As an avid reader, a trip to the bookstore is one of my most enjoyable activities. This habit has remained unchanged for the past 40 years, ever since I was a little girl. Books play a crucial role in helping me make sense of the world, especially during the 80s when information was scarce. Today, almost every piece of information is accessible with the click of a mouse or a tap on a screen.
Unlike many women, I don't enjoy shopping for clothes, shoes, or similar items. Instead, I prefer to spend my money on books. Yes, you could call me a nerd. I don't say this to imply that I'm superior to those who love shopping for clothes; there's nothing wrong with that. It's just that I don't like spending on such items unless it's truly necessary. This preference has even influenced my husband. When we first met, he wasn't a reader and thought reading was a waste of time. However, over the years, he slowly changed and began to spend time reading. Now, he thoroughly enjoys it as his hobby.
However, reading can be a pricey hobby in Malaysia because books tend to be expensive. Thankfully, we have alternative bookstores like BookXcess, which sell overstock or remaindered books at very affordable prices. There are also second-hand bookstores such as Books n Bobs and Bookaholics Anonymous. Personally, I prefer these bookstores over more established ones like MPH or Kinokuniya.
Last Saturday, my husband and I visited the second-hand bookstore Bookaholics Anonymous, located in AEON Big, Subang Jaya. I had heard about this place a while back but hadn't had the chance to visit. Since the kids had their activities at the church nearby, we decided to drop by.
The shop was located on the second floor. It was largely empty when we arrived, except for a couple of people browsing the shelves who left soon after. AEON Mall, Subang Jaya used to be a bustling place a couple of decades ago, but these days it is largely empty due to competition from newer malls with more to offer. I don't mind that, though, because I dislike crowded places.
Now, here's the most interesting thing about this bookstore: it is UNMANNED. There is no staff to handle queries or assist you. It's a self-service bookstore, and I appreciate this concept because it helps keep prices down. The payment process is very simple (see the banner). All you need to do is go to the counter and calculate the cost of your books. Each book has a color-coded label, and you pay according to that label. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the labels and the counter. There is a CCTV to monitor all activity, so they can identify if someone is stealing or not paying for their purchases.
Rows of bookshelves. The books are organized by genre - children's books, Asian authors, young adult fiction, romance, and more.
I gravitated towards Asian literature or books by Asian writers. Over the past several years, my reading preferences have shifted, and I now favor books by Asian authors rather than Western ones. I find that I can relate more to their customs and values and enjoy learning how they convey these in their writings. As some of you know, I dabble in creative writing, particularly poetry, and I am still learning how to write from my Asian voice and perspective.
After an hour of browsing through the shelves, my husband and I each bought three books. His taste in reading leans toward investment and similar topics, whereas I picked a slim anthology of poems by Singaporean poet Pooja Nansi, a novel by American-Chinese writer Ha Jin, and a novel by Chinese author Xiaolu Guo.
This is my second novel by Xiaolu Guo. I previously read her novel A Lover's Discourse, and I love her melancholic and almost dreamy way of conveying messages. I've read wonderful reviews about Village of Stone and look forward to reading it in the coming days.
You might be wondering how much we spent on those six books. It was only MYR 60 (approximately USD 13). It was a steal, really. Why spend hundreds on books when I can get them at such affordable prices? 🤷♀
That's it for now. If you read this far, thank you. I appreciate it so much! Kindly give me a follow if you like my content. I mostly write about making art, life musing, and our mundane yet charming family life here in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Note: All images used belong to me unless stated otherwise.
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