Bye 2020 Hello 2021!

 Selamat tahun baru 2021!

Walaupun sambutan kali ini tak seperti dulu, saya pasti korang teruja mengorak masuk ke tahun baru.

Sepertinya apa pun yang baru, anda pasti nak start "fresh". Masing2 dengan cita & impian. Yang lalu mungkin tercapai. Mungkin tidak. Doesn't matter..move on. Cuba lagi!

Begitu juga dengan cabaran membaca 100 buah buku dalam tahun 2020  #100booksin2020challenge. Berikut adalah tally terakhir yang saya mampu buat tahun lepas.

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

Nov    3 books

Dec    4 books

Alhamdulillah sejumlah 67 buah buku berjaya saya habiskan. Lebih kurang 5 buku sebulan. Not bad. No worries.

JOM! Saya challenge korang semua..tahun 2021 kita set target lagi  100 buah buku!

Lets pick up your favourite book now and join the challenge!

#100booksin2021challenge

Reader's Digest December 2020

 

Notice the shriveled condition? Well as usual try as I might to maintain the magazine in its "freshness"..it ends up otherwise. Nonetheless, it's a consolation that with every "tainted" page, I had gleaned some valuable knowledge. And this issue closes the RD monthly read for the year 2020. Looking forward to a fresh new start next year!

Books tally: 63/100

Countdown: 3 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

Nov    3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Tok Kenali - Hayati Ridhwani

 

Sebuah penulisan novel sejarah oleh cucu ulama tersohor nusantara. Bacaan ringan namun penuh pengajaran bagi pembaca yang peka. Sangat sesuai dibaca oleh mereka yang ingin mengenali sedikit sebanyak latarbelakang kehidupan Tok Kenali dan insan2 yang pernah menyentuh hidup beliau.

Points to learn:

• ilmu perlu dicari bukan diwariskan
• pencarian ilmu tiada noktahnya
• ilmu tasrif mesti dikuasai sekiranya kita mahu memahami Al-Quran dengan lebih baik.

Books tally: 62/100

Countdown: 3 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

Nov    3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

The Intelligent Investor - Benjamin Graham

 

The Intelligent Investor is said to be the bible within the investors fraternity. Most of us know the greatest investor in the world..Warren Buffett who helms Berkshire Hathaway, the investment powerhouse, the most expensive publicly trading stock. The current share price is a whopping USD340 064! Warren Buffett hails from Omaha (not the glittering Wall Street, NY). Guess who was his "guru"? Yes, Benjamin Graham, the author of this book. They pioneered value investing & fundamental analysis. For those in the share trading & investment world, this is a definite pick!

Books tally: 61/100

Countdown: 18 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

Nov    3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Hang Tuah dari Perspektif Sejarah - Wan Abd Halim Bashah

 

Waktu persekolahan dulu, sejarah hanya merupakan kegiatan hafalan. Tahun, kejadian, siapa & di mana. Namun sekarang, ianya perlu dikaji secara lebih halus akan pengalaman serta pengajaran yang boleh kita manfaatkan selain memahami hidup itu sendiri di suatu zaman yang jauh berbeda dengan kita.

Seringkali timbul percanggahan fakta dalam sejarah. Timbul anakronisme,iaitu sesuatu kejadian/watak tidak selari dengan zamannya. Kehidupan Hang Tuah pun tidak sunyi dari perkara ini, terutamanya antara 2 karya besar,iatu Sejarah Melayu dan Hikayat Hang Tuah. Justeru itu, janganlah sejarah itu dilihat dalam skop kecil, tarikh, siapa, apa dan di mana. Tapi lihatlah pada cebisan2 pesanan yang mengingatkan kita akan kedudukan manusia di bumi Allah sebagai khalifah yang menanggung amanah yang mana langit, bumi dan gunung pun tidak sanggup memikulnya. 

Points to learn:

• perebutan kuasa, pangkat dan harta di kalangan pembesar/bangsawan sudah lama wujud di zaman kesultanan Melaka..so it's nothing new.

Books tally: 60/100

Countdown: 28 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

Nov    3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

The Day of Resurrection - Dr 'Umar S. al-Ashqar

 

The series and author that never disappoints the reader. Potrays the chaos and confusion during the end of days. Clearly depicts the trials that disbelievers endure and the blissful serenity that the pious & believers are rewarded. 

