Thinking of the Mockingjay

I had just finished reading the final book of the trilogy The Hunger Games. The story still lingers in my head since this afternoon - right, finished the last few pages in the office, during lunch break! Can't wait any longer - tak tahan! Yea, that's right, I pre-ordered the book online via MPH. It was supposed to be released on the 24th Aug and on the 25th, the book arrived but due to the courier issues and there's no one home to receive the book, I only get the book on the 28th. Nevertheless, it was worth the wait for me. Of course, I had to give way to Aina who was home for the long weekend the privilege to read it first. But while she was reading it, I did stole a few chapters when she took a nap or when she did other than reading or holding on to the book. And finally, I got to read it on Sunday the 29th.

Aina was a bit disappointed with the endings, a bit simple, unsatisfactory. And she demand a continuation, a 4th book! But hey, you can't have the story goes on and on. There's no more hunger games to play and the victors are all scarred and lived with nightmares that was the side effects from the live games and the aftermath.

For those of who who wants to know the story line - read here - http://ulatbukuinthecity.blogspot.com/2010/01/hunger-games.html . This blog gave a good summary of the first book. It really is an entertaining book. Somewhat predictable but with lots of surprise elements as well. I can really feel the bonds that was built between the 2 main characters - Katniss and Peeta, throughout the story. Catching Fire - that's the 2nd book of the trilogy even more engaging which brought the bonds between Peeta and Katniss stronger. The ending of Catching Fire clutched my heart and made me want to read more - can't really wait for the Mocking Jay to appear. I had to wait over 2 months for that. The Mocking Jay was full of war and strategy and gruesome ending of lifes. The twist in Katniss's character is a little bit disappointing but not enough to make you put down the book. She is still the strong , willful girl and full of fights.

Anyway, if you love futuristic , adventure, technology, thriller and a little bit of romance in a story book - this is the series for you to read. It is meant for young adult, but for an "old lady" like me, I can still appreciate them:)

The Hunger Games

I've been drawn into the Hunger Games trilogy...by my daughter Aina. It was .. really really amazing! It didn't look interesting at first but as Aina enticed me into reading it, I had built an expectation. And it didn't let me down. I got drawn into the 2nd book, which I think I finished in a day! And now, can't wait for the Mocking Jay which will come out in the USA and Canada and must be the UK -- on Aina's birthday, Aug 24th. Are they gonna have a pre-order thing in Malaysia too?

Tika Rindu Berlagu...

...My Love for you is deep and true
No matter what you do,
I'll be there for you,
No matter where you go,
I'll always be there beside you,
Till the day I die My love will always stay true to you.

Something happens when you look at me, I forgot to speak, something happens when u kiss my lips, my knees get so weak.

Tq love! Love u 99% Honey Bunny....


I guess I really am an addict to romance novel (English or Malay) but now, I preferred the Malay novel more - it doesn't have all that physical intimacies description that would not be suitable for my teenage girls:-)
I had just finished a new book I bought last week- Tika Rindu Berlagu. Written by Lily Suriani. This is the first book by her that I bought, though its already her third, I think.

I just can't get the main character out of my mind today - this Naim guy who is so funny, "hensem", and who can love a girl just the way she is. The things that he did to get the girl's (who is actually a tomboy but with all a Malay lady's quality except for her clothing and manners) attention and love. He finally made her his but of course there's always things that get in the way before they are finally together and maybe live happily ever after. This is one novel that really touched my heart. It made me stop whatever I was doing at the moment and make me want to finish the novel with quality - meaning, do not skip any word! Yea, I always do that - I would do some speed reading whenever I get impatient and wants to know how it ends. Of course, I always took a peak of what's the ending but that wouldn't make me loose my interest - I would want to know how it gets to that ending!
I love the way she builds the characters - Naim and Adila Yasmin. And how the relationship grows from just a short encounter to many many coincidental encounters. How she (Lily) made use of that coincidences conveniently - Naim as the son of Adila's father's long lost friend, all the "terserempak" at Sogo, at Pasar Malam and how she had mistakenly gotten into his car instead of her boss's. This novel is one who would make you laugh while reading and also cry - i can't recall how many times I cried (I am an emotional person even though its just fictions) and also "geram" with some characters. Another touchy moments when Naim lost his memories including of Adila's - after all the things that he did to get her! But he always remember that he's in love with someone, just do not know who - and then he fell in love with her again for the second time...aaaa.......Every emotional thing is in there. For me now, Lily Suriani now is definitely comparable to the likes of Aisya Sofea, Damya Hanna, Anis Ayuni and Sharifah Abu Salem (writers for Alaf21) and used to be with Alaf21 - Fauziah Ashaari, Puteri Andalas and Aina Emir (ok, I used to ignore her books and bought this one coz I had no other good choice).
Back to the book.....do you know why he said "Love u 99%" and not 100%? I thought its normal la...kena simpan sikit, similar like trust. But what was written next, really melt my heart - "Because I need that 1% to stay alive". There's more lovely quotes inside the book - the ones that Naim wrote when he send flowers to Adila - but I don't want to spoil it by copying it down here:-)
So ... if you're looking for new Malay story book, I totally recommend that you go and buy this book!I definitely will go back Alaf21's book store to get her 2 other books (or maybe I wait until they do their sales again and get 30% off instead of just 15% discount)

Here's the cover page (taken from http://lilysuriani76.blogspot.com)