readKL

48. Matilda at Bangsar Village, 2:30pm

2012-01-15T14:43:00.001+08:00

Matilda is this man's third experience with Roald Dahl books. Since his first two books were purchased during the recent Roald Dahl pop-up-bookstore just downstairs late last year (The Witches & James and the Giant Peach, in that order), I'd say he's catching up pretty quickly. Working in HR, he reads management books on weekdays & fiction on the weekends. He loves a sense of humour in his books & sometimes a bit of magic. His all time favourite book is The Pencil, a bunch of non-fic short stories about teaching, though the name of the author escapes him at the moment.

47. Debt of Honor, in Cheras

2010-09-29T02:28:00.016+08:00

I know it's been awhile, but I finally found someone today while waiting for the bus. We even had lunch together.

I know it's not really a surprise, but the whole time we talked it was about books. He's moved on to reading Clancy because he's almost done with all of Robert Ludnum and Michael Crichton's work. (I think Ludnum's been read here before, but in case Crichton doesn't ring a bell, his most famous work is arguably Jurassic Park).

He's been reading since primary school, and now reads about six books a year. I ask him where he got the book from (a nearby library) and whether he goes to libraries often (he's a member of the National Library, but hasn't been there in years). In turn, he asks me whether I've heard of a TV show called "Reading Room" (I hadn't, but here's its IMDB page). In his words: "It's about an old retired man who rented a shop to encourage young people to read."

When do you read? I ask. "To wait for something, anything lah. Like now. I even read over meals. If I find a book interesting, I can keep reading into wee hours of the night." And for the first time since I've started this site, the tables turn. The laboratory manager is asking me questions. "What do you like to read?"

It's a question I ask everyone I come across for ReadKL, but one I've never thought of an answer for. A few seconds of silence (where do I start?) "These days, books about the brain," I begin, "but I grew up reading Greek mythology, and other books lying around the house. Fairy tales, Middle Eastern tales, the Mahabharata, Tao Te Ching. After that it was classic fiction, then contemporary fiction, like wild imaginative stuff, and now more science and non-fic I guess. I was lucky that way, to start out young. I never stopped."

"I liked Enid Blyton when I was young. And Agatha Christie. My eldest son developed a reading habit when he was small too," he tells me, quite pleased, "but the others not so much." I ask him how old his son is. "Thirty-one". I don't know why I am surprised, but I am; he then tells me he's sixty-two himself. I like that his smile when he mentioned his son was still so new, like we weren't talking about decades ago. We also talk about how since books didn't exist naturally in our environment, the human brain probably wasn't wired to read; we had to train it that way. Maybe if enough time passed without practice we'd never find the desire to pick up books, having replaced it with other 'unnatural' habits that were easier to acquire, like electronics. We also realize we can't remember which Bronte sister wrote Jane Eyre. (It was Charlotte).

By the time we walk up from lunch, the bus arrives. Perfect timing. We sit in different parts of the bus, and I noticed he had returned to his book.

PS: Have fixed the comments section. All spam is gone and hopefully for good. If you're reading this, thank you for still reading this. It's been one dry spell after another for ReadKL, but when a break comes along, I'd like to think it was worth it.

46. Life of Pi, at The Cookie Cat Subang Jaya

2010-08-10T19:21:00.001+08:00

He plans to major in linguistics although he doesn't read a lot. However, he reads magazines religiously, and makes a habit of actually reading books for assignments instead of reading summaries and study guides. Currently he's reading Life Of Pi by Yann Martel for an assignment. The laptop next to him is playing an audiobook version at the same time (what a great idea!). He likes to read indoors or in cosy environments like cafes, and his favourite book is Being Happy.

on buying books online in Malaysia

2010-03-24T11:31:00.016+08:00

if you avoid crowds, take your time browsing, or just hate going to bookstores (& the malls they're in), then today you've run out of excuses! Turns out you don't actually have to leave the house at all to get your hands on a new book. After a bit of surfing, I found a few places where people in Malaysia can buy books online (consider this post as alternatives to the obvious Amazon.com).

You won't always need a credit card with these vendors; some accept anything from Paypal to Maybank2U, bank drafts, etc.

IMPORTANT: ReadKL is not being paid to recommend these links. These are just options. Be responsible and do some research before picking out an online bookstore (eg. call them, google them, read up), and only purchase from one that you're comfortable with.

