Books I read in 2008 : )

Sorry I've been totally missing in action...
Though I stopped blogging all my 'book reports' online,
I didn't stop reading!

So I'm just going to list out all the books I read this past year --
Special thanks to those who totally supported me (a total overachiever),
kept me accountable,
and bore with me when i went on & on about the fabulous books I read : b

I obviously did not meet the lofty '365 books a year' goal,
but I'm glad I still read more than I've ever had : )

Martial Arts Lit.:
47-49: 多情劍客無情劍 (上、中、下）
50-51: 天涯明月刀（上、下）
52-54: 逆水寒（上、中、下）
55-57: 逆水寒續集（上、中、下）
58-59: 三少爺的劍（上、下）
60-61: 一怒拔劍（上、下）
62-66: 將軍劍（１－５）
67-69: 少年冷血（１－３）
70: 請借夫人一用

Mystery:
71: 假面
72: 單戀
73: 預知夢
74: 蚱蜢
75: R.P.G.
76: The Runaway Jury
77: 阿正當家
78: 小偷與玫瑰
79: 哀愁終點站
80: 聖惡女
81: 高山殺人行1/2之女
82: 孩子們
83: 完美的藍
84: 奧杜邦的祈禱
85: 完美無缺的名偵探
86: 北方夕鹤１／２殺人
87: 不安的童話
88: 謹告犯人
89: 三色貓戰爭與和平
90: 三色貓恐怖館
91: 死了七次的男人
92: 羅蘋計劃
93: 中庭殺人事件

Fiction:
94: Shinjuku Shark
95: Showdown
96: 早餐Ｂ
97: 重量級情話
98: Sunday At Tiffany's
99: 村上朝日堂嗨呵
100: Belong To Me
101: A Thousand Splendid Suns
102: 三國演義
103: 三國演義１００名言
104: Like Water For Chocolate

Memoir/Autobiography:
105: Somewhere in Heaven - The Remarkable Love Story of Dana & Christopher Reeve
106: The Film Club
107: 一碗陽春麵的回憶
108: Beneath The Surface
109: Losing My Mind
110: Dog Talk

Non-Fiction:
111: 金庸散文
112: 金庸小說十談
113: 做廿一世紀的人才
114: 先別急著吃棉花糖
115: Complications
116: Better
117: 華人十大富豪
118: 我的名字叫MONEY
119: Fast Food Nation
120: Wrong About Japan
121: 時間管理十堂課
122: Eats, Shoots, & Leaves
123: 一本女人寫給女人的理財書

Christianity:
124: 謝謝你用愛罵我
125: The Four Loves
126: Love As A Way of Life
127: The Five Love Languages

Food:
128: Japanese Women Don't Get Old Or Fat
129: 蔡瀾食典
130: Fried Butter
131: 精巧意菜ＤＩＹ
132: 賣熱飲創業
133: 宴客菜色
134: 西餐料理一把罩
135: 日式燒烤大全
136: 海鮮
137: 綠色沙拉＆醬汁
138: 梁瓊白教你炒飯
139: 早午餐一起吃
140: 精緻中西甜品
141: Kitchen Confidential
142: Festive Entertaining
143: Sushi for Wimps
144: Cooking to Impress
145: 青春白蔬菜
146: 一根雞腿
147: 美顏紅蔬菜
148: 活力綠蔬菜（上）
149: 不失敗之新手甜點
150: 巧手做羹湯
151: At Home With Magnolia

Beauty:
152: What To Wear
153: What Not To Wear
154: 伊人美髮
155: 凱渥名模美麗宣言
156: Living Beauty
157: How To Cut, Curl & Care for Your Hair
158: The Busy Girl's Guide to Looking Great
159: Great Braids

Others:
160: Driver's Manuel
161: The Language of Medicine

I thought I read over 200, but obviously NOT!
WOW 0_o" it's amazing that I'd aim for 365,
& ended up achieving only 60%...
But nonetheless, I'm glad I attempted, & it's all good! : )

Book 46: Love Walked In

Title: Love Walked In

Who wrote it: Marisa De Los Santos

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

- A tale of a 11 y/o girl losing her single parent mom
through mental illnesses, while her dad's girlfriend
offered her shelter and comfort through
life's storm; and how their bond developed
over time, despite the awkwardness of this
relationship / friendship...

