Bookstores

During my teenage years, one of my favourite places to go weekly without fail was a bookstore set up by the five foot ways.  I don't know how many of you know of the Bangkok Bank at central of Kuala Lumpur (I'm not even sure if Bangkok Bank is still around) and just across the road from the bank, there was my favourite hangout - the five foot way bookstore! This wonderful unique bookstore was run by two Indian brothers.  Without fail, they would set up their store everyday.

It would look something like the image on the left.  They did not sell their books.  Instead, they lent their books out for a fee and after you have finished reading the book, you returned it.  The fee charged will be returned to you minus a small token of the 'lending' price.  That was how it was possible for me to get my hands on books, and books, and books!  I remembered I got to read my first Enid Blyton book "The Naughtiest Girl in School" from this bookstore.  From there I move on to "Secret Seven", "Famous Five", Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and then graduated to the others.  Nowadays I don't see these anymore around town.  I loved 'my five foot way bookstore'.

The bookstores found in the shopping malls nowadays are always in such pristine condition - to a point they are sterile.  I love old bookstores where books are arranged haphazardly - ok this would mean finding a book difficult but hey! that's half the fun! To me at least :)  Think of it this way - the bookstore is so full of treasures and mysteries.  You have to squeeeeeze your way around the aisles.  Along the way, old musty smell of papers with years on them and the frayed book covers being handled by so many hands - simply wonderful! 

I stumbled upon this bookstore whilst shopping for a birthday gift.  This unassuming bookstore was located on the highest floor of a shopping complex with no signage whatever - only books and magazines spilling onto the walkway! To have found a bookstore like this right in town, I was overjoyed! Excited! My little ones could not understand my excitement but soon my excitement rubbed off.  Soon my little ones were down on their knees looking through the piles of children books and magazine of yesteryears.

Books everywhere!

Books atop shelves

After spending quite some time in this treasure trove, happily strolling out what did I see?  Lo and behold another bookstore!  At a first glance it was the typical pristine sterile type but I decided to check it out anyhow.  Am I glad I did! Another treasure trove - this bookstore has scores of books at fantastically good prices!  Especially great photography coffee table books!  All, and I mean ALL the books in this bookstore are a fraction of the prices listed at any other bookstores in town.  No, they are not old or used books.  All the books are brand new!  Don't know how they do it but what do I care - I get my books at fantastic prices! 

It was my first time to this shopping mall and it is different from the regular shopping malls that I usually frequently.  There are other little shops holding up things to be discovered - simply fell in love with this shopping mall.  I shall return!  A day well spent.

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."

— Victor Hugo, Les Miserables