Slightly Peckish Tuesday
1 May, 2012
is back again. Sorry for being lax, what with work and life getting in the way. Check out my list of Thai sweets I sampled on my trip to Bangkok earlier this year. Feels like such a long time ago. I wanna go back NOW. Go on, have a gander at Umamimart: Slightly Peckish.
In bookish news, although I’ve been spacing out my book posts, that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped reading. Sometimes life gets in the way. Or tv. Especially Japanese drama and varieties on the net. I can’t help it, I’m addicted.
I’ve been catching up on Bleach the anime and am up to season five. Love both the manga and anime although there is an anime-only story arc which is pretty interesting.
I have a lot of reading to catch up on, I’m talking about the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness which my friend has lent me. Plus I want to read Embassytown by China Miéville, Snuff by Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde’s One of the Thursdays is Missing, all of which I should have read last year. I was saving them for a rainy day and here we’ve had the wettest April in god knows how long and I haven’t had the energy to start something I know I will love. Good thing we’re done with April.
And finally, my new baby niece who is adorable and SO cute is growing quickly and beginning to resemble one of those little wild boar piglets that Obelix is so fond of. She’s giving her mum and dad sleepless nights, but she always brings a smile to my face no matter how shitty my day has been. Viva lovely little A.
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
12 July, 2011
This week I’m slurping away some sexy Japanese noodles. So check me out at Umamimart: Slightly Peckish.
In bookish news, this looks like it’s going to be a summer of giveaways so keep your eyes peeled. I haven’t won anything (sob) but I like the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you send off books into the big wide world to put a smile on people’s faces. It’s much better than winning. Really, it is. Really. I mean it, dammit.
I’m still reading my way through Steven Erikson’s Malazan books. I’m on volume 7, Reaper’s Gale, now and things are slowly coming together. Or will I be surprised again? Can’t wait to find out.
This month is Paris in July hosted by Bookbath and Thyme for Tea where you can indulge in everything Français. I’m planning to read at least one book and maybe some short stories from Mavis Gallant’s Paris Stories (which I won off Iris a while back). I’m actually going on a day trip to Paris again in September with my school friends so will be planning an itinerary for us. Naturally cakes will figure prominently.
Slightly Peckish Wednesday
25 May, 2011
is all about Paris today. So check me out at Umamimart: Slightly Peckish!
The weekend before last my family and I made a flying visit to Paris. As we were travelling with my sister’s family, this time including my two little nephews, we did a lot more touristy things such as visit the Notre Dame and climb the Eiffel Tower. Even my brother-in-law who suffers from vertigo. Respect, ‘coz the lift kept climbing and climbing and it was a pretty gusty day. We also didn’t need to queue or pay at the Musée d’Orsay which we visited after a lovely dinner because luckily for us May 14th was La Nuit de Musée where lots of museums and galleries open their doors until the wee hours for free. I hadn’t been to the Orsay in 20 years and it was a revelation to see so many beautiful paintings by the Impressionists. I even rediscovered my favourite painting by Maurice Denis which I had copied for my grandmother as a kid. I had always wrongly assumed it was by Degas, so was flabbergasted. It was so beautiful.
And of course we hung out in our favourite square in St. Germain des Prés:
And I came back with these goodies:
And talking about everything French, BookBath and Thyme for Tea are hosting Paris in July again. I’m in. Are you?
Also, to celebrate the publication of her new book, London Walks!, badaude will be doing signings and talks and even a walk so do check her out. I’m really excited about this book!
On a slightly different note, Kals who blogs at At Pemberley has started a fascinating project, A Passage to the British Raj, on the impact of the British Raj and the East India Company on India, it’s subsequent independence and Partition. So do go and check it out!
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
26 April, 2011
This week I talk about Japan’s iconic department store Mitsukoshi which features in Junichiro Tanizaki’s The Makioka Sisters and what I had for lunch at the London branch in Umamimart: Slightly Peckish. Check it!
