Uh-oh, guys, I’ve got a real problem here: I’ve gone crazy with the book purchasing for the first half of the year! 😱 My TBR pile is stocking up, yet I couldn’t keep my eyes and hands off books at bookstores—used and new. Today I thought I’d pile up books that I haven’t flip through yet, so I’ll remember exactly how many books are waiting for me at home.
These are books I bought recently—I’ve gone on a crazy binge, y’all!—and one from last year. But they exclude the ones from this post—a few of which I have yet to touch as well. Although there’s no theme to the books I pick, most of these books have been sitting on my TBR for years, and I’m glad to be able to finally find them—secondhand too! Without further ado, here are the books in my TBR for the rest of the year.
Orde Baru OK. Video
Ruangrupa
The first book on this list just so happens to be a borrowed one—specifically, borrowed from Agung. It’s also technically not a book, but a guide that comes as a company to a modern art exhibition back in 2015. The show exhibited a lot of artwork made and inspired by the New Order period of Indonesia’s history—a rather controversial time, if I may say so myself. The aesthetics feels very interesting and definitely inspires today’s urban scene, so I’m very excited to see and read about everything. Agung got this exemplar when he actually visited the show—although it has since stopped recurring, despite being annual beforehand.
Hilbilly Elegy
J.D. Vance
You might recognise this title as a family drama film coming out sometime last year. It was critically debatable, although I personally loved it. The story felt very raw and heart-wrenching—supported by the stunning performances of Amy Adams and Glenn Close. The story, it turns out, is inspired by a true story. I got this copy online from this used-book store.
I think it’s great that books and films of the redneck experience is getting a little more spotlight now—not unlike my favourite eco-fiction, Flight Behavior. I feel like the minority experience isn’t limited strictly to people of a certain race or nationality, but social and economic backgrounds as well. Whatever anyone says, I would say this is a marginalised experience and it will only do us good to learn about it.
Three Cups of Tea
Greg Mortenson
I’ve wanted to read this title for too long—so long that I ended up giving up and took it off my Goodreads TBR—only to find it by pure chance at a used bookstore at Blok M market. I think I got intrigued by this book around the time the Malala incident happened—which sparked a global interest in the Taliban, more than it already has. That included me.
I’m also a great believer that education can help decrease so many of our conflicts and problems, especially girls’ education. Needless to say, this book speaks to me a great deal. What I love most about this book, however, is its cover that, despite it being centered in this one person—a white male, no less, he is not in any of the numerous versions of the cover.
Tirai Menurun
Nh. Dini
Despite getting this book for my birthday last year—which was a long, long time ago—I still haven’t touched it. This book being included here only serves as a reminder to myself to get to reading this copy sometime soon. I mean, Nh. Dini is one of your favourite classic Indonesian authors, for god’s sakes. For more information on this book, please read it here.
Fresh Complaint
Jeffrey Eugenides
Had you been following my blog for a while, you might know that I absolutely adore The Virgin Suicides. With its powerful first sentence, eerie storyline and charmingly to-die-for characters, that book has won a permanent special spot in my heart. To this day, I really don’t believe I’ve ever read something as disturbing and enticing at the same time. So, obviously, I got intrigued by the author who penned that sublime title and I latched on quickly to two more of his works. Earlier I already spoke briefly about Middlesex, but even before I devoured that one, my hand curled around a copy of this number and suddenly I purchased it a Periplus store-wide sale. Will have to give this one a read soon!
A Passage to India
E.M. Forster
A while back, I read this book called Romancing the East, which basically talks about books written by western writers—all white, I think—about Asia, for better or worse. It may include controversial titles such as Memoirs of a Geisha and Platform—both of which I’ve read, although I didn’t finish one—but it also seems to promise good experiences with other titles too—such as Lafcadio Hearn’s overall work of Japan.
Then there’s this title by E.M. Forster. Honestly, it’s been so long since I read the book that recommended me this title that I no longer know if this book lies on the good or naughty list. But I remember it as being a title that I’d wanted to read, so I thrifted it fromChepolita anyway—yep, all the way from Bandung!
Am schwarzen Wasser
Kerstin Ekman
On the same night I bought Three Cups of Tea (mentioned above), I actually purchased this title first. Okay, a little context. Blok M market is basically a modern market whose basement floor is dedicated to antiques and used items, including books. Like any regular market, it is filled with various tenants on each floor. This title, in particular, was bought from a different tenant.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised to find a German book at a used bookstore—I really didn’t expect to. Perfect timing too, since I miss reading German again. I didn’t know the title nor author of this one in advance, but I found out that it’s originally Swedish—and it got me excited, since I love them Swedish books! The bookstore is called Lion Bookstore, but it’s also available online here.
