Three Kinds of Bookstores I Have Visited in Taipei

張貼日期：Apr 26, 2018 3:9:44 PM

Zoe Lin

As a newcomer in Taipei city, I spend my spare time wandering around the streets and lanes, and I find that there are a great number of bookstores here. I divided the bookstores I had visited in Taipei into three types — chain bookstores, second-hand bookstores and independent bookstores.

Chain bookstores are chain-linked bookstores that have many similar branch stores located in different places in the city. They are well known by the ordinary people for their good reputation. For instance, Eslite Bookstores and Caves Books are typical retail bookstore chains in Taipei. Eslite Bookstore has about 20 branch stores in Taipei. This kind of comprehensive bookstore contains a wide range of books, including novels, philosophy books, art books, recipes and so on. I think it is suitable for me to find some books that I need for my leisure reading and my study reading. Magazines, CDs, and DVDs are also on sale in Eslite Bookstores. Eslite Bookstore is a cultural landmark of Taipei, and it is a must-see for many tourists visiting Taipei.

Second-hand bookstore is a treasured place where you can find an ocean of second-hand books with inexpensive prices. Sometimes, you may meet some books you like, but you cannot find them in the market. I have visited Mollie Second-hand Bookstore and some other second-hand bookstores in the basements. Even though Mollie Second-hand Bookstore sells mostly second-hand books, it also places emphasis upon their quality and image. All of the books on the bookshelves are kept uncluttered and orderly, and their staff are in uniforms, looking refined and professional. Spending less money to purchase some old books in a good condition is a wonderful thing. Moreover, an army of folks who do not know how to deal with their old or useless books may sell them to the second-hand bookstores, and then these books will meet their new owners. It is absolutely a good way of resource recycling and information sharing.

Independent bookstores have their own unique style. They are different from traditional bookstores for their independent character, humanistic qualities and management philosophy. Fembooks is the first feminist professional bookstore in the Chinese language region. It is located in Hsin-sheng South Road. I visited there by chance when I went to the Qingtian Street. It is a place for us to read books related to feminism and hear the voices of women or the disadvantaged groups. The establishment of Fembooks provides a platform for those who want to learn about feminism, and they can discuss their favorite topics and exchange their opinions there.

These three kinds of bookstore possess their merits and uniqueness. Chain bookstores are comprehensive and accessible. Second-hand bookstores are precious places for us to seek old books with a cheaper price. Independent bookstores are the peculiar ones that sell books catering to readers with individual tastes and preferences. All of them are the presents for the fans of books and those who are keen on reading.