Kinokuniya charges RM8 delivery charge for online orders on this peninsula, but as Ah Yap puts it, going to the KLCC store in person involves paying "for petrol, tol and KLCC per-hour-based car park fee" anyway. Orders are processed on working days. Read Kinokuniya's user's guide for more info.
MPH is everywhere in KL, so it makes sense that their site is a virtual bookstore too. Available books arrive within 14 days, and at the time of this post, delivery charges are RM7, or free if your order exceeds RM150. Read their FAQ.
Aphrohead and BookDepository are two bookstores not based in Malaysia, but offer free shipping here anyway, so you only pay for the books you buy! Bear in mind that BookDepository has a few currency options, convert them to RM and see which works out cheapest for you. You'd be surprised how a buy from one of these shops might end up cheaper than one from the 'big guns' of Kino or MPH.
Times Bookstores has delivery but personally I find their website a little confusing, because it doesn't seem like a virtual bookstore. However they're "happy to offer home & office delivery" but only with a minimum order of RM200. Any less, and a RM10 fee applies. Read their Customer Service section.
AcmaMall is based in Singapore and is fairly popular in local Google searches. A general complaint is that purchases can be held up at customs if the books bought are considered 'banned' in any way, but naturally there are also good testimonials as well. At the time of this post, shipping for books (even pre-orders) are free, and estimated to take 5-14 business days. Read their First Time Visitors section.
Advanced Book Station is a store in Taman Melawati, but you can shop from them online too (cause they're advanced! hehe). I couldn't find an FAQ or anything on delivery charges, but they're open to inquiries by email/phone & volume discounts. Read their contact page.
Ujana Ilmu has an extensive collection of books in Bahasa Malaysia, even with various university publishers. I've only googled them a little but their reputation seems to be sound. Payment accepted in most forms, including Paypal & Western Union.
Henghebooks for local Chinese reading (sorry I can't say more, I don't understand the site's language).
Lee Book has a lot of methods of payment, Chinese & English educational books and a very cute website.
Synergi Books is a blog for secondhand books. You'll find a rather large collection; paperbacks for RM6-15, and hardcovers from RM12-20. As for the shipping rates, scroll down on the website and look to the right.
Mudah.my has a music/movies/books section with secondhand books for sale. Click here.

ADDENDUM

Here's another one, BetterWorldBooks (thanks Nxsa for sharing this great find). They sell cheap used books rescued from landfills to help fund global literacy initiatives. Used books save the environment, and even the shipping is carbon-neutral. They ship for $3.97 worldwide, which is currently just a little over RM13. Nxsa says that it might take a month for the book to reach you though. Read their FAQ.

Feel free to retweet, add options I left out, or leave feedback in the comments section as always.

45. true singapore ghost stories #14, on the LRT

2010-03-09T13:22:00.004+08:00

This photo was taken with my phone, while commuting back home. He's a teenager who's a big horror buff. He's currently reading this famous series by Russell Lee in chronological order, and is obviously a fan.

from the baca@lrt project on 16 January

2010-02-25T16:35:00.001+08:00

photos by reezuan

and you must must must check the official BACA@LRT facebook album with over 140 photos! thanks to Zamri for the link.

44. pryor convictions & other life sentences, in jalan ipoh

2010-02-15T18:26:00.008+08:00

he's getting an x-ray done, for his persistent headaches. Richard Pryor is his favourite comedian. He's sad he never got to see him live, but the book did come with a dvd boxset, gifted by a friend. He says he likes "history books & serious fiction that can make me laugh."

The last book he read was DBC Pierre's Ludmila's Broken English.

Baca @ LRT

2010-01-15T03:07:00.001+08:00

We received an email about a facebook group that looks really exciting. Self-described book lovers are most invited to bring their books to the LRT Terminal Putra at 9:35am. Then everyone will read on the train! It's going down this Saturday, January 16th. Come, and spread the word!

Saturday, January 16th, 9:35am, beginning at LRT Terminal Putra.

43. at dr. cafe, Solaris Mont Kiara

2009-12-30T17:32:00.003+08:00

reading while: at a cafe

He's reading a book in Mandarin, and doesn't know how to translate the title into something I could type out (help?). It's a non-fiction book about a Japanese warrior. His reading habits are 'nonstop': once he's done with a book, he moves on to another immediately. James Clavell's Noble House is his favourite book, and he's also partial to Robert Ludlum.

