Food For Thought: Book Shopping Online in Malaysia (Tips and Ways)

So, since I order books online so often, I thought I might just share some of my knowledge. This is especially applicable for Malaysians. As you all know, books are sold for quite a high price in Malaysia and not to mention, those latest releases aren't really that "punctual". Hey, we're almost half-a-globe away from US and more than 12-hours flight aways from UK. That makes us late for new releases. But fret not, I will share some thoughts on pre-orders, sales, best-bargain and what not.

A tip for book-shopping online. Always double-checked the ISBN code, if you're that kind of person whose the book edition matters to you much. (like me) Check with Bookdepository or google search. Don't just trust the cover posted. 

My list would go ascendingly according to price.
(1) Book Depository
Let me advertise a little! I'm a book depository affiliate!! Click the link above or at my blog's side column to access to the BD's site. Order through my affiliate account! You won't be charged extra but I may be able to collect a little commission through your order. Thank you!!

Pros
- Wide selections of books. Almost everything and pre-orders countdown is available. (If that particular book is not available, BD provides a link to Abe-books site to check out the availability throughout the world or something.)
- FREE worldwide delivery. It's also VAT-tax free for delivery to Malaysia. (You just have to pay for the price of the book.)
- Great bargain books. (It is not payable by Malaysian Ringgit. I usually check the conversion of US dollars, British Pounds and Singapore Dollars. I recommend you pay with Singapore Dollars, it seems a lot more cheaper.) (Most books have certain percentage discount.)
- Excellent customer service.
- Package is nicely wrapped.

Cons
- It takes a long time to be delivered to your doorsteps. They said 7-14 days but it took them 22 days (or more) to deliver my order to my place. (If you can wait, this is not really a significant problem.)
- Not able to track your order, even though they said so. (Sure, key-in the track number and then it would just show you "it's despatched". That's all.)

(2) MPHonline
I presume every Malaysian had been to MPH bookstore, if not heard before. MPH is one of those big bookstores we have in Malaysia, something like US's Barnes & Noble. Fortunately, MPH provides online services. It's sort of like shopping from their warehouse, namely MPHonline.

Pros
- VERY reasonable price (among all the other online book sites)
- FREE shipping with purchase of RM50 & above in a single transaction. (Very good deal, as purchasing 2 books with give you save you the shipping fees.)
- Shipping is just RM7 for less than RM50 spent. (applicable for West Malaysia only)
- Plenty of sales throughout the year. Check the column or subscribe to newsletter for latest bargains. Not to mention, pre-order books have 30% off.
- Aside from credit card payment, you can choose to order online and pay at their selected outlets. You can even collect your orders at their selected outlets, providing you send them an e-mail informing them so. They'll call you again for confirmation.
- Fast delivery (within a week, mostly)
- Good customer service.

Cons
- limited selection of books (if not, mostly unavailable and available for order, which have to wait for 2 weeks or more)
- search box needs precise words (key-in the exact title, author's name or ISBN)

(3) Kinokuniya's BookWeb
To be honest, I like Kinokuniya as much as MPH. They kind of fix each other's weaknesses. Kinokuniya is a Japanese franchise bookstore. There is only one physical bookstore in Malaysia, which is located at the top floor of Suria KLCC shopping mall. In my opinion, it is the largest bookstore in Malaysia.

Pros
- Wide selection of books. VERY. INCREDIBLE. (Almost all version of books can be found, unless limited edition)
- Books are up-to-date. (City of Heavenly Fire is available at their warehouse and it was just released a few days ago.)
- Good customer service.
- Fast delivery. (especially when you ordered as a gift)
- Member's discount for 10%. (not helping much, I'm not a member.)
- Able to track your order.
- Very convenient unless you live near the KL area and able to visit the physical store.

Cons
- Overpriced, most of the time. (the price might vary with the price sold in their physical store)
- RM8 per transaction shipment. FREE shipping only available when purchase RM300 & more. (rarely exits the amount and nobody would purposely exceed the amount to get excuse that RM8 shipment fees)

THE LIST CONTINUES WITH SITES WHICH I'VE NOT TRIED BEFORE.
(4) Amazon
This is a site which seems like eBay. They've, of course, a wide range of books. New or second-hand. Books can be bought as second-hand, with cheaper price (duh).

I personally have not ordered a book from Amazon because I heard the delivery price overkills. However, I heard great things regarding Amazon. Maybe because in Malaysia, it seems to be too far away. If you're living in UK or US, it might just be your perfect choice to choose from.

(5) Borders
Borders' online store has very limited books, or non at all. Everytime I visit the site, it's just outdated & limited pre-ordered books available. Plus, there is no search box on site. However, their physical bookstore is a bomb. You can get a 10% off with their membership card.

