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| My Johor Stories, Book 1 and Book 2 on the book shelf in a MPH bookstore |
In our correspondence, she told me that the school was
keen to add my book into the Malaysian Collection of their library and we
discussed about arranging an event with the student and/or parents to meet a
local author.
A great deal had happened since 2017, including the
launch of my book sequel, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and
Inspirational People, in 2018.
Recently, Rita wrote me with an invitation to join
their Book Club meeting because My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People,
Rich Heritage was one of two books by Malaysian authors that the club had
selected for their reading during the recent summer break.
After reading these books, the club members were ready
for a discussion and some clarifications from the authors.
This Book Club meeting was then arranged for an
evening held in Rita’s residence where I could join them in person while the
other Malaysian author who’s based in the UK, would join via Skype.
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| Two books by Selina Siak are available from local bookstores |
The other book which they had read was The Woman
Who Breathed Two Worlds, by Selina Siak Chin Yoke, a novel based on the
author’s research into her grandmother’s life in a Peranakan/Nyonya or
Straits-born Chinese setting.
I thought it was rather uncanny that Selina’s book was
inspired by her grandmother because my grandmother, The Real Champion who
was also a fountain of information, contributed a great deal of the cultural
and heritage content that helped me join the dots to share non-fiction stories
in my books.
For the Book Club meeting, Rita, who admitted that she
was thoroughly charmed by the Peranakan or Nyonya culture, went the extra mile
to serve some traditional Nyonya kueh (cakes) for everyone to enjoy.
So there I was at this Book Club meeting with members
made up of expatriate ladies and staff from the Raffles American School here.
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| Autographing my book for the Book Club members |
Well, at least she was still Malaysian enough to
help identify the different types of Nyonya kueh that were served and told the
other ladies, the local names of the cakes and what ingredients they were made
from.
With plates piled with snacks, the ladies gathered in
the lounge and made themselves comfortable.
Rita was rather pleased with herself because she
managed to successfully plug my laptop to her flat-screen TV so that everyone
could enjoy a clear view of my presentation.
Then I shared with them about myself and my
book-writing journey, helped visually by a collection of vintage photographs to
let the ladies have an exciting insight into where it all began.
After reading my book, the ladies were familiar
with my collection of stories and smiled in agreement when I flashed our
family’s studio-taken photo – published with, Painful visits to the photo
studio – where I pointed out the way I frowned because I detested posing
for studio shots!
It was fun to share with them about how readers
like Richard Hayter in the UK, saw the photo of my dad and his three daughters
next to dad’s 1959 model Volkswagen Beetle and wrote me, saying that he
recognised my dad and his car.
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| Signing my books for the Book Club members; Max, Rita's pet dog, was also interested in my book! |
Richard asked how he could get a copy of my book
and I told him that it is available online via mphonline.
A few days later when he received my book by mail,
he told me that he would be reading it in the train on his way into London tomorrow.
Then Richard sent me a photo of himself with my book in the train!
I also shared about the contents in my book sequel
and a bit more about how my books are provided in some hotels and resorts here to
enhance guests’ stays and encourage them to explore the city in a more
meaningful way.
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| Malaysian author, Selina Siak, joining the meeting from the UK via Skype |
After the presentation, I autographed my Book 1, which
the ladies brought with them as well as copies of its sequel, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People.
The timing was just right because Rita was setting
up the screen, ready to connect with the other author on Skype.
In an attempt to let Selina have a good view of the
club members from her view-cam, everyone tried to squeeze into the “screen” while
some were seated on the floor.
After a round of introductions, Selina who hails
from Ipoh, admitted that she was probably more British than Malaysian as she had
lived abroad for most of her adult life.
Her journey in book-writing started as a therapy to
lift her out of depression after her experience with cancer treatments and the
time she spent back in Ipoh to reconnect with her family spurred her on to
write her first novel, The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds, a fictitious
story based on her grandmother’s life.
“It’s the sound of the culture!” declared Selina who deliberately
used the local lingo to let readers “feel the connection.”
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| Selina's view of the Book Club meeting is seen on the top Right hand corner of this screen |
All she was willing to say about it was that it will
be a “political thriller” and “completely different from her previous books.”
Then it was Selina’s turn to ask questions.
Curious to know how the Book Club picked her book for
their summer reading, she asked them.
Rita and Helena explained that while they were considering which books to pick, they typed in Books set in Malaysia in a Google search and selected Selina’s book from the list of Ten Best Books in Malaysian Literature.
Book 1 of My Johor Stories was already added into
Rita’s school library and her own collection and as they were now living in
Johor, my book was also picked as a recommended read.
Selina also wanted to hear from the expatriate ladies,
their opinions and impressions of Malaysia or if their expectations were met
when they moved to live here.
Like a dam was opened, the ladies volunteered their
comments:
“It was mind-blowing because people here speak
English!”
“The British influence here makes me feel at home,” another
said with reference to the colonial charm of landmark buildings in Johor.
“Johor Baru is turning into my home!”
“It’s incredibly modern. While there are still jungles
(to enjoy the rustic charm), we can buy everything here!”
The ladies mentioned a few familiar brand names that
they enjoyed from home and were happy to conveniently find them in grocery
stores here!
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| Selina's view of the Book Club members in the meeting |
After a brief pause, Selina firmly replied, “Ipoh
chicken rice with bean-sprouts.”
What ensued was a lively discussion about visiting Ipoh and having an experience of all its charms.
The ladies told Selina that some of them visited Ipoh
after reading her book, went to the places and tried the food mentioned in the
book.
In fact, the direct flights between JB and Ipoh has
made travel much more convenient now and the other ladies were already planning
their own trips.
The ladies then told Selina that Rita has a
fascination with Peranakan/Nyonya delicacies and that she served some Nyonya kueh
among other finger-food earlier in the meeting.
They went on to discuss various local treats that they
have learnt to enjoy, naming them one-by-one…
“Stop now!” said Selina emphatically, seeking to stop
the “torture” of having to imagine the tasty local delicacies that she missed
while she was so far away…
So after formally thanking Selina for her time, the Skype
chat ended and Rita brought the Book Club meeting to a close.
Thanks ladies, for appreciating the My Johor Stories series of books. It was indeed an exciting experience to meet the Book
Club members who were also tech-savvy enough to connect with a fellow Malaysian author
via Skype!
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