Points to learn:

• the world of seen and unseen is true. The very basis of science is also based on many hypotheses, in other words, the unseen but yet the need to believe because all evidence strongly endorses its existence. Similarly, in Islam, the truth is undeniable.

Books tally: 59/100

Countdown: 37 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Reader's Digest - October 2010

Believe it or Not! This is an unread issue dating back to October 2010! That's me..guilty as charged. There is a Japanese term for people who have the habit of hoarding lots of unread books. It's called tsundoku (careful there..not sudoku). Buying and as always the initial plan is to read it immediately. But ends up in a far corner of an elegant mahogany book rack..for years. Waiting for the right moment for a saviour to free it from the relentless attack of dust and silverfish.

..And that saviour was me. At least for this RD issue. The eye-catching front page got the best of me. The rest is history.

Books tally: 58/100

Countdown: 38 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

#100booksin2020challenge

 

Reader's Digest November 2020

 

Your regular, "friendly" magazine. Interestingly, in this issue my "Letter to the Editor" was chosen. And I finished reading this issue during my hospital stay recently. Well, it's true that a good book in hand is a good company in solitude.

Books tally: 57/100

Countdown: 59 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

Oct     9 books

#100booksin2020challenge

165 Nasihat Guaman Tuan Lawyer - Amar

 

Recommended read. Memuatkan kes2 scenario yang sering terjadi di kalangan masyarakat kita. Sekurang2nya dengan membaca buku ini kita celik undang2 khususnya di Malaysia.

Points to learn:

• dengan celik undang2 asas kita dapat menghindarkan banyak masalah di kemudian hari

Books tally: 56/100

Countdown: 67 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Pemburu Hartanah - Abe Nazz

 

Bagi mereka yang minat bidang pelaburan, khususnya hartanah, this is a MUST-READ! Penulis menulis khasnya kepakaran beliau dalam membeli hartanah "undercons" maksudnya under-construction. Pelbagai tips2 menarik termasuk ilmu "flipping" diselitkan.

Points to learn:

• hartanah bertambah nilai, kereta susut nilai..fikir2kan

Books tally: 55/100

Countdown: 69 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

The Messengers And The Messages - Dr 'Umar S al-Ashqar

 

I have to admit that books written in Arabic language, especially published by International Islamic Publishing House, has a wealth of knowledge. You'd be amazed at the manner of presenting complex abstract issues in simplistic, most understandable way. At least, any lay-person, would be able to appreciate the religion that we call Islam.

Points to learn:

• what may seem crystal clear to you, may be otherwise for another

Rating: ✮✮✮✮

Books tally: 54/100

Countdown: 70 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

RESET - Suflan Shamsuddin

 

Never imagined would enjoy reading book on politics. The author presented his case very systematically and to finally closing it with an idea. An idea or solution to be exact in order to progress politically and economically as one. As Malaysian. Read it!

Points to learn:

• reading actually "dissects" the mind of the writer and very often it is entirely a new thought (..that never crossed your mind)

Rating: ✮✮✮

Books tally: 53/100

Countdown: 75 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Reader's Digest Oct 2020

 

Rating: NA

Books tally: 52/100

Countdown: 80 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Fragile Lives - Professor Stephen Westaby

 

A definite read that's worth your time (..and life). Professor Stephen Westaby, a maverick heart surgeon that had a colourful life. From a small town boy with burning desire, became a world renowned cardiothoracic surgeon.

 

Being careful and limitting medical jargon, the author engages the reader to immerse in his world of excitement and "life and death" situations. Perfoming more than 11 000 heart surgeries within the span of 35 years, he would literally know it like the back of his hand!

Excellence doesn't come free. Sacrifices are the barter. Nevertheless, Professor Stephen Westaby surely had left indelible "marks" in many hearts.

Points to learn:

• to achieve greatness, there is no shortcuts

Rating: ✮✮✮✮

Books tally: 51/100

Countdown: 82 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Motivational Leadership - Alfred Tack

 

At first glance, the thought of another boring read fleeted by. I was never so wrong. I was so engrossed by the creatively written novel disseminating copious amount of management knowledge. Simplistic language but terse and most enlightening. A must-read for all those in the management world. For those not, a good novel in hand, at the least. Savour it!