42. Let The Right One In, in Bangsar

2009-12-30T17:24:00.004+08:00

reading while: friend gets a haircut, 4:53pm

She got the book from a friend who is in the process of transferring her library electronically. She reads pdf books and graphic novels too, and has no medium preference. Before this book, she was reading Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys. She feels her biggest reading accomplishment was finishing Documenta #12, and is partial to reading anything from "depressed white men."

41. Dari Penjara Ke Tampuk Kuasa, at Annexe

2009-12-22T01:25:00.007+08:00

reading while: attending arts event

Spotted while I was leaving the event, this soft-spoken philosophy lecturer reads two or three books a month, and says he's partial to Plato. We had a brief chat about this blog, why I stubbornly keep it up, and the reading habits of our country (or lack of), and other frustrations. I'm glad I caught him.

PS: how tasty is this new X-Large photo feature in Blogger? I love it. Will post photos only in X-Large size from now.

40. The Secret History, KLIA, 1:26pm

2009-10-17T03:18:00.006+08:00

reading while: waiting to board plane

A reader only on occasion but a reader nonetheless, he chooses books such as The Secret History by Donna Tartt; a mystery novel, to read on his vacations. He only fancies murder mysteries and such. Doesn't really have a favorite author but claims to have cycled through a few books in the past years.

happy Deepavali

2009-10-16T19:00:00.002+08:00

ReadKL wishes everyone an awesome festival of lights!

right to read festival, 10-11 October 2009

2009-10-07T16:54:00.007+08:00

click on the image for complete festival schedule!

if this isn't for the book lovers or soon-to-be book lovers then nothing is! The festival looks like heaps of fun; DIY shirt workshop, reading corner, children bookcover art workshops, film screenings and lots and lots of books of course.

bring your book, you might never know who you'll bump into there :)

39. Goblet of Fire, on Star LRT

2009-10-05T19:14:00.015+08:00

reading while: on the LRT

She's a biochemistry lecturer with 800 books in her collection, but rereads the Potter series constantly. Her daughter may write science fiction, but she says if she were to write a novel, it'd probably just be fiction.

38. Pearl Moon, in Cheras

2009-10-01T16:35:00.010+08:00

reading while: waiting for the bus

She's a student who normally doesn't read romance novels. She still prefers her historical non-fiction. But since she's finally gotten this Katherine Stone book back (her friends were passing it around amongst themselves for awhile), she's decided to sit down for a reread while waiting for the bus.

37. The Great Gatsby, on the Putra LRT

2009-08-18T02:50:00.008+08:00

reading while: on the LRT

The first time she's reading this Fitzgerald novel. Since she moved to Ampang, she's always been taking the train. Her favourite genre is fiction, and her favourite book is Captain Corelli's Mandolin, but she didn't like the film adaptation and never finished watching it. She just finished school and will start university soon (probably by the time of this post, since I lost her photos for awhile). In other news, where are all the readers!

(PS: This isn't the first time we've seen Great Gatsby on ReadKL, actually)

36. Persuasion, in Kelana Jaya

2009-03-21T11:32:00.005+08:00

Finally, an update! Photo taken using my Nokia 3120 classic. Caught the wife of my boss reading Persuasion by Jane Austen at our old office last month.

Apparently she reads everything by Jane Austen.

35. The Reason Why She Moved To New York City, at KL Sentral

2009-01-06T04:48:00.008+08:00

reading while: waiting for a friend to show up for lunch

The Reason Why She Moved To New York City is the English translation for this Japanese biography:

The author is a journalist, and this very sweet reader I spotted (also Japanese) loves biographies and journalist writing.

She reads several books like this, in both Japanese and English all the time as part of her anthropological research. When asked for favourites, she recommended Susan Sontag's writing because she respects Sontag's ideas and opinions.

34. You Can Reach The Top, at KL Sentral

2009-01-06T04:33:00.009+08:00

reading while: waiting for lunch

Happy new year everyone! I was stuck in KL Sentral for a few hours yesterday and even though I didn't bring my camera, I thought I'd use my cameraphone and go readKL hunting for 2009. After combing every inch, floor, restaurant and back alley of KL Sentral during peak hour (that's a lot of walking), I still hadn't found anyone who had brought a book out to read.

After what felt like ages, I walked into Secret Recipe and spotted this reader:

She was reading You Can Reach The Top by Zig Zaglar, and was raving about how the book was laid out. She devours motivational books over all genres (although sometimes she reads horoscope books), sometimes up to 3 books a month. They encourage her to think outside the box, and learn to work with children.