In bookish news, did anyone seen the tv adaptation of The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher on Easter Monday? I was planning to read the book beforehand, but didn’t even manage to open the first page. So I’m going to try and read it this week and catch up online. You’d think being on holiday (especially since I’m bumming around in London) would give me plenty of time to catch up on my reading. Um, no. To be fair, my social schedule is pretty full as I have friends in town plus my mum and I also want to catch Ai Wei Wei’s Sunflower Seeds exhibition at the Tate Modern before it too disappears.
I’ve also grown bored with the tv adaptation of The Crimson Petal and the White after 2 episodes, even though I’m a huge fan of Romola Garai. She’s fantastic in it.
I’m currently reading the 5th volume in Steven Erikson’s Malazan series, Midnight Tides, and it’s excellent as usual although I forgot I need to concentrate as he has introduced another slew of new characters. Re-reading Gardens of the Moon was like re-visiting old friends and only required a tweaking of memory. I’m also starting Tahmima Anam’s The Good Muslim because her debut A Golden Age was one of my favourites of 2009. She is an amazing writer and I’m really excited about seeing her at the Festival of Asian Literature next month!
I’ve also applied for tickets for next year’s Olympics and have bagged some royal wedding merchandise (a £5 coin and Oyster card – both limited edition) although I’ve been studiously avoiding all the programmes leading up to Friday’s big day. I’m just thankful we have another long weekend. But I have to say Regent Street looks very festive with all the Union Jacks strung across the buildings.
So, what have you all been doing?
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
12 April, 2011
This week on Umamimart: Slightly Peckish, I reveal how to cook up some lip-smackingly good wattalappan or spiced coconut custard pudding. So check it!
In bookish news, the 2011 Orange Prize shortlist was announced this morning. Congratulations to all! The prize will be announced on 8th June. Can’t wait.
I’m currently in the middle of reading Nicole Krauss’ Great House which I’m enjoying greatly. What’s not to like about a story involving a desk with 19 drawers that once belonged to a famous writer and has since passed on to different people with their own stories to tell? Intrigued? I am.
Of the shortlisted five, I’m probably most interested in reading Téa Obreht’s The Tiger’s Wife just because it sounds fabulous and I’m always interested in debut novels. I’ve seen lots of great reviews of the others and although I know Room is a favourite for many people (see Jackie’s post), somehow I’m a little reluctant to read it because of the subject matter. I know, I know, I’m probably going to regret it and curse myself for not getting to it sooner.
Of the books that didn’t make it on to the shortlist, I’d still like to read Karen Russell’s Swamplandia, Jennifer Egan’s The Visit from the Goon Squad (I’m probably the last person alive that hasn’t read this one), Julie Orringer’s The Invisible Bridge and Tishani Doshi’s The Pleasure Seekers. At least now I don’t have to rush, heh.
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
29 March, 2011
is back again! I went vegetable shopping with my dad in Sri Lanka and you can check out what we bought at Umamimart: Slightly Peckish. If you are checking in from the States and live in or near SF, you may want to check out the Umamimart fundraiser for Japan. Please support them and go as I’m sure y’all will have a fabulous time. Wish I could be there.
In bookish news, the cover art for the US edition of Haruki Murakami’s eagerly anticipated new novel 1Q84 is announced here.
And here is another interview by the amazing China Miéville. I really must get to his Bas-lag novels soon.
And I am just drooling over these divine Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics. Want. Now.
And what about this library kit? I’m thinking of getting them for my nephews but I may get one for myself. Total nerdy heaven.
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
8 March, 2011
is back again. YAY. I’ve been having issues with my throat and possible allergic reactions for the last three months so you can imagine my trepidation every time I put food in my mouth. I’m such a hypo. However, you can check out what I’ve been eating in Sri Lanka at Umamimart: Slightly Peckish. Go on, you know you want to.
