23 February 2006CE | 23 Muharram 1427AH

More on books... *S*

“A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.”
- Henry Ward Beecher

Here is a conversation that warmed my heart. Gave me a good chuckle, it did! It took place between Ms M and her grandmother. They had gone to visit a friend who lived at my old neighbourhood and since it was quite a distance away, my mum decided to take a taxi home. She decided to tease Ms M a little…

Jiddah (pretending to grumble): Hmph… you know it’s all because of you that I have to spend so much money today.

Ms M: How come?

Jiddah: Well you see, normally I would take a bus or train, but you said you were tired so here we are in the taxi. It’s a lot more expensive by cab you know.

Ms M (somewhat apologetically): Yes, I know.

Jiddah: Didn’t Aunty give you a prezzie just now? She gave you $10, didn’t she?

Ms M: Yes… (long pause) … oh! Do you mean *I* have to pay the taxi fare?

Jiddah: And why not?

Ms M: But Jiddah… I HAVE to save my money…

Jiddah: Whatever for?

Ms M: I HAVE to save so I can buy BOOKS for MY CHILDREN!



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22 February 2006CE | 22 Muharram 1427AH

The Home Library

I confess.

I went positively insane on books in Singapore. I went so insane we had to ship a whole box over to Pakistan and leave some behind (which made me insanely upset). I have always been insane about books, but then you see this time, my insanity was compounded because I met someone even more insane about them. She is so insane about books that she started her own book business! *S*

Angie Maniam runs The Home Library. She has a lovely selection of books for children and a small, but growing, I am sure, collection for parents. What I love most about The Home Library is the sincerity and love behind the whole venture. Angie strives to choose only the best - they have been carefully assessed, meaning that she and her children have read each and every item they recommend. This is evident because the books in her catalogue are little treasures - they will inspire, stimulate and most of all, strike a chord.

There is also that charming personal touch - when I first contacted Angie, she was ever so exuberant, so much so I lost my normal sense of reserve and proceeded to call her and chat with her for a good half-hour! I was also invited to her home - her children are gems and showed Ms Muffet a roaring good time! - to peruse her shelves. I spent three whole hours there! *blush* Nothing like good old-fashioned customer service, I tell you!

If you are in Singapore, The Home Library gives a very good exchange rate, charges no shipping and can also deliver your books for a small fee. Homeschoolers get a nice discount too! Interested?

Contact Angie Maniam at The Home Library
Email THE HOME LIBRARY

Update: Angie has a website now - you can go shop at The Home Library Online.



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18 February 2006CE | 18 Muharram 1427AH

Books & Stories Online

Has it really been THREE months since I updated this blog? I do have lots of links and ideas to add but we are recovering from a long vacation and are inundated with luggage. *S* I need to send out a few emails as well - some long overdue! Please accept my apologies if you have written and not heard from me. I’ll try to write as soon as I can in shaa Allah.

In the meantime, here are some links to story sites that I posted on a parenting forum. They were well received so I thought I would post them here too.

As always, visit and read with a critical mind. Ah… but then, you know that already. *S*



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