Book Sharers Club

Remembering September

2005-08-30T13:58:00.000+08:00

What?
In rememberance of Sept 11, the Adult & Young People's Services (PLS) is pleased to collaborate with Sugar Grove Public Library (Chicago, Illinois) for a 'live' chat based on the theme of how much do we understand each other.

Join in on Youth Conversations with people between 13 to 35 years of age from Sugar Grove Public Library in the US, and Jurong Regional & Tampines Regional libraries in Singapore. Using Internet technology, we will bridge time-zone differences to address a new question every few days prior to Sept 11.

When?
1) Join our 'live' chat via Instant Messenging, on *Sunday Sept 11, 2 pm, Singapore time* *Sunday Sept 11, 1 am, Chicago USA time*

How?
Login to one of the following (depending on whether you have MSN or Yahoo! IM):* jrl_chat_msn (MSN IM name)* trl_chat_msn (MSN IM name)* jrl_chat (Yahoo! IM name)* tampines_chaty (Yahoo! IM name)

What if you can't make it for the chat session?
If you can't make it for the chat sessions, you can still join the blog discussions at Sugar Grove Youth blog

Main discussion points:
#1: Language: Singlish Vs English, Spanglish Vs English
#2: Culture: How do we achieve harmony among people of different ethnic groups? How are the United States and Singapore alike? How are the United States and Singapore different?
#3: Lifestyle: What do you eat everyday? What do you "eat" mentally? (your food for thought)The Burger Culture Vs the Rice/ Noodle culture. How much Western influence is in Singapore food culture? How much Asian influence is in US food culture?
#4: Continue the Statement: "Why do People..."

Please keep in mind that the ideas and observations shared will remain long after we stop having the conversation. For more information, please feel free to email us at YoungPeopleServices@nlb.gov.sg

$$ Live Your Dream $$

2005-08-25T17:24:00.000+08:00

Take Risks! Dare to be Different! Persevere!
These were some of the messages from the 2 books shared by Alvin and Rineal today...

Alvin's book by Dennis Wee "Get Rich Now" shared strategies on how to change not only your mentality but also the action to take to achieve financial success. For those of you who are not familiar with the author, Dennis Wee is a self-made local millionaire who struck it rich in the properties industry. His book shares 15 strategies that includes making more out of less (leveraging) and the power of perseverance (never say die!). The book has pictures of Wee with famous persons in Singapore such as President S R Nathan, showing that you need to promote yourself in order to be successful.

However, Alvin felt that the book did not detail enough about Wee's personal path to success only in fairly general terms.

Siew Yong included that Wee had presented at NLB's last Staff Forum (in Feb) for the librarians and above. He basically touched on themes such as "thinking out of the box" and "working hand in hand" to achieve success.

In contrast, Rineal's book, "I can't believe I get paid to do this" was more comprehensive. The author interviewed several successful people in their fields who had dared to follow their dream. The interviews were presented in an easy to read Q&A format. What was very useful about the book was that after each guiding principle, it was followed with coaching questions that you should ask yourself and action steps to take to achieve personal success, be it financially, spiritually or otherwise. Kind of like a personal coach motivating you!
~~ Rasica MH

Aug's Readings

2005-08-08T15:37:00.000+08:00

This month's sharing session will be by Alvin and Rineal...the money-minded pple (hahaha!)
Read on to find out what they would be sharing on...

25/8/05 (Thurs)
1.30 - 2.15 pm
Staff Pantry

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Alvin's..

Get rich now : 15 proven strategies from a self-made milllionaire (by Dennis Wee, SING 650.1 WEE)

If you want to be rich, learn from someone who has already made lots of money like Dennis Wee. His book shares practical and logical tips on getting rich!
~~ Alvin
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Rineal's...

