This isn't the first time I've visited the Northern Book Fair in UUM. I've studied in UUM for the past 3 years and have came across the Northern Book Fair for 3 times so far. This book fair is held annually but the one held this year is slightly different as it was held in conjunction with the IT & PC Fair. Another aspect I would like to highlight a key aspect of this event because UUM is also having a DISCOVER UUM 2016, which is in bid to promote the lovely state of Kedah as an attractive business and investment destination to showcase the priceless treasures found in Sintok valley. By organising an event like the Northern Book Fair, I believe this would also attract visitors from outside the university to come and have a look at the book fair as well as the university surroundings.
Held in front of the university library, also known as Perpustakaan Sultanah Bahiyah, the surrounding of the book fair is not as lively like pasar malam, as the visitors present during the fair are mostly university students that respect the aura as well as the ambiance of the books. There were many vendors that were present during the book fair namely, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Koperasi UUM Berhad and Institut Terjemahan dan Buku Malaysia (ITBM). The number of exhibitors for the book fair has increased by a total number of 2 compared to year 2015 as there were 40 in year 2016 and in year 2015. This shows that the Northern Book Fair is gaining attention of more book vendors thus indicating the increase.
There were many planned activities that were held for the period of 7 days. Nevertheless, the amount of activities has increased compared to the Northern Book Fair 2015 only lasted for 5 days. The activities were quite interesting, such as the library quiz which was held for 5 days, spell-it-right competition (primary students), creative writing workshop and many other exhilarating and fun activities prepared for all visitors of the book fair.
Soothing music was being played throughout the entire event and there was a deejay present at the event informing the audience about the upcoming events as well as to provide a feeling among visitors that this event is a well-planned event. AND IT IS!
There are a lot of times people actually neglect how important the function of the deejay actually is in any sort of event. Music actually sets the atmosphere right and it is believed that every significant event that takes place in our lives is set to some kind of music - Ani Difranco
As a musician myself, I can't stress how important music is to our lives and how much it matters to us, but in a book fair event, it obviously plays a gigantic role in making the event successful. Most famous book stores, namely Popular, MPH and Kinokuniya, have such great reading music played throughout their business hours as they know music actually aids in soothing the mind,body and soul together at the same time providing the essence of knowledge through reading.
"Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy." - Ludwig van Beethoven
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Coming back to our book fair, I cannot deny the fact that this is indeed a great event. The amount of books, particularly academic related inventory available is truly abundant. The books for general reading are also available, such as novels and non-fiction books.Even the book related to my group assignment is found here! ====>>>
Book vouchers are distributed to every undergraduates for a total of RM 250 and they are accepted in most of the booths available in the book fair. I personally am against people who use the book vouchers in illegal ways such as selling them and using the cash gained from the transaction. It's very unethical in my opinion!
These book vouchers should be utilised in full condition and as undergraduate students we should seek knowledge from the sacred papers compiled together ~ books! And I individually believe that the knowledge that lies within the book would be a dream to ponder upon.
"Keep reading books, but remember that a book is only a book, and you should learn to think for yourself." -- Maxim Gorky
John Stuart Mill, a British philosopher differentiates pleasures in two separate categories, one being sensual pleasures (physical pleasure:sleep,eat & sex) and one being higher pleasures (intellectualism, culture and knowledge). It is indeed a serious issue when it comes to undergraduate students misusing the book vouchers to satisfy their sensual needs rather than to understand the value of the higher level of pleasure by gaining knowledge from books. However, note the fact from the quote given above, that you, being the reader should learn to think for yourself: and thus this cultivates the true essence of intellectualism.
Little that we know that such an event that only sells the books could harvest our minds and to challenge our thoughts in every possible way. If you're are still not convinced to start reading, I hope the visual aids as well as points below would encourage you why reading is beneficial for you.
These are the scientific facts about reading books and how it can improve your life:
- Reading can help prevent Alzheimer's.
- Being a reader means you're more likely to learn something new every day.
- People who read are more likely to vote, exercise, and be more cultural.
- Reading can be therapeutic.
- Reading enhances your memory.
- Reading helps to boost your analytical reading.
- Reading expands your vocabulary, so you'll sound like genius.
- Reading actually does make you seem sexier, especially to women.
- Fiction books increase your ability to empathize with others.
- People who read are more likely to get ahead with it come to their careers, and life in general.
This post is posted as an assignment for my SPE ( Sains Pemikiran & Etika), which is also known as Science of Thinking and Ethics.
