Reading and Dreaming

#Now Playing: The Best of Jason Mraz Album

Hello,

What are you doing for this long weekend? Yeah, tomorrow is gonna be a free Monday for celebrating Chinese New Year or just laying on your bed to say I-Love-Monday! x)

And me, I just finished one book, i mean an amazing book, today. Finally i finished it! Before going back to Malaysia, this is one of goals to be settled. Wohoo! xD~

I bet you guys know this book. After “Laskar Pelangi”, “Sang Pemimpi” and “Edensor”, he wrapped it up beautifully with “Maryamah Karpov”. Tetralogy novels by Andrea Hirata will never make us, the readers, disappointed. Every words inside have their own strength and deep meaning. I was drowned into his imagination to picture how life of dreams is what life should be.

This book tells about Ikal a.k.a Andrea, in a journey to find his true love named A Ling. He met this Chinese girl, A Ling, when he was in primary school, told in first book, Laskar Pelangi. He fell in love at the first sight when he saw beautiful nails of A Ling at the Chalk store where his teacher asked him to buy chalk for class. From that time, Ikal can’t stop thinking about A Ling. Unfortunately, they had to be separated in high school and never met again. Ikal, who totally in love with A Ling, can’t just forget about his love childhood story. He travelled around the world, from France, Russia until Africa, only to find the real A Ling. He wants to meet her, whatever the situation is, even if A Ling has turned to be a different person whom he knew long time ago. Even if A Ling has married with another guy or maybe has passed away.

After finished his study at University of Sorbonne,France, Ikal going back to home. An island called Belitong in Indonesia, is a place to be called home for Ikal. The new chapter of life has begun and new dreams for again, finding his true love. This book shows me that dreams can change only human to be a superhuman. Anything is possible, is totally true. Ikal who never made a ship before, finally can make his dream come true. Then with the ship he sailed to Batuan Island thorugh Malacca strait. He also succeeded to did another impossible mission, met the real pirates of Malay called Lanun, a cruel voyage on the sea, until finally met and brought back his A-Ling. Not only about love it is also shows culture of Malay people, science and absolutely, the inspiration for never stop dreaming.

Another book, called, Red Dust, is also worth it to be spent on leisure time. Ma Jian, the author who travelled around China, described all his journey in this book. Thank you for Lii Na, my lovely flatmate in Tunisia, who recommended me this book. As Connie, my roommate said, “Ulka, you just bring that everywhere. Is it really good?”, when she saw me holding it tightly after going back from office. And even i read it during break at work, before i sleep and until now i haven’t finished it. Hehe  However, Ma Jian has taken me away to the other side of China that makes me want to do the same for Indonesia. His complete explanation and emotion has enriched this book. I really want to write a book like this one, someday. Simply, “Maryamah Karpov” and “Red Dust” are two books to be read, again and again.

Rahasia

Kuberi tahu satu rahasia padamu, Kawan

Buah paling manis dari bermimpi

Adalah kejadian-kejadian menakjubkan

Dalam perjalanan menggapainya

Secret

I tell you one secret, friend

The sweetest fruit from having courage to dream

Is the amazing things

In the journey for reaching it

(From Maryamah Karpov by Andrea Hirata) 

Happy reading,

Chandini