I can't believe I get paid to do this! (by Stacey Mayo, 158.1 MAY)

Do you dream of starting your own business, making a career change or creating financial independence? This book will help you maximise your success. It includes strategies from people who have made their dreams come true, such as the first American woman to successfully climb Mt Everest. (See the I can't believe I get paid to do this! site)
~~Rasica

Goodbye Daily Grind, Hello Peace of Mind!

2005-07-28T16:28:00.000+08:00

This month's book shared by Bee Hong created quite a lively session.

Office Fengshui (by Darren Zeer) gave easy to follow ideas and tips on how to create balance in a chaotic workplace. However, before one can embark on these old-age Chinese practice, one must be willing to change and have to pay attention to details.

More calm = more productivity
Some of the techniques she shared with us from the book include:
Messy desk syndrome - the desktop map of success (what items to put and how to arrange so as to encourage calm, creativity, courage, etc.)
Computer clutter - which desktop icons, background (purple!), screensave (mountains) to use, how to handle emails
Food - yin and yang foods to energize or calm
and more.

The book's illustrations by Frank Montagna also drew favourable comments such as so cute!
Overall, the book presents fengshui in an easy-to-use and practical manner that delights whether or not you actually follow the ideas.

~~ By Rasica MH

July's Session News

2005-07-11T19:13:00.000+08:00

This month's session will be chaired by Bee Hong

20/7/2005 (WED)

1.30 - 2.15 pm

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Office Feng Shui: Creating Harmony in Workspace (By: Darrin Zeer)
Call no: 133.3337 ZEE

This book come with more than 50 simple techniques which author guaranteed will increase productivity and create harmony at work, home and even when you are on the move.

~~ Bee Hong
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Across an Ocean

2005-07-02T20:26:00.000+08:00

Updates from June's sharing session.... Unfortunately, Li Sa was unable to share her books (very bz woman!) So here' s mine..
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Dear Exile: the true story of 2 friends separated (for a year) by an ocean
By: Hilary Liftin & Kate Montgomery

Dear
Exile is a candid and humourous look at a relationship between two women; roommates and best friends in college. Newly married Kate and her husband, Dave, travels to Kenya to volunteer and teach at various schools in villages. Hilary moves to New York City, where she looks for a suitable job, a decent place to live and her other half. Both women chronicle their travels, mis-adventures and other life experiences in their letters to each other.

What I especially like about the book is that it deals with many issues but in a light-hearted way. In a broader perspective, the book deals with cultural differences, for eg. the Americans (first world) and Kenyans (third world) cultural clashes. Back home, Hilary suffers her own 'culture shock' when she goes to work, caving in to the standards of office and beauty cultures. Other issues dealt with are relationships between people they meet (incl men-women relationships), and staying true to one's dreams when having to make adjustments in life.

One of my favourite observations in the book is by Hilary when she writes her wry thoughts about differences between her life as a single woman and the lives of couples, in particular from pg 52 and 64.

Another big question that the book tries to tackle is how much an individual can do to make a change in society. Kate and her husband leave Kenya because they don't have the spirit or the energy to move to another village. Are they giving up too soon? Were they too idealistic?

The book works well as the letters make their experiences more real and personal. It shows the power of friendship which should not be taken for granted. Effort needs to be put in to order to make it work.

~~ Rasica MH

PS: Hilary has another book "Candy and Me (A Love Story)" ... check it out!
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Library News

2005-06-21T17:19:00.000+08:00

Our CE recently emailed to the staff regarding a UK university library that was throwing out rare books much to the anger of students and booklovers. Hopely such an incident never happens in NLB!

University library dumps rare books (news article from Guardian Unlimited on 18/6/05)

In his satire about a library, The Battle of the Books, Jonathan Swift recounts that "a restless spirit haunts over every book till dust or worms have seized upon it."

Followup to the main story, A new chapter for unwanted books (on 20/6/05)

Coming soon in June

2005-06-07T15:24:00.000+08:00

23 June (Thurs)

1.30 - 2.15 pm

Staff Pantry

Featuring....