Yep, that would be all. Just to make myself clear, this is purely my opinion from personal experience and this only applies to Malaysia.

I will do another FFT for "how to shop for bargain books - physical bookstores edition".
Summer

MPHonline 15th Anniversary Red Hot Sale!

Banner taken from mphonline.com

For booklovers (mainly in Malaysia), please take note! 

Our local online bookstore is currently having a book sale. Since it's online, the sale is only for online purchase. 

DATE: 23rd May - 29th May 2014 (today until next Thursday)

There are pretty exciting books on sale, such as The Mortal Instrument box set, the latest release of the last book of The Selection trilogy (The One), Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and more! Adult fiction such as The Hobbit and To Kill A Mocking Bird are also in the sale bundle. Almost all up to 20% off. 

In case you're not aware, mphonline is one of the online bookstore existing. The books sold there are usually in good bargain and they often held sales. Furthermore, you can pre-order books there for 30% off. 

All books are priced in terms of Malaysian Ringgit. For more information, click the banner. 

Happy book-shopping!

Summer

Holiday in Death by J.D.Robb

My first official post here!

My first blogspot post dedicated to the In Death series by J.D.Robb. The above is the 7th book and this series goes up to 30 over books and it is still ongoing. If you do not already know, J.D.Robb is actually Nora Roberts, one of the famous Romance novelist. This series has been around since 1998, if not mistaken. & I knew about it in 2011, I think. I started collecting them ever since. 

The In Death series is a thriller adult fiction (more like CSI), which revolves around two main characters, Eve and Roarke. Since I can't spoil you on anything regarding this series, I will just briefly talk about these two main characters.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a Homicide Lieutenant of the New York Police and Security Department. She has had a broken childhood and still suffered from nightmares of it until she met Roarke. Roarke, on the other hand, is a billionaire Irish rogue, who owns almost half of New York's properties. Eve met him as a suspect in the first book, Naked in Death. Roarke was actually not merely a filthy rich businessman but he, too, had a traumatising past. As both characters met and developed a romantic relationship towards one another, they clicked and patched up each other as puzzle pieces. This series recites on their relationship and how Roarke (having all gadgets and monetary power) helps Eve in solving crimes. 

The characters. Eve is a badass. She's a cop and she's freaking badass. I have no words for her personality. She's badass, brave, fierce, compassionate (in her own ways) and everything else needed for a heroine protagonist. On the other hand, Roarke is the hot stuff. He's rich, handsome, smart (business type) and swoon-worthy. Okay, like any typical hot stuff male protagonist. 

What I like about the series? This series takes place in the future, around year 2058. It's in New York, where automatons are all around the place. There are androids, AutoChef, airbus (literally) and high-tech gadgets. Despite those, crimes still take place. 

Also, I love the author's writings. It's built up from different characters POV, sort-of third person view. However, at some point, you can read about other characters' thoughts. & I like it. I like that I know what the other person were thinking at that moment. Plus, Robb's play of words was beautifully done. 

One thing to note for readers. These books do contain adult scenes, although it may have cut down a little through out the series. It also contains explicit gruesome crime scenes, since it is an adult fiction, so there goes. Nevertheless, I love my crime fiction books, what more series. 

Summer

To start form scratch: Naked In Death (first book) 

I just finished Holiday In Death (seven book)! This series (regarding the crimes) does not necessarily go as episode by episode but it is encouraged to read from the first book, since the romance story does go by episodes (well, the first few books). 

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The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie

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The 2nd book of the Poirot series by Agatha Christie. 

"An urgent cry for help brings Poirot to France. But he arrives too late to save his client, whose brutally stabbed body now lies face downwards in a shallow grave on a golf course. But why is the dead man wearing an overcoat that is too big for him? And who was the impassioned love-letter in the pocket for? Before Poirot can answer these questions, the case is turned upside down by the discovery of a second, identically murdered corpse…" - SYNOPSIS

My 4th Poirot book. If you do not know, I’m a huge fan for crime-mystery-detective books. Hercule Poirot is another fiction detective created by the Queen of Crime - Agatha Christie. (& I would not go on and on about how amazing she is)

& YES! Of course I adore the petit Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. I like his witty sarcasm, his often random acts which drives Hastings mad, his short cries in French and also his grey cells. 

'My friend, in working upon a case, one does not take into account only the things that are “mentioned”. There is no reason to mention many things which may be important. Equally, there is often an excellent reason for not mentioning them. You can take your choice of the two motives.'

Indeed, this book was a fast read. Many series of events unfold in one case. I, personally, found it very intriguing and exciting. The wow-factor, blessing for Hastings. 

