I'm so sorry, mate...

I have something to do, so busy that I can't write for couple days. I promise I'll write down as soon as possible.

The rules of typography

TITLE: COLLIER'S RULES FOR DESKTOP DESIGN AND TYPOGRAPHY
AUTHOR: DAVID COLLIER
PUBLISHER: ADDISON-WESLEY PUBLISHING CO.
ISBN: 0-201-54416-4

I'm warning you, this book contains many technical terms in graphic design. I think this book is intended for practitioners of graphic designers in the intermediate level. However, i think this is good for those in beginner level too, or hobbyist in graphic design.


Like, this book will assume that their readers already understand what it is typography, so they immediately explain the application of typography in graphic design. Because this book was written in the early 90s, where the computer was being developed to include graphical elements therein. Can imagine how easy it is and how much time can be saved by designing the letters in a computer program and apply them in a job or project design.

The author will tell the aspects of typography, like size and measure, emphasis, and of course the style itself. This not the type of book that can be consumed for only one day ( I don't know how can I managed it, too).

It's a good companion book for those who involved in design graphics, especially typography designer.

The art of Piranesi

TITLE: GIOVANNI BATTISTA PIRANESI, SELECTED ETCHINGS
AUTHOR: LUIGI FICACCI
PUBLISHER: TASCHEN
ISBN: 3-8228-5530-8

Giovanni Battista Piranesi was an artist from Italy. He was actually an architect. A master draftsman of both imaginary and real subjects, as well as of architecture and stage design Piranesi was also expert in the theory and practice of engineering and geometry. Not only architecture, he has talent in art too, but he was convinced that it was only through architecture that he could exploit all his talents and revolutionize the world.

The book was merely a catalog of Piranesi works, which most of them were etchings. Etchings, according to wikipedia, are the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal (the original process—in modern manufacturing other chemicals may be used on other types of material). As an intaglio method of printmaking it is, along with engraving, the most important technique for old master prints, and remains widely used today.

This book also written in 3 language, which are English, French, and German. Too bad there wasn't Italian. But it's very good book, for inspiration in architecture and art too. I usually used it for cinematography, because there was contrast, light and shadow.

Lingerie: Guilty pleasure for anyone

TITLE: LINGERIE
AUTHOR: -
PUBLISHER: GRANGE BOOKS
ISBN: 1-84013-729-0

I've fallen in love with this book since seeing the first time. Lingerie has become my favorite little since. With lingerie, women may emphasize her sexiness, too.

This book tells the history of more lingerie arranged in chronological order. Authors of this book (I did not find the name of the author of the book, this book may be arranged together by a team). 


If at the beginning of the book tell the history of many, starting mid to end of the book is more emphasis on the terms in lingerie. For example Girdle, Petticoat, and many other terms are not common for women (even for lingerie enthusiasts like me) and FYI some of the term in french language too!.

This book also features illustrations and photo caption, make us sigh with relief. By the way, ancient images of women is very different from now. Formerly their breasts may be drawn to the waist semontok small as possible (and sometimes the picture was not balanced).

This book is good, but this is not the kind of book you are looking for when we want to conduct research. I think this is more intended as an introduction for beginners and for just general knowledge only.

Marketing in Fashion

TITLE: FASHION MARKETING AND PR
AUTHOR: MARIA CONSTANTINO
PUBLISHER: BT BATSFORD LTD.
ISBN: 0-7134-8334-2

Deep down, I can't deny I'm interested in Public Relations knowledge, and also fashion (who doesn't?). But when the two combined, the result is FANTASTIC!

As has been described previously, almost all people (mostly women) love the fashion, and even has become the main requirement for some quarters as they need to eat and drink. To sell fashion, marketing knowledge required to sell their sales. But the science of public relations is the most powerful tool to popularize the clothes and even make a trend.

From what I've read, PR in fashion must aware about the products. S/he should be familiar with the products they sell, and they also have to learn its market segment. Thus, in fashion PR can analyze what kind of marketing strategies that can be applied to boost their sales.

As usual, the author wrote about the history of fashion first, followed by the entry of applied marketing strategies to sell those goods. For the next chapter the author explained about the consumers, and then the raw materials. I realize PR must know about their material's of the products, so that they could find a charm or something that can be used as selling points to the public.

