What Colombo really needs is a good Bookshop. We have too many coffee shops (where some of the coffee is vile). We have some bookshops. Do we have a really good book shop? Vijitha Yapa has all these books but very cluttered and lay out. Crescat branch is reasonably ok but some kids books u have to sit and find it. Makeens is nice they are kind of getting it right with the layout but we don’t have a Landmark (like from Chennai) or WhSmith (ok asking for too much).
I must say I am very happy with the new set of books that Makeens has got. Most of the books which were not available a year back from all these authors of chicklit is now available for us to read.
The service at the bookshops are also autrocious. They have never heard of most of the authors and cannot be bothered to help out. Sometimes the pronounciation of some of the sales people will make the author cringe if she/ he was to hear it. So thats what we need a good bookshop.
In liberty plaza there is a cute shop filled with books a tiny place where u can get stuff (in front of uthum pathum).....
6 comments:
Are the Maradana bookshops near Captain Gardens temple still in operation? I used to spend hours browsing those shops in my youth. Whenever I got too feisty my Dad would give me about Rs.1000 to go get some books. That would at least buy a couple of days silence as I would curl up in bed reading.
Borders here are fantastic as most or all of them come with a Starbucks! Maybe after the war, and with the Americans taking so much interest in us, Starbucks will come!
Giving them a base in Trinco is debatable, but if they step up offenses in Afghanistan they will need one.
Good or bad, the only thing to be said about the americans is that when they come, they bring a whole new bunch of problems but also some nice stuff usually found in the west!
(sorry about the long comment)
i loved makeen before they shifted! i used to go there and sit on the ground between classes and read there :) haven't had many chances to go to the new place, but it seemed nice and spacious the one time i've been there. the new sarasavi is also nice. plenty of room to browse, and the section i was in had cushions to sit on as well. a HUGE improvement from the cramped sarasavi of before. VY is ok, but tends to be expensive at times no. you're so right when you say we need a proper book shop though..
ViceUnVersa, did you mean the book stalls on MaCullum road? They are still there, you can buy or rent - the only problem is since they are by the side of the road, the books tend to collect a bit of dust. But still a nice place to hang out - I did discover some real gems last time I was there.
Where is the new Makeen? I haven't been to the new place.
I used to spend one Saturday morning every month with my kids at Makeens Havelock – now there’s a salon instead. :(
VY service is useless, but once when I was making a fuss at the counter, Mr Yapa himself walked in and he was extremely helpful in getting what I was looking for. Pity the staff doesn’s have the same passion.
Borders or Virgin would be a welcome dream; I also remember the Hospital Street (behind Chatham St) second hand book stalls – wonder if they are still there in the middle of the hi-sec zone.
i agree with you. some times its impossible to find some books. vijitha yapa @ cresket is kind a good. new sarasavi in nugegoda is improved little bit. expo graphics is an option. but all depend on the books your looking for. some times you mite have to go to three different place to buy three books.its hard to find one place with books belongs to all categories.
The ODEL bookshop is getting better, I think. Very neat organization of the books, a good selection plus a sales person (look for a fair dude with long sideburns) who doesn't groan everytime you ask him a question regarding availability.
The same sales guy take care of their music store as well and I can tell you he is competent although there is room for improvement.
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