Greenselipar’selection of books, magazines, films, websites, about Malaysia.

Begin to travel even before you leave home; learn about Malaysia before visiting the country and be aware of the local environmental and social issues before you choose your destinations. And when you return, rekindle fond memories and continue to travel and savour the taste of Malaysia.  

People, Indigenous communities

 “My life in Sarawak, the Ranee of Sarawak,” BROOKE Margaret, (in French Reine des coupeurs de Têtes), Editions Olizane, Genève, 2000, 255 p.
Iban Ritual textiles, GAUVIN Traude, Singapore university Press, 2004, 356 p

« Bornéo, Des “chasseurs de têtes aux écologistes “», GUERREIRO Antonio and COUDERC  Pascal Ed. Autrement, Paris , 1991, 219 p. (FRENCH)

“Borneo a photographic Journey”, LAU Denis, Travelcom Asia, 1999, 98 p, 115 photos.

« Peoples and traditions », M.KEDIT  Peter, The Encyclopedia of Malaysia, Ed Didier Millet, Kuala Lumpur, 2006, p90-94.

“Dream Weavers of Rumah Garie”, Video, Mac LANAHAN David 2006, Jungle Arts and Flora, www.jungleartsandflora.com

« Voix de la forêt pluviale », MANSER Bruno, ED. Georg, Genève, 1994, 314 p. (FRENCH)

« Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo », MULLER Karl ,Indonesia Travel Guide, Ed. Periplus, Singapore, 1990, 201 p

“Sarawak, Thrills and Treasures of Historical Landmarks”, MUNAN Heidi, Ed. Marshall Cavendish, Malaysia, 63p

“The Orang Asli and the Contest for resources, Indigenous Politics, Development and Identity in peninsuar Malaysia”, NICHOLAS Colin, COAC Ed. Subang Jaya, Malaysia, 2000, 285 p.

 “Pua, Iban Weavings of Sarawak”, ONG Edric ,ED. Society Atelier Sarawak, Kuching, 1986, 105 p

“CHITA’HAE, Culture, Crafts and Customs of the Hma Meri in Kampung Sungai Bumbon, Pulau Carey”, Tompoq Topoh, COAC Ed, Subang Jaya, Malaysia, 2007, 33p;

Heritage and History

“Malaysian Moments, a Pictorial Retrospective”, BARBER Andrew, C.Barber Ed., 2007, 64p.

“Malaya, The making of a nation, 1510-1957”, BARBER Andrew, C.Hart Ed., 2008, 132p.

“Where Monsoons meet, a  People’s History of Malaya”, CHOO Foo Yoong, LEE Khek Mui and LOW Swee Heong, Grassroots Publishers, 2007, 174 p.

“Penang, Through Gilded Doors”, Julia DE BIERRE & James BAIN SMITH, Areca books ED., Penang, Malaysia, 2006, 149p. French Edition available, “Penang la porte des secrets”.

“Building Merdeka, Independence Architecture in Kuala Lumpur, 1957-1966” KIEN Lai, Petronas Ed., 2007, 137 p.

“The Blue Mansion, the Story of Mandarin Splendour Reborn”, LOH-LIM Lin Lee, L’Plan Ed., Peang, Malaysia, 2002, 62p.

“Thrills and Treasure of Historical Landmarks”, Sarawak, MUNAN Heidi, Marshall Cavendish, Malaysia, 64p

See also Badan Warisan publications : http://www.badanwarisan.org.my/publications/books.php

Arts and Crafts

“Songket, Satu Warisan Malayisa”, Abd AZIZ RASHID, Siti ZAINOUN Ismail, MAXWELL Robyn ,ED. Petronas, 1999, 68 p.

“Southeast Asian Textiles”, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, Quick Guides, 2008, 12p

“An introduction to the traditional costumes of Sabah”, LASIMBANG Rita and MOO-TAN Stella,  ED. Natural History Publications, Kota Kinabalu, 1997 , 115 p.

 “Beads of Borneo”, MUNAN Heidi Ed. Didier Millet, Singapore, 2005, 144p.

 “Herencia Textil de Malasia”, ONG Liang Bin ,Exhibition Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombiano, Santiao de Chile, 15 dec. 2003-31 jan. 2004, National Art Gallery Ed;, Kuala Lumpur

 “Batik Malaysia, a Living Heritage”, RAJA Fuziah bte Raja Tun Uda, Ed. Petrobas, Kula Lumpur, 2007, 120p. 

