Books I'm Reading: Death in the Clouds

 Book #5!

I try to ration my Poirot reading :") 
I don't want to run out!

So each time, I try to sip and savour it. 

This one is a good one to sip and savour hehe.
Because the story itself isn't that dynamic, in my opinion. 

There was a death at the beginning,
a long, on going investigation,
a slight twist at the end & the reveal.

That's kind of it. 

No secondary events happen in the middle 
I guess because in this case, Poirot tries to examine 11(-ish) suspects one by one. Eliminating them based on probability & possibility of committing a crime in an aircraft. 

So, we get to meet these different characters, 
follow or visit them in their 'worlds', while we are invited to guess who did it? 

Even though I was expecting more action, 
any chance of sitting with Poirot & Agatha Christie was delightful, always. 

Whilst the 'plot' of the book is rather simple, 
the crime itself was deliciously complex. I think that's one of the saving grace of this book. 

I think this is one of the books you can read again, just to see if you catch anything in the 2nd read! :) 

-*^^*-

Books I'm Reading: The Sephora Story

Book #4 - I got this book in BookXcess Rexkl as part of their 'blind date' book program. 
The blurb sounds interesting: a book about the power of branding, and building that brand identity. 

As it kind of relates to my work, I got it. 

& I thoroughly enjoyed it!

 

The Sephora Story: The Retail Success You Can't Makeup (The Business Storybook Series)

This is part of Harper Collins book series on business. 
Other brands in this series include Marvel, Target, NBA, etc. 

I think I enjoyed it most because rather than focusing on the data, 
the book leans towards the emotional side of the story. 

It recounts the journey of Sephora,
what they do (mostly do right), 

and what it is that gets them here today. 

I think they did a pretty good job at narrowing down Sephora's strength:

which is to create an omnichannel presence, and meeting its customers where they are. 

They create an interactive experience with the product (which I didn't realize wasn't the norm!) 

& they help make customers feel like the 'main character'. 

I also never imagined that the digital shopping experience could bring such a major boost 
when done properly like what Sephora has done. 

I know the book can be more comprehensive - some parts felt repetitive and minor, 

but without insider interviews from Sephora, 

I think they did a pretty good job digging in & finding exactly what Sephora's overall strategy is. 

Again, very enjoyable & now I see Sephora (& other beauty retails) with a new set of eyes! 

Books I'm reading: What you are looking for is in the library - Michiko Aoyama

Book #3 is a Japanese short story anthology. 

I got this book at the arirport; it was an easy buy. I've read a few of these and I love these so, so much. 

All of them has been well done, including this one! 

The anchor of the book is a library, located in a community center; 

with a wise librarian & friendly staff. 

I love how we start each story in the perspective & world of new characters each time. 

As 'all road leads to Rome', we'll find that there are different paths that brings them to the community center & library. 

I also love each character portrayed here, with different life questions that I think are so relatable to many people. And that leads to SO many beautiful 'proverbs' embedded in their dialogues. Each story unfolds gently to give these proverbs a huge resonance.

And that, I think, is due to the fact that the 'solution' never comes from that wise librarian.
She is just a catalyst; she sends people towards a direction.
Then, each character would encounter their own revelation - something they realize or hear from their support system. 

That keeps each story brilliantly fresh. 

The length of each story is just appropriate. HAHA

Which means you can read it in one sitting, or pick it back up at a later time, but it's not draggy. It is a perfect little escape to a small town in Japan during the busiest time of your own life. 

9/10 from me! 

-*^^*-

Books I'm reading: The Bomber Mafia - Malcolm Gladwell

 For book #2 - this January, I also finished The Bomber Mafia.

Let me preface this by saying, I'm a sucker for anything Malcolm Gladwell. 

I've read Outliers, the Tipping Point, Revenge of the Tipping Point, Talking to Strangers, 
and so I'm very excited to read this next one!

The book tells the beginning of the US Air Force, the beginning of air-warfare,
focusing on 2 people: Haywood Hansell & Curtis Lemay, 
set before & during World War 2 - in US, Europe, then Japan. 

He dissects the story of the different approaches people have to win the war; the different worldviews or mindsets and how it shapes strategies. It ends by nudging us to consider the difference between winning a battle and winning a war - and which approach would do which. 

I think this book is very much written in the style of all his previous books - yet with one distinction: 
where the other books usually explore a 'topic' & thus presents different examples of that topic that can come up in different parts of the world or different aspects of life, 

this one focus on this one storyline, one moment, one 'world', which makes it a little easier to follow. 

And this is a good example of how storytelling is making other people understand your obsession - which a sign of a skilled storyteller! 

The way he guides us into the story, jump in and out of the timeline to give us context, is always very clear, purposeful, and masterfully done. 

Another great read! 

-*^^*-

Books I'm reading: So Late in the Day - Claire Keegan

 This is book #1 I finished in 2026! 

HAHA it's a bit of a cheat because turns out, this is a novelette with 'only' 47 pages.
That's super easy for me to finish in 1 day. 

The story was quite unexpected. It follows a simple narration from the point of view of Cathal.
We learn more about him as we progress through the book. 

I agree with the commendations.
In each paragraphs, Claire Keegan crafted a rich narrative. 

I won't spoil too much, so SKIP THIS if you don't want spoilers, 
but to my future self as I try to remember this book, I will say: 
I've been thinking about 'unreliable narrator' and what a timing I come across this book. 

And to be honest, as I was reading, I keep trying to find the meaning of the title.
It wasn't a turn of phrase I commonly use, so I was wondering if I should Google it to understand it...
Turns out - & what made the book so impactful for me - it will be revealed at the very end. 

AH! Masterful! 

The only thing I have to say about this is - I bought it at a very expensive price. The same price as a 200-page book. So that set a different expectation at first - I didn't even expect the 'book' to be that short. 

But what a 47-page experience. Would recommend for a quick recharge. 

Book #1 - done! 

-*^^*-

2025

i think this is one of the hardest yearly recap for a number of reasons. 

firstly, of course i'm being harsh on my self. i set a high expectation and hopes, and yet to deliver. 

this will also be the final new year before i celebrate new year as a 30yo next year. so, naturally, i'm a little on edge hehe. 

but no matter!

2025 highlights include: 

- Family trip to Fukuoka, Japan + Bangkok layover!

- finishing this as I sit in KL, Malaysia 

- company outing in Yogyakarta 

- NIKI concert!! :") a true wishlist that came true!

- one of the biggest projects of my career so far :") a set of videos, events, KVs, etc. high and low and wearing heart on the sleeve + sleepless nights

- Bali trips x2 hehehee 1 for family trip, 1 for friend's wedding x birthday trip :") 

- sharing my love of baking cookies to my friends!

- exploring the city of Jkt with mini solo dates <3 incl a trip to Gramedia Jalma! & j.icaf

- finished the whole new testament :") first time since FOREVER! 

Finds of the year:

- 'Everything is Peaceful Love' by Bon Iver 

- How do you live? by Genzaburo Yoshino 

- Dept. Q

- Started getting into Bones - the TV series! lol better late than never

- a piece of print by eyalilut. so precious. 

- Christmas gift: Owala. supa cute! 

- got myself a pair of burgundy Adidas Italia. loverly. 

This is also the year that I lost one of my grandpas. 

This is the year I am properly introduced to 'grief'. 

But I thank God - even though there is sadness, there wasn't any regrets. 

Everything is in His timing, in His hands.

Off to rebuilt in 2026. 

-*^^*-