BOOKWORM INTERVIEW 11: With Raja Ummi Nadrah (Travel Blogger For Ummi Goes Where?)



Eiyo dearies,

Fadima Mooneira is back with the first episode for Bookworm Interview 2021. Syukur Alhamdulillah, the bookworm interview series received good participation last year. That's why I decided to continue the interview series this year.

For today's episode, I interview a Malaysian travel blogger named Raja Ummi Nadrah (Ummi). Ummi is a Malaysian woman who loves traveling. She shares her traveling experiences on her blog, Ummi Goes Where? with her readers. Her experiences are awesome.

Ok, so let's carry on with this interview. You guys can check out Ummi's blog and her socmed links in the profile below...


ABOUT RAJA UMMI NADRAH

The adventurous lady behind Ummi Goes Where? blog - Raja Ummi Nadrah ^_^

Name: Raja Ummi Nadrah

Occupation: 

Travel blogger, solo traveler, an aspiring writer, daydreamer, procrastinator, bathroom singer, book molester (I like to sniff their pages and run my hand on their covers, especially if they have embossed lettering), cat and dog molester (I will pet any cats and dogs in my path, sometimes without consent), and occasionally, waitress/bartender.


Short Bio: 

Ummi is an introverted traveler who would cross the road to avoid talking to you, unless you're walking your dog, in which case she would stop to say hi...to your dog.


Social Media Links (Just Click on Each Link)


Blog: Ummi Goes Where?


Instagram: @ummigoeswhere


Twitter: @ummigoeswhere


Facebook Page: Ummi Goes Where?


YouTube: Ummi Goes Where?





THE INTERVIEW


1. When did you first start reading for pleasure?


I learned my alphabet at age 2. Started reading for pleasure at age 3. Yes, my mom started me young. :-D

 

2. What was the first book/novel you read?


I read a lot of fairy tales and illustrated classics when I was little, but none memorable enough to mention.

The first full-length novel I read was "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt. My English wasn't very good back then, so it took me a few months to finish the 480-paged book. By the time I reached the last page, it felt as though I had known those characters in real life and I had to say goodbye to them. It was the first time I felt a sense of loss after finishing a book.





 

3. What genre do you read?


My interests are pretty varied, I would say. I love memoirs of any kind, but especially travel memoirs by female authors. Recently I've started reading more psychological thrillers.

 


4. Do you judge a book by its cover?


Yes, I think there's no shame in that. That's why authors and publishers put a lot of effort and money on book cover designs -- because they're important. A book cover can tell you a lot about a book before you even read the title or subtitle. Based on the font choice, color scheme, and illustration, you can tell whether the book is horror or chick lit, for example. Bestsellers and award winners are also easily recognizable by their covers.


I often get my books from book fairs and secondhand shops, where the books are not always arranged according to their genres. Sometimes, there are piles of them on the floor. So, I've learned to judge a book quickly with only a glimpse of its cover or spine.


 

5. What is your all-time favorite book/novel and why? Do you repeat reading it?


Ah, this is a cruel question for any bookworm! How can we possibly pick one? BUT if I really had to choose, I'd have to say Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt (same as above), not because it's better than the rest, but because it was my first love. And you don't forget your first love. Unfortunately, I never repeat any book. There are too many books, too little time. And I'm scared the magic would be gone the second time around. I want to keep remembering it the way I remember it now if that makes sense.


 

6. Would you recommend your favorite book/novel to other bookworms?


Yes, but it depends on their personal taste. This is a YA book, which is not everyone's cup of tea. I'm not even sure if I'd feel the same way about it if I read it now. But it stays my favorite because of its sentimental value and how it impacted me as a child.


 

7. Who is your favorite author?


My preferences have evolved over the years. I liked Christopher Pike (horror/thriller) in my early teens, and after that, Cecelia Ahern and Sophie Kinsella (chick lit). In my early 20s, I really enjoyed Jodi Picoult (courtroom thriller), especially her earlier books because she wrote a lot about controversial issues, such as abortion, mercy killing, school shooting, homosexuality, and suicide pact has gone wrong, to name a few. Now, I'm a big fan of David Sedaris, Jonas Jonasson, and Fredrik Backman. (Sorry, can't pick one this time!)