Dear Exile: the true story of 2 friends separated (for a year) by an ocean (Hilary Liftin & Kate Montgomery) 967.62 LIF - to be shared by Rasica

Dear Exile is a travel/memoir book written as a series of humourous and touching letters between two friends, Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery over a period of one year. Dear Exile reads as an on-going conversation between two close friends who lead very different lives.

Tangerine (Colin Cheong) SING CHE - to be shared by Li Sa

Come and find out why this title was chosen as one of the books for the Read! Singapore campaign!

READ! Singapore

2005-06-01T15:17:00.000+08:00

The latest effort from NLB to promote the culture of reading.
For more details, visit READ! Singapore.

A companion site has been set up to the main READ! Singapore site, Read!Singapore blogspot.

This companion site is to acknowledge and showcase Singaporeans (and everyone else) who participate in the reading initiative. Taking part is simple, see I'm interested how do I take part.
Participants (self-organised or otherwise) would be featured in this site as well as reports on events that you might have missed.

You may also discuss or comment on the books online.

The nation-wide initiative runs from 24 May - 6 Aug 2005.

Featuring 12 titles (from all 4 official languages), see Read! Singapore resource kits for the titles and related resource materials.

What was shared and discussed?

2005-05-28T15:15:00.000+08:00

By Lyn Goh
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A quick summary of the story of "Chinese Cinderella" & its sequel ,"Falling Leaves".
A true story of an unwanted daughter who was labelled a jinx. Her mother died shortly after she was born. She was never loved by her siblings and was constantly bullied by them. The only people who doted on her was her aunty baba and her grandparents. Despite this setback, she excelled in her school and always top in her class. Later, she went to England to study medicine although her dream is to become a writer. Many years later, after her father's death, her stepmother still constantly causes a rift between the siblings and rivalry arises. Read the book to find out how Adeline desperately searches for the truth which was torn out of her childhood.

The next book shared was "Invisible Trade". Discover how Singapore has garnered recognition in the international sex industry. Escorts from various countries offer discreet companionship for a price. This is an upcoming social problem. We talked about how this issue has affected the Joo Chiat area, for eg. special services such as a house to house massages.
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May's Sharing Session Announcement

2005-05-18T13:53:00.000+08:00

27 May 2005 (Fri)

1.30 - 2.15 pm

Staff Pantry

This month's session will be shared by Lyn Goh

Featured books for this month...
===================================================
BOOK 1: Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah (Y 979.40049510092 MAH or Y 951.05092 MAH)

Is based on a true story of a girl who was almost abandoned by her own family. Her siblings believed that she was the cause of their mother's death after giving birth to her. However, she was well loved by her aunt and her grandparents. She overcame all odds faced in her family & exceled in her studies. See inside the book Chinese Cinderella

BOOK 2: Invisible Trade by Gerrie Lim (SING 306.74095957 LIM)
Did you know that in Singapore there are a lot of underground sexual business? Why did Diana Ser disguise herself and blend in to Geylang - S'pore Red light district? What is Joo Chiat becoming? Find out the answers to these questions and more in our next book talk.

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Looking for the right words for difficult times?

2005-05-03T16:43:00.000+08:00

How to Say It : When You Don't Know What To Say by Robbie Miller Kaplan (155.93 KAP)
Shared by Rohayah

=================================================
Finding the right words at the right time isn't always easy, especially when someone dear to us is going through a challenging time, we want to say the things that will help them recover from loss, or face trials or just to let them know that they are not alone.