Children and the whole family

tourists-by-lat“Kampung Boy”, “Town Boy” and “Kampung Boy : Yesterday and Today” , LAT, Berita Publishing, Kuala Lumpur from 1980 untill 2009. Also edited in other countries and other languages than English (Kampung boy and Town Boy are available in France, Tête de Rock Underground Ed.). Highly recommended and cheap if bought in Malaysia (until Feb.09, you can purchase it for less  tha 3 euros for 1 comic book ).

May 09 : Fans of Malaysian cartoonist Lat can now enjoy a compilation of his early works in a book. The 206-page hardcover book, entitled Lat — The Early Series, contains drawings by Lat, or Datuk Mohamed Nor Khalid, beginning from when he started his Scenes of Malaysian Life series in 1974 in the New Straits Times.Published by the NSTP Resource Centre, the book is available at major bookstores and online (www.nst.com.my) at RM120 per copy. 

Good links to know more about LAT : http://www.etawau.com/HTML/AirAsia/Lat.htm

“Payah”, LIM H.L. Margaret, Fairy Bird Ed., Children’s books, Kuching Sarawak, 2005, 32 p.

“Four eyes” another Payah Adventure, LIM H.L. Margaret, Fairy Bird Ed., Children’s books, Kuching Sarawak, 2006, 40 p.

“Precious Jade and Turnip head” Payah’s third adventure, LIM H.L. Margaret,  Fairy Bird Ed., Children’s books, Kuching Sarawak, 2007, 44 p.

“Fatimah’s Kampung”, BUCHANAN Iain, Consumers’ Association of Penang Ed., 2008, 120 p. See Sharon’s review in Bibliobibuli 

“Fun with Chinese Festivals”, HUAY PENG Tan, Ed. Marshall Cavendish Ed, Singapore, 91p

“Iban stories”, MUNAN Heidi 2005, Utusan Ed., Kuala Lumpur, 88p.

“Gateways to Asian Games”, 2006, Asiapac books, Singapore http://www.asiapacbooks.com/product.asp?pid=709   as well as the other books from the Gateways serie  www.asiapacbooks.com  

Nature

“Wildlife Guide Malaysia”, Globetrotter, OON Helen, New Holland Publishers, 2008, 160p

“Sabah colour guide Kinabatangan”, HUTTON Wendy, Natural History publications (borneo) Ed. , Kota Kinabalu, 2004, 100 p  more books about Borneo form the same editor at www.nhpborneo.com

“Travels in the Malaysian Rainforest”, TEONG JIN Tan, Blue Mountain Press Ed., Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 2006, 248 p.

Novels

“The Harmony Silk Factory”, Tash Aw, 2005, fiction : the story of Johnny Lim, a Chinese-Malaysian man during and after World War II, adventures, love and betrayals through the Kinta Valley. official website  : http://tash-aw.com/aboutharmony.html

“Evening is the whole day”, Preeta Samarasan, 2008, fiction : the hopes and dreams of a Indian immigrant family living in Gopeng caught up in Malaysia’s troubled post-colonial history.

Magazines

“Off the Edge”, Culture, Lifestyle and politics montlhy Magazine published by The Edge Communication Sdn. Bhd. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Email:  offtheedge@bizedge.com  website : http://www.theedgedaily.com

“Malaysian Naturalist”, Malaysian’s Nature, Indigenous and Wildlife quarterly magazine published by Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Email editor@mns.org.my

“Pencita Alam”, the monthly newsletter of Malaysian Nature Society, available online at http://www.mns.org.my/newsletter.php

“Heritage Asia”, Asia Heritage and History quarterly magazine, published by MPH Group, Magazine, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Emails : heritageasia.bwm@gmail.com or magazines@mph.com.my

More

Sharon Bakar’s wide selection in Bibliobuli (Sharon is a Bookaholic who lives in KL).

If YOU want to share with us your favorites feel free to send us your own review at greenselipar@gmail.com.

Written by C.Bossis, Kuala Lumpur, 2 February 2009

Permission granted to reproduce for personal use only. Commercial use is prohibited.