On to bookish news, have you seen these articles from the Guardian about sf and the Booker prize and books about books. Don’t you just love them?
And a couple of articles by novelists Roma Tearne and Preeta Samarasan on the Galle Literary Festival just to fan the flames.
I’m currently immersed in Steven Erikson’s Malazan books and am reading volume 4, House of Chains. Incredible story-telling. You can read writer Carrie Vaughn’s views on the series here. And I’m also dipping into the hilariously irreverent Read This Now by Sandra Newman and Howard Mittelmark which introduces you to books you may want to read not just because you want to join the group of well-read and classically educated people but because they are a little twisted and possibly sordid. Riveting stuff.
And how can I leave you all without sharing this?
The Umamimart mug! Thank you Kayoko and Umamimart. It’s beautiful and snazzy. If you want one yourself, you can get it here.
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
21 December, 2010
is here again, and what a day! No internet access all day at work. Horrible, horrible. But now I’m ensconced in my virtual world and feel a little bit more normal. So check out this week’s Umamimart: Slightly Peckish with a festive theme. Go on, you know you want to:)
And on a bookish note, have you read this article by Haruki Murakami in The New York Times? We are all waiting to see the film adaptation of Norwegian Wood which is now out in Japan. Check out what The Guardian has to say. Cannot wait!
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
9 November, 2010
It’s Slightly Peckish Tuesday again and I’ll be writing a little more literature-focused food posts from now on at Umamimart. It’s a new direction for me so we’ll see how that goes^^ And it’s making me read in a whole new way focusing more on the food that crops up in my reading. Not bad at all. So check it out!
On a bookish note, I’ve actually been quite good with my reading recently and finished more books than I thought I would. Currently I’m reading and enjoying Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde and Illustrado by Miguel Syjuco.
I’ll leave you today with a number of interesting links:
A great link here about cocktails for writers.
Another interview with James Franco here. Yeah, I’m slightly obsessed. Must get my hands on his new book.
A Paris Review interview of David Mitchell here (I know, I know, I really should get to his books, right?)
And finally, Simon aka Savidge Reads wants to know why we blog about books and why we read them.
Slightly Peckish Tuesday
19 October, 2010
Yup, hunger strikes once again. Well, it’s a perpetual thing at chasing bawa. So check what I’ve been eating for lunch at Umamimart: Slightly Peckish!
I’m still on a high after meeting China Miéville and can’t wait to read Kraken! I also went to Michael Wood’s talk, Journey to South India: A Window on the Last Classical Civilisation, for the DSC South Asian Literature Festival yesterday at the British Library. I wasn’t able to make it to most of their other talks as I’ve been busy, and frankly rather knackered (I think it’s the change in season, always knocks my energy levels). However, Michael Wood’s enthusiasm for India is really infectious and he was such a lovely speaker and I now want to read about the history of South India and the Tamils. I bought my parents Wood’s BBC documentary The Story of India which was beautiful and so interesting. He divided the series into thematic episodes which really worked. Have you seen it?
You can also find an interview with one of my favourite Sri Lankan authors, Romesh Gunasekara here. He’s doing a fiction writing workshop at the British Library on October 23rd as part of the DSC South Asian Literature Festival. I went to one of his workshops at the Galle Literary Festival a few years ago and it was brilliant.
I also went to the UFC expo (that’s Ultimate Fighting Champion expo for those who aren’t into all that kick-boxing) with my family (we do some cool stuff, dontcha think?) and was pretty impressed with how low-key and civilised all these muscly tattooed men were, queueing up for autographs, etc. Reminded me of book fairs (me) and bellydance haflas (my sis). I guess all geekiness is the same;) At least we got to meet B.J. Penn’s mum! Score! And we met a half-Sri Lankan fighter called Dean Amarsinger. Anyway, my two brothers-in-law and nephews were SO excited, it was unreal.
chasing bawa 