Update : The closing date has been extended by a week to Friday, 26 January 2007. This is to give Nona viewers the opportunity to enter the contest. Nona interviewed me last week and the 3-minute segment will air on Sunday, 21 January at 2.00 p.m. on TV3. The interview will probably be slotted for 2.30 p.m.
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What better way to start the new year than by winning some book prizes? So, jump right in then.
First, the prizes.
First prize
A choice of any of my books, Congratulations! You Have Won!, Life’s Like That or Honk! If You’re Malaysian.
+ 5 copies of books from my bookshelf*
Second prize
A choice of any of my books, Congratulations! You Have Won!, Life’s Like That or Honk! If You’re Malaysian.
+ 3 copies of books from my bookshelf*
Third prize
A choice of any of my books, Congratulations! You Have Won!, Life’s Like That or Honk! If You’re Malaysian.
+ 2 copies of books from my bookshelf*
*Books from my shelf – some are almost-new while the others are in ‘Payless’ condition :
1. On Beauty by Zadie Smith
2. The Hidden Writer – Diaries and the Creative Life by Alexandra Johnson
3. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
4. The House of Blue Mangoes by David Davidar
5. Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
6. Discuss Disgust by Bonny Hicks
7. Soul Mountain by Gao XingJian
8. Postcards by E. Annie Proulx
9. Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
10. Q is for Quarry by Sue Grafton
What you have to do
1. If you have read Honk! If You’re Malaysian, say a few nice words on your blog. If they’re not so nice, please make them constructive (urgh, I hope I’m not inviting trouble here). If you don’t have a blog, post your mini-review in this comment box.
OR
2. Just spread word of this contest and provide a link back to this post.
How winners will be picked
The first prize will go to the comment that I like most. Second and third prizes will be drawn at random, so even if you haven’t read Honk!, just by providing a link back here, you can win. Books from my shelf will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis i.e. winners who notify me first of their selection (via the comment box) will get first choice and so on.
Rules
1. Anybody can enter the contest but prizes will only be mailed to a Malaysian address.
2. Only one submission per person.
3. All submissions must be done via the comment box of this posting. If you have posted a link or a comment on your blog, please mention so here.
Closing Date
Friday, 26 January 2007. Winner announcement will be made within a week of closing date.
I had the good fortune of attending the launch of Honk! If You’re Malaysian and having the books autographed personally by none other than the author herself, Lydia Teh.
The birth of Honk! If You’re Malaysian is like an antidote to the mechanization of our Malaysian society.
Lydia, you seem to have a gift for writing truthful yet amusing articles of the happenings of our everyday life and I see myself reflected in some of those happenings.
You truly deserve a pat on the shoulder for your comitment to bringing the public such a clear depiction of our everyday life here in Malaysia.
Honk! Honk! Honk!
Lydia when my son brings back the book on 13th Jan. will quickly read it and enter this competition. You must give me tips how to win..
Honk! Honk!
Hello.. i just wanted to wish you happy new year..
and you know what, the second I saw your book on the shelves, I quickly grabbed one, pay and read it.. very nice.. even my brother came to ask about your book and your site.. 
anyway, as encouragement that you hv fans out there, “Keep up the good work!”
I will have to reserve my judgment on your book since I haven’t read it yet. I have no doubts that it’ll be an excellent read!!
I will pass the word around regarding this contest.
When will you be coming to MPH 1 Utama?? Or Popular/Borders??
Judy is
Nothing to say, no book to read, no chance to be at the launch! Double
Ilene, thank you!
Kak Teh, just write from the heart.
lilacreveries, good on you.
EW, I’ll be in One U on Sat, 3Feb. Should I mail you your complimentary copy or would you be coming for the One U talk? If you can’t wait for it, please give me your postal address and I’ll send it off.
Judy, it’s okay, can still take part in the contest. Just put a link in your blog, lor.
Lydia, now that I’m back in fast furious money-spinning KL, I can’t wait to pick up a copy of your book . . . I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful read!
Tunku Halim, welcome back to Msia. I see you’ve jumped onto the blogging bandwagon, and not a moment too soon, with 44 Cemetry Road coming out. Hope you like Honk! (Book talk on 3 and 11 Feb at One U and MidValley respectively.)
