Today I woke up and realized that it’s Thursday. Where did this week go? And I still have a few deadlines before I can go to a pub on Friday night. Saying that, here’s a quick post about Malaysia and Sense and Sensibility. What, you don’t remember Malaysia playing a role in the novel. You’re right it didn’t. But while I was on holiday I reread this book for my 50 year challenge. I don’t plan on reviewing the novel besides saying it’s one of my favorites by Austen. This was my second or third time reading it, but I’m sure I’ll associate it now with Malaysia since the views were amazing when I found the time to read.
I read bits and pieces of this in between river cruises on the Kinabatangan.
During my stay in Danum Valley, for almost an hour it was pouring out, giving me the opportunity to read.
In the early morning I sat on my private deck on Mabul Island to read.
Sometimes I was too distracted to read whilst on Mabul Island.
Fellow readers on the island.
And now I have a confession. Many of you know I’ve been on a book ban, which meant I couldn’t buy any books all this year. Well, I only packed Sense and Sensibility for my trip. Normally I pack two or three and then don’t even get through one. So I thought I was being smart by only bringing one. Long story short, before boarding the plane for two seven hour flights I stopped in the bookshop and bought Kafka on the Shore. It was an emergency, after all. A week later, the Better Half took me to a couple of used bookstores for my birthday. It was wonderful. I’m not sure if I’ll implement the book ban again.
50 Year Project 
Excellent post, Malaysia looks amazing.
thanks Vinnieh
I say the hell with book bans!!! Books feed our souls and keep our minds sharp, so it is a very, very healthy addiction. By the way, I can see myself sitting on one of those chairs in the last photo. Ahhh, that would be heavenly :). Was there anyone there to bring you fancy drinks with little umbrellas in them? That would make it perfect!
Can you believe it, I had to fetch my own fancy drinks. Oh the hardship!
That is just totally unacceptable LOL! You will have to make that part of your research next time :).
A book ban?! What are you…bloody Iran???
Ha! it was an attempt to I could save money and go on more trips. And the fact that I own 100s of books I haven’t read yet.
I’m sure it seemed like a good idea at the time. Ahem.
I might try a cake ban.
Yeah, right…
Uh, a cake ban is not acceptable. I wasn’t denying myself books. I have more than I would like to admit. And I had access to the library. So I still had books. And I would never ever give up cake, chocolate, salty chips–now I’m hungry.
Well, it is lunchtime, after all 🙂
I should add I tried to go without sugar in my tea this week, and I lasted half a day.
Worth persisting with, that… I no longer have sugar in tea or coffee. That means I can have double cake instead.
After I typed my response I tried to give it another go. I like the idea of double cake. Can I add ice cream?
And chocolate sprinkles, if you like
Yes! Nice touch
I looks so gorgeous there! Just catching up on your blog.
It was. I’ve been enjoying your India posts. The rickshaw ride looked fun and a little scary.
What a gorgeous place to sit and read all day. 🙂
The beach was great and we had three full days there. It was fantastic since the previous two weeks we were constantly up at 5 for hiking or other activities. I’m not complaining since I enjoyed all of it, but it was grand to end the holiday with three days on an island.
Bravo on the early rising and hiking. 🙂
So glad the book ban is lifted!!!! Whew. I was sweating it out with you . The pics today are awesome!!!! Love love love. I have to catch up on all your posts…working my way through them. Thanks for being patient with me! 🙂
Oh goodness, take your time. Blogging should be a no pressure adventure.
I have to admit, it felt good to browse a bookstore and pick up books, read the back covers, flip to a random page for a test read–it is an addiction.
You should never ever have a book ban and Kafka on the Shore is well worth reading. I really enjoyed it anyway 🙂
It was just a ban on buying books, until I read more that I own. And I was hooked with Kafka on both flights. Read more than half by the time I got back to London. I need to work on the review. Have you read other books by him? this was my first, but not my last.
Wow you make this place look divine… what the hell is a book ban… without them one falls behind, or are you only reading ebooks in the future.?.. lying on the beach like that without a book would be a sacrilege…
I recently purchased a Kindle, but didn’t bring it on the trip since I had my hands full keeping the cameras, batteries, passports, mobile and other stuff dry while touring jungles. I now have several waterproof bags, which I hope will come in handy on other trips. And in London. I love the Kindle, but it won’t replace books for me completely. It never can.
As for reading on the beach, yes, I think you need a book you can hold, feel, and crack the spine. I love cracking the spine on a brand new book.
I love to crack that spine as well… but there is nothing better than the new book smell…
Yes! A lot of people don’t realize that the smell is important to the experience. And cracking the spine.
Oh can’t wait to hear what you have to say about Kafka on the Shore! It was an interesting read and Murakami is definitely an individual. Also I love Sense and Sensibility even though it’s not my favorite Austen, as you’re well aware I love all Austen and I’m actually reading a Sense and Sensibility sequel at the moment.
Who wrote the sequel? I think you were one of the bloggers that convinced me to give Murakami a try.