 

8. What ambiance do you prefer for reading? Quiet at home? Or somewhere green and serene?


Quiet at home, with natural lighting, the breeze from an open window, and the smell of fresh laundry. Preferably with no one else around other than a big, fat, lazy cat curled on my lap. No music.


 

9. How's the reading culture in your country?


I used to work in the biggest bookstore in Malaysia. In the beginning, I was surprised to see that there were actually so many Malaysians -- young and old -- who still loved to read (we made hundreds of thousands of sales per month). In this current time and age, you'd think more people would have switched to e-books if they read at all. But no, a lot of them still prefer conventional paperbacks. That's awesome, don't you think?


But I also saw many young parents try to instill the love of reading in their children from a young, which was great but would have been better if they led by example and practiced what they preached. Unfortunately, they themselves didn't like to read (this was something they readily admitted). Of course, it's understandable that young parents don't have a lot of time on their hands, but I personally know full-time working mothers who read a few books per month and still have time to prepare lunchboxes for their kids every day and other motherly duties. They find opportunities on their lunch breaks while commuting to work, before starting work, or while waiting in line for something. So, I don't think lack of time is the real issue here. You make time for things that matter to you.


 

10. Do you have any idea on how to improve the reading culture in your country?


I'm glad that we have multiple book fairs each year, selling books at heavily discounted prices, as well as also book-lover communities, such as the KL Book Exchange that organizes monthly meetups for book-exchange sessions. The government also provides free books at some public places like train stations, so I think we're already on the right track here. These efforts make books more accessible to those who can't afford them otherwise, because let's face it -- books can be expensive.


On another note, as time goes on, I think people will eventually switch to electronic reading materials. So, we might as well start making more books available in digital formats now to appeal to people who are already spending most of their time on electronics.




Ok Ummi, thank you for spending your precious time with me. I really appreciate that. Thank you too for sharing your book knowledge and reading passion with my readers and me. I wish you all the best in your career and the whole future. Pls, keep on sharing your awesome traveling experiences with us.




For those who are interested to join this interview, pls feel free to read the advertisements below...








All you need to do is email me your answers, profile, best selfie, and pictures at garnet.earthtiger@gmail.com or fadimamooneira@yahoo.com



Besides the bookworm interview, I'm also doing a BLOGGER INTERVIEW series on my blog this year. If anyone of you is interested to participate pls click this link >> FADIMA MOONEIRA BLOGGERS INTERVIEW (not the picture below ya ;) ).






Ok, that's all for now. Thank you for reading this interview. Hope to see you guys again soon.



XoXo,


Fadima Mooneira ^_^



#RajaUmmiNadrah #UmmiGoesWhere #TravelBlogger #MalaysianBlogger #Bookworm #BookwormInterview #Edutainment #FadimaMooneiraBlogspot



RELATED POSTS


BOOKWORM INTERVIEW 10: WITH VYBAV LAKSHMI (COLLEGE STUDENT & BLOGGER) 


BOOKWORM INTERVIEW 9: WITH SOFIA NAZNIM (CORPORATE STRATEGIST, AUTHOR, BLOGGER & INFLUENCER)


BOOKWORM INTERVIEW 8: WITH ANIKA MAY (CONTENT CREATOR & BOOK BLOGGER)

Comments

  1. I really enjoyed reading this xx nice blog xx

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  2. Wow I love this interview, it's so great to get an insight into another bookworm :) thank you for sharing Fadima x

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  3. Thoroughly enjoyed this interview! Especially loved the sound of working in Malaysias biggest bookstore! That must have been an experience!

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  4. I can barely remember anything before I was 4, I can't imagine remembering something from when I was 2, like learning the alphabet

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    Replies
    1. It was actually told to me by my family members, the way your family might have told you about your childhood. But I do have snatches of memory from that period of my life :-)

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    2. I second what Ummi says. Even tho you don’t remember, your family members will always tell you how your childhood was. Same with me meh.

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  5. I really enjoyed this interview. Such great questions were asked! I loved reading Raja Ummi's answers. Thanks for sharing this!