This book provides insight into grief and offers practical advice or comfort to others. I personally used some from this book to write to my acquaintances working in Phuket and a few Acheh students (after the Tsunami tragedy). From a variety of difficult experiences, illnesses, job loss, divorce, tragedies & traumas or natural disasters, we the readers will get some advice from experts, professionals and individuals whose words of wisdom can guide us through these/theirs difficult experiences. Broadly categorised by sub-topics: How to Say It (tone of voice/time), What Not To Say and Do It (the taboo, undignify words/terms), and Things to Consider, eg. an old friend whose teenager son has taken his own life, the parents of a child who died after battling cancer for 2 years, the aunt whose daughter was killed in a car accident, or a friend who has been sexually assaulted.

Interesting finds in this book: page 53-57 : on Religious and Cultural Differences (Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Islam, Jew etc), page 110 : on pet loss, page 201-205 : on physical disabilities - Words with Dignity VS Do Not Use words.
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Be an instant expert on men & women! - All about Facts and Fallacy

2005-05-03T16:39:00.000+08:00

The Bluffer's Guide to Men & Women by Anthony Mason and Marina Muratore (305.30207 MAS)
Shared by Rohayah

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Aha, no studying required, just bluff your way with a sense of humour, this book contains collection of 'astonishing keys' to understanding men or women in all aspects of fundamental differences, growing up, sex, feelings, attitudes, practicalities and touchy subjects. Such as: "men find it hard to commit themselves to a relationship. Getting them to do so is like getting hold of the soap in the bath." For men the very idea of commitment is uncomfortable as to commit equals suicide or being sent to asylum, marriage is unnerving term "wedlock". Zsa Zsa Gabor said (on page 34) "a man is incomplete until he has married, then he is finished". Men harbour the distinct fear that marriage will change them. Women simply hope it will. Women are like computers because: only the Creator understands their internal logic. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval. The error message is about as informative as 'if you don't know what's wrong, i'm certainly not going to tell you'. There's also men are like computers (pg 123) because In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.

Another one: majority of men dislike shopping. They like armchair shopping first, studying advertisements, comparing prices. The purchases of a vege, cat food or detergent does not excite them. A mega waste of time is window shopping. The joy of staring at goods for sale which cannot be bought is quite beyond his comprehension.

ha hah aha ha...actually, the biggest bluff is the title.
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Upcoming session for April

2005-04-09T19:32:00.000+08:00

28 April (Thurs)

1.30 - 2.15 pm

JRL Staff Pantry

Featuring.... Rohayah M Lani

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BOOK 1: Bluffer's Guide to Men and Women (Anthony Mason) 305.30207 MAS

Since Adam and Eve first laid eyes on each other men and women have struggled to understand their other halves. The Bluffer's Guide to Men and Women removes the fig leaves and exposes all the foibles and guile of men and women for all to see.The purpose of this book is to enable you to bluff to the greatest extent possible with the minimum amount of knowledge needed to impress and influence people, cunningly deployed for maximum effect.
{Excerpt from Bluffer's Guide to Men and Women}

BOOK 2: How to say it: When you don't know what to say (Robbie Miller Kaplan) 155.93 KAP

"How To Say It® When You Don’t Know What To Say: The Right Words for Difficult Times" provides insight into the process of grief and offers practical advice on how to be a comfort to others. With specific discussion on a variety of difficult experiences – ranging from illness, death, suicide, miscarriage, job loss, separation, divorce, crime, financial setbacks, legal problems, caregiver responsibilities, pet loss, infertility, physical disability, and adoption to natural disasters – it also includes resources and advice from experts and individuals whose words of wisdom can guide you through these difficult experiences. If you have ever been at a loss for words when you needed them most - this is the book for you!

For more about the book, see How to say it: When you don't know what to say

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** Why during lunchtime?**

Out-of-Control

2005-04-04T09:08:00.000+08:00

The Power of Losing Control: Finding Strength, Meaning and Happiness in an Out-Of-Control World (Joe Caruso)

Shared by Ivan

Click here for Ivan's review of the Power of Losing Control

Ooops..change in date for March

2005-03-28T13:18:00.000+08:00

Please note that there has been a change in date for Mar's booksharing session...

