Yasmin Ahmad's Films

Yasmin Ahmad's Films by Amir Muhammad
Date of purchase: 4th December 2009
Place: Borders Bookstore, The Curve

I discovered this book by chance (it's the best way of finding a good read.. without expecting it) while browsing the store. I had no idea of the writing or publishing of this book. So seeing it displayed on the shelf was a pleasant surprise. The book easily drew me in because 1. I've always wanted to read Mr. Amir Muhammad's work (as we've shared tents a couple of times selling books.. Hi Mr. Amir, I don't know if you remember me) 2. I love the humanity in Yasmin Ahmad's movies, and I have only seen a couple of them, so this will be a good chance of seeing through reading, and 3. at the back of the book it says 'All the writer's royalties from the first edition will be donated to the MERCY -Yasmin Ahmad Fund for Children.' This is the first edition, published in November 2009. I love charities, so I was hooked.

The book gives us an insight of 6 of Yasmin Ahmad's movies, Rabun, Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin, Muallaf, Talentime, twelve of her commercials and 2 internet shorts. It basically highlights the hidden meanings behind the words, scenes and symbols she uses in her work. I am neither a good writer nor a qualified reviewer, so I think I shall not go on trying to evaluate so much. I just wanted to share and highlight the existence of this book (not that I think it needs any assistance in making itself known). I just thought sharing is caring. So there you go. The next time you enter a bookstore, look for it.

I'm still reading the book. After completing it, I think I'm gonna go out there and look for her movies. Stay home, watch them, and drown myself in the thought of us losing such a great talent. Malaysia does need more Yasmin Ahmads. I hope the future brings in more people like her. People who are not afraid to show they have big hearts.

As an end note, I'd like to share a line Mr Amir Muhammad wrote in this book, '..God will never give us more than we can handle.' I heard the same phrase spoken to me just a few weeks back by my best friend. When I read it, the words just spoke out to me and I wanted to share it. I'm not sure what it'll mean to you. But it means a great deal to me.

Thanks for your time reading...

A good read.

I just finished reading this dear little book, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer & Anne Barrows which I thoroughly enjoyed. The whole book is a series of letters between the characters. The writing is smart, witty and funny and it's a light and easy read. The story is set during the period just after World War II, and revolves around love, war and friendship...

'It's 1946 and author Juliet Ashton can't think what to write next. Out of the blue, she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey - by chance, he's acquired a book that once belonged to her - and, spurred on by their mutual love of reading, they begin a correspondence. When Dawsey reveals that he is a member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Juliet's curiosity is piqued and it's not long before she begins to hear from other members. As letters fly back and forth with stories of life in Guernsey under the German Occupation, Juliet soon realizes that the society is every bit as extraordinary as its name.'

This is just the type of book I find delightful and would like to read more of. However, it's a shame, that this is the author's only novel. In the process of completing the book, she requested her niece to help her finish it, as her health declines. I guess that is one of the reasons that pulled me to read this book; the thought that this is a person's one and only published work, it must be something special. That, and the cute title.

Haiku

I bought this book last week and I find it hilarious! I had no idea what Haiku was when I picked up the book. But just a flip inside, it explains that 'In the 16th century, Zen monks in Japan developed Haiku, a poem consisting of three unrhymed lines of five, seven and five syllables'. This dear book has Haiku-ed 100 great books. If you've read or know of these 100 books, you'll find their Haiku versions really funny. Here's some of my favourites...

WUTHERING HEIGHTS
Emily Bronte
Wild. Strange. A bit damp.
Heathcliff waits for Cathy's ghost.
Women. Always late.

LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER
D.H. Lawrence
On the grounds, fresh game.
On the new gamekeeper, fresh
Lady Chatterley.

LOLITA
Vladimir Nabokov
Lecherous linguist -
he lays low and is laid low
after laying Lo.

LITTLE WOMEN
Louisa May Alcott
Snowdrops hang like tears
Shy, sweet, saintly Beth has died
One down, three to go.