Honk!Honk!
Lydia,
Amazing you.You truly a Malaysian that speaks on our Malaysian society.Reading the book is like self discovering that “How Malaysians are we”.
And guess what? My hubby even planned to get a copy on his next visit to MPH as he said he wanted to read it..very funny and realistic of the stories written.
Keep up the good work! and I will surely pass the word around regarding this contest.
Malaysia Boleh!
I will try my best to go to one of your book talks!
Congratulations on the launch of Honk! If You’re Malaysian. I can see the book everywhere.
I am so sorry I was too sick to attend your launch but got a copy of Honk in 1 utama’s Popular bookshop.
Just started reading and already love em. I also love the illustrations on cover page and inside pages. The title is so COOL! HONK! HONK!HONK! Me Malaysian too. Hehe!
Happy New Year to you and family.
Will sure go to your book talk one!
I love contests. I think I’ve said that before many times. In fact, recently I won something again. Nothing much, just some toiletry products. Its just the thrill of winning that I like.
Well, now I’d like to join another contest. Its the Honk! Honk! contest. How to participate? If you’ve read “Honk! If you’re Malaysian”, all you have to do is write a review on your blog.
Hey lydia
I am a big fan of your blog. Reading most of the entries beginning from your previous blog, I have picked up some English vocabulary along the way. Your new book, Honk if you’re Malaysian has captured my attention and I have gone through most of it. I like the chapter PTUIII especially. Your book has really capture the essence of being a Malaysian. I hope you will publish more books like this because I can just read any articles that appeal to me and not follow the story page by page. Haha!!
Oops sorry I have forgotten that I have posted some comments on the book on my blog. Here is the link: http://thoughtdissector.blogspot.com
Hi Lydia, can’t wait to lay my hands on your book.
http://newkidontheblog58.blogspot.com/2007/01/honk-if-youre-malaysian.html
I stumbled across Lydia Teh’s blog……
Hi Lydia,
I haven’t finished reading your Honk! but I’ve put up the promo in my blog:
http://dayangzone.blogspot.com/2007/01/books-for-week.html
Hie Lydia, i haven read ur book yet..sighh.. but hav written a lil bout it on my blog. will definitely be going to ur book talk at midvalley…=D
here’s the link: http://spiffygurl.blogspot.com/2007/01/honk-honk.html
Hey Lydia,
I’ve also posted about you & your book on my blog
http://jospark.blogspot.com/2007/01/honk-if-youre-malaysia.html
Yay~ Malaysia boleh! That’s the spirit
Hi Lydia, how could you do this to me . . . I’m leaving late Jan for Oz so cannot attend your book signing lah! But if you’re doing anything earlier, I’ll be there.
I’ve a marketing idea for you. How about driving around KL and honking away with posters and banners (of course need DBKL ok first!)
I have already posted about your books in my blog, feel free to visit it aunt lydia. http://www.annoyingangelz.blogspot.com
Hi all, thanks for your entries.
Tunku Halim, thanks for the idea. Can you be one of the drivers
Aiya, don’t worry. You can join the Writers Circle Meet at MPH One-Utama on Sat, 20/1 at 11 am. I’ll be there as a forum member as will be Sharon Bakar, Ted and some others.
Lydia,
As an appreciation for sending me your book, I have posted about you and your books on my blog.
http://wonda4.blogspot.com/2007/01/lydias-new-book-release-honk-if-youre.html
I got a “honk”!
I’m going to buy the book “Honk! if you’re Malaysian” by Lydia Teh. This had been one of my new year resolutions to be accomplished. This is perhaps my most frivolous ………. http://put3put4.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-got-honk.html
I wanna try getting a book of this “Honk! if you’re Malaysian”. I hope it’s somewhere in Miri’s bookstore here.
Thanks for the honk, Alice and Robert.
Kok, if MPH is there, then the book should be there.
MPH stands for what hah? Sorry sorry. Is it Popular Bookstore?
By the way, I have my blog introducing “Honk! If you’re Malaysian”.
http://kokadoodle.blogspot.com/2007/01/beep-honk-if-youre-malaysian.html
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! THANK YOU!!!