Points to learn:

• Management need not be dry and boring. On the contrary, it's an entirely new ball game, especially to those delving in it. Dynamic and constantly innovating!

Rating: ✮✮✮

Books tally: 50/100

Countdown: 93 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Tentang Cinta - Pahrol Mohamad Juoi

 

Ustaz Pahrol memang mempunyai bakat menyampaikan ide melalui penulisan. Buku ini merupakan satu lagi hasil karya beliau. Dari saat mula, pembaca akan terpaku dengan gaya bahasa dan cara penyampaian yang sangat jelas dan tepat. Pastinya, setiap buku tulisan beliau "harus" dibaca. Tak keterlaluan sekiranya dikatakan ianya boleh mengubah pola berfikir anda!

Points to learn:

• cinta jangan dilihat dari sudut kebiasaan tapi lihatlah dari sumber keagunganNya.

Rating: ✮✮✮

Books tally: 49/100

Countdown: 108 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

Sept   3 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Reader's Digest - September 2020

 

A must-have in every household. A condensed magazine that caters to all. Light read, just nice to slide into your busy schedule. On the other hand, if you have all the time..well this is certainly your answer!

Rating: NA

Books tally: 48/100

Countdown: 109 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Reader's Digest August 2020

 

Good thing about RD is there is something for everyone. Whether you prefer drama or action, mystery or fact, wellness or fad. Or just plain old light read..an healing for the mind and soul.

Rating: NA

Books tally: 47/100

Countdown: 116 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

Aug    4 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Hadith : Terminology and Classification - Muhammad S .ar-Rahawan

 

Again never fails to disappoint you. If sound knowledge is what you are looking for, you have found the right book. Now it's on the science of hadith. The author undoubtedly manages to explain the intricacies of this precise field, meticulously and in layman's term. A must read especially for those who value truth and not blind-faith.

Rating: ✮✭✮✮

Books tally: 46/100

Countdown: 129 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

#100booksin2020challenge

Reader's Digest June 2020

Never fails to spruce your day up! That's RD! Been reading it since in my primary schooling days. Guess I got it from my late Dad ( being an ardent reader himself). Started subscribing again upon Firdaus, my second son's request. Try it..you may never know who gets bitten by the bug!

Rating: NA

Books tally: 45/100

Countdown: 130 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

#100booksin2020challenge

 

Travelog Haji: Mengubah Sempadan Iman - Muhd Kamil Ibrahim

 Mengubah sempadan iman. Satu kalimah yang cukup power. Penulisan kembara iman seorang profesor sewaktu mengerjakan ibadah haji bersama keluarganya. Menariknya di sini, bagaimana persiapan yang dibuat seawal 1-2 tahun sebelumnya. Begitu teliti dalam setiap perancangan lalu sedikit-sebanyak membantu melaksanakan Rukun Islam kelima ini. Perkongsian ini juga mungkin bermanfaat bagi bakal2 haji kerana memberikan beberapa tips menghadapi situasi2 tertentu. Bagi mereka yang dah bergelar haji, paling tidak membawa mereka ke nostalgia di saat ketika mengabdikan diri kepada Penciptanya.

Rating: ★★★

Books tally: 44/100

Countdown: 138 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

July    5 books

#100booksin2020challenge

100 Books in 2020 Challenge

 

Learning Arabic Language of the Quran - Izzath Uroosa

A good book indeed. Nicely bound hard-cover. Written in systematic and concise manner. Suitable for beginners as well as for the advanced. The only setback is the reader needs to have a good command (or basic at the least) of English grammar. The reason being that the entire book is written using the English grammar as the basis. Thus, to appreciate the actual value of the book, the reader has to embark on two challenges. The journey in mastering the English grammar and eventually to explore the intricacies of the Arabic language.

Points to learn:

• learning language is rewarding and opens up the idle mind

Rating: ★★★

Books tally: 42/100

Countdown: 156 days left

Jan      12 books
Feb       4 books
March   8 books

April     5 books

May    4 books

June   6 books

#100booksin2020challenge