For much of her writing life, Datin Kalsom Taib has been dedicated to preserving her memories of food and those who shaped her culinary journey.
This time, she’s ready to turn the lens on herself and chronicle her life story from the very beginning.
Surrounded by those who have been part of her life – family, friends, former colleagues and fellow writers – the 84-year-old author launched her memoir titled A Life Reimagined in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The launch was officiated by her husband, Datuk Shafee Yahaya.
“Writing this book allowed me to revisit memories long tucked away. Some brought laughter, others brought reflection, but all were part of the journey that shaped who I am today,” Kalsom, who is also a columnist for StarLifestyle, prefaced in the memoir.
Best known as a food writer and an advocate for Malaysia’s culinary heritage, her journey did not begin with food, surprisingly.
The book traces her childhood as she grew up in Muar, Johor during the Japanese Occupation in the early 1940s, her years as a student and teacher, her career in human resource management across three corporations, and eventually her unexpected career transition as a writer and publisher.
“This book is all about letting my readers know more about me. Everyone has always known me as a food writer. But now, my entire life journey is laid bare, including all the ups and downs I’ve been through,” she shares.
A story worth preserving
Kalsom recalls writing biographies of her father, mother and husband before finally turning the pen towards herself.
In the book’s preface, she describes writing about oneself as “the most challenging task of all” as it requires honesty, reflection and the courage to revisit memories.
“I did not write this book because I believed my life was extraordinary. I wrote it because I believe every ordinary life contains stories worth preserving.”
As the book looks back on her passage through life, Kalsom does not see growing older as a reason to stop looking forward.
One of the things she hopes her story will remind readers is that it’s never too late to learn something new or embark on a new chapter.
True to her words and despite describing the memoir as possibly her final book, she is already planning on publishing another one next year – a third edition of My Malaysian Food Journey, which compiles more of her articles published in The Star.
“I want to continue preserving my writings for the future generation because if it were only to be published in the newspaper, it would surely be lost to the passage of time,” she explains.
“I want to make sure that once I am not here anymore, there will be something tangible that I’ve left behind.”
She also notes how her readers’ positive messages encourage her to keep writing and sharing her stories.
“I’ll always be a storyteller, it’s the teacher in me,” she says with a smile.
For someone who has spent decades preserving Malaysia’s stories of food and heritage, A Life Reimagined is still another form of preservation, this time of her own tale.
A Life Reimagined is available at Kinokuniya and MPH Bookstores nationwide at RM100.