30 Mar 2005 (Wed) @ 1.30 pm (JRL staff pantry)

So it's a lunch-time date...see you all there!

Coming soon in March

2005-03-11T18:28:00.000+08:00

The Power of Losing Control: Finding strength, meaning, & happiness in an out-of-control world (by Joe Caruso)
Will be shared by Ivan

===========================================

I chose this book for my first sharing & discussion with JRL Book Sharer's Club for the following reasons:

This book was one of those rare ones that really made a difference in how I viewed things in life. I will share with you how I came across this book, and what happened after I read it (real-life example).
The author was struck with cancer and doctors said he wouldn't survive. But he did and went on to have a successful life. So the messages in the book is very credible. I personally found them to be so.

Colleagues are encouraged to borrow and read this book, so that we can share and discuss during the session. During our discussion, you can base your sharing on these simple questions:
- After reading the book, did it change how you work and live? How?
- What is the one message in the book that made the biggest impression?

Our sharing is on 31 Mar 2005 @ 10 am (VAT, lvl 4).

The book may take you 3 to 14 days to read, depending on how fast you read. I highly recommend this book. Even if you cannot attend the Book Sharer's Club session, you should read the book anyway.

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For more about the book, see The Power of Losing Control
For more about Joe Caruso, see Caruso Leadership Institute

Have You got the Blues?

2005-01-24T16:15:00.000+08:00

Baby Blues (Kirkman and Scott)
Shared by Julia

I first discovered this comic strip in the Straits Times Life! in 2003. Then I started to read Baby Blues books. I don't recommend this for those planning to have kids as it will definitely scare them...Hahahaha...The latest in the series is Playmate: Category 5 (Baby Blues Scrapbook #19)

It's a great stress reliever and what I love most are the illustrations which are done marvellously. It's hysterically funny and uncannily true to life. You can laugh at yourself and get your perspective back. Two thumbs up!! I would also recommend Foxtrot for those smart-alecky people.

Visit the Baby Blues Homepage and Foxtrot by Bill Amend

Two-Faced Monster

2005-01-24T15:45:00.000+08:00

Primal Fear (William Diehl)
Shared by Julia

The book was made into a movie starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton but I would recommend that you read the book instead of watching the movie.

The story is about the murder of a highly respected archbishop who was found mutilated. The accused - a young altarboy (Aaron Stampler), who was discovered at the scene with a butcher's knife in his hand and blood all over him. The book is a crime thriller, a psychological drama and a fine example of twist-in-the-tale.

Compared to the movie, the book provides more insight on Aaron, where you find out more about his childhood and what molded him. Aaron is a psychotic genius with an angelic appearance. With his tragic past, he could be seen as both the victim and the 'monster'.

Primal Fear is the first in a trilogy - with the 2nd book titled Show of Evil and the last Reign in Hell.

For more about the book, see Primal Fear
For more about the movie, see Primal Fear (1996) and Primal Fear: Edward Norton Information Page

Of Pigs & Men

2005-01-20T15:11:00.000+08:00

Animal Farm (George Orwell)
Shared by Li Sa

Click here for Li Sa's review of the Animal Farm on her own personal blog.

To learn more about Animal Farm, click here:
The Literature Network
NovelGuide

For more information on George Orwell, go to George Orwell Resources

Latest from Danielle Steele

2005-01-17T15:48:00.000+08:00

Echoes (Danielle Steele)
Shared by Lyn Goh

The setting of the story is in the 1900s Germany. The story starts as a boy-meets-girl love tale where a Jewish girl who was on a holiday with her family in Switzerland meets a young French man. Both of them fall in love with each other despite differences in their religion and sadly, are torn apart as they have to make the decision of whether to stay together or to forsake their family.

