I walked around a nearby bookstore when I was left alone to wander for about one and a half hour after work. I decided to do myself a favor and get some books to relive my reading passion. Sidney Sheldon was in my list, although I was deeply disappointed with ‘The Other Side of Midnight’.
I scoured each shelf but was unable to spot any books by him so I enquired with the assistant who was good enough to rush to my assistance but they only had two books left, one was his autobiography, ‘The Other Side of Me’ and most autobiographies bore me to death. ‘Naked face’ was old and torn at the sides so I decided to take a peek at the top 10 list pasted on the wall and my eyes caught on the first in the list, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. I don’t exactly buy a book based on its popularity but it looked and sounded promising. Besides who could actually resist something that has the word ‘Prada’ printed on it. I asked the assistant to unwrap the plastic cover and took the book to a corner to read before deciding to buy it. I have turned extra cautious when buying books now, since one of the last books I bought, Chicken Soup for the Soul; which was meant for those who are working was utterly boring and I’m still forcing myself to read it for my money’s worth.
Decided to get the book and walked around to check out the rest of the bestsellers. Books by Dan Brown dominated the main display area. I actually tried reading Da Vinci Code which I borrowed from my brother but the first 30 pages failed to hold my interest as well. I will force myself to read it again as I am curious why a fictional story got the world into a spasm of frenzy. I have read his ‘Digital Fortress’ and that book was a real captivating thriller and would be borrowing ‘Deception Point’ from my brother to read during my big break next month.
I then spotted ‘How to kill a Mocking Bird’ on sale for 20%. Grabbed it as well since the title has always piqued my interested but I never got around buying and reading it. Living on a meager student’s allowance never really allowed me to lavish myself with expensive books last time. Got to the counter to pay and the cashier was nice enough to give me another 10% rebate although I was not a member. I purchased both books for about MYR 46, a good bargain indeed.
I was actually reading up on Jeffrey Archer’s Honour Among Thieves, limiting myself to 10 pages per day. I have been a huge fan of Archer as well, relishing on his Kane and Abel series but this book about the Middle East and US conflict of power failed miserably to appeal to me especially with the fact that I could actually watch the ‘real’ movie every time I tune in to the CNN and Buletin Utama. I got this book for my brother who loves reading about war, crimes and national heroes but he asked me to keep it until his exams are over.
Last night I pulled out Archer’s book under my bed and returned it to my small bookshelf to be read later and unwrapped The Devil Wears Prada. Now, I am not planning to give a book review on this one but I found it outrageous and funny, a perfect combination. I started reading around 10 pm and was unable to call it quits until 3 am. I still have another half a book to finish and I just can’t wait to finish work today and continue with it.
I came to work with hardly 4 hours of sleep and downed half a mug of freshly ground coffee. Not exactly the Starbucks tall latte Miranda Priestly has in the morning, but hey, who’s complaining?
