November 1, 2008

Cozy corner

THEME DAY: BOOKS • I remember a time when most bookstores in Metro Manila were glorified stationery and school supply stores. What books they had were mostly textbooks, reference books and required school reading. A friend in the publishing business once told me that the biggest bookstore chain in the Philippines actually bought 'discards'—I don't really know how to call it: when publishing houses in the U.S. would gather up the remaining copies of almost-sold-out old inventory and sell them by weight. All that's in the past now, thanks to book-loving entrepreneurs who decided about fifteen years ago that Filipino readers deserved more than that. A Different Bookstore is not big and the in-store selection isn't very wide, but the titles and authors are well-chosen, and you can order any book you want that you can't find in the store. They were one of the first bookstores to encourage browsers to sit down and read a few pages—or even an entire chapter—so one can decide whether to get a book or not. If you're a regular customer and you give them your email or cellphone number, they'll inform you whenever they have sales. Many excellent bookstores have opened in the past decade, some larger, some smaller—and even that large chain was forced to re-think its corporate vision and now has better bookstores and well-trained staff—but A Different Bookstore will always occupy a warm spot in my heart.

house in Magallanes Village decorated for Halloween

Take a reading tour around the world through the lenses of CDP bloggers! Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks good to me. I am so happy that your country and cities have made a lot of progress with book stores. We used to have, when I was small, a bookmobile that came around, parked, and let people borrow books. It was nice.

I forgot about theme day today so I just found some of the books I wrote and took a photo and published that. Too late to be included in the group but it worked for me. LOL

Uma por Dia said...

Many bookstores here are cozy as that one.
Wonderful choice :)

Fio said...

Lovely...
What about readers?
;))

Christina S said...

A combination of books and sofas is irresistible. This really does look cosy. If I visited this shop I would definitely sit down here for a browse of a book or two!

Joy said...

Yeah, I love A Different Bookstore, too! Do they have a coffee place in there now? It sure would make it cosy. The problem I have with Powerbooks in Glorietta is that they don't have comfy areas for people to browse books. And then I get told off when I sit on the floor! But I love the one in Alabang. Have you been to this specialty bookshop somewhere in Carriedo or Recto? I forget the name, but they were 'the' place to go if you needed a hard to find lit book.

Hey, Hilda. If you have the time tonight at 10pm, listen naman to Future Radio. It's the only live Pinoy radio show in the UK!

Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments. Enjoy your weekend!

joy
A Pinay In England
Your Love Coach
I, Woman

marley said...

I'm not surprised that this place holds a warm spot in your heart! What a lovely little shop. It makes such a difference when the books have been carefully selected and the staff have got half a clue about books.

Happy theme day :)

Unknown said...

That's a very nice cozy corner for a little reading. Great choice for today theme.

Lisa Wilson said...

Looks like a nicy and comfy bookstore! I wish ours had room for a couple chairs like those.

Clueless in Boston said...

It's good to hear that you have such a wonderful bookstore to be able to browse and enjoy. Bookstores are wonderful places to visit, you never know what you might find there that will give hours and hours of pleasure.

Virginia said...

It has a warm cozy feel that a bookstore should have!

ft. lauderdale daily photo said...

Great post. I could spend hours there.

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely, especially with the sofas too, it looks like the staff have made a real effort to welcome in their customers. I'll second Joy, a little corner for tea and coffee would be perfect here! Most of the big bookshops here now have a little area for coffee and cake and comfy seats, it's wonderful to meet up with friends there :)

Webradio said...

It's cozy, yes... Nice text !

Pepe Alcaide said...

Adoro las librerías, puedo pasar horas en ellas. Ese rincón que nos muestras en tu foto invita a prolongar la estancia. Gracias por tus amables comentarios.

Eki said...

cozy and comfortable ... and with all those books, I can spend hours in a place like this ... nice choice for the theme day, Hilda.

Louis la Vache said...

Bookworm "Louis" neglected to register for theme day, but he's having a grand time visiting those of you who did!

 gmirage said...

I haven't been to this one...I do remember powerbooks as i often go there...but I sometimes buy second hand books from another corner bookstore.

I believe this bookstores are perfect for gathering booklovers and poet's night.

Happy theme day!

Jilly said...

How fabulous to have such a beautiful bookstore and those oh so comfortable sofas. I'd love this!

Anonymous said...

By the way Hilda do come and visit my blog tomorrow to pick up an award! :)

Chuck Pefley said...

A warm and cozy corner indeed. I really like bookstores that make spaces inviting and comfortable for people to sit and really look at books before making a purchase.

Laurie Allee said...

I want to sit there right now! I've noticed the trend in the US in the last decade toward encouraging people to linger and read in the store. Barnes and Noble started it with all their big, fluffy couches and tables. Independent bookstores previously had lots of stacks and ladders reaching up to high shelves but few chairs. I really think the big box stores decided to mix the idea of coffee house and bookstore -- and I'm thrilled because I love to linger reading with a good cup of coffee.

This is a wonderful shot, HIlda. So inviting!

Jill said...

A great shot Hilda of a warm and cozy, inviting space!

Ben Nakagawa said...

I particularly love the book store how has the couch. I can spend hours and leave one or two books with me (buying, of course).

USelaine said...

Ah, the warm colors and "face out" displays of the books are so inviting. Thanks for explaining the bookstore situation there - it really enriches my appreciation for what I see.

PJ said...

I'm glad you have a good bookstore, Hilda. Life is so much better with books in it.

Sidney said...

I know a little bit about the printing, publishing and bookstore business and I am quite surprised that many of those new bookstores actually seem to be very profitable...
Good for them...and good for us ! :-)

Denton said...

Yes, bookstores are now a destination point to meet friends, enjoy coffee, and browse the latest magazines.

Hope said...

This looks like the most perfect spot to read through a book...to read through a chapter of so to find out if the book might be of interest. The seating looks very comfortable & cozy!

Halcyon said...

Looks like a nice place to shop for books. I didn't have time to go inside my bookstore, but it has some neat lamps! :)

Sorry to hear that you're a little down with the departure of your guests. Try some chocolate. It makes everything better!

Maria Verivaki said...

brilliant shot, i would like to be sitting in one of these lazy chairs, reading all day long!

Stevenson Q said...

Wow Ms. Hilda! This shot is really great. You have captured not just the beautiful sofas and parquet but the whole mood of coziness available and overflowing in the place! Loved it!

Whenever we go to those Bookstores like powerbooks etc. Parang I can't get in, parang ang sososyalin ng mga tao nakakaOP jejejeje

I really like this shot! God Bless ou and more power!

By the way, i so love the new picture especially the new Haircut! Loves it!

Steven^^^

Maria Verivaki said...

hi hilda
snails are a delicacy of hania - we can find them anywhere in fields. we eat them until the end of september - after that, they are left alone because they start mating...

Tash said...

Oh my gosh - that is the coziest of cozy reading spots. I like the way the covers are displayed and the warm colors of the whole place. Wonderful choice, Hilda.

Lothiane said...

What a lovely bookstore! I'd love to go there and look for new favourites. :)