Tropicana Magazine Nov-Dec 2015 #104: The Festive Issue

BOOKS
1.
THE ART OF THE IMPOSSIBLE (THE BANG & OLUFSEN DESIGN STORY)
BANG & OLUFSEN WITH ALISTAIR PHILIP WIPER
[RM205.00]
Celebrating the 90th anniversary of one of the most influential pioneers
of the consumer electronics industry, ‘The Art Of The Impossible’ takes
a loving look at the history and impact of Bang & Olufsen on the world
around them. Founded in 1925 by Danish innovators Peter Bang and Sven
Olufsen, this company has shaped the design of televisions, music systems
and loudspeakers for over a century by repeatedly breaking the mould in
their pursuit of exceptional technical performance and distinctly unique
designs. A fascinating insight into the company, discover how these
innovators with their unwavering philosophy ‘design must always serve a
purpose’ were not only at the forefront of their industry but inspired other
greats like Steve Jobs.
2.
HOTEL RUBY
SUZANNE YOUNG
[RM45.00]
Audrey Casella has had a troubled past. Just
months after her mother’s passing, she and her
brother are shipped off to be looked after by
their estranged grandmother as their father is
inconsolable with grief. With little prospect of
a bright future, Audrey makes a detour to check
into the Grand Hotel Ruby, which provides a
welcome number of distractions from what’s
behind her and what lies ahead. After extending
her stay, Audrey begins to realise that the
hotel offers numerous private parties and she
is the only one not to get an invite. Things
get stranger as she begins to learn more of the
hotel’s sordid history and the horrors that really
go on behind those grand closed doors.
3.
SINGAPORE YELLOW
WILLIAM GIBSON
[RM65.00]
The second volume in the 19th century Detective
Hawksworth Trilogy, ‘Singapore Yellow’ makes
for a fantastic read whether you have previously
followed Detective Hawksworth in ‘Singapore Red’
or not. Initially called to Malacca from Singapore to
investigate the death of a British Resident and the
fate of a mysteriously vanished police expedition,
Hawksworth soon uncovers a much darker reason for
the disappearances than the local speculation that a
pontianak is on the loose. And when missing children
from the villages turn up butchered in Singapore,
Hawksworth finds himself in over his head as he
attempts to break up a dangerous smuggling ring that
has some powerful allies.
4.
SOUNDLESS
RICHELLE MEAD
[RM35.00]
A fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore, Richelle
Mead follows the intriguing story of Fei: a
girl who has grown up in a remote mountain
village which is completely without sound and
supported by a zip line which sends up supplies.
As the villagers start to lose their sight, the
zip line begins to send less and less deliveries,
plunging the village into crisis. Fei understands
that if her village does not get help soon they are
doomed, and when she begins to hear for the
first time one night, she decides to embark on a
dangerous journey down the mountain to save
her village and discover the mysterious villages
below.
42 TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015