Resolution--Books that I plan to read in 2009

1,The Warden
2,The Return of the Native (Reread)
3,John Christopher (Reread)
4,The Wind in the Willows
5,How to Read a Book
6,Stories of Belonging
7,Living in Australia (If I can find it)

List to be continued if I find more books worth reading. And I will spend more time on reading Classic and other great books--what I am concern is quality insteading of quantity and speed.

Book lover-by Kaufman J. and Mack K.

This book is not bad, even though some of the parts are seemingly disconnected and the ending is a little bit odd.

To Dora, the main character, book is the first priority, the comfort and the lover.

“…no matter what’s going on in my life, I will always need a book. Nevertheless, after all that happened to me, reading is not purely an escape. It’s more of a search for some kind of meaning in this world. Now when I read, I think I might open to any page and find the true…The answers are there. Somewhere. Each author has their own vision, whether it be transforming, unnerving, inspiring, or devastating. It’s comforting in a pathetic sort of way and I have wallowed in this comfort for most of my life.” (pp.255-256)

But later on, she understands that the books can not tell everything to her and she has to explore her life by herself rather from the books. After she falls in love with Fred, the owner of the bookshop, she gets to know that the lover is not as compliant as the characters in novels. Fred is so cold-hearted to his family and Dora can not stand his attitude.

Finally Doro spits up with Fred and at the same time she finds out that she still love her ex-husband and she can’t calm down herself by reading books. She needs a job, a family, a normal life free from the shadow of unhappy childhood. Bits by bits, things are getting changed and Dora gains more confidence towards her life.

The meaning of reading books? I haven’t thought too much about it, but I feel really happy when I read a book. In reality, I have a lot of unhappiness, sadness, sorrow and pressure, but when I read books, I feel that I still have peaceful and happy moment in my life. Nevertheless, I believe life is more important than books and it can teach you more lessons than those from books. I think the authors are trying to express the similar feelings to us, right?

Trafficking in old books--by Anthony Marshall

This is not a guideline that help you to run a secondhand bookshop. But this is a very interesting book that can excite those booklovers, like you,like me.

I can't explain why I prefer secondhand bookshop to bookshops which sell new books, I can't explain the feelings. Maybe because I can directly deal with the owner and may have interesting conversations; maybe I feel more comfortable when I stay with the old books and elder people (most 2nd-hand booksellers are 50 or 60 something);or maybe because I can find lots of good books in much cheaper price.

Someone says, books will die out in the future and internet resource will replace the paperbooks. I don't believe that and I even dream of opeaning my own 2nd-hand bookshop(may turn to be true in 10 years or 50 years?). It is different from the bookshop in the internet, it is more real, more interacting,more interesting.I used to operate an e-bookshop and earned some money, but I would prefer face-to-face dealings. Talking on the internet is dull and most customers can compare your price immediately with other online booksellers(force you to set a low price).

I want to know more about 2nd-hand bookshops, look into the booksellers' feeling and experience, so I searched the library and then I found this book. The author, Anthony Marshall, is running a 2nd-hand bookshop, calls Alice Book, in Melbourne. This book gave me great pleasure while I was reading it. Have you ever found a fried egg or bacon(already dried, of course) in the old books?Do you know how the 2nd-hand bookseller set their price? And can you imagine the life where you live above your shop?

This book is for the readers who love books or interested in 2nd-hand bookshops.It won't disappoint you!!

First day of work

I begin my first work day today in a busy cafe. Making mile tea and coffee is not as easy as I think, and too much orders make me confus.

I get very tired for several stressful hours and my hands ache!

But I am quite enjoy working with the people there who are nice to me. Have to work hard! But never stop reading!! (Hands shaking when typing)