She also likes Steven Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

33. A Game Of Thrones, Bangsar, 28 Nov

2009-01-06T04:27:00.007+08:00

reading while: waiting for a friend

The last reader I bumped into for the year. He arrived a little too early so he is reading while waiting. His friend lent him this book, A Game Of Thrones by George R.R Martin. He's enjoying it just fine, and doesn't have a favourite book.

readKL is ready for 2009, are you?

2009-01-06T04:25:00.002+08:00

at last! I know we've been on a long hiatus. Well technically, only I have, since I couldn't find my card reader or charger. As for the other contributors, I wonder if they keep quiet when I do too?

I combed KL Sentral today for two hours (I was stranded) and only found two people who brought books out with them to read. I'm hoping the rest of the year will be more promising.

32. The Medium Is The Massage, at Desa Sri Hartamas

2008-11-20T01:38:00.008+08:00

reading while: waiting for dinner

Bumped into a friend I haven't seen in months, reading while waiting for his dinner. Anyone who knows me would know the inside joke of why I love the title of the book he's reading:

It's an adaptation of a piece of work, a kind of collage documenting pictures, quotes, text inspired by one source. There were a lot of names on the cover so he ran me through them; McLuhan is the author, Fiore is the co-author, and Jerome Agel produced the book, but I'm not sure what that means. He keeps a separate house for his book library (very near to mine, thrillingly).

When I asked him what book he would like to make an adaptation of, he said Nabokov's Lolita. In fact, he's already started!

31. Neighbourhood Tales, at Starbucks KLCC

2008-11-06T00:36:00.007+08:00

reading while: at Starbucks

I think this is the third reader caught reading at Starbucks KLCC. She was reading Dewi Anggraeni's Neighbourhood Tales.

30. Transmission, Berjaya Times Square, Oct 18

2008-11-05T18:11:00.008+08:00

This is going to be a rather narcissistic book spot: myself, & Hari Kunzru's Transmission, at Berjaya Times Square mall. Here's the story:

I tagged along with a loved one to queue up for a limited edition pair of kicks. Since I'm not a sneaker fanatic all I can remember is that it had something to do with Melbourne? Anyway. We had to wait quite a while and the crowd piled up. I didn't even realize someone was taking photos. Yesterday the same loved one messaged me asking is it possible to spot yourself on readkl? I was like "heh?" and he said he found a photo of me reading in the STREEThing forums. I'll make a small exception here only because posting has been very slow lately, and I didn't stage the photo.

I did however take a photo of the cover on my blog at the time I started reading it:

So whoever took this, leave a comment, and I'll credit you :) Here's the forum link again where the original photo was found.

29. The Messenger, in Pudu

2008-10-22T23:06:00.005+08:00

reading while: being early for church choir practice

I became a contributor to this blog this very day. To start off the adventure, I thought I'd see if I can spot any readers during lunch time in OneUtama ... no such luck. Those in the old wing were too busy with the Jusco Sale and the new wing was rather empty. Every person I did catch seated on benches was intently staring into their cellphones. Have you got a book in there?

So much for the first day of being a readkl.blogspot.com contributor, I thought.

But all is not lost.

I did not expect it but in the evening, I was at church to attend choir practice. Still early, one of my friends trudged in, plonked herself on a pew and fished out a book!

There, my first one on my first day:

She was reading Daniel Silva's The Messenger. She told me the book is pretty good. I have not been much in the spy thriller genre lately. I must check it out the next time I am at the bookstore.

28. three in a row on the LRT this morning

2008-10-21T12:18:00.007+08:00

reading while: on the LRT

I found this in my inbox a few minutes ago. A reader June sent it in around 9am and said that she found not one, but three people reading in a row on the LRT this morning!

They are reading (left to right)

A Shopaholic book
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Deception Point by Dan Brown

June wrote:

I was happy to spot three readers in a row. :) I think the two girls may know each other, but the other guy was definitely a stranger to all.

However she didn't ask for permission (hmmm) so if you're one of these readers and would like to have this photo removed, do say so. Thanks June for being a spontaneous contributor! It would be great if more people were like you (but, you know, asked for permission as well).

in which we get spotted!

2008-10-14T21:29:00.004+08:00

Thanks to Gabey Goh for the soft copy!

ReadKL makes the news!

2008-10-14T14:59:00.003+08:00

Want to spot us for a change? We're hiding somewhere in today's Malay Mail paper! (Tuesday, October 14)

edit: if anyone could scan the page for us, that'd be great. the online link to the article is here but it lacks Uzair's shot and the accompanying Sonya article.

