The Unread

I love books. I love magazines. I have them in my bedroom, bathroom, car and everywhere I exist.

So you'd think I love to read, too. I thought I love to read, too. But if you love something, wouldn't you make time for it?

I say I've bought too many books and magazines yet have really no time to read them. So they keep piling up. Last I checked, I have 2½ cupboards full of books and magazines unread. That's not counting those I have piled up by my bed and in front of my lazy cushion.

The Unread

Everytime I look at them, I keep thinking, what if I die tomorrow? Kesian all of them. So much to give and yet no one to appreciate them.

Not that I act as if I appreciate them. Everytime I bought each of them, I'd gaze upon it like I've discovered a new wonder and I'd pay for it at the counter with bated breath, as if I can't wait for our own quite moment together. And on the way home, I'd be so pleased and happy with my purchase, like a child delighted at finding a new toy.

And then what happens? They get chucked into the bookshelf and be filed under 'When I Have Time'.

I tell myself it's because I work with words every day. When you are confronted, enveloped and exasperated by words all the time, the last thing you want to do in your free time is meet them again.

But it's a reluctant avoidance. Like a self-imposed separation from someone you love. You feel you are seeing too much of them so you keep your distance. But you keep thinking of them all the same and you know the love is there for good.

(Wait, this entry is still about reading!) I know I have a problem but I'm just too lazy to solve it. I know I have to start reading them some time soon and curb my book/magazine spending but aiseh, so susah one.

I can spend a couple of hours in a bookstore easily - I can't say the same for any kind of store. I mean, if I'm looking for a pair of shoes or a top, sure I can spend an hour in and out of shops looking for it. But two hours straight in MNG or Blook? I don't think so.

Every country I visit, I must go to a bookstore. I especially love secondhand or used bookstores (secondhand or used here refers to the books, not the store - but you know what I mean).

So far, the best choices are the ones in Australia - prices are affordable, the selection wide and varied. India has good, cheap books (their reading culture is amazing!) and UK, of course, has the BEST selection in terms of obscure, hard-to-find titles (but the exchange rate is murder).

I haven't had the chance to explore the US for books (the last time I visited was 10 years ago) but going to the US itself is also murder. Over 20 hours on a plane? Unless it's business class, tak apa lah.

I envy Singaporeans for having Borders (I have a mind to write to Borders US and ask whether I can start the franchise in KL for them) but the prices there are bit pricey. Might as well order from Kinokuniya KLCC and wait a while.

But things aren't too shabby in KL either. We now have Kino, MPH in Midvalley (and the MPH Megastore in Phase 2, One Utama is not too bad either) and there's the nice Popular Bookstore in Ikano Power Centre, where you can get very good discounts for the latest bestsellers.

I like.

Note: I think I have to get So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson.