Thursday, February 19, 2009

Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama


Title: Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Author: Barack Obama
Publisher: Three Rivers Press

“Provocative . . . Persuasively describes the phenomenon of belonging to two different worlds, and thus belonging to neither.” 
—New York Times Book Review

“Fluidly, calmly, insightfully, Obama guides us straight to the intersection of the most serious questions of identity, class, and race.” 
—Washington Post Book World

“Beautifully crafted . . . moving and candid . . . this book belongs on the shelf beside works like James McBride’s 
The Color of Water and Gregory Howard Williams’s Life on the Color Line as a tale of living astride America’s racial categories.”
 —Scott Turow

“Obama’s writing is incisive yet forgiving. This is a book worth savoring.” 
—Alex Kotlowitz, author of There Are No Children Here


My stepfather Lolo said, "Men take advantage of weakness in other men. They're just like countries in that way. The strong man takes the weak man's land. He makes the weak man work in his fields. If the weak man's woman is pretty, the strong man will take her. Which would you rather be? Better to be strong. If you can't be strong, be clever and make peace with someone who's strong. But always better to be strong yourself. Always."

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Vampire...love me oh vampire. haha. so I read Twilight after watching the movie. Comment? Beautiful yet impossible. My heart whispers that it is so freaking wonderful but my mind reminds me it would never happen, beyond imagination. and of course my mind always win. Tooooot ok that's a lie. Heart sometimes do win. Conflict of identity I think. Ok random. haha. It is a page turning story anyway. My apology for rambling ppl  ;) 

When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it’s not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.

Sometimes I wondered if I was seeing the same things through my eyes that the rest of the world was seeing through theirs. Maybe there was a glitch in my brain.

That’s Edward. He’s gorgeous, of course, but don’t waste your time. He doesn’t date. Apparently none of the girls here are good-looking enough for him.

It seemed excessive for them to have both looks and money. But as far as I could tell, life worked that way most of the time. It didn’t look as if it bought them any acceptance here.

No coffins, no piled skulls in the corners; I don’t even think we have cobwebs… what a disappointment this must be for you.

Do you remember when you told me that I didn’t see myself very clearly? You obviously have the same blindness.

Yes, it is enough. Enough for forever.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

Oh yeahhh say hello to our new kindle. USD359. Expensive i would say! but ooo-my-gosh..it is freaking awesome. hmmph. USD359. Compared to older version, Kindle 2 has seven times the memory of original version, turns pages faster and has a sharper display. It also feature a new design with round key and short, joysticklike controller. and oooh cheaper books!! *I'm definitely updating my wishlist*


Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback
Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images
Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging
More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books
Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns
Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you
Large Selection: Over 230,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available
Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

I wish you're cheaper...

Monday, February 09, 2009

Synopsis Seerah Rasulullah


This book is based on Seerah Nabawiyah written by Dr Muhammad Sa'id Ramadhan Al-Buthy. The main contents have been summarized and condensed so that it is suitable to be used in your usrah and also for personal use.  What else? They give you comprehensive exercise! Wow what else do you want?



What about the PRICE?
It is ONLY RM 9.99(Maybank) / USD 5(Paypal). Take note that this is only for the first 100 buyer. Act fast! before it becomes USD 9.99 (RM 35). 

Seriously this is once in a lifetime opportunity and hey! only 10 bucks ppl! 

Just click the link below if you're interested!!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Title: The Kite Runner 

Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publisher: Riverhead Trade

In The Kite Runner, Amir and Hassan grow up together in Afghanistan like brothers, although they couldn't be more different. Amir is the son of a wealthy businessman, a Sunni Muslim, a Pashtun, and he's educated and reads voraciously. Hassan's father is a servant to Amir's father, and Hassan is a Sh'ia Muslim, a Hazara, he's illiterate, and he has a harelip. But neither boy has a mother and they spend their boyhoods roaming the streets of Kabul together. Amir, though, continually uses his superior position to taunt or abuse Hassan, and one day hides in fear as Hassan is beaten mercilessly by bullies. The Soviet invasion of Aghanistan sends Amir's family to the United States, but he returns there as an adult during the Taliban rule to atone for his sins to Hassan. Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan émigré living in San Francisco and his debut novel has received mostly good reviews. The Denver Post says The Kite Runner "ranks among the best-written and provocative stories of the year so far." 

and also, the Kite Runner movie is awesome. I almost cried(silly me!) when Amir went to mosque back in Afganistan after a long time being "Americanized" and sort of leaving Islamic lifestyle. Here's the trailer:  



Sunday, February 08, 2009

Tentang Cinta by Pahrol Mohd Juoi (Malay)

Title: Tentang Cinta
Author: Pahrol Mohd Juoi
Publisher: Telaga Biru

This book brings new perception about the “hottest” topic among youth since forever. Haha. That phase has passed me by long time ago I guess. So back to the topic, Tentang Cinta basically answers the question about: What actually we called love? Who should be loved? How do we actually show our love? Who is the role model? Romeo and Juliet? And the questions will go on and on till you finally read this book. 

