It felt good to be part of a book launch and a bit of poetry reading — two things I haven’t been to in a very, very, VERY long time. In the era of folding bookshops all over the world (the thought depresses me no end), it was refreshing to be in a quaint and thriving bookstore in the vintage district of Singapore.
Meet the authors: Tracey Sullivan and Vinita Ramani Mohan, reading excerpts off their own published work at Books Actually. A long, narrow but deep hideaway, Books Actually an independent haunt for people who take writing and reading seriously, is situated in the quiet alley of Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru.
The shop is full of literary-related finds — from experimental compositions, hard-to-find art and photography books, local compositions, book cover themed mugs, collectible Pez dispensers, artful postcards, antique glassware, toys from a long-gone era — and a random cat (he belongs there).
We went home feeling energized by the creative spirit all around, and taking with us a part of that magic for the night.
Yes, we must support real bookshops as much as we can! Heartbreaking to see them disappear all over the world.
Right? Even if my friends have gone digital, I still want my books to look, feel and smell like a book. They say it’s convenient for travel. I tell them I only need to bring just one book, and it’s probably lighter than any gadget I can pack, I can drop it and spill stuff on it and it will still function as a book