THEME: MOTIVATIONAL STORIES

Hey everyone, Once again it is time to introduce our theme of the month! *drumrolls* MOTIVATIONAL and INSPIRATIONAL STORIES We all have our uniques and personnal source of motivation in our lives; be it our family, a dream, your friends or even a childhood hero. Motivation is what drives us to achieve our goals and become who we are destined to be. That's why this month it is going to be all about motivation; being motivated and giving motivation to everyone around us. We have suggested a couple of books that are real page turners for everyone who wants to find inspiration or as a source of entertainment for leisure. *The Alchemist by Paulo Caelho *Free Fall by Amber Lea Easton

*Death: Living to talk about it by Brian M. Hayden *Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn

*I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak From a story of "A young 19 year old man is challenged by an unknown benefactor to become a better person, by helping those around him. One can't help but fall in love with the book's theme: that happiness is a destination reached by doing good things for others." To Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece tells the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. Always remember to love life friends!!

The Three Musketeers (BOOKReview #5)

THE THREE MUSKETEERS!! By: Muhammad Iqbal

Originally written in French as Les Trois Mousquetaires, and written by Alexandre Dumas. The Three Musketeers is set in 17th century France and recounts the tale of d’Artagnan, who left home to go to Paris to join the Musketeers of the Guard. That being said, d’Artagnan is not one of the musketeers of the title; the honor belongs to his comrades Athos, Aramis and Porthos. The three inseparable friends live and die by the motto “all for one, one for all”. The story starts off to a very sluggish start, taking the span of about 10 chapters to establish the major characters, setting and plot. It does get boring at first, but once the characters and main plot is established, the story drives itself well.

Although the book bears the title “the Three Musketeers”, it did take a while before the aforementioned characters make their presence known and felt throughout this book. My peeves are that it suffers a bit from too much lesser characters making too frequent appearance or mentions, and the exposition, not to mention too little fancy sword-duels despite being a book about swordsman. The setting and the tone of this book, in my opinion, is what makes this a classic. Political themes involving the cardinal, Richelieu , Milady de Winter and the “scandal” involving the Queen, Anne of Austria are the driving force of the story. The book captures the corrupt political agendas and tug-of-war of power and influence of the late 17th century France. These dark themes are well supported by backstories of the Three musketeers. As is the title, the gray past of the musketeers connects the dots and links up the story, making it whole. The dark aspect of the book is balanced well with the vibrant youth of the protagonist d’Artagnan and the colourful personas of the brave Athos, gentle Aramis and the gleeful Porthos. This book was originally in French, but the English adaptation does well to capture the uniqueness of the French language. This book is a tough read to digest since it is mainly in mid-18th century English and the grammatical structures and syntaxes maybe difficult for those who are uninitiated or not used to it. I highly recommend this book for those who are interested in the behind the curtains view of how 17th century government work (not much different from today), swashbuckling action or have a lot of spare time, since it may take a while to finish. ANOTHER GREAT REVIEW FROM A TRUE BOOK LOVER, There's more to come!

The Library Coffee Bar- BookLovers Getaway#2

Evening! A fellow member recommended this beautiful book cafe and we decided to check it out, We are really excited and can't wait for it to be finally opened in Sunway Pyramid! THE LIBRARY COFFEE BAR, SUNWAY PYRAMID

We had to go all the way to KL to check it out, but we're please to say that one will be opened in Sunway soon. So, when you feel hungry, stressed out by the non-stop assignments that keeps coming your way, we say; PUT THAT ALL ASIDE AND ENJOY A MEAL AND A GOOD READ. It's really great to see that more and more book cafés are opening up in Subang Jaya. In our humble opinion, book cafés are a really great place to let your imagine run wild and spend quality time with your friends. It goes without saying that it brings our society, one step closer to high quality living and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

DISCLAIMER; Pictures were taken from The Library Coffee Bar Facebook page and we are not promoting/gaining anything from this post. It's just our honest opinion. Regards, Have a wonderful weekend!!!'

