'I love romantic novels'

Legal expert/women's activist Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, 50, has had a hard time sleeping in recent days, as over 1,000 books in her home library were attacked by termites.

"I left home for two weeks and out of the blue, termites ruined my books! I felt so sad, I cried," said Nursyahbani, founder of the Legal Aid Institute and several women's organization.

Although she tried to clean up the mess, many books -- including important ones like works on laws -- cannot be saved.

Despite her sadness, Nursyahbani was still willing to share with The Jakarta Post about the special place in her life for books.

What's on your bedside table?

Articles and books on polygamy, as I'm asked to speak about the issue at the National University of Singapore, and also in Finland.

Last night, I finished a novel by a Yogyakartan writer Muhidin, called Tuhan, Izinkan Saya Menjadi Pelacur (God, Allow Me to Become a Prostitute). It's interesting and pretty shocking, as the role is very against God.

This very second, however, I'm reading Becoming Madame Mao by An Chie Minh, a classical story about love and power with a historical background.

I actually love novels which combine romance with the struggle for power.

Author, author...Who is most interesting to you?

I get anxious if I haven't read Gunawan Mohammad's weekly column in Tempo magazine. He has an enormous (collection of) references, and he can bring us to a faraway universe of thought, which no one has ever thought of. Often it is just daily stuff, but something to ponder.

Kid's choice?

There were not as many books as now when I was a kid. So, back then, I already read literature and translations of world's poetry.

Magazine selections?

Local magazines Tempo, and Forum Keadilan because their content is related to what I do (legal field). Once in a while I also read Gatra, if the headlines are interesting.

Favorite places to pick up a good book?

Everywhere, especially from the book counters at the non- governmental organizations' seminars.

-- JP