I’ve received the Honk! in my mail today, I’m so happy that I tore the book out and read it immediately in the lift! And what do you know, reading through Adibah Amin’s intro, I spotted a typo – “like an enormous stream of the tarik”
Shouldn’t it be “teh tarik”? Anyways, am going to bring the book to work and see if I can curi tulang a bit to read you book…I’ll probably say “for research boss!”
Can this be considered as an entry??
Maybe you should have a contest like funniest experience when reading Honk!
Mrs. Lydia, the way you wrote was filling me with brightness overcoming the dark days we have around us. I could have laugh many times except it became coughs instead because of the cold virus running amok…
Or perhaps I’m looking at our own Malaysia too politically…hmm…
Lesson learn: Should look things at a brighter view.
Other than that the language used is so…well…MALAYSIAN! You don’t need to be a pro in English to enjoy this book!
Edit:
After reading nearly 12 times…I find myself still wanting more…the book was a little too tad short…but than again if there was more it wouldn’t be RM29 anymore…ahhh, still I want more…
Other than that,
I find the last few stories to be a little mellowed than the previous stories like a fast pop song going into an oldie…perhaps because I’m unable to relate to last few? Hmm…
Kok, MPH was first Methodist Publishing House. Then it became Malaya Publishing House, Malaysia Publishing House and finally MPH. You can read its history here :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPH_Bookstores
EW, you’re welcome. To enter, please provide a link to your website or give a mini-review, thanks. I hate the auto-correct of spell-checkers, it always renders TEH into THE. Smart-alec. The MS was already ok, but when it was run through a new publishing software, it converted TEH into THE again. But it kinda makes me feel important, as I become THE LYDIA.
Emerald, I know my young friends reread my book until the book becomes like “salted veg” but 12 times! That’s value for money for the RM29 yeah
I’ve put up an excerpt there, hope no offence!
http://www.mychevyclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=978.0
Seems like Miri don’t have MPH leh. Never mind, I’ll try to look out for the book:)
Robert, thank you. You retyped the article yourself? So hardworking. Anyway, there are some omission (in caps) here :
The frequency with which you wash your CAR IS AN INDICATION OF YOUR character.
SometimeS you do not need to reach…
Kok, the book is available at Popular too. But if you win this contest, then no need to buy lor.
Popular also got ah? Then I’ll just check it out this weekend if possible. Aiyo, buy Honk! If you are Malaysian. Then if win, can choose other books of your which are no longer in bookstore ma. hehe.
lydia, tqsm. although i have only read up to the 16th essays, i love it so much. you really open other malaysians eye. i’ve also post my review in my blog–http://kueee.blogspot.com/2007/01/my-review-of-honk.html
Kok, thanks!
kuE, read the review at your blog. Nice one. Had a good laugh over the McD incident.
I have searched the whole Popular Bookstore here. But then, I couldn’t find Honk! If you’re Malaysian.
Kok, it’s also available via mphonline.com.my
Dear Lydia,
HONK, HONK! I really enjoyed listening to you in Traxx this morning (especially your Manglish). Have read many of your articles (Eh Poh Nim) in the Star.
Malaysians are creatures who are hard to pigeon-hole. We’ve bad driving manners and it will take more than a few lines to list them. We have many many bad habits too, one of which is to litter the neighbour’s side – the side of the compound or pavement, etc. And did you observe some housewives when they pick or choose? They’d go nipping off the ends of lady’s fingers or if a piece of whatever (fruit or veg) they’re choosing dropped off, they won’t bother to retrieve it? Or the ones they’ve chosen rolled off to the floor, they’d nonchalantly put it back into the pile in the box and choose another? How about the very inquisitive questions: “How much you earn eh?” “How much is your house eh?” “Do you have a house eh?”
But then again, we are such warm people we can’t help but be “kay-pohs”.
I have yet to read any of your books but I like your humour (from your articles) and am stuck by just how down to earth and bubbly you are. Keep on writing!
Kind regards,
Doris
p.s. I’m not very computer savvy and I do not know what link you meant. How about linking to my hubby’s web – http://www.kids4chess.com?
Hi, Lydia!
I haven’t read any of your books yet, but I would definitely pick up my own copy when I see it in MPH.
Meanwhile, here’s my blog’s URL:
http://beautifulboys.blogdrive.com/
I’m still a teenager, so forgive me for my blunt remarks.