Quiet - The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking

Book Review #4 Written by, Lam Thian Yin Quiet - The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking

In this book that takes focuses on the people that we tend to neglect most of the times , or what society is moulding us into avoiding , author Susan Cain reveals some shocking facts about introverts and how significant their impact is on everyday life. Susan rose to become a global icon after her TED talk on the power of introverts went viral on YouTube , hitting the mark of 2.5 million view worldwide just recently. She spoke on how every 1 out of 3 people in the world were quiet introverts , and how American society were treating them as outcasts , because as like many other things , we shall learn how American culture is , and how it rose to become the world's most extroverted nation. Ten years in the making , Quiet focuses on the science behind what makes introverts introverts , using famous people such as Steve Wozniak ( Apple's co-founder ) and Al Gore ( Former American vice-president ) as great examples on introverts who have left their mark on the world , and the basic mechanisms of working with introverts at work , at home , and during day-to-day interactions. Quiet also shares an interesting bit on how Asian culture differs from Western culture in their favoritism towards being introverts. Of course , we as Malaysians know far better as to what that means. Being in America twice myself , I have seen true examples of extroverts - energetic , vibrant , big risk takers , but on the other hand , big talkers who act before they think , sometimes for the worse. Of course , there is never a universally correct or wrong way to live life , and being an extrovert does not necessarily mean that you're a person with all muscle and little brain. Acting before thinking can be seen as taking up opportunities and trusting oneself to fulfill them. What Quiet focuses on is how to create balance , how to create ambiverts which are said to have the best of both worlds. They know how to control when to be extroverted ( such as in taking up challenges OR public speaking ) and when to just stay true to their introverted nature ( such as in one-to one interactions where introverts are much better at ).

Although it might seem that everyone is able to be an ambivert in a utopian world , but sadly it is easier said than done. Most people aren't born ambiverted , so it is not worth it to become something that is not true to our nature. Quiet instead focuses on how introverts are to survive in the modern age since they seem to can't get a word in edgewise. One of the solutions put forth by this book is to be what is called a pseudo-extrovert , which is to learn how to stand up for oneself in corporate environments , or basically , be more extroverted to make sure they don't lose out in the climb towards the top of the corporate ladder. Yet once they reach home , it is important that they return to their natural introverted state of being. This is because the science of human behavior as also stated in Quiet has shown that people who live outside of their own true character for far too long tend to have higher stress , are more prone to migraines , cardiovascular diseases , etc. Please don't be mistaken that Quiet is a book on how to be manipulative and win in life. To me , it has given me a whole new perspective towards introverts. Instead of shunning them , I open myself to talking and interacting with them , and believe me , introverts are so much more fun to talk with. They are great listeners and also speak with intellect and heart. I believe that with the power of introverts and extroverts working together , some famous pairs being Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak ( co-founders of Apple ) as well as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. , miracles can be created.

Poll; Slytherine Wins!!

Our First poll has closed, thank you for everyone who voted and the Winner of "Fav Harry Potter Team?" is SLYTHERINE!!

Safe Haven #3

Safe Haven BookReview#3 Salutations everyone!! Here's yet another great review of a great book! And this time is by our very own TCSJ Readers'; See En

Title: Safe Haven Author: Nicholas Sparks Another amazing book for all the Sparks fans!! It's kind of emotional and depressing at the beginning of the story but still it has a happy ending. It's more than a love story. Katie was a pretty, mysterious young woman who attracted a lot of attentions from the people when she first moved to North Carolina. She always avoid herself to be too comfortable that she may begin to let down her guard. Alex, former detective, noticing Katie's dissimilar from her habit and gesture never give up on her although she never mentioned about her dark secret. Struggling between her past experience and new relationship with Alex, she started to put in effort to be attached to his family. I love the way they started their relationship, so natural and easy without understanding. I also loved reading about her interactions and relationship with the kids. The secret eventually uncovered when her abusive husband, Kevin came to find her!!! That's the climax of the story! It was so interesting when Kevin followed Katie's traces. Till now, when I reread the story, I still feel nervous reading that part. I will leave that part of the story for you to explore XP. .It's kinda like hard to predict, so it's really meaningful and highly recommended to all of you! What inspired me most is that love can heal any hurts!!! LOVE LIFE AND SHARE ALL YOUR HAPPINESS WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE Here's to many more wonderful reads!!

