Recently getting very much interested with K-pop. In fact, it's probably the fault of those 6 legendary hyper-active boys, Shinhwa. It is really without a doubt that I really love M and Kim Dong Wan's new albums.

And even though at the beginning, i found the sounds a little too overwhelming, i've now discovered the beauty behind the boom. It's cute and fun and sexy, perhaps cos i don't understand the lyrics so i don't feel quite put off by them. (the main reason why i steer clear of English songs especially R&B and hip hop is that the lyrics can be quite offensive).

Anyways, my current favourite M song is 'The 'M' Style', which i remember first hearing and wondering why M is singing 'Hamster" etc. Actually, it's M-style. But this song encompasses the entire feel of the album - deliciously fun yet deeply sexy, plus the pounding, infectious boom-booms. Eri liked it too, when i played it for her.

Apart from falling into the M blackhole, i've been doing a little bit of surfing and listening to KDW, in fact notice that my entire MP4 is filled with only Shinhwa, M & Kimdongwan with a smattering of tunes from Fly to the Sky.

Kim Dong Wan's first solo effort, it seems is meant to geared towards a more J-pop direction. That accounts for me finding it more palatable. (M's is very much Western, American hip-hop & R&B which to me holds less weight). Read next post, because i'm going to explain more ... najung-e

i just got my November/December issue of The Hornbook. In it is Richard Peck's 'Zena Sutherland Lecture', and i quote from his introduction, paying homage to Zena Sutherland:

'For all of us who write for the young and the half-grown; for all of us who believe that picture book illustration has better not be second-rate art; for all of us who believe that childhood is a jungle, not a garden; for all of us who believe the story still stands because fiction is truer than fact, ...'

i don't know who Zena Sutherland is, forgive my ignorance but i found this description so touching because ultimately, when we sell children's books, then we should know what we are actually trying to provide. Some may think that children's books are simple and you can sell any damn thing to those gullible parents and their not-so knowledgeable kids. But let me ask you then, what's the use of a buyer, a bookseller or maybe a librarian - if not to present the right books to the world?

Sure, we want to make money, too.

So achieving the right balance is important.

Also, i quote another line:

'... the young deserve a well-crafted story - and that they could take it. That the narrative is a structure strong and supple enough to tell the traditional tale while tumbling taboos. That sentimentality is the enemy of both literature and politics. That you can pity the young or prepare them for the world, but you cannot do both.'

Wow! i'm so impressed by such vision. Honestly though, when i first started buying books, never did it cross my mind that i'll stand by these words, too and say, yup ezackly. Now i do.

In fact, i've just finish listening to the audiobook of Golden Compass, and can't stop marvelling over how this book and the other two of His Dark Materials, embodies some of these values. That you should't short change them just because they are kids. That you shouldn't dumb down the writing for they are only younger, not any less intelligent. That you should not shy from telling it as it is, for believe it or not, the eyes of the innocent can tell a faker just the same.

i believe that. Because i've had the opportunity to read books like the Golden Compass and understand the beauty of books like these. Written with such elegance and thought, they make you respect the artistry of children's literature.

Honestly, to get a child to read and love reading - ultimately, apart from those run-of-the-mill readers and chapters, they need these kinds of books to instill a true love for literature. These kinds are books that respect the reader and in turn, win their respect.

Still, as true booksellers, us are not to question. Our role is to keep the balance between making a profit and getting good books into the hands of people who appreciate them.
(even though, sometimes it's kinda tough on my own pocket, too) ;-p

Just reread Magicians of Caprona.

There are so many Diana Wynne Jones books that i simply adore, but my favourites are Magicians of Caprona, The Merlin Conspiracy and Hexwood. Of all the Chrestomanci books, this is my utter fave, i suppose it's partly because Tonino is one of my favourite characters. Because his magic is so different.

And i also find the setting and plot very original. Especially the duel scene, where the two families meet to fight it out which DWJ at one point compares to an opera, has so much theatrical value. If it was animated, the entire Chrestomanci series even, it would be way too cool.

Honestly, i want to move to Caprona where the two greatest spellmaking families live. So that i can buy a spell be it on a pink or green slip to chase away this restless kind of deepest blue that is ensconcing me.

Anything for a ticket out of here OR better still, one to the romantic state of Caprona.

Lil'one Eri says FT Island is okay but the guy who sang the first song has got an irritating voice. She hopes that he's not the lead singer. Oh dear, not very promising, yeah?

So far Cheerful Sensibility is okay-lah. Except i hate that Primadonna song. I think the vocals is by that same guy, too. i always skip it. Hahahah ...

i've been thinking over the previous post on KDW and realised that i'm hardly flattering KDW's first solo effort. Well, if you're a great fan of K-pop and the type of R&B popularly preferred, you probably wouldn't understand how tiring and monotonous it is to get the same sound all the time. M's latest album for example is (to me) quite an extreme R&B, hip-hop, dance combination which though, cool and sort of sexy lacks a little emotion, coming across cold at times. (sorry, dear but i loved your first album much more than this one. Though, i cannot deny that it's very individual, sexy and truly M).

Anyway, in the eyes (or rather, ears) of someone who's been listening to all sorts of Asian pop, Dongwan's album will be classified as something commercial and easy listening. But it has a lot of sincerity which reflects what i think KDW wants to say. He's moderate, really and compared to OTT M, he's just nice. I suppose this does come also from the fact that he'll definitely be compared to Hye Sung (being second vocal as opposed to HS's main in Shinhwa), whereas it's probably impossible to beat M for that flambouyancy. Thus, KDW is just nice la, not OTT and not sentimental.

Whatever it is, i like the album for all that it is.

Will Jay please lend me Hye Sung's album?