Stories of Lies, Loves and Lives

The Female Cell by Rumaizah Abu Bakar (Silverfish Books) RM30.00

20 stories (all previously unpublished) by Rumaizah Abu Bakar in her first book that display an acute sense of observation, with humour and irony but without prejudice or pandering, in minimalist sketches with an uncanny knack for suggesting danger in even the most mundane. If you have read her initial works in the News From Home anthology, see how she has matured.

Rumaizah's stories are unpretentious and delightful. These short vignettes of human emotions and interactions are perfect for that rainy afternoon, accompanied by tea and biscuits. These stories have light in them.
-- Dina Zaman, author of I am Muslim --

Whether she is describing the kaleidoscopic panorama of Kuala Lumpur, or the prickly solitude of a traveller in Turkey, Rumaizah demonstrates a generous capacity for observation. A quietly assured debut collection.
-- Alfian Sa'at, writer, poet and playwright --

More new Malaysian on the shelf

1. Kougar by Shaz Johar (RM20.00)
2. Pecah by Khairulnizam (RM20.00)
3. Cekik by Ridhwan Saidi (RM18.00)
4. The Lion City by Mohamad Salmi (RM12.90)
5. the Legend of the Two Princesses by Mohamad Salmi (RM12.90)
6. The Curse of Mahsuri by Mohamad Salmi (RM12.90)
7. Understanding Dewan Bahasa by Deboraqh loh & jaquueline Ann Surin (RM95.00)
8. Miyah and the Forest Demon by Tutu Dutta-Yean (RM19.90)
9. Reformasi Pembiayaan Politik by TRansparency International (RM30.00)
10. Minda Tertawan by Raja Ahmad Aminillah (RM23.00)
11. Did it Really Happen by Shaari Isa (RM 29.90)

History of Pahang

From Inderapura to Darul Makmur: A Deconstructive History of Pahang (Price: RM40.00)
Publisher: Silverfish books
Author:  Farish A Noor

To write a history of a state like Pahang today requires us to go back to the history of the land and its peoples before the emergence of a political entity that would be named Pahang. While doing so, the historian cannot neglect the fact that before the Malay polities that emerged from the 15th century onwards, there were other sociopolitical systems present in the peninsula, including the indigenous peoples known as the Orang Asli.

Writing the history of the Orang Asli of the Malaysian peninsula is a task fraught with discursive and political complications. For a start, the term 'the Malay Peninsula' is itself troublesome because it came into used only during the colonial era and has since become an ideologically loaded signifier, bringing with it a host of essentialist assumptions and primodial historical claims. It has to be emphasised that a history of the Malaysian peninsula has to begin with the recognition that it has always been a fluid, open territory inhibited by a myriad people, with a complexity that resist any attempt at closure and compartmentalisation.

-- 1. Belonging before naming: A look at the society that existed before 'Pahang'

Other new Malaysian books on the shelf

1. Rojak Fakta Malaysia -- ZI Publication (RM30.00)
2. Rojak: hidangan Certot -- Amir Muhammad (RM22.00)
3. Teology -- Patrick Teoh (RM38.00)
4. Abiding times -- Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin Muhriz (RM39.90)
5. Penang at War -- Andrew Barber (RM85.00)
6. Perfect Love and other storuies -- Peter Achutha (RM30.00)
7. Apa ada dengan Liberalisme - Faisal Mustaffa (RM5.00)
8. Liku-liku Reformasi -- Tricia Yeoh (RM30.00)
9. Menerjang Badai -- Riduan Mohamad Nor (RM20.00)
10. A Doctor in the House -- Mahathir bin Mohammad (RM100.00)