After that, PR would planning ahead and works with the magic. S/he should do forecasting and keeping up the trends. 

I agree, nowadays marketing isn't enough to sell your products. Public already aware with the sweet of advertising, so the company will need a PR to socialize it with the society.

Hm...the dead of advertising and the rise of PR, eh?

Tanks top!

TITLE: TANKS
AUTHOR: GEOFF CORNISH
PUBLISHER: LERNER PUBLICATIONS COMPANY
ISBN: 0-8225-4701-5

I'm not so into military, even though I have special interest in weaponry. I've been in movie about war called Merah Putih (means Red White, it's the colour of our national flag) and since then fell in love with weapon especially knife and pistol.

But there's something about Tanks, that they're the most powerful vehicles on land. Tanks can deliver overwhelming firepower where it's needed most. The wall is so thick makes the guarantee the wall is bulletproof. They first appeared during World War I.

The book was so good, the author gave the detailed explanation pretty well. Besides the tank and it's part, the author also mentioned several famous tanks in the past and the history around Tank.

When we're talking future, we're already know that military always doing research. Plans for the next generation of tank are already ubder way as expected. The robot and perhaps artificial inteligence will be included in the development of this weaponry.

Perhaps, this is not the sign of preparation for another big war. Let's we hope the best.

Home sweet home...in a big city.

TITLE: MODERN STYLE
AUTHOR: ELINOR FRIEDMAN FELCHER
PUBLISHER: FRIEDMAN/FAIRFAX
ISBN: 1-56799-547-0

I always like to read interior or architecture book, as much as furniture store or even real estate offices. It gives me excitement to imagine my dream house and how to decorate it. Since my sister took Architecture as her subject on her college, so there's plenty of books related to architecture and interior designs.

The author opened the book by discussed what's the meaning of modern style. It has principles: Nature, Light, and Simplicity. Modern style capture all the values of the minimalist style, but softens the edges. Home that was flooded with light is another basic element that is important in modern style. To maximize the light, the house often painted with white or light colors. And, modern style always uses simple and sometimes multifunctional furniture so that they don't need much furniture and bigger space, make it best design to small home or studio apartment in big city.

Just like another architecture book, this one has interior photos about the style. I can capture the author's meaning by seeing the red thread among them. Very inviting us to think about decoration that suits our needs.

Very impressive, although I always like country style, but I can't deny this book also inspiring me to have some multifunctional room or make it simple.

Samurai, will never be the last!

TITLE: SAMURAI 1550-1600
AUTHOR: ANTHONY J. BRYANT
PUBLISHER: OSPREY PUBLISHING LTD.
ISBN: 978-979-91-0110-5

I really like to read about culture, as much as martial arts or the art of war. So I really interested to read about Samurai.

The author opened the book with the history and introduction of what is meant by the samurai. Samurai (or also known as Bushi) is a group of Japanese military nobility. They experienced its heyday in the inter-war period the country (or in Japanese is called Sengoku Jidai) which took place in the 1550-1600 period. At the time it was a time when defections, betrayals, and the seizure of power in society (though sometimes a lot of unexpected solidarity occurred in this period).

The rest of book give the detailed explanations about what happened at that time, the law and the rules that apply to the samurai, the life of that period, accompanied by photos and illustrations on the clothes and armor of the samurai.

This is interesting part. We can adopt some of samurai code to our life. Sometimes their codes sounds too extreme (I still can't accept harakiri or suicide), but there are another that we can follow it. 

This book wasn't too heavy nor big. But I'm very impressed that it gave detailed explanations about Samurai.

Eyewitness Sydney

TITLE: SYDNEY POCKET MAP & GUIDE
AUTHOR: EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
PUBLISHER: DK TRAVEL
ISBN: 978-1-4053-2356-7

I must be honest with you guys, today I've been away from home until midnight, and since I already challenged myself to read one book for everyday, so here I am, coming up with a tiny little book. Yes, this book consists of 64-page guide to Sydney major sights, with a perfect size to your pocket.

Basically this book told the most famous sights in Sydney, but from what I read, this book wasn't detailed enough. Mainly it's about historical places, botanical things, the famous Opera House, and so on.

But I agree that this is not a bad book, that sometimes I don't have time to go all the interesting places, so this book helped us much by already picked the best among them.