Of course, usually when I read reviews regarding long-standing detective novels (Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, Sidney Seldon’s & more), they would criticised them aspredictable (& some other funny thoughts). To be honest, I really dislike those comments. Think, for the authors to have written such amazing plots during those years were pretty incredible. Because nobody can predict the vast technology improvement or whatsoever. These novels were written in those times when cars were barely doorless. So, in my opinions, these works, these literatures are spectacular. 

*pardon me being carried off*

& yes, a definite 5-stars on Goodreads. Looking forward to the 4th book - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, as I heard it was one of the best among the Poirot series. 

I’ve read The Mysterious Affair at Styles(1st), Poirot Investigates(3rd) & Death on the Nile(7th). Toodles. Oh, my first book for peruse project​’s #shitihavetoomanybooks read-a-thon. (I end up joining -.-)

Summer

To Dive into this book: The Murder on the Links

If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

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- SYNOPSIS LINK -

First book of the Inside Out Trilogy. An adult erotic thriller so if you’re not around the age and mentality, just be aware. 

I picked up this book all thanks to the paint-brush pen free gift. & thanks topolandbananas20 / xtinemay1920 for her hilarious booktube videos. 

First off, for people who made comparisons of this book with 50 Shades of Gray, you got the wrong idea. I agree that both books are about BDSM but the plots were greatly distinct in every scene. (maybe not the rich and sexy part. LOL)

Skipping through all sexual scenes, IIWY started off being captivating, intriguing and mysterious. That keeps me from reading it to till the end. 

Okay, how do I start?

I like the detective moments where Sara (the main character) vows to solve this Rebecca’s mystery. First 100 pages (around there) of the book, Sara was still very keen on seeking out for Rebecca but the detective instinct sort of stopped though out the middle of the book. Then later, only comes back at the near end of the book. & I didn’t like it. I wanted to know about Rebecca, her mysterious life, her encounter with that dominant ‘master’ and where the hell is she? 

Agree or not, through out the book, I believe all readers are constantly questioning - Mark or Chris, is the man with Rebecca? If you’re not, what are you reading then?

At first, I really thought it would be Mark. He’s arrogance and fetish with “punishments”. But as the story unfolds, I kinda shift the burden to Chris. So, I can’t be sure. OHOHOH, I did came up with this theory of Chris and Mark are actually working together to victimise on Sara. That would be picked up on the part where they constantly have cockfights with each other. & Ava is another mysterious character. & Elle and her fiancé. So much of mystery going on I had to get the rest of the trilogy. 

Note on the plot twist where Sara was actually a daughter of a rich established businessman. That was a real surprise. (Not to mention, surprises in books are good.) 

[EDIT A LITTLE] I totally forgotten to mention about the artsy-futsy settings. Yes, it levels up the whole mood of the book! I really like it when the characters were discussing about arts and wines, it’s like I’m learning some extra knowledge. 

To be honest, kinky BDSM erotica is not my cup of tea but the thriller aspect is. If someone who kindly message me on the spoiler of this trilogy I would be so glad. Seriously. I don’t like this cliffhanger feels. Even if I had to buy the rest of the 2 books, it will take weeks for them to arrive. 

The reason for 4-stars on Goodreads. There are some parts where I really couldn’t accept it. I was swearing through those moments. Yeah so. 

Find Rebecca,

Summer

To Get into the Inside Out Trilogy:

If I Were You / Being Me / Revealing Us

The Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth

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p.s I’ve writing this in the midst of a flu. Pardon me on any mistake. 

- SYNOPSIS LINK -

Yes, my first review on a non-fiction book. I rarely read non-fiction asides from studies-related ones. 

I actually heard of this book from littlebookowl on her booktube channel. (unintentional advertisement, I would say giving credits.)

Back to the book. This is an interesting, mind-blowing book. It’s about English writing style. The author discussed about various writing style, such as hyperbole, personification, assonance and more. (stating those more obvious ones) He talked about how those very simple (not obvious) tones in writing, yet they amplified the whole sentence. 

He stated that Shakespeare isn’t a genius but he played with words and techniques. He shared thoughts on Shakespeare’s and many different poems and even song lyrics (The Beatles & Katy Perry). He wrote about how these styles of writings enhanced the writer’s works. 

Transferred Epithets: when an adjective is applied to the wrong noun. i.e “The man smoked a nervous cigarette.”

Transferred Epithets is my personal favourite. I love how the words played around. Instead of saying ‘the nervous man’, you say ‘a nervous cigarette’. & clearly, the latter gave more impact on the reader. 

What I found most interesting about this book is that the author wrote it in a simple, easy-to-understand way. I can assure you that if those techniques were to be written in a textbook, it would be difficult to decipher. He did also wrote in a humorous style, a little critiques. 

Overall, a 5-stars book. It’s easy to read and I learnt a lot from it. 

Helpful, interesting & magical,

Summer

To Get this book: The Elements of Eloquence