What went through my mind:

- As the first published novel,
this was a very sophisticated and
well written story : 0
She has some creative usage of
vocabularies, detailed and delicate
images laid out before the readers eyes,
and the character developments of the
people involved are excellent.
i was very impressed and felt drawn to
the story & all its characters.
I feel like i know them all personally,
and that i'd love to be their friends /
family members : )

- The theme of this novel is pretty unique,
and its optimistic worldview (while being realistic)
is quite encouarging and made this novel
all the more lovable : )

I really liked how the story does not
end on a happily ever after note,
but it doesn't make life TOO HARSH
for them (& us readers) to bear either : D
I felt some soothing comfort / warmth
brewing in my heart, for it brings a sense of
peace & hope to my life : )

Favorite Quotes:
- "If you have to ask, no way are you
ever getting the answer you're looking for...
If you have to ask that question in order
to keep him... he's already gone."
(Pg. 96)

- "Be not afraid of parenthood;
some are born parents,
some achieve parenthood, and others
have parenthood thrust upon 'em."
(Pg. 106)

- "The problem with me is that
I like to work; I like to do
what I do well and completely;
I just don't have a calling. Not yet, anyway."
(Pg. 121)
* That summarizes my life up till now.
Thanks a lot!

- "I don't think love is blind,
but wanting to be in love,
that's probably blind." (Pg. 174)

- "Maybe with true love, you see
(the mistakes/imperfection)
and you love anyway." (Pg. 182)

- "Happiness isn't what happens when
you whistle along, pretending
bad things don't exist..
Happiness is earned, like everything else.
It is achieved." (Pg. 271-272)

What came out of this:
* Reminder: Look out for this author's
second book! : D I can't wait!!

Why Should you read it, too?

It's a very heartwarming story : )
If life is not treating you too well now,
reading this shall lift your spirit a little...

Book 45: Magic Bakery (魔法蛋糕店)

Title: 魔法蛋糕店 (Magic Bakery)

Who wrote it: 張小嫻 (Amy Cheung)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

- 11 inter-connected short stories
touching upon the various aspects of
romantic relationships, from puppy love
in high-school to long lost love & loneliness --
while a lot of them evolve around
desserts / bakeries...

What went through my mind:

- What can i say? One can never expect
something too deep / moving from this author,
but her stories are always easy to read & relate;
i guess in a sense, it's commercial & easy enough
for most teens / college age crowd,
which explains the level of popularity of her books.

I guess i would have liked this book a little better
if i were still in high school...?!

- The elaborate & alluring descriptions
of German cakes definitely increased my
interests in tasting them one day : D

- The author is observant that
there is a direct correlation between
desserts & romance : 0
how both bring people sweet memories
& desire to revisit the experience in the near future : )

Favorite Quotes:
- "愛情讓我們愛上自己、懷疑自己、
恨自己、憐憫自己，也了解自己。"
(Romantic love allows us to fall in love
with ourselves, second-guess ourselves,
hate ourselves, pity ourselves,
as well as understand ourselves.) (Pg. 5)

-"有人說，男人離不開舊愛，
女人無法拒絕新歡。"
(It has been said, men cannot forget
their previous relationship(s),
women cannot reject their new pursuer.) (Pg. 200)

What came out of this:
* Goal: Look into German style cakes! : D

Why Should you read it, too?

A super easy read, and it's somewhat
fun to be a total bystander
to some romantic drama at times ; )

Book 44: Knife (刀)

Title: 刀 (Knife)

Who wrote it: 重松清 (Shigematsu Kiyoshi)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

- 5 Short stories evolving around the topic
of BULLYING -- portraying the thoughts,
beliefs, emotions of the victims & their families,
as well as the interactions among the
bullies, bystanders & victims.

What went through my mind:

- Since this is a Japanese novel,
it inevitably operates within the
Japanese school system,
as well as traditional Japanese beliefs,
like Men have to stand up for themselves --
hence victims are seen as weaklings even by
their own parents --
which is quite sad for some kids,
because they simply cannot get help
anywhere despite the cruel acts that
are inflicted upon them.
I can't help but imagine how it's like
in America? I heard that there's bullying
here too... '_' how do kids deal with that?

- The novel mentioned that some kids choose
not to report to the teachers & pretend that
all things are fine when they're with their parents --
i cannot imagine that if i were in their shoes : 0
Why would i choose pride over protection?
mmm... or am i too trusting / hopeful?

- One of the interesting ideas this book
mentioned was that some victims actually
look up to their bullies...
They admire the bullies' self-confidence,
strength, braveness... exactly the qualities
these victims themselves lack!
Recently, i come to meet a new friend,
of whom i realize evoke similar emotions
in me -- i hate it that she bosses me around,
invades my personal space & privacy,
is rude and disrespectful...
yet at the same time, i can't help but wonder,
what if i were as confident as she is???

