MPH

Marie Claire and MPH Bookstores are pleased to announce the resumption of our book club, Good Reads by Marie Claire & MPH this January. A bi-monthly event, this reader’s circle will include discussions on hot best-sellers as well as classic favourites. Participants will enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or tea with a cupcake, courtesy of Bisou Café, while discussing the intricacies of this month’s book.

This month, we are talking about Peony in Love by Lisa See, an unusual coming-of-age story, rich in Chinese history.

Venue: Bisou Café, Bangsar Village 1, Bangsar

Date: 23 January 2010 (Saturday)

Time: 10.30am – 11.30am

Use the coupon from MPH’s January 2010 event leaflet to enjoy a 20% discount off the book. Valid from 1 Jan – 31 Jan 2010 at MPH Bangsar Village 1, MPH Megastore 1 Utama & Mid Valley only.

Space is limited for this exciting event, so register as soon as possible at marieclaire@bluinc.com.my or call us at 03-7952 7000 ext 7088.

Since its opening, Avatar has to date grossed over $1 billion in movie ticket sales. The movie has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide with it’s pristine, natural and visually arresting colourful world with its unique inhabitants. Those who can’t seem to get enough of Avatar can now rejoice with the release of books tied to the movie.

Avatar: A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Avatar is an excellent field guide that will transport you to the world of Pandora. There are photographs, scientific field notes and research data gathered to teach us, the people of Earth who are struggling to survive as our natural resources are depleting.

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Movie Scrapbook is ideal for younger fans of the movie. Targeted at children age 3-7, this books is a short adaptation with plenty of pictures to wow them. Older kids of 7-10 will prefer The Na’vi Quest. The Reusable Sticker Book makes for a great collection for kids that like collecting stickers.

The protagonist in Walter Kirn’s novel Up in the Air is a man who thrives in the field of career transistion counselling, ie he gets paid to say “You’re fired”. He doesn’t have a permanent work station, he flies in to where he is needed to do the deed and then flies out. His frequent travelling earns him frequent-flyer miles and in between doing his job he becomes somewhat obsess to achieving the ultimate one million miles. Suddenly, it is all up in the air as his boss calls him to come back. The company has a new method to firing people – via computer.

Teenager Clarisse Precious Jones (played by newcomer Gabourey Sibide in an absolutely fearless performance) is dirt poor, morbidly obese, semiliterate, and pregnant for the second time – both courtesy of her own father (the first baby was born with Down syndrome).

The 67th Golden Globe Awards airs this Monday (Jan 18) in Malaysia (I can’t wait!). Its going to be a star-studded event hosted by English comedian, Ricky Gervais. The nominees for Best Motion Picture (Drama) has been announced and I’m already keeping my fingers crossed for my favourite to win, and no it’s not Avatar! It is going to be a tough choice with each movie having its own strengths with superb effects, storyline and actors. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

But in the mean time, grab a copy of these movie tie-in books (Avatar, Precious and Up in the Air) at your nearest MPH outlets. We would love to hear from you on which book is your favourite read and how different is the book compared to the movie.

The Nominees for Best Motion Picture (Drama) are:

- Avatar

- The Hurt Locker

- Inglourious Basterds

- Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

- Up in the Air

For full list of nominations, you can check out Golden Globes website or just watch the short clip below. Enjoy!

A History of the Unexplained by Brendan Kilmartin

Non-fiction

1. How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be: The 25 Principles of Success by Jack Canfield

2. 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself by Steve Chandler

3. Why Mars and Venus Collide: Improving Relationships by Understanding How Men and Women Cope Differently with Stress by John Gray

If Not Now, When?, an inspirational book written by His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinponche was launched at MRC Lounge at MPH 1 Utama Megastore yesterday. The book raises some pertinent issues on joy and sadness, harmony and conflict, commitment and irresponsibility, love and fear as well as life and death. Get your copy of the pre-signed book while stocks lasts and a limited-edition collectible with every purchase in January.

Love reading? Visit bookstores regularly? If yes, then sign up today for MPH Readers’ Circle. This privilege card entitles you to rebates, book discounts, invites to events and many more! Click here for details.

The world mourned the passing of the King of Pop last year and almost instantaneously an avalanche of tributes from concerts to documentary and books about him came out. Rolling Stone recently released Michael and it is said to be different, written and designed as only Rolling Stone knows how. Here is the interview of the book with Rolling Stone executive editor, Jason Fine.

This month, teachers from the British Council will be conducting free storytelling sessions for children aged between 4 to 8 at MPH Megastore 1 Utama and MPH Mid Valley Megamall. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun and pick up language learning tips that they can use with their children at home!