27. The Rough Guide To Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, at KLCC

2008-10-06T13:41:00.020+08:00

reading while: at Starbucks

It was 8am. The first time i've woke up this early in months. Trying to change my vampirism habit. Anyhow, around 10 I decided to head out to KLCC. Since my college is only 5 minutes away by cab I usualy go there on a regular basis for a bite or read. The place doesn't have much to offer if your a regular Malaysian who's seen the former tallest towers in the world and walked the pavements along the symphony fountain almost everyday. But for this 35 year old tourist from England, it has to much give.

I was having a drink at the outdoor Starbucks while reading when I spotted him. He was quite drawn into the book. Reading intently on various articles of the best tourist attractions and maps I suppose. At first I hesitated since it wasn't actually a novel or so. But still it was a book nonetheless. So I approached him and asked him for an interview. He was open enough to accept my invitation with a wide smile. He was reading "The Rough Guide To Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei" and just arrived yesterday. Quite the coincidence. Stated his reasons of coming being of pleasure. He was reading the book since he's pretty much lost around here. He found various places through it and had made lots of color indicated bookmarks in it. After a little small talk here and there I took my leave.

Oh by the way, the book that I was reading was "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. It's quite an interesting read. Just bought the book. I've heard reviews from my friend's saying it's very heart rending. Do check it out. And hei, this is actually my first post for this site. Thank you for reading. ;)

26. Asian Godfathers, at Mont Kiara

2008-10-01T18:41:00.005+08:00

reading while: at a cafe

for the first time ever, i'm blogging from my phone! I spotted this guy while on a raya break. He's reading this book to study how Asian businessmen become so successful. It's part of his plan for world domination.

He only reads non-fiction these days. He dropped the habit of reading fiction about five years ago because he felt he couldn't relate to it enough.

Food for thought: Do your reading choices gravitate to one particular genre too? How differently do you relate to fiction vs. nonfiction? Feel free to answer in the comments!

bonus: reading in bed

2008-09-17T18:34:00.008+08:00

I don't know about the other contributors, but I've been having no luck lately finding anyone reading out in public. So to celebrate my frustration, I include the song Reading In Bed for your listening pleasure. Download it here! It's a brief and beautiful song by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton. Sometimes it's hard to explain how appropriate this song feels to me. Anyway, ReadKL wishes all its readers happy Ramadan!

25. The Silmarillion, on the LRT

2008-09-09T23:31:00.018+08:00

reading while: on the LRT

Sorry about the (very) blurry pictures! I was using my camphone to begin with, and apparently I can't take decent pictures in a moving train :(

Anyway, she is reading The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. She just came back from her brother's place and "borrowed" the book from him. She said that the first time she tried to read The Lord of the Rings was a bit too heavy, but after watching the movies she dug up her books to try again. It's quite a lucky thing she did, because now it's one of her favorites! By now, she has read the books around 6 or 7 times. I wanted to ask if she's read The Children of Hurin, but I forgot.

24. The Science of Leonardo, at A&W Taman Jaya

2008-09-09T23:24:00.006+08:00

reading while: eating

She is reading The Science of Leonardo by Fritjof Capra. She reads mostly mysteries and thrillers (especially books by Grisham, and Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code), as well as the occasional chick lit. While the book she is reading is about Leonardo Da Vinci, it focuses more on the science/physics during the renaissance era than Da Vinci's art. She says it's interesting because it explores his work as a scientist.

23. Last of the Wilds, at A&W Taman Jaya

2008-09-09T23:16:00.010+08:00

reading while: at A&W after school

This is at an A&W branch, near the Taman Jaya LRT station. She is reading Trudi Canavan's Last of the Wilds, which is the second book of the Age of the Five trilogy. She is a fan of Trudi Canavan's, and have already read the Black Magician trilogy. She loves to read, and reads around 2 to 3 books a week.

22. Setulus Cinta, KLCC

2008-09-09T23:10:00.006+08:00

reading while: on work break

I was already going back to work when I noticed this girl reading in the dressing room. She is reading Setulus Cinta by Siti Farrah Shahwir. She wraps her books in brown paper, so I can't really take a picture of the book cover, but you could see the cover and synopsis (in Malay) here. She reads a lot of novels in Malay, and is just starting on this one.

21. Shugo Chara! #1, at KLCC

2008-09-09T23:00:00.006+08:00

reading while: on lunch break

This colleague is reading Shugo Chara! volume 1. She reads a lot of manga, mostly of the shojo (targeted towards girl readers) variety. Since she has time to kill during lunch breaks, she has been trying out various manga that she finds interesting.