Eventually, they brave all odds to survive on their own. A freak accident, however, cuts short their happy life when the French man dies after being thrown off from his horse, leaving the Jewish girl with 2 young daughters. As the years pass, the eldest daughter (Amandea) grows up and decides to be a carmelite nun. At this point, Germany was thrown into turmoil. The Jewish people were stripped off their wealth and status, and were sent away to work as slaves. Amandea manages to escape and meets a group of resistance fighters. It is during this period of time, when she meets a man and falls in love. Although, she had vowed to remain as a nun, love overrules her earlier vows.

I did a search on Hitler and his background through the Internet as he is featured in the story and shared the findings about his childhood and personality.

Take a look at Echoes
Visit the Danielle Steele The Official Website
To learn more about Hitler, visit The History Place: The Rise of Adolf Hitler

Love You Forever started as a Song

2005-01-17T15:37:00.000+08:00

Love You Forever (Robert Munsch)
Shared by Raneetha

This is a book that can make you smile and get teary eyed at the same time.

The story begins with a mother rocking her new baby and singing a refrain that is repeated throughout the story --

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always; As long as I'm living, My baby you'll be."

When the son is a mischevious toddler, the mother still rocks him and sings the refrain. When he becomes a teenager who wears strange clothes, has strange friends and listens to strange music, her love remains as strong as ever. Even when the boy becomes a man and sets up his own home, the mother still visits late at night to rock him and sing her love song. Finally, when the mother is sick and dying, there is a role reversal and this time the son rocks the mother and sings:

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always; As long as I'm living, My mommy you'll be."

However, the ending of the story comforts us by portraying the continuous circle of life through the son and his new baby daughter.

I enjoy the well-drawn, colourful pictures in this book. Like the one where the mother peeks over the top of the bed to watch her son or the one where the toddler is happily wrecking the bathroom. I (and many children) burst out laughing at the picture of the old mother carrying her fully grown son. And I tear up at the picture of the grown man rocking his dying mother. Anyone can empathise with this story -- We are all someone's child and some of us are parents. Some may say that he mother's behaviour (driving across town in the middle of the night and using a ladder to enter the son's room) borders on the obsessive. But to me, it's the author's way of emphasising the 'forever' deep and enduring love a mother has for her child and vice versa.

Visit the Official Robert Munsch website
Take a look inside the book, Love You Forever

Carle Classic

2005-01-17T15:16:00.000+08:00

Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me (Eric Carle)
Shared by Raneetha

Wonderful story for young children -- about a young girl who wishes to play with the moon but she can't reach it no matter how much she stretches towards it.

So, as all young children tend to do, she turned to her father. Her father, being a capital guy (as most fathers are), made a serious attempt to fulfill his daughter's wish. He took a very looooong ladder, put in on a very hiiiiiiiiigh mountain and eventually reached the moon.

Although the main focus of this story is to describe the waxing and waning of the moon, I personally love this book for its simplicity in portraying a father's deep love for his child. Deep love often pushes us to strive higher and further than even we can imagine. The illustrations are lovely and the open-up pages are especially thrilling (even for adults!).

Take a look inside Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me
Visit the Official Eric Carle website
Visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Upcoming Sharing Session...

2004-12-16T11:14:00.000+08:00

The next book sharing session will be on 11/01/2005 (Tues) @ 10 am (The Synergy Room)

Featuring:
Li Sa - Animal Farm (by George Orwell)

Raneetha - Papa, Please get the Moon for Me (by Eric Carle) and books by Georgette Heyer

Lyn Goh - Echoes (by Danielle Steele)

Julia - Primal Fear (by William Diehl) and Two Plus One is Enough: Baby Blues Scrapbook #18

Change the World

2004-12-10T17:59:00.000+08:00

50 Facts that should Change the World (by Jessica Williams)

"The golfer Tiger Woods is the world’s highest paid sportsman. He earns

$78 million a year – or $148 per second."
"One in five of the world’s people lives on less than $1 a day."

