The books and I

I found a treasure trove!

Well, that’s sort of it, except it’s not very accurate. Imagine some intrepid explorers getting the treasure trove before you and they had the luxury to take their pick. They can’t possibly carry everything (luckily!) so whatever is left are the things that you’re able to salvage. Oh well, still, a treasure’s a treasure, right?

I suppose I should start from the beginning. I like to read, and contrary to the stereotypes (or expectations?) of Cambridge students reading deeply intellectual mumbo jumbo, I only like to read fiction. Yup, no self-help motivational books/ get rich quickly books/ anything that doesn’t involve an interesting storyline for me. Back in the old days (not that I’m saying I’m old, he he), being the secondary school student with low pocket money that I am, my book sources are the library and my friends. Doesn’t stop me from reading a lot, though. I still remember this one time when my entry in the reading competition was totally IGNORED because I’ve won too often, ha ha. This was in 2000, if I’m not mistaken.

Lately, I’ve acquired the habit of going to Borders (which was conveniently located within metres of my room) to check for new releases and bestsellers and then going back to my room and buy them from Amazon. Hey, they’re often cheaper and not to mention you can get nectar points as well. I’m sure it must be frustrating for the manager to know that people like me go into the bookshop, fiddle with this book, touch that book, browse along the shelves for some time, then leave and buy the books somewhere.

Anyway, I bought two books from the Pendragon series at KLCC the other day. Turned out that I finished reading both in four days. Then I thought, if I keep this up, it’ll burn a hole in my pockets. That’s how I eventually ended up at the National Library with Adam, a friend of mine. Just wanna see how the place is, and get hold of a few books that I can’t be bothered to buy.

To be honest, the place is well-equipped… if you’re looking for reference books. Sadly, for fiction books, the ratio of books and empty shelves is about equal. Although in their defense the books must have been lent out. Found some pretty good ones in there… Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time (although book four, the one I’m looking for, is missing so I can’t read any further), the Pendragon series, some Terry Pratchett etc etc. Ended up borrowing Going Postal, which I’ve now finished half already (have to go back there soon). Tried to look for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince but I can’t find any, even though the OPAC system said there are three available. I haven’t read it yet, and it felt wrong to buy the book when you don’t have the first five in the series.

So yeah, the library isn’t stocked up as much as I liked, but oh well, at least it’s something. Furthermore, I don’t think they can stock up too much lest the bookshops’ going out of business, heh heh. Certainly not a grand scale hidden ancient Tut’s treasure, but a treasure trove nonetheless.

Until then, happy reading!

Bibliophilic Yaz.