a dancing star! » bookshops in asia

How to browse

tom — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:30:31 +0000

Jonathan Glancey writes passionately about Selexyz Dominicanen in The Guardian’s very own ShopTalk section. The bookshop is integrated within the architectural frame of a 13th century Dominican Church, with its enormous bookcase a commanding presence and counter-point to its now secularised altar. Seldom have the twin pursuits – truthfulness and faith – come face to face in such an apt setting.

See further the list of Top Shelves.

While researching the bookshop, I subsequently clicked my way to a fascinating site, probably as close to a labour of love as is possible these days: www.bookstoreguide.org; it does exactly what it claims (“an amateur guide to book shopping throughout Europe”). Their blog contains a detailed write up on bookshops in Berlin, too, something I would have so enjoyed.

I’m tempted to apply this concept to Asia, but perhaps Singapore is a more manageable – if also limited – starting point. Check back if this comes to fruition.

Returns

tom — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:58:34 +0000

You know how it is sometimes. You see her; she catches your eye. Sometimes it’s hard to keep your resolve.

Soon enough, you’ve taken her home and do what comes naturally. Then you realise that you’ve done this before. Years ago. And it wasn’t even that great the first time around.

So you bring her back to Customer Service and sheepishly write a reason for the change of heart in the “Returns Book”. What shall I write. I’ll be honest:

Duplicate purchase

How embarrassing is that.

I glance at the previous entry above mine, written two days before:

Fickle

despair

tom — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 06:26:19 +0000

For two successive days this weekend, I wandered around Kinokuniya determined and a little anxious to make a purchase; not just any purchase, of course, but a “something” that will restore some semblance of balance between the forces of light and darkness, wisdom and ignorance. A tall order, and no doubt a reflection of recent decisions, of choices passed over or badly taken. I left the store with only Marley & Me, a gift for my brother and his Labrador, and the realisation that good books have a time of their own, and come before us only when they wish to be found.