A few months ago, I chanced upon this seemingly pictorial book - 《再苦也要去旅行》in Popular Bookshop. Was browsing the bookshop and the title and attractive cover of the book captured my attention. It was a travelogue by a Malaysia gal. Wow! travelogue exactly the genre I enjoy reading. I have always lamented that I hardly saw Asia writers, and what's more a female Asian writer from my neighouring country! Somemore the book has lots of pictures, and not so many Chinese words. I hardly if ever buy Chinese book due to poor grasp in Chinese, so it seems a good start. In addition, there were good reviews of the book from the newspaper. It seems though a very popular book as I had to go to several bookshops just to check its availability (out of stock many of times) after I decided to buy it.
Once I bought it, I was hooked on reading it. Through her book, I seemed to be travelling with her. Her journey though was a bit extreme for my standard. Though I had backpacked alone several times, but I still prefer to travel with some comfort, eg stay in a room on my own on guesthouse etc. She slept in dorms and even prefered to sleep at sofa at the guesthouse reception area, camped out alone etc to save costs. Her style of travelling could be something I probably be uncomfortable with. I guess that is the difference between travelling a few weeks for me and travelling a few years for her.
After finishing her book, I realized that there is a earlier travelogues written by her called <<再穷也要去旅行>>, I had to buy it!!! I went to Kino at Orchard and various bookshops only to learn that either they do not carry her earlier book or that it is sold out and I need to order. Being me, I preferred to ask Kino at Orchard every time I am at the area whether new stocks have come in instead of ordering which will probably save me a lot of effort.
Yesterday I was at orchard again with my friend and I suggested to her to go to Kino to look see after our dinner. Haha actually it was because I wanted to check out the book. At the info counter, I asked for the book again only to hear it is not available but new stocks will arrive soon, maybe next week. I was about to finally give my contact but decided on a spur of the moment to ask them whether their other outlets have the book. And Kino at Liang Court actually have one last copy left! Wow this is great! I immediately abandon any plan of shopping further and told my friend that I had to go! The shop will close in one and half hour time. She was somewhat excited too as she had read the later book that I lent her and like it. She said I have to lend her after I finished. Of course, it is such an interesting book! I rushed down and finally got my book!!!! :) Looking forward to reading it.
No comments:
Post a Comment