Reading List - 2024

I didn't read as much as I wanted or planned to. 

But hey, 2024 is much better than the past 10 years. 😉

The second half of 2024 witnessed the rise of the book nerd that is me. I love it!

1. Perempuan Busana Merah by Ramlee Awang Murshid (RAM)
As usual, RAM is brilliant in linking the stories and holding them together even though the story keeps jumping between reality and fantasy even though the whole story is a fantasy. It maintained my interest, grasped my curiosity, and kept me glued that I finished reading the book in one night, sacrificing my sleep. Luckily, it's just a thin book. Towards the end, it was confusing and uninteresting to me. The ending stressed me out. I don't like it. Hmmmphhhh... It's not my cup of tea.

2. Dari Lembah Cita- cita ~ Pedoman Perjuangan Anak Muda by Hamka

Hamka's writing is always a few levels higher than the Bahasa Melayu that I'm used to. All his writings, literature or not are always literature-like. The way he arranged his sentences and even the words in his sentences challenged my simple mind. I wish I could write as well as Hamka. The kind of writing that inspires even through one simple sentence. 

Anyway, this book serves as a guideline on how to accomplish our ambitions. Learning from someone like Hamka, means that your path to success is guided by Islamic values and keeps you on the guided path. 

3. Pirate - Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell

Clive Cussler again successfully served me the actions & adventures that I craved for. But after a while, I got bored reading the story about people running around chasing treasures. Maybe I was not in the mood for a story about being chased by thugs.

4. One Day - David Nicholls

Some books immediately grabbed my interest right from the first paragraph. This book is one of them. Some books made me want to skip lines, paragraphs, pages... and sometimes chapters. Just so I can finish reading it faster. This is not one of the books.

Some books have been adapted into movies or tv series. So, I figured ok that's enough. No need to read the book anymore. Watching the movies or the tv series is enough. This book is not that book.

You'll get hooked on this book immediately from the first page.

This book has been adapted into both a movie and a tv series. 

I watched the movie and thought, gosh... why so sad.

I delayed watching the tv series. But when I got to it, I bawled my eyes out and got depressed for almost 2 weeks watching the last episode over and over. Leo Woodall is so good in the tv series. He's the reason for my depression! Grrrr... His acting was excellent. Reminds me of James McAvoy. I wish him opportunities to shine even brighter.

Then I decided, I needed to read the book. I need to know more about what happened between Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew. Maybe once I know more, I'll be less sad because the story of two people having the chance to spend only two happy years together after ten years of misses is so very sad. 

I'm still sad after reading the book. I feel like kicking Dexter Mayhew after I finished reading chapter 3... urrrgghhhhhhh....

But not sad, sad. Happy sad? 

Gosh, I need to improve my vocabulary. 

David Nicholls, you're too good at this. 

I hope my novel will be as good as this. 

I must read more... *sigh*

Favourite Quotes from Star Trek Enterprise

 

Bridgerton Season 3: What do you think?

I think, I'm loving the sweet love stories. Colin Bridgerton & Penelope Featherington, Francesca Bridgerton & John Kilmartin. 

Although I do not understand why each couple didn't get a season each. 

So many stories crammed into one season. Argggghhhh... messy!

So many unnecessary scenes that I don't think provide any value to the series. 

Benedict scenes... urgghhhhh... Michaela... why?!  *fed-up*

The dresses, the suits, the flowers, the settings... beautiful.

Colin in in the beginning... awkwardly flirting... ewwww... But the glow-up, wow. Then, when Colin tries to redeem his friendship with Penelope, when he is jealous, his tortured heart... him getting angry, being protective, and taking charge... loveeeeee... I feel like Colin is so innocent and forgiving. As Penelope said, he is a good man. That is so true... I almost wish that he found someone better.

Penelope glows up. Love! Is that it? What else do I love about Penelope? Hmmmm... oh yeah, I love that towards the end she finally owned up to her faults and when I finally realized that she was a very successful writer, I was inspired. However, I was unimpressed with Penelope's heavy breathing... her chest up & down non-stop, and after a few times of that, I was fed up again.

I love how Francesca & John, as introverted and quiet as they are, can still be firm and sure about what they want and not afraid to pursue their wishes.

John Kilmartin seriously can make anyone fall in love with him by just his presence.

Francesca Bridgerton can make anyone fall in love with him with her killer smile and sweet voice. And also, by that determined character of hers. Love! You go, girl!

Gosh she's beautiful! As Claudia Jessie once said to Hannah Dodd, "Have you seen you?!"

I love the mothers... Violet Bridgerton especially. How she knows her children and how her advice is always on point. Portia Featherington is no less. She works hard for her family's survival.

Mama Bridgerton always knows the right thing to say...

Mama Bridgerton always knows what's going on with her children. You're always on her radar. No need to throw tantrums...

Mommy Featherington... it's a tough world, but I'm a tough woman. An occasional headache, so what?

Eloise Bridgerton and Cressida Cowper made an unusually good friendship. I love that Eloise finally takes charge of her life and goes looking for some adventures in Scotland.

An enlightening friendship?

Eloise is off to Scotland. Benedict ought to be looking for a better adventure too. 

Lady Danbury... as smart as always. Such a philanthropist.

I slay and I know it...

*****

“I think you should consider yourself uncommonly lucky you have never been in love.”

I was getting mad at Penelope again when Colin said this to Eloise. We still remember Theo Sharpe right. Eloise and Theo were good together. Not ideal considering the difference in their social statuses, but good, nonetheless.

*****

My favourite ball of all. 

The Butterfly ball!

Now Varley, the bugs!
Genius!

