Wondering where to find a quaint independent book shop? Journalist and writer Peter Griffin’s blog might help
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If you’re the kind of reader who loves exploring dusty book stalls, where books from decades ago lurk unassumingly, Zigzackly’s Ominium-Gatherum is like finding a coveted rare book. This blog, run by writer, creative director, and journalist Peter Griffin, has a page dedicated to an exhaustive list of unknown indie bookstores across the country. The list features 127 bookshops located in different parts of the country—from Asia Book House in Shimla to Focus in Chennai, many of which are family-owned.
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“I have spent countless happy hours browsing small and independent bookshops,” says the book connoisseur. “I don’t buy books online—the only exceptions have been when I am unable to get a book locally—and I do not like the thought of a world where indie stores are driven out of business by online behemoths. So, I decided to make the map.”
Peter Griffin says that it was a Twitter conversation with Leonard Fernandes, the co-founder of the Dogears Bookshop, that led to the creation of his list of independent bookstores. Pic/Vivek Bendre
Griffin had earlier created a map of museums in India, which caught the eye of Leonard Fernandes, the co-founder of Dogears Bookshop. Over a Twitter conversation, Griffin and Fernandes agreed that a list of indie bookstores was long overdue, “I began adding all kinds of indie bookshops I knew. Then, I tweeted about it, tagging Leonard. He sent me the list of members of the Independent Bookshops Association of India and a whole lot more,” Griffin recalls. Book lovers from across the city chipped in too. “People online sent names and locations, and we were off,” says Griffin, who got over 60 shops for his map in little over 24 hours.
The Google Maps link gives a bird’s-eye view of the corners where the bookstores are hidden away, and features only brick-and-mortar stores that sell trade books, i.e. books intended for general readership. A happy surprise was finding Books Plaza in Borivli, which this writer has visited, on the list. There’s also an open call for contributions, so please do your good deed for the day and recommend your local kitabwallah.
Blog: zigzackly.blogspot.com
Team SMD’s top picks from the list
Kitab Khana
Tucked away in the otherwise busy stretch of the Fountain area in Fort, this store has an old-Bombay vibe. Seamlessly blending with the Victorian and Indo-Saracenic architecture outside, its wooden shelves are home to a wide and varied collection. The staff is always very helpful; if a book is out of stock, they make sure to call you up when it arrives.
Bombay Bureau
You might just miss Bombay Bureau in the chaos of kitschy stores that sell crockery and cutlery. Located in Sector 17 at Vashi Plaza, the store is a go-to place for decent deals without too much haggling, which is essential to both your dignity and your pocket. The owner lets you browse through the books even though the store feels like a tight squeeze, and recommends titles based on your picks.
Books Plaza, Borivli
From old Archies comics to rare editions of classics, Books Plaza has it all. Situated on the busy LT road that runs perpendicular to Borivli station, the second-hand bookstore has titles for under R200. The small shop is like a typical musty library we would squeeze into to pick up childhood books and we stumbled upon favourites we’d read years and years ago.
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