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
Bought at the same bookstore as Three Cups of Tea from Blok M market, this is also another TBR that I’ve had in my Goodreads forever. Frankly, I don’t know who Randy Pausch is, nor do I particularly know what his last lecture was actually about. However, I find myself easily gravitating towards people’s famous last words, so to speak, and this is one such texts. It really helps too that the cover looks very majestic, as if the content holds all the secret of the world. There’s a tiny Dead Poets Society vibe that I get from it, and I’m very, very thrilled to find out. I am reading it as we speak.
Dune
Frank Herbert
Here it is, the masterpiece of the decade, isn’t it? Well, to be frank, this one is the masterpiece of the previous century. I’ve always known about this book, even long before the film was scheduled to be released sometime this year—or next year? I’m not sure—although I know no details on it. The book definitely exudes a post-apocalyptic vibe, tinged with all sorts of sci-fi—I suppose somewhat close to Mad Max: Fury Road.
However, as I believe it, it has such an amazing nuance that no sci-fi stories so far has had. However, what caught my interest most is the fact that this book was written in 1965, imagine what kind of things could have happened within it to make it so timeless—you, know like 1984. So I grabbed it from Belsunhauls—partly annotated—to find out.
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Also bought from Blok M market, this is what I’ve recently finished—literally only 3 days ago. Prior to this book, I recently finished A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which I guess is a major contrast to this dark title I’m diving into. Shakespeare hasn’t always been a natural playwright I gravitate towards, although I suppose I don’t really read plays to begin with.
Starting with Much Ado About Nothing, I somehow kept picking up one Shakespearean play after another—this being my 6th title. The exemplar itself isn’t perfect—the spine is a little bit torn off—but I don’t mind it. Honestly, I find books that are a little broken more attractive, as it stores a lot of memories within and may not be everyone else’s first choice. Check out the review about this play here.
There’s a word for a person who keeps buying books with no intention—or, at least, no urgency—to read them. I think it’s from Japanese and it’s called tsundoku. I know a lot of people like that—ahem, my sister, ahem—but, personally, I never want to be that person. When I buy books, I have every intention to read them from start to finish. It actually saddens and stresses me out to have so many books piling up at the corner of my eye, knowing full well they should be read.
In the past, I’ve been very good with reading one book at a time and only buying more when I finished the ones I already have. In fact, in many instances, I often have to scourge the house for titles I have yet to flip through. Today, though, having easier access to used books—which is the ones I tend to buy the most lately, it gets really hard to resist the urge to purchase them—especially since I earn my own money now.
I suppose, now, compiling books in lists like this definitely helps me keep tabs on what I have and haven’t read. It makes me feel loads better to go through my TBR pile as the year goes on.
What have you been hoarding lately?
Uh-oh, guys, I’ve got a real problem here: I’ve gone crazy with the book purchasing for the first half of the year! 😱 My TBR pile is stocking up, yet I couldn’t keep my eyes and hands off books at bookstores—used and new. Today I thought I’d pile up books that I haven’t flip through yet, so I’ll remember exactly how many books are waiting for me at home.
These are books I bought recently—I’ve gone on a crazy binge, y’all!—and one from last year. But they exclude the ones from this post—a few of which I have yet to touch as well. Although there’s no theme to the books I pick, most of these books have been sitting on my TBR for years, and I’m glad to be able to finally find them—secondhand too! Without further ado, here are the books in my TBR for the rest of the year.
Orde Baru OK. Video
Ruangrupa
The first book on this list just so happens to be a borrowed one—specifically, borrowed from Agung. It’s also technically not a book, but a guide that comes as a company to a modern art exhibition back in 2015. The show exhibited a lot of artwork made and inspired by the New Order period of Indonesia’s history—a rather controversial time, if I may say so myself. The aesthetics feels very interesting and definitely inspires today’s urban scene, so I’m very excited to see and read about everything. Agung got this exemplar when he actually visited the show—although it has since stopped recurring, despite being annual beforehand.
Hilbilly Elegy
J.D. Vance
You might recognise this title as a family drama film coming out sometime last year. It was critically debatable, although I personally loved it. The story felt very raw and heart-wrenching—supported by the stunning performances of Amy Adams and Glenn Close. The story, it turns out, is inspired by a true story. I got this copy online from this used-book store.
I think it’s great that books and films of the redneck experience is getting a little more spotlight now—not unlike my favourite eco-fiction, Flight Behavior. I feel like the minority experience isn’t limited strictly to people of a certain race or nationality, but social and economic backgrounds as well. Whatever anyone says, I would say this is a marginalised experience and it will only do us good to learn about it.
Three Cups of Tea
Greg Mortenson
I’ve wanted to read this title for too long—so long that I ended up giving up and took it off my Goodreads TBR—only to find it by pure chance at a used bookstore at Blok M market. I think I got intrigued by this book around the time the Malala incident happened—which sparked a global interest in the Taliban, more than it already has. That included me.
I’m also a great believer that education can help decrease so many of our conflicts and problems, especially girls’ education. Needless to say, this book speaks to me a great deal. What I love most about this book, however, is its cover that, despite it being centered in this one person—a white male, no less, he is not in any of the numerous versions of the cover.
