Day 59 - Boxes

So today I went to Kinokuniya with a tour-guide, a friend who declares that the bookshop is her home, someone who probably knows the place better than the working staffs themselves. I think they should hire her.

She's truly a book connoisseur, with a discerning ability to tell the exact location of book titles, whether a book's cover would last long, and whether its spine would crease easily when it is being read. She is somehow able to memorize the different publishers and editions of the books, some which she calls the 'miskin' (poor) edition which has certain font sizes and paper quality, or the rich edition which is bulky but friendly to the eyes. She also knows which translators best do their job in conveying the classics to the modern readers, and she impassionately stopped me from buying a Russian classic as she told me that the interpreter of the book didn't do a good job.

Anyway, I shall not disclose what books she recommended to me, and which books I finally bought, but I guess I'll take a lifetime to finish them. (haha and I convinced my friend that I'll somehow finish the books before next year starts.. but oh well, I'm just a normal student equipped with enough homework to keep me busy :p)

What's interesting would be our discussion in the midst of shopping. For her, a person's world view and the way of thinking is akin to a box. She reads more books to explore other people's boxes, and as she accumulates more boxes, she is able to expand her box as well. As a reader, I am very pragmatic. I only read things that would generate value, as I believe in the philosophy of 'it's not what you read, but it's what you make out of it'. When I asked her what tangible value she gained from reading, a 'broader perspective' was her reply. I guess I have been too dogmatized into the Singapore's culture, whatever I do I read I eat I breathe must have a practical value. Thence, I took a plunge, buying a few books that I'd never touch otherwise, in an attempt to start my own empire of boxes.

Lastly, I shall reminisce her profound remarks about her Singaporean friends. She admires how her friends are very efficient, able to complete the tasks given in a very fast manner. However, she pities those without a rich personal life, 'a hobby', as she claims that her friends mindlessly take whatever the school gives and then they climb to the top of the system. I sighed, and told her that these kinds of people would not last long in Indonesia. They have to learn how to think for themselves. So Singapore is indeed, a haven to some. I guess I'll have to remind myself often as well. :)

Forever yours truly,