From Andrea Hirata, A. Fuadi, Okky Madasari and More

Books are still one of my favourite things. A good book, a cup of tea and a cozy couch are all I need.  Although the numbers of books I read are way too small comparing to the old days however I am happy that this year many of my favorite authors released their books. Let's check these five recommended books that you can enjoy during your end of year holiday. 

Sirkus Pohon by Andrea Hirata

Let's start from Andrea Hirata with his Sirkus Pohon. I miss Andrea and his touching way in telling how Belitung people live their lives. It still entertains me although the plot, the characters, the twist and the ending are still far from all time favorite Laskar Pelangi but still it is nice to read another book with Andrea's style.   

Anak Rantau by A. Fuadi

I just visited Padang and Bukit Tinggi and now I am excited to finally can witness the beautiful landscape of Padang and taste the delicious Padang food.  Now, let's  follow Hepi's engaging adventure with his friends and find out how their activities as detective wannabe finally end up.  

Yang Bertahan dan Binasa Perlahan by Okky Madasari

Reading Okky's works are never boring. There is always something to ponder. This time Okky brings her short stories collections. The themes as usual tell about the unfortunate people, the unfairness of life, the struggle to survive, and such. Okky said that the short stories consist of 19 stories that have already been written down within a decade (2007-2017).    

Forgotten Colors by Vabyo

I always love Vabyo's witty way in delivering his stories. This book is special because it was written down after Vabyo got stroke and suffered a kind of memory loss. This book is a therapy for the writer and a lesson for us to understand what happens to people with stroke. A touching story.

Koran Kami with Lucy in the Sky by Bre Redana  

Bre Redana is a senior Kompas journalist. I always wait for his column in Kompas Minggu. He delivers an up-to-date article in a playful yet deep way.  

In his latest book of Koran Kami, he wrote about newspaper company, how a newspaper is managed, the process, the people behind it, the stress, the friendship, and all. The story seems simple but I know it has a very important meaning since Bre said that after 35 years as a journalist, he just needs to write something about his work and he MADE it. This book was launched on his retirement day. A good way to end a working period.

I enjoy the book a lot. I laughed here and there and think for lots of smart statements and quotes. If you are looking for a light with a deep meaning read, try this one. You'll love it.

Some of the quotes I love:

"Itulah bahayanya memori: ia mampu memperdayai kita. Selalu sediakan  ruang untuk mencurigai memori diri sendiri."

"Di zaman fundamentalisme ini orang gampang percaya pada apa såja kecuali kebenaran, ..."

"Agama sekarang adalah persoalan gaya hidup, persoalan politik, dan di atas segalanya bisnis. Tuhan sudah lama menjauh dari agama. Sudah lama Tuhan pindah alamat,..."

"Mabuk bir orang jadi jujur; mabuk agama orang jadi pembohong."

See? There're still more. A must read.

Exploring Indonesia: Padang & Bukit Tinggi

A breathtaking view from Grand Rocky Hotel, Bukit Tinggi 

To travel is to live.
-Hans Christian Anderson

I have been dreaming to go to Padang and finally it happenned last weekend. I went there with four of my ex college mates. We really did have a great time.

At Lembah Harau

We stayed at Grand Rocky Hotel at Bukit Tinggi. A nice hotel in a strategic area. Jam Gadang and all tourism spots are within walking distance. Unfortunately we couldn't shop at Pasar Atas or Pasar Ateh, located next to Jam Gadang, since it was burnt last October. There are still some of the products sold around the first floor of Pasar Ateh so we still could buy some stuffs with reasonable prices but imagining there used to be around 700 traders in Pasar Ateh, we really sorry that we miss the opportunity to visit such an exciting place.

At Padang Beach

At Singkarak Lake

Traveling to Padang and Bukit Tinggi means you are ready to enjoy a beautiful landscape with fresh air and of course a super delicious Padang food. If you are into valley, waterfall, lake, mountain, rice fieds, rendang, keripik sanjay, lupis, bubur kampiun, and all, Padang and Bukit Tinggi are heavens on earth for all foodies. 

Kelok 9

A short getaway that as usual brings good food for our soul.

Book Launching: Profesi Hukum Itu Asyik! #3

"Budaya literasi masyarakat Indonesia nomor 2 terbelakang di dunia, urutan ke 60 dari 61 negara.

Indeks minat baca di Indonesia hanya 0,001 artinya dari 1000 penduduk hanya 1 orang yang memiliki minat baca.

Namun Indonesia negara nomor 5 tercerewet di twitter, 15 tweet per detik, 7 juta tweet/hari."

--Kang Maman, the conceptor of Indonesia Lawak Club (ILK) and Ambassador of Literacy 

Alhamdulillah, another book launching of Profesi Hukum Itu Asyik! was successfully held at Gunung Agung, Senayan City last Thursday, 2 November 2017. I invited 6 (six) contributors including me as the editor to represent 25 legal professions and share our working experiences with the audiences.  

I am so grateful that lots of people welcome this book in a very nice way and they told me that they're inspired by this book. Even some of my friends said that a book like Profesi Hukum Itu Asyik! that lists down and elaborates 25 professions that someone with legal background may embrace should be made at every faculty so all the graduates will have the ideas about the works that may suitable for them in the future.  

There are many people who have already been so supportive in making this book possible. I am forever grateful. This book is just a beginning. We need to keep going. It's our job to socialize and share this professions to the highschoolers all over Indonesia and even abroad. My friends and I are in the process to arrange our schedule to visit high schools in Indonesia, mostly East Indonesia that is still left behind comparing to their brother and sisters in Java Island.  Finger crossed.