Tirai Menurun
Nh. Dini
Despite getting this book for my birthday last year—which was a long, long time ago—I still haven’t touched it. This book being included here only serves as a reminder to myself to get to reading this copy sometime soon. I mean, Nh. Dini is one of your favourite classic Indonesian authors, for god’s sakes. For more information on this book, please read it here.
Fresh Complaint
Jeffrey Eugenides
Had you been following my blog for a while, you might know that I absolutely adore The Virgin Suicides. With its powerful first sentence, eerie storyline and charmingly to-die-for characters, that book has won a permanent special spot in my heart. To this day, I really don’t believe I’ve ever read something as disturbing and enticing at the same time. So, obviously, I got intrigued by the author who penned that sublime title and I latched on quickly to two more of his works. Earlier I already spoke briefly about Middlesex, but even before I devoured that one, my hand curled around a copy of this number and suddenly I purchased it a Periplus store-wide sale. Will have to give this one a read soon!
A Passage to India
E.M. Forster
A while back, I read this book called Romancing the East, which basically talks about books written by western writers—all white, I think—about Asia, for better or worse. It may include controversial titles such as Memoirs of a Geisha and Platform—both of which I’ve read, although I didn’t finish one—but it also seems to promise good experiences with other titles too—such as Lafcadio Hearn’s overall work of Japan.
Then there’s this title by E.M. Forster. Honestly, it’s been so long since I read the book that recommended me this title that I no longer know if this book lies on the good or naughty list. But I remember it as being a title that I’d wanted to read, so I thrifted it fromChepolita anyway—yep, all the way from Bandung!
Am schwarzen Wasser
Kerstin Ekman
On the same night I bought Three Cups of Tea (mentioned above), I actually purchased this title first. Okay, a little context. Blok M market is basically a modern market whose basement floor is dedicated to antiques and used items, including books. Like any regular market, it is filled with various tenants on each floor. This title, in particular, was bought from a different tenant.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised to find a German book at a used bookstore—I really didn’t expect to. Perfect timing too, since I miss reading German again. I didn’t know the title nor author of this one in advance, but I found out that it’s originally Swedish—and it got me excited, since I love them Swedish books! The bookstore is called Lion Bookstore, but it’s also available online here.
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
Bought at the same bookstore as Three Cups of Tea from Blok M market, this is also another TBR that I’ve had in my Goodreads forever. Frankly, I don’t know who Randy Pausch is, nor do I particularly know what his last lecture was actually about. However, I find myself easily gravitating towards people’s famous last words, so to speak, and this is one such texts. It really helps too that the cover looks very majestic, as if the content holds all the secret of the world. There’s a tiny Dead Poets Society vibe that I get from it, and I’m very, very thrilled to find out. I am reading it as we speak.
Dune
Frank Herbert
Here it is, the masterpiece of the decade, isn’t it? Well, to be frank, this one is the masterpiece of the previous century. I’ve always known about this book, even long before the film was scheduled to be released sometime this year—or next year? I’m not sure—although I know no details on it. The book definitely exudes a post-apocalyptic vibe, tinged with all sorts of sci-fi—I suppose somewhat close to Mad Max: Fury Road.
However, as I believe it, it has such an amazing nuance that no sci-fi stories so far has had. However, what caught my interest most is the fact that this book was written in 1965, imagine what kind of things could have happened within it to make it so timeless—you, know like 1984. So I grabbed it from Belsunhauls—partly annotated—to find out.
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Also bought from Blok M market, this is what I’ve recently finished—literally only 3 days ago. Prior to this book, I recently finished A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which I guess is a major contrast to this dark title I’m diving into. Shakespeare hasn’t always been a natural playwright I gravitate towards, although I suppose I don’t really read plays to begin with.
Starting with Much Ado About Nothing, I somehow kept picking up one Shakespearean play after another—this being my 6th title. The exemplar itself isn’t perfect—the spine is a little bit torn off—but I don’t mind it. Honestly, I find books that are a little broken more attractive, as it stores a lot of memories within and may not be everyone else’s first choice. Check out the review about this play here.
There’s a word for a person who keeps buying books with no intention—or, at least, no urgency—to read them. I think it’s from Japanese and it’s called tsundoku. I know a lot of people like that—ahem, my sister, ahem—but, personally, I never want to be that person. When I buy books, I have every intention to read them from start to finish. It actually saddens and stresses me out to have so many books piling up at the corner of my eye, knowing full well they should be read.
In the past, I’ve been very good with reading one book at a time and only buying more when I finished the ones I already have. In fact, in many instances, I often have to scourge the house for titles I have yet to flip through. Today, though, having easier access to used books—which is the ones I tend to buy the most lately, it gets really hard to resist the urge to purchase them—especially since I earn my own money now.
I suppose, now, compiling books in lists like this definitely helps me keep tabs on what I have and haven’t read. It makes me feel loads better to go through my TBR pile as the year goes on.
What have you been hoarding lately?