Bring your kids along. They will surely find something they like too. :) They accept credit cards...and ladies, no worries about your handbag.

How much I've spent?
Above RM190 but less than RM200 for 20 books. :)
Bought 6 for my brothers, 1 for my dad, 2 for my mom, 1 for my boyfriend and 1 for his brother. The rest are all mine....*ngehngehngeh*

Yesterday, I completed my Cecelia Ahern collection. Today, I completed my Sophie Kinsella collection. 30% for International Books remember? ;)

Oh ya! One more thing...My bestfriend and I paid separately but later combined our receipts to receive RM10 vouchers. Expires in Feb...another reason to buy another book? Maybe..else I'll gove it to a friend. :) We then went to another warehouse sale but the sale is not related to books at all...so I'm not gonna talk about it here. :p

Tips : Go early so that you have more time to go through all the books sections. All kinds of books are all over the place. You'll never know what you'll find. Wash your hands after you're done buying; some books are quite dusty.

Urges...Urges...Urges

Wish I was strong enough...but anyhow I wasn't.
Went to Gardens. Thought of not going into Borders...but still ended up there.
What'z worse?I ended buying a few bookz.(See!Unexpected expenses..Thanks Mr.Urges.)

How much it costs me this time?Not too much ;) considering I bought 4 books.
Got RM15 rebate. (Thanks Tracy :) )

Lemme show off what I got :p


Might be going to the Times Warehouse Sale tomorrow.
Gotta stop buying bookz out of my wanted list after January 2009.*ngehngehngeh*

Times Bookstore Clearance Sale!

Many of you may have known this but anyway, here'z some details..just incase ;)

Where?
Times Bookstore @ Level 1, Plaza Damas.
When?
From 8th January 09 to 18th January 09
Discount rate?
Up to 90%!
Wanna know more?
Read it on its official website at http://www.timesbookstores.com.my/events.aspx OR check out the SnS blog; http://www.shoppingnsales.com/2009/01/08/8-18-jan-times-books-warehouse-sales/ There are few comments there already.
Will I Go?
Depends on my schedule during the weekend. I hope I have the chance to go. Plus, my bestfriend is already pestering me. :p No worries. If I go, I will share it with you guys here so stay tuned.

Brand new books at cheaper price!!!YEAY!!!

This is l.o.v.e.l.y. :)

My bestfriend bumped into a bookstore in Amcorp Mall in PJ which sells books at very cheap price! I went there after work earlier this week :) Do I like it? Of coz I do!

Books are brand new but their stocks are limited so if you're fast (and lucky), you'll find the book(s) you are looking for.

I initially had these in my shopping list.

• The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
• A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern
• Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern
• Punished by Vanessa Steel
• Blink : The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

Didn't manage to get any of those. Either they have yet to have it in stock or I wasn't fast enough to grab 'em.Anyway, I ended up buying the following. ;)

How much I spent? RM87.60 only!!!

Checked out the price in the local bookstore and the following is the comparison.

A Child Called 'It' -> RM34.90....I bought it at RM17.90

The Google Story by David A. Vise (hardcover baby!) -> RM62.90(for paperback..hardcover should cost around RM85)....I bought it at RM29.90

Lessons in Heartbreak by Cathy Kelly -> RM59.90....I bought it at RM19.90

pasta by Jeni Wright -> Not found.....I bought it at RM19.90

Why so cheap?Go to their website; http://www.bookxcess.com/index.html and the answer is under their FAQ section. :)

If you feel like getting getting a book from their store, I suggest you look through their booklist first and try contacting them first so that you won't be dissappointed. :)

What bookshelves?

A blog for me to crap about books :)
I initially thought of coming up with this blog to dump my list of books available for rental. This is only available for my friends. ;) After some thoughts, I think I would like to have a blog dedicated to books and ONLY books.

I love books. I love reading but no I do not read 24/7. I read when there is time and when I'm not too tired. When I'm tired, I'm just like the rest of you guyz; I lay flat on my bed and zoom to dreamland. :)

I buy books. I buy and buy.....and buy. *depending on my mood*
As of now, I'm yet to find a place where I can dump my excel sheet for you to view.
Will get it uploaded asap.

Welcome to all booklovers, bookworms and social readers (is there such group of peeps?).

Feel free to suggest, share or even comment. And do come back.
I believe there is always room for improvement. ;)

Cheers,
Ruz