20. Lullabies For Little Criminals, at KLCC

2008-09-09T22:49:00.012+08:00

reading while: fasting during lunch break

Since it's Ramadhan, I've caught several colleagues reading in the pantry instead of eating! She is reading Lullabies For Little Criminals, by Heather O'Neill. She bought this book from Bookxcess. She is just starting it so she didn't have that much to say about the book, except that she's liking it so far.

19. The Da Vinci Code at Central Market Annexe

2008-09-04T21:43:00.007+08:00

reading while: at an arts event

Was waiting to perform at Merdeka Cafe, for the Art For Grabs bazaar, when I spotted this woman in the audience reading in between sets.

It's the first time she's reading it, because she's already seen the movie and wanted to compare. She's a lecturer of art and design, so the art in the novel really interests her. The book is hers and she is a Grisham addict.

PS: forgot to add, I wanted to ask her if she could write a novel based on any piece of art, which would it be, because by then I had to go prep for performance. So let's leave it an open question:

Which piece of art would you write a novel around/about?

technical difficulties.

2008-09-02T06:38:00.001+08:00

I spotted someone on the 31st, but still can't spot my memory card reader. Please hold, folks.

18. Emma Brown, at KLCC

2008-08-26T20:23:00.006+08:00

My friend was saving a table for us while I buy lunch. When I came back I found her reading Emma Brown by Clare Boylan. She bought this book at the Kinokuniya bargain buy promotion last week - how lucky!

She usually reads historical or horror novels, and had been a fan of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre since her school days. So she was happy to find this book, and was immediately drawn by the description on the back cover. She is just starting on the book, and says that she loves it already!

17. One Hit Wonder, at KLCC

2008-08-26T20:10:00.006+08:00

Caught reading Lisa Jewell's One Hit Wonder in the staff locker/dressing room. She is fasting, so she reads during her lunch break. She likes to try different kinds of books, and bought this book from Kinokuniya' bargain buy promo last week.

While she reads different types of books, lately she is trying out more popular women's literature (chick lit). This is her first time reading Lisa Jewell and she's enjoying it very much.

16. Into Thin Air at KL Sentral

2008-08-25T10:24:00.006+08:00

This is my friend who sat beside me for a good more than 15 minutes for the Reading While Waiting Project. He was on the way to another appointment but then called me up, and said he'd join us first.

Perhaps, reading the book in his hand contributed to the last minutes adventurousness? :-) Metaphorically, I do think reading does open up the mind to unlimited adventures.

15. Read While Waiting Project, KL Sentral, Aug 23

2008-08-25T01:48:00.011+08:00

I couldn't attend the Read While Waiting Project, and Uzair also had undisclosed difficulties. But amazingly enough, we have a few anonymous email contributions for this blog! Sorry I'm not using all of them, since I prefer photos where what they're reading is clearer. As for photos of the general flashmob, they're a Google search away. I have my own opinions on flashmobs here in Malaysia but I won't go into that. However, I do think reading while waiting is the only way to wait. And to be a sport, here is one general photo. Just one ok!

Here's a submitted write-up of the event:

Random Alphabets organised another event that brought people of Kuala Lumpur together to do the same thing for specified time at specified location. This time, they brought a book and read it for fifteen minutes (or at least pretend to read) at KL Central.

Some were already reading before 3PM (the time they're supposed to start) and the rest were lingering around. At 3PM the people near KFC got together and sat in a circle to read their books. The patrons ignored their chicken for a moment to figure out what was happening. Meanwhile, those between the KTM entrances stood still and began to read their books. Sharon Bakar and Marina Mahathir were spotted in the crowd as well.

Read While Waiting Project was done for a good cause and it was a great way to create awareness but let us not stop there. We don't have to wait for another random flash mob to pick up a book again.

- Anon.

And here's a submitted entry, readkl style!

She's an events coordinator, reading Lady Friday by Garth Nix while waiting for the Read While Waiting Project to kick off. She was disappointed that not many came to KL Sentral to join the cause. Perhaps she was comparing it to the previous event (KL Freeze) also by Random Alphabets which attracted hundreds of KLlites to participate.

- Submitted by Anonymous Ah Chong.

And here are a few books people chose to bring to the flashmob (the ones I could make out, at least):

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder (lovely author. My favourite book of his is Solitaire Mystery)
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray
The Rape Of Nanking by Iris Chang
a book in Chinese which I can't make out
When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris, which I mentioned in my previous post!