Jane Odiwe, she’s written a couple of sequels to Austen’s original 6.
Have you read P & P & Zombies? I really got a kick out of that one.
That one is one of the few I didn’t like. I thought Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters was much better done. They meshed the story better and made it seem much less oh here’s some action thrown in. I’ve got Android Karenina on my TBR shelf.
I haven’t read the Sea Monsters yet, but maybe I should since I just finished the original. Android Karenina–that’s hilarious!
Yeah – there are so many interesting sounding ones. I got Karenina because I think it might be by the Sea Monster’s author.
Can’t wait for the review!
Did the book ban make you more appreciative of your current collection and/or more appreciative of that new-to-you recently purchased book in the hand? You should do a post about the book ban – reasons, temptations, and end result. I am sure I am not the only one who would find it interesting.
That’s a pretty good idea. When TBH took me shopping on my birthday I felt like a kid on Christmas–I hadn’t been in a shop since 2012 and it seemed like forever! I purchased 8 used books and so far I’ve read 2. I’ll have to ponder that
Beautiful shots and am glad the book ban has been lifted!
It seems no one agreed with it, except my wallet.
Regardless of length, this post rocked!
Thanks Hook.
Nice post and definitely great pictures. Wish I was there … I probably would have finished our book months ago. You know I’ve only had a few pages to go for a long time and for some reason something always gets in my way…like the terrible twos. Dude. I feel terrible for holding you up. I’m totally not the slacker kind, . This whole incident makes me want to send you a box a Hawaiian chocolate. I’m hoping this is the weekend we finally get to cheese it up about the book!
🙂
Seriously don’t worry at all. You aren’t holding me up. When you’re done we can talk and talk and talk. However, I should mention that I would never turn down a box of Hawaiian chocolate 🙂
I don’t do book buying bans ( I think “buying” is key here. There were some misunderstandings about the nature of the ban:) ) but I set myself a limit. Firts I tried to limit the number of books and now I’ve limited the amount, meaning if I?m very clever I can still buy loads. (Amazon market place. 🙂 )
I didn’t get along with Sense and Sensibility. I also can’t read certian books when I’m in countries which are very different from the country I’m in. I tried to read Anna Karenina in Hong Kong and just couldn’t go on. I was glad I had some non-fiction titles with me. I would love if it worked for me like it did for you.
Have you signed up for the websites (bookbub, Ereader news, and Pixel of Ink) that announce kindle sales and free book offers. Last night I downloaded four free books that sounded pretty good.
I can kinda understand why Anna Karenina may have been difficult in Hong Kong. It’s been years since I read it and I remember liking it, but seems a little too deep for a holiday read. For me, Sense and Sensibility isn’t a deep read. I can’t remember, do you like other Jane Austen books?
I liked Pride and Prejudice and Emma but wasn’t too keen on Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensebility. Some say I haven’t read the best yet. 🙂
Thanks for those suggestions. I’ll do that.
Mansfield Park is next on my list. I’ll let you know if I think it’s better than P & P. However, that is one of my all-time faves so Mansfield would have to be incredible to beat it.
nice to read: “…the Better Half
took me to a couple of used bookstores
for my birthday.
It was wonderful.
I’m not sure if I’ll implement
the book ban again…”
I love books too much. I try not to buy too many and I prefer used bookstores. Makes me feel better about the environment and the pocketbook.
I am also on a self imposed book ban. I have been away from bookstores for months and it felt like ages :(.
I feel for you! I really do. I hope you are stronger than me.
the laziness is helping a LOT 🙂
sometimes it pays off
Two seven-hour flights without enough books? Cruel and unusual.
I didn’t last either. Blame it on the convenience of the Kindle. One button and it’s there.
Kindle is so dangerous. Right now I’m signed up for alerts for free and bargain books so at least I’m able to purchase free books and not hurt my pocketbook too much. But I keep buying them creating the same problem–too many and I need to read them before I buy more.
You did have quite a few nice places to read. Congrats on sticking out the book ban as long as you did.
I almost made it half of a year. That’t the longest ever for me.
i don’t ban anything. when i think of doing so, i dig deep and think of something i’ve already given up and call it a day 🙂
that’s a good philosophy!
Sigh… I know. I keep telling myself I should stop buying books. My shelves are overflowing and even my e-reader has books I haven’t opened yet. It’s my one real vice left. 😛
Well if it’s your only vice, I say don’t get rid of it. We all need at least one.
I haven’t read that book and probably will never read it…just not my cup of tea 😉
However, I would love to know what you think of Kafka on The shore, my first Murakami book that makes me a fan.
…and that is a great reading place 😉
Austen isn’t for everyone. I love her writing, but there are so many books out there so no reason to everyone to love the same author. I hope to write my Kafka review later this week. I’m a fan now!
I would think a book ban would be excruciating for a person who is such an avid reader and book lover. I understand why you had to do it!
It was excruciating! I’m glad it’s done.