Favorite Quotes:
- "個性不合的夫婦還可以
離婚，但是個性不合的父子
該怎麼辦才好．．．。"
(If a couple can no longer
get along with each other,
they can pursue divorce;
but what can a parent and a child do,
when they're in situations like that?) (Pg. 129)

-"長期住院的孩子．．．太過習慣
放棄及忍耐．．．或許是他們已經
沒有追求什麼或夢想的力氣了。
還是，因為出院這個最大的夢想
被封鎖住了？"
(Kids that are hospitalized for a long time...
are too used to persevering and giving up
on things... Perhaps they've already lost
the energy to pursue after anything,
let alone the desire to dream.
Or better yet, their biggest dream --
to be discharged from the hospital
is deemed impossible?) (Pg. 168)

- "因為我很努力，
所以才有辦法忍耐。"
(It's only because I'm trying really hard,
that I'm able to persevere.) (Pg. 184)
* This is almost like my motto!

What came out of this:
* Insight: A better understanding of
the insider world of BULLYING,
as well as how culture affects
family relationships /friendships.

Why Should you read it, too?

This is a very well-written book
with a realistic approach on the
specific issue, while bringing hope
to the readers despite the brutal topic.

Book 43: Daalder's Chocolates

Title: Daalder's Chocolates

Who wrote it: Philibert Schogt

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

- A coming of age story of a chocolatier --
a detailed account since his miserable childhood,
all the way to the very last moment of his life.
Topics like gourmet food / horrific taste,
bad parenting / desperate childhood,
stubborn human nature / revelation & repentance
are examined thoroughly.

What went through my mind:

- This novel felt longer than it is...
which is another way of saying,
it's not the most interesting story i've read,
& there're parts of it i really had to endure

as opposed to enjoy '_'

- The main character Joop Daalder
was definitely not a very lovable character
until the very end... : /
which makes it hard for the reader to get
really immersed into the story,
since it's easy to get agitated at
people like him -_-"
Sad to say though, he's a very
realistic character......

- By portraying the MegaDeli
(a giant modern/gourmet supermarket)
forcing small stores out of business,
both by force & $$ compensation,
the author touched upon an important issue
that needs to be addressed more by our media.
By looking at this from the small business owner's
point of view, it indeed involves injustice done
to them, which consumers like us might not
think much about, when we go enjoy ourselves...

Favorite Quotes:
- "The main reason they
(people) bought chocolates
was to impress each other."
(Pg. 9)

- "I taste, therefore I am."
(Pg. 70)

* woah! i'm so gonna quote that!

- "While chocolate revealed its flavor almost
instantly upon contact with the tongue,
and kept revealing its flavor until the moment
it was swallowed, nuts had to be chewed
for some time before their flavor
was released, and then that flavor
disappeared again and a lot of junk
was left behind on your tongue and
between your teeth." (Pg. 89)

- "The more delicate the balance,
the more intense the ecstasy...
that moment of perfect ripeness
is also the very moment the process
of decay sets in. In that fleeting moment,
ecstasy and melancholy coincide." (Pg. 117)

- "...it's better to say good-bye to a chocolate
the moment you have finished making it.
What happens after that
doesn't matter anymore." (Pg. 124)
* Now this is true wisdom...
Sometimes i do feel over-protective over my food,
like wanting to see every single piece
consumed and nobody wastes anything 0_o"
I guess it's held so close to my heart
that the ego could get hurt
when it's not appreciated : 0

- "Nothing creates greater distance
than the sight of a fellow human being feasting
on something you can barely get down
your throat." (Pg. 197)

- "Talking with your mouth full
wasn't impolite to your listeners but
to your taste buds." (Pg. 232)

- "Did this always happen in marriages -
that a wife admired her husband less and less
and mothered him more and more?
And that a man behaved less and less
like a prince and more and more
like a child?" (Pg. 254)

What came out of this:
* Desires: There're some really
alluring food writing in the novel...
so i wanted to eat some really smooth
chocolates and ripe peaches afterwards... *_*

Why Should you read it, too?

If you liked chocolates, it's a fun read : )

Book 42: Bento Box at Whitebread America Heartland

Title: Bento Box in the Heartland --
My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America
-- A Food Memoir

Who wrote it: Linda Furiya

Whom I borrowed it from:
Queens Central Library (Jamaica)

What is it about:

An honest, genuine coming of age memoir
of an ABJ (American Born Japanese),
who dealt with identity/culture struggles,
and found her way out by holding on to
1 single thread: traditional Japanese cuisine.