Thanks to the anonymous submissions (although I wouldn't be surprised if it was just one person, hmm) and hello to the new contributors I just approved! Can't wait to see who and which book you spot next.

14. From KL Sentral to Pudu Raya

2008-08-24T23:41:00.005+08:00

Nope, he was not at KL Sentral to join the Reading While Waiting Project. But he did it anyway!

This pakcik ("uncle") was reading while waiting before heading off to start work at Pudu Raya.

Nothing beats reading the good old newspaper, right? :-)

*Update from Sivin: Apologies to all ... perhaps I was overexcited. The focus should be on books, not on newspapers or magazines. Thanks Ari for the reminder! I will leave the post on though at least for the pakcik's gaya! *

nothing to do with spotting people reading, but...

2008-08-23T03:06:00.004+08:00

If you haven't gone treasure-hunting at the Times Warehouse Sale in Hartamas Shopping Center, you should. In fact, you must. I went absolutely berserk there (and now I starve for the rest of the month). Here's my value-for-money grab:

The new fabulously funny David Sedaris book When You Are Engulfed In Flames is 30% off only during sales period, then goes back to regular price. The cheapest book in my grab is Jonathan Coe's 9th & 13th which was MYR1.50. I'm bad at math, but I think my total was an average of MYR14 a book. It's really, quite ridiculous.

Read While Waiting Project explodes later today! I can't make it after all, but Uzair will be there to hunt for you and your book.

PS: contributor positions are always open. I'll approve posting authorization, but your name won't be listed on the sidebar till you've posted!

13. 3 Kids and a Book at Westin Hotel

2008-08-22T15:32:00.009+08:00

What do you do before the doors open for the wedding dinner to start?

How about sitting on the floor and read while waiting?

This is what three children did on 12 July 2008 Saturday. It started with one, then another joined and one more!

12. The Law Of Probability, at KLCC

2008-08-21T20:28:00.005+08:00

I was about to walk straight back to the train station after lunch at KLCC, but I decided to take a little detour around the park and see if anyone was reading. This was the only guy I could find, in Starbucks.

Turns out he's Korean and is in town for a summit of some kind. He's reading a Korean book on the Law Of Probability, and he also likes to read economic books. I really like the cover.

11. a Chinese history book, on the train

2008-08-21T20:15:00.007+08:00

She was very shy about being photographed, but she told me it was a book on Chinese history, and although she does read English, she prefers Chinese literature.

Does anyone know what this says?

10. at Masjid Jamek, 3:25pm

2008-08-21T20:07:00.002+08:00

She was on the other side of the train tracks, READING, and I couldn't do anything about it!

9. Teach Yourself Malay, on the train

2008-08-21T19:43:00.004+08:00

He's a really nice Czech guy who was reading Teach Yourself Malay. I asked him how that was going and he said he's having trouble with pronunciation mostly. He also speaks four other languages and helped me along with my awful German.

Rambutans! I love the cover! He's studying in Universiti Malaya at the moment.

8. The Great Gatsby, at Technology Park

2008-08-21T19:14:00.007+08:00

She's in my biometrics class. Spotted while walking to my car after class ended. She was probably waiting out the rain.

Yes sir, she's reading The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald. And not only that, but a fantastic vintage copy of it. I asked her if it was from the library and she said it was her own. She wanted to read it because she knew it was one of "those books" that everyone read while growing up, and she doesn't want to be left out.

She's currently at Chapter 2. She says she brings a book with her everywhere "or I'd just die of boredom really."

7. junior reader, Hospital Kuala Lumpur

2008-08-20T16:26:00.004+08:00

His father happily reports that he's inherited the tendency to "bring along some reading material" anywhere he goes. He is visiting his grandfather in the hospital, asked for a chair, "and the rest was automatic."

This awesome junior reader was spotted by SivinKit, and I'm posting this on his behalf. If you have any you spotted, email them to me at dizzyfirefly (gmail).

cannot. wait. for. this.

2008-08-18T04:47:00.002+08:00

I mentioned in the sidebar that this little blog would fit perfectly with the Read While Waiting Project. It'll be on the 23rd of August and finally a reprieve from frustrating people-hunting while I run my errands! Tell all your friends about RWP!

spoke too soon.

2008-08-13T13:20:00.002+08:00

Woke up today as sick as all hell. No class & therefore no train ride for me. On a happier note, thank you so much to bibliobibuli for the good word and to peoplereading for considering us as family :)

It's been harder than we thought to find Malaysians reading in public. Does this or does this not surprise you?

