The Book

17th March 2009 marks the day of……

Love, Work and Everything in Between.

That’s the tagline of Xandria’s book.

I was invited to her book launch at Starbucks, Sunway Pyramid. The event was planned to start at 2pm, but I was there earlier to look-see. It was all setup by Sunway Pyramid and MPH. Very simple yet stylishly done, I would say. Fits perfectly for Xandria.

There was a giant standee of her, an eight feet tall backdrop of her book cover to unveil later and another backdrop for her book signing session.

There were about 150 people attended the book launch. Business associates, celebrities, family and friends were present. Door gifts were distributed during registering. Her book was on sale and the profit will go to charity – a girl who needs medical funds for her brain tumor.

The launch first started with the VIPs giving some speeches and thoughts of Xandria and her production of the book. Thereafter, Xandria gave a short speech and expressed her appreciation to her family mainly and also to the parties involved. This book is specially dedicated to her brother, Sean Ooi; who is 7 years younger than her.

After the announcement was done, Xandria unveiled it.

Once the launch was done, Xandria sat down with a marker pen in her “expressive” hand. People started to queue and Xandria started to personalize each book presented.

Of course, I didn’t let go such opportunity!

This is what she wrote on my copy.

So, what is her book all about? Is it her biography or fiction? NO, the book is basically about her journey in life; the truest reflection of her very ownself. It is a compilation of 69 articles that she wrote in the Sights & Sounds column in Star Metro fortnightly.

I took a glimpse of what were the articles about while waiting for the event to start. I have been following her column off and on in the papers, so some of the articles I have read before. The book is very classy and tastefully done with a very girly border on the cover page, text printed on glossy paper and filled with photos of Xandria and relevant pictures for each article. All of the pictures on each article were carefully chosen. Somehow you can tell that the whole team had put in a lot of effort for this finished book.

I love reading Xandria’s articles as they each tell a story of what happens in our daily life. It is just a matter of fact whether we as human are sensitive enough to the surrounding. The way she writes is practical yet with a pinch of humour in it. Words are still yet to be my best friend, so just get hold of the book and read through the pages. You will know what I mean.

During the event, I managed to meet up with some of the people whom I’ve met once before. It was good to see them again and catch up a bit.

I left Starbucks with Wei Chun as he wanted to take a train ride back to KL. I gave him a lift to the station and off I headed for home.

The book is already in all major bookstores. So, go grab a copy at only RM 49.90. It’s really a worth reading book!

*I shall post more photos once I’ve received them from the photographers*