Borders Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur

I dropped by the newly opened Borders bookstore in Berjaya Times Square today, and though it's not as big as Kinokuniya, MPH Midvalley, MPH 1 Utama or even Popular Ikano... it's still a pretty good bookstore. I'm in love.

I mean, what other bookstore provides comfy seats for you to seat your rumpus on while browsing through an unsealed book? Yes, that's right! The books--they're unsealed. Remember when Kinokuniya KLCC first opened and they didn't bother to seal their books either? Yeah? Remember how awesome it was to leaf through a RM200.00 book without having to go to the grumpy girl at the information counter?

Well, rejoice, for Borders is like that! But, unfortunately, knowing how our fellow Malaysians treat other people's property, I'm sure the books are not going to stay unsealed for long.

If you haven't been to Borders yet, you should. They've got this "buy-three-novels-for-the-price-of-two" promo thing going on. Also, you know a bookstore's good when you walk in and realise how amazing it is that the History section is crammed full of people. At least Borders was when I walked in this afternoon. Oh, and their selection of books are pretty wide... rivalling even that of Kinokuniya's.

So we'll see you there! If only they had free wireless internet in the Starbucks inside Borders, and I'd be there every night. Maybe soon.

Pre-order Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Just wanted to mention that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is now available for pre-order at MPH and Popular bookstores. Not sure about Kinokuniya, but I'm sure they're taking pre-orders too. I'm not sure about MPH, but Popular wanted RM30 up-front if you wanted to reserve a copy.

Harry's returning this July 16th. Are you excited yet? I know I am! Excuse me while I go off to re-read the Order of the Phoenix.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Warning: if you can't stand chic-lit, this book is not a good idea. I can't usually stomach mindless chic-lit, but seeing this is a bestseller it must have some redeeming qualities so I gave it a try.

The story revolves around a ditzy girl with a serious shopping addiction and really horrible cash management issues. It follows her life as she spends and splurges and gets deeper in a financial mess. And she's a journalist for a financial digest! Guffaw.

The story isn't too bad, it's light reading and does (at least) have a story to tell. But it's easy to get irritated with the title character. She's shallow and weak-willed and really silly. You really feel like smacking her at times.

It's a good fun read. I'm on to the second book in the series (Shopaholic takes Manhattan) but this one is a pain to finish. She's more annoying this time around. I might not finish the book, her silly nitwit character is starting to grate.

Read only if you want.