The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf |
| Posted: 23 Sep 2011 01:23 AM PDT What they don't tell you about getting married — all revealed in Adrian Tomine's Scenes From An Impending Marriage. MARRIAGE is, first and foremost, a union between two people. However, you wouldn't be able to guess that from the wedding, which brings together clans from both sides, a couple dozen suppliers and vendors, as well as a few dancing bears to complete the circus. And a circus it is, this modern wedding that we have come to know, with its colour-coordinated themes, five-dress-changes-a-night dinners and lavish pre-wedding photo shoots. Cartoonist Adrian Tomine, of Japanese American parentage, captures this madness neatly in his "pre-nuptial memoir" Scenes From An Impending Marriage, a slim 54-page graphic novel from publishers Drawn & Quarterly that was originally a collection of sketches drawn by Tomine as wedding favours for his guests. Giving your guests a book about your wedding planning experiences might be the height of egocentrism in the hands of anyone else but Tomine. Fortunately, his trademark self-deprecating style comes to the fore within these pages, as he is hardest on himself and his wife for failing to eschew the modern wedding machinery. Brief "chapters" in this book – "Guest List", "Invitation", etc – tell the story of how they get sucked down the rabbit hole of finding DJs, signing up for gift registries, buying wedding socks and generally getting caught up in the trappings, even though they had sworn they wouldn't become one of "those people". Tomine pokes fun at himself the most, putting the cynical, neurotic, control freak on display. He screams about authentic hand-set type and letter-press printing for the invitation cards, and gripes about how gift registries are a bizarre ritual that is emblematic of their culture. The 37-year-old, who built his career through the angst-riddled, coming of age tales in the Optic Nerve series, is in his witty element across Scenes From An Impending Marriage, touted as his first "non-fiction" book. While Tomine probably wouldn't claim to be a social commentator, he is certainly self-aware enough to slip in keen observations about the commercialisation of weddings and how the industry has tapped into the yuppie need to keep up with the Joneses. This book would make a great gift for those who have been through the rigmarole recently, as they would appreciate the little in-jokes, like the length of the parents' guest lists, navigating seating arrangements, and eating takeout at the end of the wedding night. However, for those brave enough, I would suggest making this a pre-wedding gift for friends or family about to walk down the aisle, as a way of reminding them not to get sucked into the "black hole of nuptial narcissism". Of course, you would have to give it to them before they fly to an Australian vineyard (or Putrajaya) for their wedding shoots, shop the entire length of Jalan TAR for bridesmaid-dress material and promise to give their firstborn to the hottest celebrity DJ in town if he can play at their wedding. (And only if they have a sense of humour, or you can be certain you'll be struck off the guest list.) Yet, when all the excitement has died down – and after burning a few bridges with some family members, no doubt – there is still the happy-ever-after to look forward to. Tomine dedicated the commercial edition of Scenes to his daughter Nora, and reminds us that it is what comes after the party that matters. > Adrian Tomine's Scenes From An Impending Marriage is available at Kinokuniya KLCC |
| Posted: 23 Sep 2011 01:06 AM PDT How To Lead Author: Linda Henman Publisher: Advantage Quest, 288 pages IN the modern corporate world, it is no longer enough to just have the skills to climb to the top. You also need to sustain your position; and therefore, you need to know how to lead. This book provides tips on how you can create a competitive advantage, make effective decisions, keep talent inside your door and establish credibility and trust. It is a guide that identifies the potential obstacles that stand in your way and how to overcome them. Secrets Of Power Negotiating Author: Roger Dawson Publisher: Advantage Quest, 338 pages NEW and expanded versions are included in this third edition of the book: negotiation skills, how to read body language, reading between the lines when conversing with people, dealing with people from other cultures and how to become an expert mediator. Instead of trying to achieve genuine win-win situations, what about focusing on getting what you want but also convince the other side that they have won the battle? How To Sell Anything To Anyone Anytime Author: Dave Kahle Publisher: Advantage Quest, 236 pages IT'S all about selling – how do you attract more customers? How do you attract new customers? This book goes through fundamental sale principles, processes and common practises. Packed with insights on successful selling and real-world examples, this book is applicable to a variety of sales situations, from the neighbourhood grocery store to the huge supermarket chain. Hired! Author: Elinor Stutz Publisher: Advantage Quest, 204 pages MORE and more people are losing their jobs in the current economic situation. Many people are desperate for a job and will settle for something less that perfect. They also treat job interviews as an opportunity to focus on themselves. In this book, the author offers