Welcome Wagon (First General Meeting)

Evening fellow book lovers and New members of TCSJ Readers' Club!!

Thank you for everyone who joined our first General Meeting today, As you all know, today is a general meeting so we had to discuss all the technical stuff and plan our upcoming events! But, wait!! Our normal meetings aren't like that! Please come for our next meeting where we will begin playing games, get to know each other more and discuss about our theme for the month CLASSIC LITERATURE!! PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT and SHARE with us!

The Hobbit (review #2)

Let's embark on a thrilling adventure!!

The Hobbit as written by the fabulous English author J.R.R Tolkien is undoubtedly a flawless masterpiece from the view of TIMES magazine. The first thing came into my mind is the strange name of this book"The Hobbit".So what is a hobbit actually?It sounds like the combination of "rabbit"'and"hole"to me.Gratefully,Professor J.R.R Tolkien solved my puzzles with his clear and detailed description of it. Here’s how Mr. Tolkien introduces his furry progeny in the famous opening lines of The Hobbit: I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded Dwarves. Hobbits have no beards. There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours (chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow naturally leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curtly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it). The chief hobbit of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, savors life as a complacent, middle-aged gentleman…or gentle-hobbit, maybe. He peaceably rests in his peaceable kingdom until one day when he answers a fateful knock on the door. To Bilbo’s astonishment, two dwarves stand on his stoop, expecting to be let in and fed. Two more dwarves soon appear, then two more, and two by two Bilbo’s comfortable, well-stocked home spills over with 13 hooded dwarves, then a wizard—Gandalf. The next thing Bilbo knows, he’s conscripted into this disreputable company and swept reluctantly off on an uncomfortable, despicable thing called…an adventure. The dwarves seek to return to a distant place called The Lost Mountain. They once lived in a happy, prosperous kingdom beneath the promontory, until a terrible dragon, Smaug, moved in, stole their treasure (and much treasure from other folks), and drove the dwarves into exile. Now the dwarves intend, with the help of the remarkable wizard, to take back their world and treasure from the dragon. This adventure, an innocent preamble to a tougher and darker Lord of the Rings, brings the traveling troupe through many toils and snares. They’re captured by trolls. Giant spiders catch them too—Tolkien as a child in South Africa got a nasty bite from a giant baboon spider, so we can hardly be surprised that antisocial arachnids often appear in his works. The traveling party makes it through dark Mirkwood, with its oppressive forest gloom, and they make it through goblin-haunted caves under fearsome mountains. They dine with glamorous elf-lords and with mysterious bear-men, get chased up trees by giant wolves, get carried away in rescue by soaring eagles. For a reader who can easily switch on the Suspend Disbelief button, The Hobbit makes for a sheer, ecstatic romp. Something also happens in The Hobbit that turns out to be one of those immortal moments in literature, as memorable as the moment Proust takes a taste of that madeleine in Remembrance of Things Past or when Ahab nails a gold coin to the mast in Moby Dick. Deep in the caves beneath the Misty Mountains, Bilbo finds a magic ring. When the little hobbit slips it on, he disappears, allowing him to become just the sort of stellar burglar the dwarves imagined he would be at the outset of their adventure. Bilbo’s discovery also sets in motion events that make Tolkien a god for readers who love fantasy—the plot of The Lord of the Rings trilogy flows from Bilbo’s ring and all that happens after he has found it.

Hangout Friday!

Sorry for the late post! Our first Hangout Friday recommendation is FULLHOUSE, SUNWAY PYRAMID What a perfect place for one to enjoy a cup of coffee, a tall glass of juice and just read a book! This little cute restaurant is our first recommendation from one of our members who have visited there recently and could not stop talking about it!! A cute little White Garden themed restaurant and cafe which not only can satisfy your hunger but your thirst for good stories as well!

