Andien: Inspiring novels and short stories

Jazz singer Andinie Aisyah Haryadi, popularly known as Andien, is preparing for her upcoming performance in the 2012 Java Jazz Festival and her next album.

In the middle of her schedule, the 26-year-old singer practices a gentle Pilates workout and an energetic muay thai boxing exercise each morning.

Andien does not consider herself an avid reader but she likes reading books inspired by history and life, which can provide opportunities for reflection and inspiration. The three books that are most memorable to her are: Like the Flowing River, Tuesdays with Morrie and Humaira.

Like the Flowing River

This book is actually a compilation of Paulo Coelho’s short stories. The short stories are numerous and some of them are very short — like only several lines.

The stories are incredibly touching, so if I read a page a day, I can learn something from even a very short story. Like the Flowing River is different from Coelho’s novels. They are mostly far longer stories, so the meaning can only be understood after reading the whole book.

Tuesdays with Morrie

At first glance, this book may talk about reflecting on death, but if we look at it from a wider perspective, it actually contains a reflection about ourselves, what we’re doing, and so on. I read lots of this kind of book. They remind us of life, death, the journey as well as the small things we find along the way.

Humaira

This novel is inspired by the history of the Prophet Muhammad from the perspective of his beloved wife, Siti Aisyah. I love reading Islamic books, but more about its history. There are a great many religious books but they mostly talk about Islamic teachings, while I am more interested in the religion’s history.

— As told to Indah Setiawati