What went through my mind:
- This is the first book that I've read,
which contained recipes that tied into
the stories that are told.
I consider that a very creative &
successful strategy : )
& i wanna try all those recipes!!

- This memoir touched the core of my heart...
though i'm not born here,
but i must admit -- the author's struggles
with cultural differences -- sometimes a painful
yet courageous process --
the desperate desire to blend in while recognizing
one's uniqueness & wanting to be proud about it...

rings true and sounds strangely familiar to me.

Sometimes, I'd rather speak English to people,
even if I knew they could speak Cantonese --
just coz it feels more 'appropriate' to me '_'
I don't want to be classified as 'FOB'...
yet at the same time, I'm embarrassed --
because in that way, I identify with & somehow
approve of those ignorant labels, which i hate.
Of all people, i think this author would
100% understand how i feel.

- Just as the author's parents go through
great difficulties to find the rare traditional
Japanese cuisine ingredients,
i find that it's true for Chinese to do the same.
Food seems to create a comforting atmosphere
for its diners to reminiscent about the 'good ol' days'...
Speaking of which, i miss my dad & grandma's food : /

- On top of food, i suppose Chinese literature /
friends from h/s, familiar places... are all threads
i hold on to tightly... to my home -- Hong Kong '_'

Favorite Quotes:
- "After the wedding, when we moved into
our new apartment, the honeymoon was over.
We argued all the time, testing each other.
Sometimes it was hard, other times easy.
All part of the marriage deal." (Pg. 33)

- "My father had a theory on how to
get my brothers and me to eat new foods.
All we had to do was taste the dish
three times, but not at one sitting.
By the fourth time, he claimed,
our palates would have grown
accustomed to the new taste
and texture and we'd be ready
for a full serving." (Pg. 45)
* Interesting idea, worth trying? : )

- "I loved the feeling that I was
welcomed into a whole other world
when I read Japanese." (Pg. 125)
* I feel that way too, when i read Chinese! : 0

- "I invariably picked up the pen
or the phone receiver, believing that
by completing these jobs I somehow
protected my parents from the random
ignorance and rudeness of people
who didn't have patience for those
who couldn't speak English well.
As an American-born child, writing
letters and making phone calls
wasn't a difficult task, but knowing
my mother couldn't do it, or was
afraid to, and that she depended on me
made it a weighty responsibility." (Pg. 207)
* I never thought that anyone else could
put my feelings / bitterness into words
in such a clear, direct manner.

- "...eating had been my family's
communion. We communicated not
through direct words, but through
actions and food." (Pg. 305)
* Why, is this an Asian thing?
My family is just like this, too '_'

What came out of this:
*Goal: i want to go to TOKYO!!!!!!!
*Reminder: it's about time... to reconcile
with my past, and let go '_'

Why Should you read it, too?

If you've ever had struggles growing up
as an ABC, or would like to understand how
it's like to feel like (half) an outsider...

you should definitely pick up this book '_'

Book 41: The Love at 7-Eleven (7-ELEVEN之戀)

Title: 7-ELEVEN之戀 (The Love at 7-Eleven)

Who wrote it: 蔡智恆 (Zhi Xing Cai)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

- 8 individual Short stories consisting of
various (post) college-age characters,
weaving realistic portraits of life through
familial/romantic relationships & friendships.

What went through my mind:

- You know how sometimes, after reading a book,
you remember next to nothing about the story,
but the intimate feelings & self-revelation
the book brings you?
This is one of those books : )
The stories themselves seem pretty simple
and straight-forward...
sometimes it might even appear amateur...
But in a way, it's like drinking
a clear, pure glass of water.
You might not call it tasty,
but it leaves you a satisfying aftertaste.

Favorite Quotes:
- "帥哥與美女一樣，
你愈證明你是，
你就愈不是。"
(Handsome men are just the same
as pretty ladies,
the more you have to prove you are,
the more you're not.) (Pg. 153)

-思念是用腦子想；
相處是用眼睛看。
可以思念的感情總是比較美．．．
因為腦子容易美化．．．"
(You use your mind to miss someone;
while you watch with your eyes
when you're together.
A relationship that requires you to
miss that person with your mind
tends to be more beautiful...
because your mind is likely to
paint a prettier picture than
the reality...) (Pg. 140)

What came out of this:
*Nostalgia: I miss those days back in h/s...
when we hung out at 7-11 everyday
after school : 0

Why Should you read it, too?

