Were you one of those kids who would enjoy library period back in school? I used to wait for lunch breaks and even wait for the school to end so that I can rush to the beautiful two-storied library we had in our school. It was one place which took me away from reality and always took me to my imaginary castle of dreams.
As a child, my parents and relatives all of them used to encourage me to read something that is not a textbook. I still remember even if the book was 2000 bucks I could always get a hand on it, my brother and I never got a no for an answer if we ever asked any book. If it were clothing undoubtedly, they would think 10 times but books never.
My parents are themselves avid readers and hoarders of books. I remember even my grandma having cartons of books from which she would read mythological stories to me. Also, any of my relatives when they would visit they would gift us books and every new book had a new story that took me into a new magical world every day!
My childhood nostalgia for magazines like Champak, Gokulam, Tinkle, Wisdom, MagicPot, Chandamama and Tell me Why would always keep me waiting every month on the 1st. I would wait until the 5th for each of these magazines and whoever used to get their hands on it first would have better fun than others at my house! It was these beautiful little things which brought in the crazy imagination in me.
Books have always been very close to my heart, forever and after this, it was the age Enyd Blyton, Secret Seven, Nancy Drew, Goosebumps and so on, Later in High School, it was Mills and Boons and what not!
Oh, how can I forget the craze of Harry Potter and the Twilight Saga? We had this favourite Sanskrit teacher who had given us a free period to finish the latest Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows! Damn those days were so simple and filled with books, and now we don’t even have enough time to scroll through a magazine.
Bangalore is always known for its second-hand cult bookstores all over the city, where I would spend hours and hours together weaving fond memories that I delve into even today. A lot of these lie in the heart of Church Street at walking distances from each other!
Let me take you through a ride on all these beautiful book houses so that you can buy an intriguing book for yourself on these rainy evenings and have a hot cup of filter coffee and enjoy the old charm of this city.
Blossom Book House
Early in the days, it was started with a small space, and now it’s one of the 90’s nostalgia for Bangalore’s book lovers with a three-story full of surprise for book lovers. Even though there are umpteen number of big branded chains of bookstores this place has not changed in years. They take tremendous personal interest in what each and every customer wants to read, and that’s the reason for their success.
The Book Worm
This Basement Bookshop in Church Street again which has a unique credit system where a customer can exchange their old book and can pay half the price as the reading fee. They could swap the book for another one at their convenience! How cool is that?
The store has a lot of crucial, and therefore a lot of humanities and literature students visit here often!
Gangarams Book Bureau
This bookstore stands apart from the rest of the narrow aisle and randomly stacked piles of bookstores in Bangalore. Gangarams is a family bookstore chain where the founder believes that bookselling is a noble profession. Also, they think that bookstore means an ocean of knowledge and even when you stock millions of books someone would come and ask for something that is not available!
Select Book Shop
Right in the fast-paced lane of Brigade Road is this bookshop in a quiet alley. This is the home for antique books founded by a lawyer and bibliophile. They have grey shelves with a wide variety of books arranged in a particular order. The bookshop houses a wide range of rare books which is generally kept locked and is handed on special request.
These are some of the nostalgic bookstores. Now let me name some cult libraries across Bangalore where I have fond memories. Some of them are City Central Library in Jayanagar 3rd block, British Council Library right in front of Vishveshwaraiah Industrial Museum, Indian Institute of Wood Culture and Gupta Circulating Library in Malleshwarm.
All of these places are very dear to my heart, and they hold a special place, to all the book lovers ditch your kindle and re-kindle your love for books!
12 Comments
Ahh so many books. Looks like a heaven to me. Wish in could fly to Bangalore right away. But thanks for sharing. Will let me friends know about these
I love all your blog posts ! So creative! Talking about this one, firstly I am an avid reader too and love all the indian comics which you have mentioned! Your hair colour looks amazing and though I am from Delhi, when I visit Bangalore I will surely visit the book stores you have mentioned
It looks like a book lovers paradise, I love the fragrance that emanates from such bookstores. I so much wish to spend some time all alone with my love – Books!
I love books. I lose track of time in a bookstore. My parents also always encouraged me to read books since an early age. You have shared some good ones here.
I have been there in Bangalore for about 6 years but had never visited a bookstore, thanks to my crazy work schedule. Am planning a trip in July would surely check these out.
Wow!! I really love to visit that bookstore. Lots of choices of old books. I will definitely put that on my bucket lists.
I love reading fiction and interesting autobiographies but in Gurgaon we do not have such a brilliant library.. Alas!
Love books, love spending time with them. These book shops sound so inviting.. Would love to visit them. The joy of browsing in a well-loved bookstore..priceless 🙂
I wish to be Bangalore with a this books and make busy myself with all fictions. Love to read
Books are the best friend, I always encourage my kids for reading, it helps to gain knowledge and make them more aware of surroundings.
I haven’t visited Bangalore yet, but this list is inspiring enough for me to take a trip soon 🙂
I love books!
I am a book lover too ! This is the most iconic store of Bangalore and I visit it when I want something new to read !! Loved all your pictures ?