Literature Monday! (#1AsYouGoThroughLife)

Hey Everyone! Allow us to introduce a new segment called Literature Monday. Just a little something to chase the Monday blues away and make you feel inspirational! Feel free to join in the fun a post a poem that suits our theme of the month!!

AS YOU GO THROUGH LIFE! By Ella Willer Wilcox Don’t look for the flaws as you go through life; And even when you find them, It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind And look for the virtue behind them. For the cloudiest night has a hint of light Somewhere in its shadows hiding; It is better by far to hunt for a star, Than the spots on the sun abiding. The current of life runs ever away To the bosom of God’s great ocean. Don’t set your force ‘gainst the river’s course And think to alter its motion. Don’t waste a curse on the universe – Remember it lived before you. Don’t butt at the storm with your puny form, But bend and let it go o’er you. The world will never adjust itself To suit your whims to the letter. Some things must go wrong your whole life long, And the sooner you know it the better. It is folly to fight with the Infinite, And go under at last in the wrestle; The wiser man shapes into God’s plan As water shapes into a vessel.

Review(1) :The Fault in Our Stars

It's finally time for our first book review! Excited? Curious? Well, the first book we're going to share about is THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (Reviewed by ThooCY) Have you ever wondered how you would live your life when you about to die and knows exactly when your expiration date is? Would you spiral into despair and lock the entire world out or would you embrace everything you have and once had and enjoy life to the fullest? Well, this is the thought that probably ran through the mind of the main character Hazel for thousands of times. Hazel, 16 has all sorts of cancer in her body and her lungs isn't working well, at first she was totally depressed and lost all hope in life but she soon decided to accept her life for what it is. She met a boy at the support unit, Augustus and they soon became more than just friends. They encourage each other and spend most of their time together with all the other cancer ill teenagers in that unit. Augustus has a rare bone cancer, OsteoSacroma but has recently had it all clear. Throughout most chapters, Hazel and Augustus was hand in hand going through a roller coaster of emotions filled with life challenges and good memories. Both of them love the same book by the same author and they dreamt to go see him in person one day. So Augustus surprises Hazel by telling her that he still has his wish (the "Wish" that they grant to dying children) from when he had cancer and lost his leg, and he'd happily use it to take her to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten, reclusive author of An Imperial Affliction to find out the last chapter of the book! How sweet!! However when, they eventually met their idol, he was a total disappointment and they felt crushed and lied to. What's worse was the fact that Augustus finally confessed that his cancer has returned and even more serious than before! Through it all, Hazel was strong and stayed by Augutus side till the very end. At the very end, she learns that Augustus wrote her a eulogy that he sent to Van Houten. The book ends with her reading the eulogy, which states that he hopes that she's happy with the choices she made. Hazel says that yes, she is happy. >> To summarise, this touching and heart warming novel has made me realise that LIFE IS PRECIOUS, and it's up to us to decide what to make of all the struggles, challenges and laughter we have everyday. To smile at every obstacle that comes in our way and to keep loving life even when we know how sad the ending will be. I was deeply moved by this story and I'm sure that everyone who reads it will feel the same way.

First meeting of the Sem

Today, we discussed about our plan of events for this Sem, and one of the main highlights of this meeting was the initiating of our book review activity. Each month we will be reviewing and commenting about a book! Let's share our adventure the emotions we feel while diving into the pages and let our imaginations take us on a exciting journey together!! Please look forward to it!!

WELCOME TO OUR ALL NEW CLUB!!

Greetings everyone! Readers' Club is a domain for all book loves and Taylorians alike to spread their passion for reading. Please feel free to leave a comment and help spread news about our club. Hope to see you all soon on our FIRST MEETING OF THIS SEM! Date: 22/7/2014 TUESDAY Time: 4pm-5pm Venue: To be confirmed