If you'd like to pick up an easy/light-read : )

Book 40: How to Open a Dessert Stall (教你開間糖水屋)

Title: 教你開間糖水屋 (How to Open a Dessert Stall)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:
A simple how-to guide to open
a small business, specializing in chinese
desserts aka 糖水 : )
Plus a detail list of common
Chinese desserts and their recipes.

What went through my mind:

- I did not know that there are so many
interesting Chinese desserts out there!
& that to make them require loads of patience,
because the 'dry/moist' ingredients need
to be prepared for various amounts
of time in advance : 0

- A great point that this book makes is the
distinction between Chinese & Western desserts:
Western desserts are often for mere pleasure --
think about cakes, ice-cream, cookies and the like...
What do girls usually say after eating them?
"I FEEL SO FAT!"& it's true...
They tend to be made of cream/butter/sugar,
none considered too healthy 0_o"
Meanwhile, Chinese desserts often contain
healthy ingredients like seasonal fruits/herbs,
& are created with the main intention
to help balance the diet & enhance bodily functions.

- Like all businesses, the most crucial
element is: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

- I NEED to practice/learn my CHINESE
DESSERTS! i'm kinda ashamed of myself now...
-_- how can i claim to love food/sweets
and yet know nothing about any 糖水?!?!

Favorite Quote:
- "努力不一定成功，
但一定有成果。"
(Working hard doesn't guarantee success,
but it would surely bring fruitful results.) (Pg. 76)

What came out of this:
*Goal: Learn to make more 糖水!

Why Should you read it, too?
Aren't you curious about Chinese desserts, too? : )

-_-"

The truth is...
I've read 6 books since the last review,
but i have yet to write about them! 0_o"

Career change is a big step i just took,
and it takes some time to adjust to a whole new schedule.

I'm still reading though : )
so... please bear with me,
and reviews to come soon! : D

Book 39: No Country for Old Man

I got this from the library 2 weeks ago,
but haven't gotten around to read it.

Then it was the Oscars...
& they got the BIG script awards / Best pictures!
So i figured, this book can't be too bad, right?

Title: No Country for Old Man

Who wrote it: Cormac McCarthy

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

A combination of crime / drug dealing /
police investigation / cunning & brutal murders /
$$$ = this fictional but realistic story!

What went through my mind:

- Although the whole story evolves around
the crime concerning a missing bag of $$
after an incomplete drug deal,
i feel that the core of the story is a
"coming of age" story of the investigator.

He receives the most in-depth character
development, even more than Moss,
who took the $$$, and Chigurh, the psycho killer.

- Indeed, the self-confession like essays
preceding every chapter of the story
portray a bigger picture than the crime story plot
itself. It demonstrates how it's not the ongoing
events that make life meaningful,
but our memories and reflections upon the past,
which enable us to realize who we are.

- I'm not the kind of reader/writer that enjoy
a lot of exposition / detailed descriptions,
so McCarthy's style bugged me a bit...

But at the same time, i felt like i was really
watching a movie, since he describes every
single move of each character in precise details.

Can't say it's bad at all... it's just not my preference.

- In order to create various persona for the characters,
McCarthy used very distinguishable 'language'
when each of them speak.
I'd say it's successful, except the ones
with a very heavy Southern Accent
(goin' -> going; nothin' -> nothing; set -> sit...)
bothered me from time to time,
because it's unclear at times,

esp. to an ESL NYC person like me '_'

Favorite Quotes:
- "It takes very little to govern good people...
And bad people cant be governed at all." (Pg. 64)

- "People complain about the bad things
that happen to em that they dont deserve
but they seldom mention the good.
About what they done to deserve them things.
I dont recall that I ever give the good Lord
all that much cause to smile on me.
But he did." (Pg. 91)

- "One of the things you realize
about gettin older is that
not everybody is goin to
get older with you." (Pg. 216)

- "...there was nothin to set a man's
mind at ease like wakin up in the morning
and not havin to decide who you were.
And if you done somethin wrong
just stand up and say you done it
and say you're sorry and get on with it.
Dont haul stuff around with you." (Pg. 249)

- "Every moment in your life is a turning
and every one a choosing.
Somewhere you made a choice." (Pg. 259)

- "All the time you spend tryin to
get back what's been took from you
there's more goin out the door." (Pg. 267)

- "... sometimes people would rather have
a bad answer about things than
no answer at all." (Pg. 282)

- "It's a life's work to see yourself for
what you really are and even then
you might be wrong." (Pg. 295)
** My favorite quote!

What came out of this:
*Goal: Watch the movie : )

Why Should you read it, too?

If you liked the movie / are curious like me : b