Welcome book-savvy shoppers!

It's a fact! Books are expensive in Malaysia. Bestselling items are never sold below RM40. You'd think that only the imported ones would carry a hefty tag, but no. Books penned by local authors can also burn a hole in your wallet. Even children books can be ridiculously priced.



Which explains why I, and possibly thousands of Malaysians out there, would go on a book bargain-hunting. I get all excited every time I enter a used bookstore the same when I go to Kinokuniya. I love books and I certainly love cheap books. And I know the lot of you who had entered this humble abode of a blog of mine are on the same hunting ground of finding cheap reading materials for yourself and your child.



So, welcome folks. I have listed down some of the pre-loved books that I'm willing to part with. Most of the books are in excellent condition. I dare say, if I hadn't scrape the price stickers off, it could be passed off as brand new.



Most of the children books, however, are brand new. These are clearance stocks from my hey-day stint as children reading/ learning and teaching aid materials trader.



I will be updating this blog from time to time, so please tag this blog as favourite and check-out for new posts. Ta!





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Friday, November 12, 2010

Coming Soon!

BOOKS GIFT BASKET
Keep in watch for la petit treasures exclusive books-as-gifts basket inclusive of special knick-knacks all awesomely packaged. Customers can choose the books from la petit treasures and we'll do the rest. Prices apply.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Top Author/ Book Review

Tim Willocks for The Religion
Tim Willocks is a British doctor and novelist born in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, England. An experienced psychiatrist, Willocks has worked for some years on the rehabilitation of the sufferers of drug addiction.

His most recent novel called The Religion is set in 1565 during the Grand Siege of Malta in 1565 and is the start of a projected trilogy. It centres around the adventures of Mattias Tannhauser a Saxon-born man who, after his family is killed, is trained and becomes a janissary in the army of the Ottoman Empire.
After years of service he is repulsed by the ferocious life he lives and he becomes an arms and opium merchant. He is forced to return back from retirement to help the Order of the Hospitaliers against the army of Suleiman the Magnificent and to help one young Maltese countess find her long lost son.
Willocks is rumoured to have had a brief relationship with pop star Madonna. Willocks also is an avid poker fan.


Willocks' published works:
  • Bad City Blues (1991)
  • Green River Rising (1995)
  • Bloodstained Kings (1996)
  • Swept from the Sea (1997)
  • Amy Foster (1998)
Mattias Tannhauser trilogy
  1. The Religion (2006)
  2. Twelve Children of Paris (2010)

Engineering books

Uh-huh. Engineering books. These books can cost a bomb! I often hear some of my friends and cousins whine about how expensive these books are. You'll need to standby a welding machine to fix the hole in your pocket after buying these books at market price.
So, I thought I should be extra generous and tuned the price a lil bit.  I have a few of the Haynes publication left, but the red one from A. Graham Bell (is that ever his real name?) is the last piece selling at only RM90 (normal price is RM118.90). Grab it or you'll be sorry!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Helping your child with reading

Reading with your child is vital. Research shows that it's the single most important thing you can do to help your child's education. It's best to read little and often, so try to put aside some time for it every day.
Think of ways to make reading fun - you want your child to learn how pleasurable books can be. If you're both enjoying talking about the content of a particular page, linger over it for as long as you like.
Books aren't just about reading the words on the page, they can also present new ideas and topics for you and your child to discuss.
Tips for helping your child to enjoy books:
  • Encourage your child to pretend to 'read' a book before he or she can read words.
  • Visit the library as often as possible - take out CDs and DVDs as well as books.
  • Schedule a regular time for reading - perhaps when you get home from school or just before bed.
  • Buy dual-language books if English isn’t your family’s first language - you can talk about books and stories, and develop a love for them, in any language.
  • Look for books on topics that you know your child is interested in - maybe dragons, insects, cookery or a certain sport.
  • Make sure that children’s books are easily accessible in different rooms around your house.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Priory Classic

I love classics. Children classics, adult classics. They give you this warm fuzzy feeling every time. Don't know bout some of you, but I can go on and on reading the same story without ever getting tired of it. The Priory Classic collection (right) I have here are selling for RM12.90 at MPH Bookstore. And I'm pushing it for onlyRM10! It comes in a hardback cover with 12 titles to go. This collection will also makes a perfect birthday birthday gift.
And how about the good 'ol fairy tales to perk up your children's tantrums? With its colourful and witty pictures, even I was captivated. No, really. That's the thing with fairy tales storybook. It spurs your imagination and the more you read, the more you wish you have a magic wand and teleport yourself into the fairy world itself.  I have these last two books of A Collection of Fairy Tales on my shelf after selling the other four of the same set.  There's two books and each carries 3 fairy tale stories. Per book is only RM10.