This is not the book for adventurer, off course, but it will be good enough for average tourist. Me, I'm craving for more! 

PR Project

TITLE: CREATIVE NEWSLETTERS & ANNUAL REPORTS
AUTHOR: RITA STREET & ROBERTA STREET
PUBLISHER: ROCKPORT PUBLISHER
ISBN: 1-56496-761-1

Too creative.

This book was clearly for designer folks.

That's what came across my head when I saw this book. But at that time I need a book about PR Publication for my assignment on college, so I decided to buy it.

Well, apparently this book's full examples of good newsletter and annual reports. Chapter by chapter were just study case for each newsletter or annual report's design and the stories behind the making of its publications, the decisions to used the design, the fonts, the colors, etc. So that reader would get the message exactly what the PR or marketing team wants.

But that's the purpose of this book. The writers stressed on inspiring designs: the illustration, the lay-out, the photograph, typography, and of course the color and perhaps the material for print.

It's abook to look for inspiration on making newsletter or annual report's design. It's a good book for PR officer or those who work in publicity area.

Black...Blue...Yellow...Red...even Turquoise and Mauve...

TITLE: COLORIST
AUTHOR: SHIGENOBU KOBAYASHI
PUBLISHER: KODANSHA
ISBN: 4-7700-2323-5


It's one of my favorite books, I was very lucky to have found this book. And the size and thickness of this book also helped her to get nominated for best book.

Most of all, I love colors.


At first, when I saw this book, I wondered and have thought that the term 'Colorist' mean person in charge for color correction in post production in filmmaking. But it turns out this book can be used by anyone. By graphic designers, by people working in the field of interior, painters, even by you.

Too complicated to review, but I'll give a best recommended book! 

Talkin' talkin' not just talk....

TITLE: HOW TO TALK TO ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
AUTHOR: LARRY KING
PUBLISHER: CROWN PUBLISHER, INC.
ISBN: 979-605-226-1

By knowing who's the author of this book, should be a guarantee that this is a good book. I myself used to study communications in college, so of course I know who Larry King is.

He gave an explanation of speaking clearly and in easily understandable language. Not only that, he was even able to explain such things as the fact that we are in the same situation as himself. This is truly extraordinary!

Like the title, this book explain about speaking, his experiences as a talk show host, and tips and trick to talk in every kind of situation. Furthermore, we are also invited to learn to carry ourselves in some situations, because the author also teaches how we should address the body language.

At first, he wrote about the first time he became radio announcer, and almost failed. He's nervous at that time, but then because his boss yelled at him, he turned around and finally spoke to his audiences honestly that he's nervous. The rest is legend.

From art of talk, Larry King wrote the art of sell, the art of dealing with people who are rigid and tough talk, the art of speech, and even taught how to lead the conversation in the direction that we want. 

The point is, before we want to talk, LISTEN FIRST! By listening, we'll understand the situation of our partner. Do not always talk about ourselves. In addition, enthusiasm for the subject and show empathy. Interlude of humor would be nice to break the rigid atmosphere, and expand the horizon for talks to be alive and not boring. 

This is very a good book. I strongly recommend this to anyone, especially those who work relating to speaking.

That little black dress....

TITLE: THE BLACK DRESS
AUTHOR: VALERIE STEELE
PUBLISHER: COLLINS DESIGN
ISBN: 0-06-120904-X

Fancy.


That the first word that came into my head when I saw this book on my favorite bookstore, KINOKUNIYA. And yet, I still put that on my shopping chart, so here I am, wrote the review of the book.

From the title, I know the book will tell only one subject: black dress. But it's interesting to read the history of the color itself on first part. For many years, black was associated with negative connotations. The bible has responsibility to linked black with sin, death, and the devil. Black also associated with nights, because at that time, before the invention of electricity, nights were so much darker and more dangerous than they are today.

However, in addition to the negative connotations, black color also has a big impact in fashion. The idea of black as a symbol of luxury and chic makes this color a fashion color options during nobility on Renaissance period. You see, the black dye at that time was so expensive, that only the elite could afford to wear black clothes, whether for mourning or as a symbol of authority or piety.


The black comes in-and-out in fashion. For example on 18th century, the aristocrats tends to wear light colors (even pink) while the poor will wear the darker colour or black clothes.