6. Twilight, last one backstage

2008-08-12T19:32:00.008+08:00

There's been a lot of hype about Meyer lately with Breaking Dawn coming out to internationally abysmal reviews. I haven't read the series myself, but she bought this book to "see what the fuss was all about." She is currently at page 432, and says the book is "okay lah" and she can see why teenagers love it. She describes the book as "fluffy, and the writer takes this much of the book to build up the plot,"

She just started on it yesterday and says she's the type who likes to read three books at one time.

PS: tagging along with a classmate tomorrow while he runs his errands in KL. I'll be on the train. Bring your book!

5. 100 Minutes To Change The World, backstage yet again

2008-08-12T19:22:00.007+08:00

I know there's a lot of theatre posts here, but it's only because I've practically been living backstage the past week as part of a 10 minute play festival. My part is over for now, but I still have one more post from backstage after this! It's starting to look almost staged (pardon the pun), but I swear to you, it isn't. I was in the dressing room, & the girl from two posts back asked me to check out the Green Room cause she saw a few people reading. Like her:

(Maybe in conjunction with the 10 minute play festival), she was reading a small book of 10 minute local plays from the website Kakiseni. None of them were staged at the festival but I remembered getting this from free from them a few months back.

Like him, it wasn't her book but she found it lying around the Green Room. It's a collection of scripts and she likes what she's read so far. Her favourite book is Princess by Jean P. Sasson, and she mainly favours women biographies. "But I'm not a feminist though."

4. Joy Luck Club, backstage again

2008-08-12T18:46:00.005+08:00

He is reading Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. He says he might not even be really reading it. Just found it lying around backstage. The last book he "properly" read was months ago: Casino Royale.

3. Do They? in a KLPAC dressing room

2008-08-08T23:57:00.005+08:00

I didn't spot her with a book the first three nights, but by the fourth night when I entered the backstage dressing room to get something, I found her reading while waiting for her play to start.

There was considerably less chaos backstage by then, enough for her to get back to her reading, which in this case happens to be They Don't Get It, Do They? by Kathleen Kelley Reardon.

Purchased from a flea market. She buys her books secondhand or from the discount bin, since they cost a lot more "fresh from the store." Prefers non-fiction, like self-help, linguistics, or anything to do with gender roles in society. The chapter she's currently reading focuses on how women & men handle intimidating office talk.

If she reads in 1-2 sittings, it takes her 2 days to finish a book. But since she squeezes reading into any free time she has, each usually takes 2 weeks.

2. Beyond The Dark Portal at KL Sentral

2008-08-08T23:47:00.001+08:00

I was in such a hurry in KL Sentral that I almost missed this man, presumably with a Subway sandwich in his belly:

I didn't have much time to take a photo, because most of it was spent asking him if I could take a photo. He is reading World Of Warcraft: Beyond The Dark Portal. Not only is he an avid fan of the game, he also is a collector of the book series as well as "other science fiction stuff". He also likes Tom Clancy.

1. a Buffy comic at KLPAC

2008-08-05T21:28:00.001+08:00

There is a lovely mini library in the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPAC). Bibliobibuli mentioned this cosy & free reading corner in 2007. Some of the books are a little scarred from surviving a Dataran Merdeka flood, but there are definitely gems. I found a rare Piccolo cover of one of my favourite books in the whole world:

And I also found her, reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer; The Long Way Home:

But not from the library shelves. Comic book, graphic novel, call it what you want. This is the second series she reads, her favourite being Dragonball. But she also reads "proper" books, like fiction. She admits to being a sappy romantic who likes Nicholas Sparks (her favourite is The Rescue).

PS: I've been told the library counter also sells Maggi noodles for RM1.80 (hot water included!) to snack on while you read. You can bring your own snacks of course.

about reading.

2008-08-05T03:18:00.010+08:00

some of my favourite quotes about reading.

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”

- Mason Cooley

“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture.
Just get people to stop reading them.”

- Ray Bradbury

“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”

- Mary Schmich

Prologue.

2008-08-05T02:47:00.001+08:00

Drawing inspiration from peoplereading, future posts on this website will feature the books people are reading in the city, with focus primarily on the book and the person's book stories, rather than the name or face of the person (although some photos will have faces, I suppose).

A National Library survey said that only 13% of 27 million Malaysians read books. Come into the light, where we can see you :)