*****

"How lucky I am to stand by your side and soak up even a little bit of your light." 

"If my only purpose in life is to love a woman as great as you, then I will be a very fulfilled man indeed."

You are a very good man Mr. Bridgerton.
Yes you areeeee...

*****

Arghhhh... this Colin Bridgerton guy is making us set unrealistic expectations again. 

But is expecting a man to be a good man, unrealistic? Not at all 💖

Wishing all of us looking for true love, a true love. 💋 

Until next time!

Lukola theme song

I know they already have their song. But this song keeps playing in my brain every time I see them together. *** I'm not hopping off this delulu train anytime soon ***

💘We Could Be in Love💘

🎤 Brad Kane and Lea Salonga

Be still my heart

Lately, its mind is all its own

It would go far and wide

Just to be near you

Even the stars, shining up bright

I've noticed when you're close to me    

Still it remains a mystery.

 

Anyone who's seen us

Knows what's goin' on between us

It doesn't take a genius

To read between the lines

 

And it's not just wishful thinking

Or only me who's dreaming

I know what these are symptoms of

We could be in love.

 

I ask myself why

I sleep like a baby through the night

Maybe it helps to know

You'll be there tomorrow

Don't open my eyes

I'll wake from the spell I'm under

Makes me wonder how (tell me how)

I could live without you now.

 

And what about the laughter

The happy ever after?

Like voices of sweet angels

Calling out our names

 

And it's not just wishful thinking

Or only me who's dreaming

I know what these are symptoms of

We could be in love.

 

All my life, I have dreamed of this

But I could not see your face

 

Don't ask why two such distant stars

Can fall right into place.

 

And it's not just wishful thinking

Or only me who's dreaming

I know what these are symptoms of

We could be in love.

Kuch kuch hota hai... you bet 😉

Bridgerton: Polin or Lukola?

Ok, so four more days before Bridgerton season 3 starts on Netflix. I'm so excited but trying to keep my chill and contain the excitement. Trying unsuccessfully...  

Right now, I need to let these thoughts off my brain...  So, hop on my train and join me on my ride to delulu land.

Since season 1, Penelope and Eloise have been my favourite characters. The best friends who were always there for each other. Eloise is so gorgeous and rebellious; Penelope is so cute and innocent. Both are equally smart. I love that!

Rebellious and innocent 😍

I don't really care for the Bridgerton brothers. I'm not denying the fact that they are all really good-looking. But then, all of the Bridgerton siblings are blessed with good looks and good fortune.

However, since season 1, we've seen something going on between Penelope and Colin. The longing looks between them. How Penelope always cared about Colin and how Colin always protected Penelope. I was hoping for Penelope and Colin to become something more and at the same time realize that they were somehow not ready for that 'something more'.

I'm just noticing that. How did the writers do that? I'm amazed... 

I've got you Pen. Don't you worry about a thing...

The end of season 2 revealed that Penelope is Lady Whistledown (whatttttt???!!!) and Colin said 'I would never dream of courting Penelope Featherington' (Colin! How could you?!)

Can you imagine my excitement when I found out that season three is about Penelope and Colin? 

It's finally time for Pen to rise and for Colin to suffer a tiny little bit for what he said. Heheheee...

I hope season 3 is the time for Penelope to shine, not hold back, to pursue and create her own happily ever after. 

I hope season 3 is also the time for Colin to find whatever he is searching for because since season one he looks like he's been searching for something. 

I'm also hoping that Colin will finally 'find' Penelope in season 3. Poor Pen... Holding in all that feeling. And what a loss for Colin if he couldn't find the happiness that could have been his.

Your dreams are grander than you let on...
My purpose shall set me free... 
You cared for me. You would never forsake me...
So many things going on in one scene. 
Truly, matters of the heart cannot be seen by the eyes.

I've read Julia Quinn's Bridgerton books, but I don't think I've read 'Romancing Mr. Bridgerton'. I didn't know this book was about Penelope & Colin. If I did, I would have grabbed and read the book since Bridgerton first came out on Netflix. 

But, now that season 3 is coming out soon, it's too late for me to read the book. I don't want the book to ruin the suspense of season 3. So, I will just wait here patiently for the day to come.

Pursuing a purpose, together 😍

There are a lot of PRs going on promoting season 3. Nicola Coughlan (Penelope Featherington) & Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton) are all over social media. And oh em geeeee... 

They both looked so good, individually and together. Most of the time, they look unbelievably good & too comfortable together. Their chemistry and friendship brought smiles to my face and cheered up my dull days. Looking at them as an outsider, I couldn't help thinking that there is something more and deeper feelings than friendship between them. Seems like season 3 is both 'Polin' and 'Lukola' stories! How wonderful!

I'm pretty sure, we, the fans who are all aboard riding this delulu train are hoping hard for 'Lukola' to 'find' each other. Just like Polin! 

We can only hope & wish. And pray. Sometimes, wishes do come true. 

In the meantime, I keep 'Lukola' in this delulu land coz in delulu land, magic happens, and dreams come true, and couples who are supposed to be together are married and live happily ever after.

That's what we wish for 'Lukola'. But of course, we still will support them in whatever 'kaibigan' that they wish to be.

Be still my heart... Which kind of 'kaibigan' is this? 

Gosh, I'm deep in delulu land. Why not?! In delulu land, everything is trululu.

Ok enough... bye. I can't differentiate Polin vs Lukola anymore. Not sure which one I ship harder. Hahahaaaa...

I really hope season 3 will not let us down and will live up to the hype of all these PRs. 

May you both find your happily ever after. Hopefully, with each other... 💝 

I sign off skipping further into delulu land. 

See y'all soon!