Well, the history of black color was the only part of this book which contains writings to read. The rest of this book contains a collection of photographs and illustrations of women wearing black dresses in various styles, with the quotes from famous people like fashion designer and artists. (I told you, this book is fancy).

I warned you, there is no table of contents, so that we will have a little difficult when looking for a page or topic destination. Since most of the book contains photographs and illustrations, it can be done by seeking from the credits page at the end of the book.

This book isn't bad at all, I have a new perspective about black color and its fashion. Sadly, in my opinion this book was more like photobook rather than the book itself.

You can't resist the smell of coffee in the morning!

TITLE: I LOVE COFFEE!
AUTHOR: SUSAN ZIMMER
PUBLISHER: ANDREWS McMEEL PUBLISHING
ISBN: 0-7407-6377-6

Yup! I'm serious, who can resist with smell of coffee, whether you like to drink it or not! His smell was fragrant and very stimulating your olfactory. Coffee is very good to neutralize odor from your nose.

This book divided in 2 parts. Besides recipe of coffee drinks, the author also give the explanation about the processing of the bean to become drinks, and the method of how to make basic latte art. She also gave the very clearly explanations about coffee-making equipment which makes this book very interesting to read!

For the first chapter, the author explained about the coffee bean itself. Like the coffee roasting chart (dark usually refer to espresso while medium usually associated with American. Very dark? French it is!). We even can roast the bean in our own home! She also gave us the recommendations for blending coffees, the grinding processing, and what happened in decaffeination processing and the methods to do it. 

On the next chapter, author discuss in more detail about the coffee machine and brewing technique. With clearly coffee machines illustration, this book will tell you the advantages and disadvantages with every type of the coffee machines. Besides the brewing methods, the author has taught  us every finished coffee beverage will differ greatly based on the following factors: the kind of roasted coffee beans and the amount and fineness of coffee grind.

Chapter 3 will give detailed explanations about espresso brewing techniques and tips, and chapter 4 will teach you how to make coffee drinks in general, with step-by-step photo and also the basic to make latte art.

Not only that, some of the coffee drinks are using alcohol, which is very nice for the variations.

This book is very recommended for they who want to learn about barista, or maybe want to know inside of barista work. By reading this book, I got encourage to make coffee just as good as the coffee drinks which I bought in coffee house.

Why men marry bitches? (And WHY we should read this?!)

(There's some mistake I accidentally delete my post on 3th January, so I tried to write it back) 

TITLE: WHY MEN MARRY BITCHES
AUTHOR: SHERRY ARGOV
PUBLISHER: SIMON & SCHUSTER
ISBN: 978-0743276375

I've promised not to be picky subject of the book and will write a review, so I decided to pick the book that has a lighter topics than the previous. Let's talk about relationship, then.


After reading this book, I must admit this book ... too predictable. Even at the beginning of the book I was able to guess the continuation of the book will like what. In fact, I would suggest that rather than bother to read until the end of the book, you can just read the summary of the principles of relationship at the end of the book alone.

I do not want to discredit this book, because on the one hand there are some lessons we can learn from this book, it's just that the message was very clear at the beginning of the book, maybe even in the preface is enough to explain the contents of the book!

The author had explained at the beginning that the purpose of the word 'bitches' refers to the independent woman who is confident and do not want to depend on men. The author stresses that women are not supposed to change themselves to please her partner. Instead, he must be comfortable with themselves and make room for his partner and himself.

I liked the idea that women should be confident and comfortable going to him, but there are a few suggestions and messages that are less suitable to be applied by the community east. For example in Indonesia, which holds information society patriarchal culture, where men should be respected as the head of the family. When we get married in Indonesia, we do not just marry a couple, but also with his extended family (like it or not!). When we ignore our intention to make room on the couple, there is the possibility of mother-in-law who came advise. Terrible, isn't it?


Besides, believe it or not, there are many women in Indonesia (and many Asian countries generally) is still a virgin because virginity should be saved for her husband. Free sexual behavior can not be haphazardly applied, although admittedly probably in large cities many people feel mature enough to assess the value of virginity is not absolute in the marriage.

I also lamented how the author provides many examples of such extreme examples of beauty contestants who tried diplomacy to give her opinion about the famine and its plan to end the crisis flowerpots around the world because it happens that beauty contestants took ceramics in college majors. And I'm sure not all the contestants were shallow minded. I remember Lina Maria Hahne who represented Sweden in the Miss Universe 2008. At that time, Lina was studying to become a doctor in the last year of Medical School. She is involved in UNICEF and children charities.

