Greetings all wonderful Ladies, it's me again Iris, from East Java, Indonesia. I am a working mom and happy wife, and also an avid reader and bibliophile. So, you can guess my answer for this week awesome topic from @merit.ahama:
|Are you a "book person" or a "movie person?"
Share why you prefer the one you choose. If neither, what person are you for your entertainment time?|
From my previous entries, I proudly told my collection of books and how I always find endless joy through reading. So, through this contest I want to share how books help me find the path of my life and also some of my most favorite series.
Enyd Blyton books always have a special place in my heart, because I grew up reading and hunting any series that I can find in every library that I can access. As a kid, the adventure of the Famous Five really enlighten my boring and ordinary days, and brought through every thrill as if I was a part of the team. But these book, the Malory Towers series was the first one that make me interested in Western culture. I remember I was fascinated about the school system on England, how the students had to live in dormitory and how exciting it will be. I think that was how I begin to pick up reading as my favorite past time.
Growing up, I particularly love reading fantasy novels, especially the one that published by foreign author because it was more fascinating and out of the blue. Really poke my imagination to gone wild and took me to the magical worlds that was unfamiliar and enchanting. However, there are not much Indonesian translated version at that moment, and when I was in High School, the first English book that I read was Bartimeus series by Jonathan Stroud.
One of my friend lend me the original copy and because I was so curious with the stories I really tried to finish the book with my limited English and a thick dictionary because hey we didn't have internet as easy as now back then. I always tried to find his other works after Bartimeus and Lockwood & Co probably will be my all time favorite young adults series until now - By the way still so upset with Netflix because they cancel the series after give us one amazing season 😔- But that was the turning point how I dare myself to read the original version of novels that I like rather than the translated one.
After reading more English version of the books of several author that I like, I realized the power of translation and how meaning, imagery, scene can change depending on how you interpreted the language. This is one of the reasons why I choose English Literature as my major in college. It really helped that I do love reading poetry, prose, and play so I really enjoy my study. And my English also improved because I get access to more English books in my college library.
Hujan Bulan Juni is one of my favorite poetry anthology by Indonesian poet, Sapardi Djoko Damono. I did my graduation paper by researching how the meaning change between original version and the English version of this anthology and I was able to graduate with honor through my paper, which allowed me a chance to work in an American company in Indonesia as an interpreter and assistant.
Frankly said, the college didn't really teach me much about English language, because no matter what we still use Indonesia language after the lesson end. It was my love of reading that made me realize that language is a powerful tools and hone my English skills and give me a chance to thrive in a foreign company with different cultures and habbit.
Surprisingly, books were not only became my loyal companion through every stage of my life but also the matchmaker between me and my husband. He was originally a mutual friend who also like to collect books. The Lunar Chronicles by Merissa Meyer is the first book that he lent to me. I really recommend this series for those who like sci-fi/ romance / action / dystopian genre by the way. It was a fascinated by the spin-off of OG fairy tale like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White with a hint of gloomy dystopian and sweet romance. We become close friend that shared book recommendations and suddenly we are married now with a son that will inherit so much books.
I also enjoyed watching movie though I prefer to watch it at home rather than at the movie theater. Movie date night is one of our favorite things to do on the weekend. Especially if they are well written and well portrayed by the actors. But books are always be the integra part of my life that I just can't compare it with my other hobbies. I also have higher expectations in movies because by reading you can gloss it over with your imagination but movies presented it to you in a platter. So if the presentation is bad, that left you with nothing but a waste of time.
But the most important thing is that we can found something in our life that brings us joy and passion bo matter what it is. You do You! Thank you for reading my quite long story and shout out to @sagar.kothari88 and @wesphilbin who support this week contest as well. I hope my entry brings you joy. See you around Ladies and Hivers!