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  6. This was a great interview! I loved Ummi's statement about feeling a sense of loss upon finishing a great book. That is a feeling that I hate but also crave.

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  7. enjoy reading your interview with ummi. such a great sharing. thanks ya

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  8. Have read Ummi’s answer... she is really agreat traveller and am sure she misses her trip now with the COVID-19 stiil around.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, kak Fas. Yes, I really miss traveling. But by writing on my blog, it's almost like I'm reliving those moments :-)

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  9. Great interview both of you! Loved reading your answers and hearing from a fellow bookworm x

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  10. I really enjoyed reading this interview! Thanks for sharing some new bloggers with us x

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  11. This is a really interesting post. It is great to know more about the author behind the book. I haven’t heard of this author before. Thank you for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. She’s a blogger. Go visit her blog. You’ll be amaze with her traveling experience.

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  12. Lovely interview, reading experiences are always so inspiring..

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  13. Kenal Ummi start tukar komen tu laa, sangat teruja kalau baca semua pengalaman travel dia.. satu je nak cakap Ummi ni, dia sangat berani..

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    Replies
    1. So true. I pun kagus dgn experiences dia. Macam2 dia dah try dan pernah buat kan. Syabas Ummi!!!!!!!

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    2. Welcome dear. It's a pleasure to have you here.

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  14. i memang pembaca setia blog ummi... suka baca tengang pengalaman beliau membuat pelbagai aktiviti di negara orang. memang sangat cool hehe

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  15. Yeahhh, Ummi.. Well. I really admire her blog sharing about her travel experiences.. Awesome right! This is also nice interview and sharing 👍👍👍

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  16. Seronok baca interview ni. Kalau Marina diinterview tak tau nak jawab apa. Hihi

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  17. Great interview..pernah baca blog ummi jugak..memang banyak perkongsian menarik tentang travel..sangat sangat membantu :)

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, her blog is one of my favorite reads now. Bailey lawan HHWT nie.

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    2. Terima kasih, iena, and thank you yet again, Fadima!

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  18. I really enjoyed reading this! Great interview! It's always great learning more about the author behind the book :D

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    Replies
    1. Urmph.......the author behind the blog you mean? 🤔

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  19. Really enjoyed reading this interview - it was so interesting! I love reading Q&As! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  20. I like to read in a quiet space with natural light too! Another great interview, Fadima!

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    Replies
    1. Same here. But my dream reading place is in a bamboo forest. Hehehe.

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  21. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Fadima. It was fun answering the interview questions, and such a pleasure to work with you. All the best for your blogging and writing journey!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Same goes to you too. Hope we can collaborate again one day.

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  22. Selalu baca blog ummi je tentang pengalaman travel dia. Hari ni dapat tahu sedikit sebanyak info tentang diri ummi. Harap one day boleh bersua muka pula.

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    1. I’m waiting for a gathering event. Hope we can have it when all these ends.

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  23. I love this! Such a great way to get to know other readers and I'm going to check out Fredrik Backman now!

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  24. I also judge books by the cover! So great to hear it's not just me.

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    1. I judge a book by its cover too. Trust me, most of us do. Cover plays an important role in book marketing.

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  25. I absolutely love your interviews with other bloggers. They're some of my favourite posts!
    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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  26. Such a wonderful interview with other bloggers, Its great. to know more in interviews

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  27. awal jugak dia tau membaca eh. anak I umur 3 tahun baru tau ABC sikit sikit, hehe. and membaca memang best sebenarnya

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  28. so interesting to get to know ummi on a deeper level through this interview. hoping to see more great content like this from you! :)

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  29. Never seen Ummi's blog but I will have a look now! Nice of you to interview her :) Thanks for sharing x

    www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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  30. Thanks for sharing this interview session, its great to know what travel blogger like to read and interest too.

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  31. She is such a beautiful and interesting person. I really enjoy reading this interview.

    New Post - https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2021/02/rouge-dior-couture-colour-999.html

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  32. I really enjoy reading this series. I love finding out about the reading culture in different countries and what genres people enjoy.

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  33. This is such a lovely interview. I enjoy reading with a cool breeze and nobody else around to distract me too.

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