Compiled Souls on Shelves

I have to two favourite bookstores. One of them is the grand MPH and the other one is none other than Popular.

Whenever I step into any Popular bookstores, I can't help noticing that the premise is divided into two sections. One of the sections only consists of Chinese books, and the other section is divided into two other subsections which are for the Malay books and English books. I don't know if this has occurred to you, but I always feel this energetic 'Chinese' vibe in this very territory. Chinese people are everywhere! Popular is like their epic temple of books (lol). The kids are running and the parents will shout in some angry Chinese tone, the background song of the bookstore is a Chinese song (sung by a Chinese singer), the cashiers are mostly Chinese too. Orang sebelah kau pun cakap Cina dengan adik dia. Kau melopong.

Even the Malays who are interested in Popular will somehow peruse the books in Chinese kind of style. In this place, everyone seems serious in what they're doing and pursuing. You will find some Malay students in the reference books area, checking and trying their best to decide which books should they buy in order to excel in UPSR/PMR/SPM. In Popular, there's no such thing as window shopping, as this place is for people who have solid purposes. The books with reasonable discounts and offers too, will prevent you from going back home empty handed. You will never step out from this place without holding a plastic bag in your hand. (Unless you're broke). Even my illiterate little sister finds this place very tempting as she will buy any cheap yet satisfying stationary here. These Chinese people are very good in selling stuff, they have never failed in attracting customers. I think they have great business strategies. Offer good offers to customers all the time, the customers will visit the premise all the time too. Orang Cina memang pandai meniaga.


MPH. MPH has never failed to fascinate me. If Popular is an epic temple of books for some people, MPH to me is a paradise. Stepping into any MPH bookstores is like going back home. MPH is very welcoming and warm. You know you don't have to compete for anything here, you don't have to rush, you don't have to be oh so serious (bajet intelektual) like when you're at Popular. It's very relaxing here. You will love the hospitality provided by the staff. (And some male staff here are quite cute, and intelligent, which is a bonus point). I should say, MPH somehow pictures the typical life styles of suburban Malays. Like on this corner you'll find a man carrying his baby in his arm, reading a book about Yakjuj Makjuj dekat Agama section, on the other corner there is this Malay girl perusing the last sequel of Twilight, and then there is this middle aged woman who is having a light chit chat with a staff about which cooking book should she buy, and the boys. Hm the boys. Kalau nak cari lelaki yang membaca, MPH is the place, girls. It pleases me to know that there are still literate men around. MPH feels more Malay-ish. There are less Chinese people around here, but when there is, they too, will slow down their energetic Chinese vibe, and just go on with the flow. MPH shows how Malays relax too much. And oh, did I mention, I always have my window shopping moment here? Lol


Not that I put label on bookstores, lol. It's just, I think bookstores have souls. Nice souls.