The last book shared during the book club by Rasica, is both thought-provoking and shocking. 50 facts presents world concerns such as gender inequality, the widening gap between the world’s rich and poor, the imbalance of power and opportunity as well as issues of environmental destruction and the depletion of natural resources in short essays.

"Some 30 million people in Africa are HIV-positive."

Jessica Williams is a journalist and television producer who has researched and produced interviews with prominent figures such as presidents. She backs her writing with sources and urges gradual long-term changes by governments and organizations so as to rectify these conditions.

"The world's oil reserves could be exhausted by 2040."

However, as individuals we can do our part and some of the biggest changes we can make start with very small actions. To encourage this, listings of NGOs, aid organizations and think tanks are included.

Overall, 50 facts is a compelling and original read that reminds you that the world is interconnected and that civilization is a fragile concept.

Improve Thy Self

2004-12-08T13:52:00.000+08:00

Successful Time Management in a Week (by Declan Treacy)

Simple and easy to follow, the first book shared by Hwee Fee, gave tips and helps one to organise and maximise our busy schedules. Chapters deal with issues such as 'Prioritising time and activities of the day', 'Handling Paperwork', 'Planning', 'Holding meetings effectively', 'Managing Projects' and 'Telephone Techniques'. The reader can learn ways to distribute time, the 4 ways to handle all that paperwork (Refer, File, Take Action or Thrash It) and emails received as well as use a checklist to ensure that meetings held are as productive as possible.

This book created quite an interest among the book sharers; many asking Hwee Fee if she was able to practise what she had read.

Clueless in Starting a Business (by Adam Khoo & others)
There is no right time to get into business...

Hwee Fee was still reading this book but was able to share some of the more interesting points of the book. The book tries to debunk several business myths and shares ways to reduce risks by designing a business plan and more. It also includes inspiring case studies of famous brand names such as Starbucks and tips from top Asian and global entrepreneurs.

Uncle Shelby

2004-12-08T13:43:00.000+08:00

The Giving Tree (by Shel Silverstein)

"Once there was a tree ... and she loved a little boy."
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. As the boy grew older, he demanded different things from the tree. And yet, the tree gave and gave and gave.

A touching story that reminds one of how parents love their children unconditionally
With simple black pen drawings, this is a book that appeals to all age groups and is a good introduction to childrens' stories.

Take a look at The Giving Tree.

A little trivia - The Giving Tree almost didn't get published as it fell between children and adult fiction so publishers were not sure if it would sell.

A Light in the Attic (by Shel Silverstein)

One of the most interesting poems that is found in the collection is "Deaf Donald" (this poem was re-printed in July-Sept 2004's High Browse). Filled with memorable characters and Shel's trademark drawings, the collection of poems is fun for everyone.

For a peak into the book, click here A Light in the Attic

For more information about Shel Silverstein, visit Shel Silverstein's Official Website

Book Sharers Club Launch

2004-12-01T17:08:00.000+08:00

The book club was launched on 30 Nov 2004, with our Pioneering Book Sharers - Lynn Chua, Hwee Fee and Rasica.

Lynn Chua shared 2 books by one of her favourite childrens' author, Shel Silverstein - "The Giving Tree" & "A Light in the Attic", Hwee Fee shared 2 books titled "Successful Time Management" (by Declan Trency) & "Clueless in Starting a Business" (by Adam Khoo & others) and finally, Rasica shared "50 Facts that should Change the World" (by Jessica Williams).

Read on to know more about the books shared and do post your comments about the books shared....Enjoy!

Why lunchtime?

2004-04-09T19:49:00.000+08:00

Reason 1: Since most of the libraries now open at 10 am, we are unable to schedule a full 1-hour for One Learning Hour sessions before the library opens.

Reason 2: To make our sessions more informal, relaxed and interesting, having lunch during the sessions would encourage a more open environment for sharing of books and related interests.

Reason 3: Since most of us lunch in anyway, why not use the time in a more constructive way!