J.W von Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther.

Such passion locked in such compact epistolary novel. Goethe is a true romantic. He is gifted with a cunning ability to draw forth Werther's doomed passion from intricate poetic expressions to crisp punchy terseness. Dislocating himself from his romantic counterparts, Goethe seemed to have written to prove to his contemporaries that he can beg to differ in the zeitgeist where romance flourished in everything possible.

Every page is like a journey. It narrates Werther's mood beautifully - on his perspective, his predicament and how dangerous his desires can be. As much as I sympathize with his sorrows and long to set him free from desolation, I too, found myself getting consumed in anger and impatience for his overtly romantic notions. The sorrows of young Werther was laced with the early conception of Faust, our dear Faust, but in a complete paradox. Werther threw himself into the depths of darkness, burned in passion but one could still emphatize with his fate. While Faust who seemed to have inherited Werther's haughtiness and intelligence, amplified them to mock Fate and religion. Although both protagonists were wasted away because of their longing for the forbidden, they still maintain individual views on self-control and destiny on very different angles.

Goethe's flexibility is by no means docile because one could read his work and immediately identify its proprietor. And my admiration towards Goethe grows because he is a romantic, a poet, a dramatist. He's able to draw emotions from me and weave them into his narration creating a space where reality melds beautifully into fiction. I am definitely a romantic convert.

Look for it here!

Robin Sharma - The Greatness Guide.

Business strategies this is not. I think some of the aspects of great leadership skills really popped in this one, especially when it comes to self-leadership. Hey, when you can't get a hold of yourself, you can't get a hold of anyone, right? Right.

I was sent to the seminar a couple of weeks ago and I had the impression that it was one which talks about driving profits up the roof, which... is not. But I have to admit I breezed in without the slightest inkling of Robin Sharma except he's a writer with a pretty sizeable promotional budget. And I was nicely surprised because he talks about being a great person. And when you become a great person and you deal with issues in the bud, everything will just fall into place, including those dark clouds of impossibilities and frustrations at your work place. His messages are grounded on pure simple insights of living, with some relevance to being a leader in a professional environment. I'm glad I didn't take down notes because he was pretty much piping snippets from his book (wouldn't want to waste more paper than I should).

The book was simple (but not written in simplicity) and makes a very easy read. 101 ideas on how to improve your life - so he's talking about balance. Between work and play, relationships and personal space, materialism and self-actualization. I must admit though, after awhile, his optimism and enthusiasm is beginning to irk me. Like how can anyone be so optimistic 101% on every single page?! Well, trust Robin, he can. So I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs an uplifting moment or looks for simple strategies to make the most out of their life (who said anything about being easy?).

In a nutshell. I get him. I really do. But, I don't get get him, get it? I'm not feeling it :/

Look for it here!

First borrower :)

Ali G. Copywriter. Design appreciator. Indie lover. Dentsu-ian. Ex-ducks owner.

Taken two books in their best condition (no bone creases, no dog ears): Problem solving 101 by Ken Watanabe and The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. Good choice :) Returning on the 29th of June.

In exchange, Ali traded 'Forgetting Things by Sigmund 'Dream man' Freud' with me although it was under no obligation at all. 10-point size 55 pages, should be okay.

Was just about to wonder if this works. But so far, I did have another request for Ken Watanabe's book. Anyway, we'll see. Let's all read more and make this world a better place.

Sparks' Open Library Project.

As Sparks' initiative to promote sustainability (creatively), I've decided to open my personal library of reads.

How it works:

You'll find different genres of books that may be of interest to you (browse catalogue at the side bar). Some of these books are my precious keepsake (so please take good care of them), some are brilliant, some were presents, some were donated and etc. But whatever it is, feel free to let me know if you want to borrow any of them. Just email me and tell me which title(s) and we'll figure a way to get them to you. My apologies but I think at this moment, this project may be only relevant to those residing in Klang Valley (Malaysia). If it grows (somehow), we'll figure ways to improve the 'system'.
But please please please do NOT crease the books. Thanks.

I think the question on everyone's mind will be copyright issue? Hmm. While I don't think I've violated anything (would lending a book to a friend be considered as copyright violation? Or would this be considered as illegal distribution?), if at all, I think it helps people to make wiser purchase. If they really enjoyed something, I'm sure they'll purchase it to keep. I'd rather think this as promoting 'efficient consumption'. Purchase only when you absolutely (friggin') got to have it. So, stop buying and start investing :)

Web

1. Don’t Make Me Think – Steve Krug

Travel

1. Awakened Qin’s Terra-Cotta Army
2. A Kitchen Safari (Stories & Recipes from the African Wilderness) – CC Africa
3. Cuba – DK
4. Cuba – Lonely Planet
5. Culture Shock Cambodia
6. Culture Shock Malaysia
7. Dubai – Lonely Planet
8. Faster, They’re Gaining – Peter Biddlecombe
9. France - Lonely Planet
10. Germany – Lonely Planet
11. Hawaii (From $80 a Day) – Frommer’s
12. Italy – MTV Guide
13. Japan (A Pictorial Portrait)
14. Japan – Lonely Planet
15. Kenya – Rough Guide
16. Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei – Lonely Planet
17. Middle of Nowhere – Lonely Planet
18. New Zealand – Lonely Planet
19. Panmunjom (Facts About the Korean DMZ) – Wayne A. Kirkbride
20. Rome
21. Silent Night
22. Simple French (Language Book)
23. Tokyo (A Certain Style)
24. Tokyo Timeout Shortlist
25. Turkey
26. Vienna – Lonely Planet
27. Vietnam – Lonely Planet
28. Where on Earth Am I? – Jug Suraiya
29. 1000 Places to See Before You Die – Patricia Schultz

Research & Psychology

1. Counting Sheep – Paul Martin
2. Drive - Daniel H. Pink
3. How Would You Move Mount Fuji – William Poundstone
4. How to Have a Beautiful Mind – Edward de Bono
5. Lateral Thinking – Edward de Bono
6. Market Research (9th Edition) – Aaker, Kumar and Day
7. Problem Solving 101: The Simple Book for Smart People – Ken Watanabe
8. Psychology (The Science of Mind and Behavior)
9. Teaching Thinking – Edward de Bono
10. The Invisible Gorilla – Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
11. The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
12. The Social Animal - David Brooks
13. Who Moved My Cheese – Dr. Spencer Johnson