Children Learning books

Most of the books on sale in this blog are dedicated to children's learning, which also happens to be a passion of mine.  You'll find the Malay learning books also and you'd be surprised that they were selling pretty good as parents nowadays are scrambling for reading materials to help up their children's Bahasa Malaysia skills.  Truthfully, I don't blame them because have you seen how hard the subject can be?
Anyway, click on the Children Learning books tab and there, I've arranged an array of stimulating and knowledge-based books for the kids.  Some of the Malay learning sets like Siri Pelajar Cemerlang, Siri Kecerdasan Emosi EQ and Cerita Rakyat Asia, are used by teachers for relevant lessons and as stocked in school libraries.

Ancient Civilization series

Just because it's ancient doesn't mean we can chuck it away. Turn back time and delve into the ancient world of the Persians (now Iranians) and the Greeks in these two captivating, if not mesmerising books to give your child that extra nugget of knowledge.

Learn about these two empires that had created its golden legacy that can be seen until today.
 

Great Muslim Scientists

I must say that this Great Muslim Scientist set is an eye-opener and bursting with knowledge. I must admit that I was ignorant at who Al-Biruni, Az-Zahrawi, Ibn Sina, Al-Razi, Al-Haytham, and Jabir were until I picked up these books and read it myself and I suggest that everyone should, too.
The price for this set is RM120.00. The books are encased in hardback folder type casing.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

B.Malaysia series: Siri Planet Kita


Ref #: NB-0017-CMB
RM40 per set
Condition: New
Titles in one set:
Bumi; Uranus; Marikh; Neptun; Pluto; Zurah; Utarid; Musytari; Zuhal

100 Things You Should Know About



Ref #: NB-0014-CB
RM32 (np: RM39.90)
RM90 per set
Condition: New
Titles in set:
Inventions; Reptiles and Amphibians; Oceans

Children Learning series: Discovering Dinosaurs



Ref #: NB-0013-CB
RM15 (np: RM17.90)
RM45 per set
Condition: New
Titles in set:
Flying Monsters; Mighty Giants; Small and Scary

Home Emergency Guide

This is a must, I repeat, a must in every household. As the name of the book suggest, Home Emergency Guide, brings you an array of possible accidents, indoor and outdoor, and how to treat victims using the basic firts-aid and life-saving techniques.  You see, I'm a staunch advocate of first-aid practice and I strongly urge that parents, teachers and child minders especially should have some kind of basic knowledge in first-aid.
We hear way too many stories about people, especially children, who die a senseless death. Deaths that can be easily avoided if people around them know how to administer first-aid. Drowning, choking, burning, heart-attack, stroke, those are just some of the life-threatening accidents and symptoms that can be reversed if one knows just what to do. For just RM15, this book may just save a life. I only have four left. I already sold six.
 
Okay, this book is one of my favourites, Detox Solutions (RM20). This coffee table book is perfect for those who wants to take charge of their body and health.  This book guides you on how to detox your body the natural and less painful way. It also contains mind and soul calming as well as beauty ideas that certainly won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Dragon's Tail by Adam Williams

Ref #: PLB-0007-AB
RM25 (np: RM74.90)
From the Cold War through the horror of the Cultural Revolution and into the bloody climax of Tiananmen Square, this book traces a gripping adventure of modern China.

Lustrum by Robert Harris

Ref #: PLB-0006-AB
RM40 (np: RM69.90)
Rome, 63BC. The stories of real historical figures - their alliances and betrayals, cruelties and seductions, brilliance and crimes - are all interleaved to form this epic novel which is a study in the timeless enticements and horrors of power.

Attila by William Napier

Ref #: PLB-0005-AB
RM35 (np:RM59.90)
5th century AD, Roman empire totters on the edge of the abyss.  Rumours abound of a new power arising in the east, a ferocious nation of horse-warriors known as the Huns, striking terror into the border tribes.  And now they have a new leader; Attila, 'the Scourge of God'.

The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Ref #: PLB-0004-AB
RM35 (np: RM49.90)
Narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers, this book finally gives a woman's take on the timeless tale that is the Mahabharata.  It's a deeply human story about a woman born into a man's world.

All Shall Be Well by Tod Wodicka

Ref #: PLB-0003-AB
RM35 (np: RM65.90)
Meet Burt Hecker, medieval re-enactor who dresses in tunics who has sold all his possessions and bought a one-way ticket to Europe, bent on rescuing his son Tristan from the 'evil' city of Prague.  If only he knew that his son doesn't want to be rescued, or found.

Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

Ref #: PLB-0002-AB
RM40 (np: RM69.90)
Two boys grow up in upstate New York. One of them gets away to Italy and becomes a painter. The other stays to marry an artist, to run a small empire of convenience stores, and to tell their story. Now at 60, husband and wife travels to Venice where his oldest friend and rival has traded past and family for a life far removed from New York.

Mysteries of Eleusis by Margaret Doody

Ref #: PLB-0001-AB
RM10 (np: RM35.90)
The great philosopher Aristotle helps his former student Stephanos investigate a break-in and brutal murder. The man fingered for the crime turn against Stephanos just as he is planning to marry Philomela. It is difficult to arrange a big fat Greek wedding when someone seems to be trying to kill you. Elsewhere, bodies begin to pile up - who will be bludgeoned or stabbed or strangle next?