advice on how to achieve the right mindset for a successful job interview and steer the conversation to find out what the company is seeking. After all, at the end of the day, it's not about you – it's about how you can solve the company's problems. How To Be Healthy And Successful At The Same Time Author: Gabriela Cora Publisher: Advantage Quest, 246 pages HOW often do you feel pressured that you do not have enough time in a day to achieve all that you have to do at work? How often do you attempt to find ways to make your day as productive as possible but are still unable to meet targets? Do you feel stressed? You are not alone: stress-related disorders are one of the most prevalent reasons for worker disability. This book discusses the techniques to avoid burnout, increase energy, maximise your peak performance, integrate health with work, and improve your well-being. Shine – How To Survive And Thrive At Work Author: Chris Barez-Brown Publisher: Portfolio Penguin, 211 pages PERFECT for the busy employee who has no time to read a thick book, this mini guide to the world of business and balance teaches you how to stand out, break the rules, make things happen and also love every minute of doing it. The main message is to take a step back from the busy workspace, relax and take time to be creative while you still can. CEO Priorities Author: Neil Giarratana Publisher: Advantage Quest, 222 pages WHAT does a chief executive officer need to know? With more than three decades of experience in different industries, the author covers the main aspects of what you need to be a successful executive. Here is where you will find advice on how to minimise office politics, change office culture, introduce a new business model, handle a bad quarter and push new product development. Six Habits Of Highly Successful Managers Author: John Cioffi and Ken Willig Publisher: Advantage Quest, 247 pages WRITTEN for business owners and managers, the book includes numerous real-company anecdotes to illustrate the concepts discussed. This manual will help you identify the building blocks of a modern, successful business – neatly categorised into six habits you can practise on a daily basis. Before you know it, you will be on your way to establishing a company culture of achievement, pride and accountability. |
| Posted: 23 Sep 2011 12:52 AM PDT The Dulang Washer Author: Paul Callan Publisher: MPH Group Publishing Sdn Bhd, 381 pages IT'S two thumbs up for Callan's The Dulang Washer, his first novel and hopefully not his last! It is a must-read, especially for those with mixed backgrounds, seeing that Callan himself was born in Ireland but married to a Malaysian. In his book, Callan captures the essence of Malaya in the 1800s as he focuses on tin mining, a prominent activity in Perak at that time. The story illustrates the tug-of-war between the colonial masters and the locals who strive to preserve the country's tradition. Callan's one-line introduction and the story that follows is enough to get the attention of readers. His uncanny ability to go deeper, beyond the surface of things, makes the read enjoyable as the reader becomes aware of certain nuances and intricacies that may not have been noticed before. Callan does not cover up crude happenings with words; instead, he uses words as a tool to paint a touching but rather dark picture. This, together with the use of imagery and alliteration, add a certain sweetness and spice to balance out the more morbid aspects of the story. Callan does not hold back on the surreal beauty of the location; at the same time, he makes sure that its dangers and mysteries are not compromised. He blends his characters rather well so that they add flavour to the story and achieve the equilibrium that he seeks in his writing. Each character is separate, yet they share a common destiny. Although at times slow, there is enough action and wit to engage readers till the end. Callan leaves the reader with an eager anticipation of what is going to happen next. His final plot is unexpected and takes the reader by surprise. The ending is quite conventional: the reader is left to choose for him or herself who Aisha will end up marrying. However, in his initial descriptions, the characters seem detached from the main storyline and it takes some time before the connections are made. Callan fans the curiosity of readers by leaving information about Aisha's background and the dark secret that she harbours, till the very end. Unfortunately this allows the reader to make incorrect judgements about her character, creating impressions that are unfitting. All in all, the reader is not left disappointed with the ending. Callan carefully crafts it without being too forward. Also commendable is his use of Malay, Tamil and Hakka words which add colour to the local scene. More than anything, this is a story of betrayal and love. The writing is delicately woven to portray even the worst of Callan's characters in a favourable light. He weaves them in and out of the story right to the finish, not leaving room for the reader to come up with his own conclusions. This is a good thing as most of the time we are left to our own deductions, not having a solid understanding of the storyline. The Dulang Washer story is steeped in tradition with hints of modernity. It is this skilful combination of the two facets which sets the book apart from other novels of its kind. |
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