Hi Doris, thanks for popping by. Your comments on Malaysianism – the one on rubbish I wrote in Life’s Like That and the KPC is in Honk!
You’ve got part of it right, the linking. Now if you could get your husband to put a link in his website to mine, you’re on. Just write something like, “go check out Lydia Teh’s blog on her new book Honk!” or something like that.
SiaoLin, thanks for the link. The remarks you made are valid
I have never read your book but after surfing through your blog and reading the comments of others, i’ve never wanted to read a book as much and especially since you’re a Malaysian writer, all the more i want to read your book. Good job in making us, the Malaysian society proud with your talent
Stephanie
..All the way from The Emerald Isle..
Stephanie, thank you very much for your encouraging words.
Which Emerald Isle are you at?
The “Emerald Isle” is also a nickname for the islands of Ireland, Phú Quốc in Vietnam, and Montserrat in the Caribbean.
Hi Lydia,
it it a good topic to explore. Sometimes it is unrealised that what we are malaysian is doing is unique that doesn’t have in other part of the world. This book will make us malaysian realize on what level we are and how good and bad we are. It may change the way of Malaysian life.
Keep it up and may more books about Malaysian lifestyle will comes out. Good Luck…………
The book Honk ! If you are Malaysian gives a true inside of us as a Malaysian. It is a brave effort to actually write and publish it to the world. It makes us realise who we are, how we behave and how poeple judge us. All this while we are quite afraid to speak about it loudly but I am grateful that Lydia Teh has come out with it for us to actually swallow the reality that we are facing in everyday’s life. Although it remarks many negative side of us being a Malaysian, but the positive side is never forgotten. When we read this book, we might laugh and make fun of it but do we actually learn anything from the book? It quite though to change the attitude and the behaviour. So at last,no matter what people say, that’s all the trademark of us as Malaysian and in some ways we should be proud that we do have our very own the identity.
Nor Adzimah, thank you for y0ur comment. I hope by highlighting our quirks, not only will we laugh at ourselves but also be more aware of the negative aspects that we can change for the better. But then again, it’s very difficult to change – as they say, can a leopard change its spots?
Nik, thanks for popping by.
Lydia, Lydia…I cannot believe how far you have come! Congratulations! I first met you when we went to collect our prizes from the Nestle competition way back in 2000. You were walking around with your trusty little note-book jotting furiously away. You told me then that you were going to write a book about how to win competitions. I was like…yeah, right! I mean I have come across so many who had had such lofty plans before but nothing to show for it ,so I did not take your comments seriously. Bad, bad judgement! I was extremely shocked when I got your email saying that “Congratulations! You Have Won” has been published and out for sale. My, my…since then each time an announcement comes saying Lydia Teh has another book published, I never fail to be amazed and jubilant. Lydia, you are one person who have gone out and caught the tailwind of success and hung on tightly ever since. I am mighty pleased with your successes and as a fellow housewife please allow me to bask in your glory. I just love your Eh Poh Nim series, too. I caught you on NTV7 this morning and I have to say this: Book writing is not the only thing you have accomplished…you have also gained self-confidence and people management skills. Bravo. You come across as someone who knows what you want and knows how to go about getting it…all this while still being just your sweet self. I am writing this because you mentioned the competition on NTV7 and being one of the many compers I just could not let this chance slip by.
I hope to win your latest book Honk! If You’re Malaysian. I have no website nor blog so this will have to do but I will promote your book via my neighbourhood forum through email, that’s for sure!
And yes, HONK! HONK!HONK! I also Malaysian One!
Hi Lydia,
Check out my comments in my blog!
Hi Umathevy, what a surprise to hear from you. To think that you remembered me and kept up with my writing. I must dig up that newspaper clipping which showed us proud winners posing at the Nestle HQ. Once a comper, always a comper, right? But alas, nowadays most contests are ranking ones instead of slogan writing. That’s just like tikam only. Thank you for your encouraging words. You’ve made my day
Jennifer, thanks for the link. Feeling great. Note to self : get down from the clouds, don’t get swollen-headed.
doo di doo… http://eyeris.blogspot.com/2007/01/book-review-honk-if-youre-malaysian.html