I must admit, pretty fair writer, she had explained the target readers of this book is devoted to the good girls who think the best way to win the men are to follow his will and try to always succumb. She was explained a lot of through examples of her interview with the men to give you an idea of what men really want in general.


In my opinion, I have to process this book and adapt to the psychological situation for the people around me, but maybe it's a good book for women who feel less fortunate in love, so that you'll have different perspective for your problem.

After dark, there's light

TITLE: LIGHTING
AUTHOR: DAVID PRÄKEL
PUBLISHER: AVA PUBLISHING
ISBN: 2-940373-03-5 

As you already know, photography is the foundation of the science of cinematography. Because some extent I was collecting photography books. This book is one of my favorite books, for a full explanation in language and easily understood, even by a beginner though. 

Light is one element of photography that is very important. Without light, there will be no exposed images.
At the beginning of the book, the author explains the basic theory of color and exposure. He also gave a fairly detailed explanation of how to measure light using light meter, and how to adjust exposure by using filters on the camera lens.

In addition to an explanation of the types of light (available light and artificial light), the author also gives a satisfactory explanation about the studio equipment, namely the types of studio lights, backgrounds, and even the studio space's design.

For this book, the author has asked his colleagues to contribute their works for display in this book other than shots of the author's own photographs. Includes work by: Rod Edwards, Ernst Haas, Eric Kellerman, Marion Luitjen, Gijon Mili, Justin Quinnell, Scott Ritenour, Michael Trevillion, Frank Wartenberg, and Ilona Wellman are among many others.

In each image picture, the author always include technical data which he used when taking the picture. When the image is a photograph in the studio using studio lights or devices, the author also includes a layout plan of the lamp, which is essential for beginners to learn about studio lighting.

Have you ever heard about Rembrandt lighting? Rembrandt lighting is a technique adapted from the portrait paintings of that famous painter from the Netherlands. The characteristics are the lighting from one single source and the distinctive patch of light under one of the eye. Rembrandt lighting is one of the few lighting techniques discussed by the author.


Finally, this book will tell how to control, use, and experiment with light. There are many possibilities to control the light to achieve the desired results. And I'm telling you, this book will give you much information and good explanation about lighting and photography itself.



If you're the beginner in photography, I suggest you read (and own, perhaps?) this book. Even if you're already professional, this book is very good to refresh your knowledge.

Good book to read for the first day of the new year

TITLE: THE ART OF ORIENTAL FACE READING
AUTHOR: SUE WOODD
PUBLISHER: CAXTON EDITION
ISBN: 1-84067-446-6

Hi! I'm Reading Fairy. As you can see I'm the real person, not the fairy (even though I would like to meet them!), and I'd like to share my reading book titled THE ART OF ORIENTAL FACE READING by Sue Woodd.

I bought this book on 2005, and I found out this book was interesting! Even though I'm not Chinese, but I can implemented this book to me. In fact, this book can be implemented to all people without any limitations skin color and other physical differences. You'll see that on Face Shapes and Personality. On Wood type face section, the author used white caucasian woman, while the Earth type used Southeast Asian-like man for the example. 

Basically this book tells about the energy balance in the human body that is affected by nature. There are five elements known in nature, namely fire, water, soil, metal, and wood. By understanding the relationship between the elements that are mutually supportive, then the energy balance can be achieved.

Like, when the water feeds wood, and the wood fuels fire. From the ashes from fire, it feed and nourish the earth, and the earth supplly metals (minerals), then metals (minerals) are carried by water. 


There are some interesting part about parents influence to their babies. Examples can be seen from the fact the baby's gender. If the father's sperm is more active, or dominant, it is almost certain their child would be a girl, while her mother when the egg is more active (dominant), their child most likely a boy.

At last, the most part of this book tells that by reading the face (from the forehead 'till the tongue!), we can see a person's health condition, emotional state, even the fortunes of that people. There are also self-help section to heal the bad condition by ourselves.


I think by reading this book, we will be forced to recognize weaknesses and strengths of our self. That way, we can preserve and maintain the body that was created by God for us.

Recommended for those who want to learn about Oriental Healing!