This post is inspired by Israd’s question about Perth bookshops. I’d actually started writing my response to another meme, one which asks you to name three things of favourites and pet peeves and so on, but I wasn’t really sure I wanted to post yet another list. Maybe I’ll break it up and use it for those mornings when I don’t really know what to write.
One of the questions asked you to list your favourite department stores. I had to cheat as there are no department stores that I like that much. My answer:
Favourite Department Stores:
1. Kinokuniya, Ngee An City, Orchard Road, Singapore. We have to spend HOURS there everytime we visit Singapore.
2. Fountain Pen Hospital, New York, New York. I’ve never been there but it looks so cool. [this might have to wait for another post, another day.]
3. Any secondhand bookshop
Israd asked how big our bookshops are in Perth, whether there are any as big as Kinokuniya 紀伊國屋書店. The answer is no. Kinokuniya is a huge Japanese-owned bookshop that has branches in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Thailand, Japan, New York, and Sydney. M and I have been to the Singapore one on Orchard Road, and the KLCC one in KL. Perth bookshops don’t come close, I’m afraid. I think the stock of all the bookshops in the Perth Central Business District could fit into the Orchard Road branch.
I’d have to say Kinokuniya Orchard Road is my favourite bookshop ever. I remember the first time we ever went to that Kinokuniya. We were both blown away by the fact that you couldn’t see where the bookshop ended. The range of books is huge, and I love being able to stock up on as many Chinese dictionaries as I want! Oh, and the stationery is amazing too.
Last time we were in Singapore (March) we were told we should visit the Borders bookshop as well as Kinokuniya. Well, I have to say that for me Kinokuniya still wins hands down. I did like the Borders Cafe though…
If we had the money, I’d happily spend a weekend in Singapore just to go to Kinokuniya. Never mind the food, or the relatives! Or maybe we should go to Sydney to visit Ki… Cherry, and drop in to the shop there along the way 😉
Categories: bookshop, Kinokuniya, Singapore