Life as the river flows: Women in the Malayan Anti-Colonial Struggle
by Agnes Khoo

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Started reading 10 November 2006
Finished reading 15 December 2006

The women interviewed are not prominent even in their own organization. They were just ordinary people who were thrown into the struggles of the Malayan Communist Party against the government of the day. Most of them had sympathized with the cause since childhood as they saw the reality of life under the Japanese, British and an independent Malaysia headed by the elites. There were no regrets as all of them went into the jungle on their own free will. As they grew older, the only wish is to visit their place of birth again but the ruling Malaysian government seems determined to deny them that right. This is an important book for the generations that were born after Malaysia’s independence. At least through these women’s lives we know there is another side to the country’s fight for freedom from the colonialists.

A Year With Rumi
by Coleman Barks

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Started reading 24 November 2006
Finished reading 5 December 2006

Englightening. Apt words for all times. His observations on nature and the links to the Creator are spot-on. That is what a lot of people have lost in their quest for the truth. The simple basics to understand the Almighty eludes many of us. A simple premise is always the best bet in solving that conundrum. This little book does help in its own way to take us along that path.

This end of the rainbow
by Adibah Amin

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Started reading 13 November 2006
Finished reading 14 November 2006

A little gem of a book and most probably a thinly disguised autobiography. For those who have read her writing s before, they would be familiar with her style, an even handed approach to all issues. She is one of a kind. Maybe the last of that group who still believes in fair play and all man are equal. There might be others of the same ilk hiding somewhere trying to keep the flag flying. As it is, the book does recount her past up to her first year in university. The story is mix of life struggles as well as triumphs over adversity. This is acutely felt during the Second World War and the years just before independence. The utopian finale is something that might not come true in our lifetime but it is every right thinking citizen’s hope that it will triumph in the end.