'Curating' A Reading List?

It has been almost two years since I first started my journey of being a museum curator. But even as a curator, the idea of 'curating a reading list' has never occurred to me, despite knowing that the things that I watch or see, listen to, and read, pretty much impact my life substantially. I would go to bookstores without a particular book to find in mind, which is very much unlike a grocery shopping trip where I'd most of the time drop by the store with a shopping list (which can be a written or a mental one). With bookstores visit last time, I'd pick up anything that piqued my interest, and that's it - it will then be part of my reading list of the year, of the year after - who knows when I'll end up reading it. In essence, the purchase comes first before the intention of reading/finishing it.

But a conversation I had at a booth during a book launch seminar in KL changed my mind. 

I was just casually looking at the different books they put on the table, when the bookseller started asking if I was looking for a particular book. I told him I was just browsing or looking around. He then asked if there is any topic or theme I was particularly interested in. I stood there in silence. He continued, "There must be some particular kind of books/readings you are looking for to answer questions you have (in life). Well, at least, that's how it works for me." 

That conversation took place in February 2024, and while I don't think my reading habit changed 180 degree, I do pay more attention on the kind of topic I'm more interested in, and started thinking more seriously about readings that are worth investing my money and time in. Undeniably, conversations I had with my colleagues in some ways had affected my reading interest a little bit (in a good way), and I find myself taking my reading choice more seriously - although I hope I'm not overthinking it. I started discovering more about "good books" and the "not-so-good-ones", and I'm actually lucky that I do have colleagues as point of reference (although they may have their own biases on this one).

Edit: my colleague, Alia sent me a post on X where someone wrote "being a responsible adult and taking pics of books that interest me rather than impulse buying every single one who cheered" and mentioned that it reminds her of me. I did take pictures of books that caught my eyes when we went to Tsutaya and Lit Books together this year, and ended up not buying them during the bookstore visit itself to give myself some more time to think about buying them, so I guess in a way my book-buying habit has indeed changed (for the better I hope) to some extent hehe

So here's a list of books I have read in 2024, which I believe is partly influenced by the people I've spent a lot of time with over the past year. "You become the people you surround yourself with", so they say. Nevertheless, I am truly thankful to Allah for surrounding me with people who inspire me to become a better person every day. (Disclaimer: this is not gonna be a book review content so don't judge meee)

2024 Reading List

1. Adab Menyara Hidup, translated by Amru Sazali

This book is a translation of 'Sharh Kitab al-Kasb li'l-Shaybani' by Imam al-Sarakhsi. The kitab was written during a time when people are only concerned in conducting acts of worship and care less about working or earning a living, and it highlights the right and appropriate ways/efforts of 'earning a living' through sources including verses from the Qur'an, Hadith, fiqh, akidah and tasawuf. 

Although the original context or the time setting of the book is different to the way things are now, I found reading it at the beginning of the year was a great way to reflect, revise and renew our intention and motivation in regards to working in general. (p/s: I was lucky that the translator is actually a colleague of mine, who I went to for terms I was not familiar with, and to seek further understanding on some parts of the writing. Thanks Amru!)

2. On Justice and the Nature of Man, by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

This book was introduced to me by the same colleague I mentioned above, who actually made reference to this book while preparing for a content in our Archaeology Gallery that presents the timeline of the 25 prophets, from Adam AS to Muhammad SAW. This whole book is a commentary on verse 58 Surah al-Nisa' which touches upon the concept of justice - 'adl, and verse 12-14 of Surah al-Mu'minun, explaining on the creation of man. As an archaeologist (more specifically, bioarchaeologist) whose field of study is highly intertwined with the discourse on civilisation, it should be imperative that I grasp the understanding of this topic i.e. the creation of man, but I have usually steered away from this kind of discourse back in university, because I wasn't sure what's the best way to view this topic from. There are still a few things that I need to re-learn and un-learn after reading this book, and there are still a lot of things in it that I need to seek further understanding on. 