“JIKA TEPAT MASA, KETIKA, KEADAAN DAN SIAPA, CINTA ADALAH KUASA LUAR BIASA YANG TIADA BANDINGNYA” 
- Pahrol Mohd Juoi- 


From Beirut to Jerusalem by Dr Swee Chai Ang

I bought this book through ebay last year, thrilled after reading a review from Ustaz Abduh. The review can be read here

"The slaughter of unarmed children, women, the aged and the infirm was shocking. For me, I was doubly outraged that I had to discover the truth about a brave and generous people only through their deaths. Until then, I never knew Palestinian refugees existed. As a fundamentalist Christian, I had been a supporter of Israel, hated Arabs and saw the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as terrorists to be loathed and feared."

Extract from the back cover of her book "From Beirut To Jerusalem" 

Formula Solat Sempurna (Malay Language)



Title: Formula Solat Sempurna
Author: Ust. Zaharuddin Abd Rahman
Publisher: Telaga Biru Sdn Bhd

If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him? The people said, "No filth would remain on him whatsoever." The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, "That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them." [Sahih al Bukhari Muslim]

p/s: I got a copy with me, if Vandy ppl want to borrow it. :D

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Purification of heart by Hamza Yusuf

 
Title:  Purification of Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of Heart
Author:  Hamza Yusuf
Publisher: Starlatch, Llc

"If we examine the trials and tribulations all over earth, we'll find they are rooted in human hearts. Covetousness, the desire to agress and exploit, the longing to pilfer natural resources, the inordinate love of wealth, and other maladies are manifestations of diseases found nowhere but in HEART. Every criminal, miser, abuser, scoffer, embezler and hateful person does what he or she does because of a diseased heart. So if you want to change our world, do not begin by rectifying the outward. Instead, ............"
-Excerpted from Hamza Yusuf's Introduction- 

What's hot for your iPhone and iPod touch?

iQuran 

My favorite application so far(I seriously feel like jumping up and down like 3 years old girl when I found out about this application. Carrying Quran around wherever you go never be as easy as this. It offers the complete Quran in Arabic along with its various translations. 
Features(in iQuran pro): 
  • Full Quran with translation (English, French, German, Indonesian, Malay, Spanish and Turkish)
  • Index Screen
  • Themes support
  • Recitation(yay they have my favorite reciter, Sudais&Saood Shuraim and Saad Said Al-Ghamdi, along with other notable reciters)
  • Repeat bubble(useful when you try to memorize the verse)
  • Bookmarks (yes, mark your favorite verse!)
  • Audio bookmark(remind you the last verse that you read)
  • etc.. more at http://www.guidedways.com/mobile/iquran/download_iquran.php
Buying iQuran Pro is highly recommended, hey, support your muslim brothers/sisters for their effort! May Allah rewards them, insyaAllah!

more apps to come...

The Sealed Nectar




















Title:  Ar Raheeq Al-Makhtum
The Sealed Nectar
Biography of the Noble Prophet SAW
Author:  Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri 
Publisher: Darussalam Publisher & Distributors

Looking for biography of Prophet Muhammad SAW? Yes theres a lot out there but here you go, the best one! 
This book was awarded First Prize by the Muslim World League at worldwide competition on the Biography of the Prophet SAW held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 1399H/1979. In this competition, this book competed with 170 other manuscripts, 84 in Arabic, 64 in Urdu, 21 in English, one in French and one in Hausa.  
Taking into account various phases of life of Prophet Muhammad SAW, with authentic references, seriously, this is a must have for every Muslim!

p/s: Buzz me if u want to borrow this book. 

First step! Lets start review-ing!

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful.


So I started this blog, intended to share my view.. books, latest gadget, everything that I find interesting, insyaAllah. May Allah give me steadfastness. 

                                
              
 "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone about save you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast." [Muslim]

 

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