3. Islam: Faham Agama dan Asas Akhlak, by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

This book was actually gifted by a colleague who is currently pursuing his MPhil in Islamic Philosophy, particularly on the concept of ethics (akhlak). As a Muslim who is keen on gaining a deeper understanding of the religion, the title is undoubtedly very appealing. But I unfortunately found this book, having written in Malay, a bit hard to comprehend (sorry Mad!). After consulting a colleague and flipping through the pages of the English version of the book (thankfully our museum has a copy I can browse) I then decided to get myself the English version instead hehe

4. Islam: The Concept of Religion and the Foundation of Ethics and Morality, by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

An English translation of the above (3), I bought this book to gain a better comprehension of the topic (in a language I hope I am more comfortable with). It was actually originally a lecture delivered in 1976 in English anyway, so it was a worth buy - i.e. having both Malay and English versions is not a loss at all. Prof al-Attas' explanation on the concept of din (religion) and its relation to 'indebtedness' and 'civilisation' blew my mind. The book come with footnotes (thankfully), and I find the cross-reference to the content of On Justice and the Nature of Man intriguing - it's amazing how these readings are interconnected with one another. That is indeed how knowledge works.

5. The Meaning and Experience of Happiness in Islam, by Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas

I read this book twice in 2024 - it's like my go-to comfort book that I think all Muslims should get a hold of. The lack of satisfaction I had with life for the past couple of years made me think a lot about the idea of happiness and contentment, particularly from the Islamic perspective. In a world where modernisation and globalisation rule and take over, I think a lot of us wonder, as for me - as a Muslim, about what does it really mean to be happy or content at the end of the day. So this is like 'answer' to the random thoughts I had. It's less than 30 pages long so what are you waiting for?

6. Unbreakable, by Aiman Azlan

Recommended by a high school senior, I bought this book after being advised to 'expand my horizon of reading a little bit'. haha. I had actually initially underestimated this writing every time I saw it in the book stores. Yet after having finished the book, I think there are lot of useful lessons in regards to aspects of relationships - communication being the most principal - that one can apply in life and many different form of relationships (not just the romantic one). That said, I would recommend the book to those who are not even considering getting into a romantic relationship or marriage in the near future, although the book has eventually changed my perception and perception towards marriage to a certain extent. 

7. Fasting in Islam: Its Intellectual and Spiritual Significance, by Mohd Zaidi bin Ismail

If you're one of those people who are wondering on the greater significance of fasting and diving deeper into the notion of self-restraint (menahan diri), especially as a Muslim, then I'd recommend this short 30-pages long read. The first chapter talks about the common root meaning of fasting and intellect ('aql). The second chapter interestingly describes the importance of fasting in the quest for knowledge (which is usually hindered or delayed by instant gratification e.g. eating and drinking), while chapter 3 elaborates on the concept of tadabbur. Chapter 4 explores the relationship between fasting and (in)sincerity, and chapter 5, which is the last chapter touches on the divine dimension of fasting, particularly in regard to one of Allah's name: al-Samad. Gifted by a colleague, this was a really timely and good read over the month of Ramadhan. Thanks Mad.

8. Mindsets and Faith, by Natasha Kamaludin

The second book of Natasha Kamaludin that I read, after being introduced to her writing 'Faith & Womanhood' in 2023. 

(to be honest I find reading 'Faith & Womanhood' more memorable than this one. Maybe I'll go back to it some other time insyaAllah)

9. Sekufu, by Aiman Azlan & Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj

Though this book is probably meant for married people, I personally think it's best to read them while you're preparing for marriage (i.e. during the engagement period) or within a year before or after marriage itself. Because the book itself addresses a lot of communication challenges in a marriage/relationship, so it's better to spot them early, right? Plus, isn't prevention is better than the cure?

(although personally as someone who's not in the mind of getting married anytime soon, this book overwhelmed me a little bit HAHA)

10. In Their Tested Moments, by Syaari AB Rahman

This particular reading is a compilation of stories of hope, strength and mercy from the Quran. Apart from being a gem full of lessons and reminders on our humanistic side, it had also sparked my interest in the world of tafseer, from the way the author had explained and elaborated on the verses, focusing on the words and perspectives I've never came across before. It's a revision and translation of two Malay books the author had written before, so that's a really great catch!

11. Nabi Juga Seorang Manusia, by Khubaib Akhi

This book was gifted by a senior colleague, Kak Ayu, when she visited Pekan in August to attend our big event of the year: Perasmian Perkampungan Kraf Diraja Tunku Azizah in Pulau Keladi. It was the most hectic period of the year, so I was just really glad to have this book as a space to wind down after those crazy times.

12. Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro

"a page-turner and a heartbreaker" - Time

It is indeed what Time said to be. My first fiction of the year, in fact the only one, gifted by Alia as my birthday gift. Wouldn't recommend if your heart can't take a heartbreaking ending :")

13. Walden, by Henry David Thoreau

This book is also a birthday gift from Alia, and I loveee the wisdoms scattered throughout the reading. It is described as 'the original book about abandoning our lives of quiet desperation and getting back to nature' and I can see why Alia and I are attracted to it. As someone who had always silently wished that she could live in a cave to escape the overwhelming social life of a society that she can't seem to fit in, I'm glad I came across this book. The first few chapters are especially insightful! 

14. Islamic Civilization in Thirty Lives, by Chase F. Robinson

I was asking my colleagues on their opinion of a different book - something on Islamic figures too - when one of them then lent this book to me instead, as what he claimed to be 'a light reading'. (though my colleague actually lent it in Oct 2023, I only got the chance to read it in Nov 2024 - which made me realise that... damn that's a whole year, how is it even legal for libraries to lend books for just two weeks on average?)

I personally think that this book is meant for readers who are already quite familiar with Islamic history (and that person is definitely not me hahah). Mainly because there are a lot of historical events mentioned on the surface, and it left me clueless... I don't think it's fair to judge on its brevity, given the fact that the author tried to compile 30 biographies in a book, but it comes with footnotes and further readings so this book deserves a thumbs up 👍🏻 

It is interesting to read on different types/sides of Islamic figures (if I'm even allowed to use the term here - I guess "lives" is more accurate). I think it does a good job in trying to spark the readers' interest in Islamic history and civilisation. But for someone like me, whom which history is not exactly one of my favourite subjects in school because there were too many things to remember, I'm sort of frustrated with myself because let's be real, I barely remember things I read from the book :") though I did enjoy reading it.

(but I've recently been told that the way memory works, is with association. so hopefully the more I read, the more things I can associate and put together, and the better my memory functions. huehue let's hope that's the case, amin!)

15. In Your Hidden Tears, by Imran Zaki

This was one out of three books I purchased online when there was a huge PBAKL promotion going on back in April. One of my favourite readings of the year, this book shares a similar theme with 'In Their Tested Moments' by Syaari AB Rahman. In this one particularly, Imran Zaki presents stories of 'finding courage and hope through the stories of Prophet Muhammad SAW, Prophet Ya'qub AS (and Prophet Yusuf AS), Prophet Musa AS (and his mother), Prophet Yunus AS and Prophet Zakaria AS. A rearrangement and translation of the author's previously published writing 'Mendakap Kesedihan dengan al-Quran', this book serves as a reminder that even His Prophets are tested with hardships and sorrow, but in those moments of trials and despair, Allah never abandon them and leave them on their own. 

The purpose of sharing my experience of reading these books is merely because I find some of them really good, and I'd like others to benefit from them too. As I'm writing this, I haven't actually curated my reading list for 2025 though I do already have some books in mind for the year - which are mainly the ones I bought in 2024. 

I hope the first few weeks of the year has been good to you, and I pray that 2025 will be a blessed year for all of us, amin!