Blossomed. Review on Blossoms - Bangalore

One thing I never miss(actually two) I always visit the first day and last day of any book sale. Well there are is a first time for everyone and this time I skipped the last day at the Strand Book Sale in Bangalore and landed up at Blossoms. It was by chance, my ex boss took me for lunch at Angeethi and challenged me saying you keep talking about books all the time - "take me to a bookshop by walk and let us see I have 1/2 hr to spare."  Whenever any challenges anything about bangalore, it gets me. and I took his family to Blossoms. The 1/2 hour turned out to be almost 2 hours. Now this review is about the 2 hours we spent at Blossoms.  Atleast my next job is ensured(in case I need it)

Like Abha mentioned that you would see a simple board Blossoms – 10% to 90% discount on all types of books and they mean that!. It is not one of the gimmicks. You have 3 floors for yourself.

One floor for fiction, one for non fiction and one for the rest of it.

The collection of books for one is mindboggling, but dont worry you have help at hand. The staff is very helpful.

Where would you find 12 volumes on WWII written by Churchill.  Am a big fan of Art Buchwald - though they had 4 books, one didnt have and that started it all. Then got Curtain - Poirot's last case.boy was I looking for this one. Have read lot of the agatha christie's books but not this one. It was out of stock - most of the time.

Though they didnt have any edition of Sudden - westerns, they had a tons of L'amour books. Not interested in them, but my boss was. Now he was eating out my hand.

Blossoms had all books of Herman Wouk except for Caine Mutiny, it would have been a coup de grace for me, if I was able to lay my hands on it for my boss. He is not happy because I dont part with the two editions I have. Simply cant part with them one is a early edition hard bound and other in tatters(paid Rs.20 for the latter!) I am sure I will find them next time around.

Then we zoomed into the comics section to find all the Commandos, Dennis the menace, Snoopy et al. Notice I dont mention the other popular one.I am not a fan of the tiger. No offence, it is good no doubt.  Plus lot of the old comics like Amar chitra katha - bound. I thought I saw Indrajal comics, but didnt check on them.

The best thing about Blossoms is you dont mind the cramped space, you can sit there and read books. Lounging, definitely but not luxury style. Most of them come to buy books and hang around, I guess. the problem is no one leaves empty handed at Blossoms.

Now I got beaten up by some of my friends for not mentions Blossoms in my top 5 book shops. Apologies, I just missed it. I have to include this into that make that list in random order and 6 in total. my fav one still remains Strand.

Another thing about Blossoms I like is you get different versions - library surplus, library withdrawals or the new edition - suits everyone's pockets. I strongly believe books should be affordable so it can be read by a larger section. Please dont buy those cheap reprints with no royalties, but dont stop looking for books on streets - you may find the old ones.

Science section is good with all the authors. I am more of a fan where science writers make it readable for laymen like me. John Gribbin, Feynman, Bryson, to quote some. They promised me that they would find my elusive Feynman book. What Do You Care What Other People Think?: Further Adventures of a Curious Character.Especially when I mentioned that I dont want the expensive edition, but an affordable edition, they said they would try. God bless them. Now that is what makes Blossoms a great store. I love reading books but at my price at the same time not fake prints.

The other books which interested were Pink Floyd by Nick Mason - it was the 8th book which got me interested. I didnt want to splurge, was at the sale last week where I picked up and 6 today. need to read all of them some day. I take lot of time to read as most of my free time is monopolised by my little 4 year old. He feels mom can read but why should Dad also read. So get to read when I use the public transport and travel.

Nonfiction section is simply awesome. There are too many to spoil you, and even if you arent interested, you just want to look at them. This entices people like to be a bit adventurous with non fiction.

The staff is well informed and dont disappoint. Dont mind the lack of AC. Be armed with time when you land there. I didnt even notice the 3 missed calls from my wife on a Saturday and 3 others. Well what transpired later cant be put here, for the fact that mouthshut would just edit it.

And dont be shy, if you dont find book - please ask them, it just may be your lucky day.

There is a decent range of the coffee table books.

Location - reach MG Road, walk thru Shringar Shopping complex and you will hit Church Street.

Anyone and everyone who comes to our town, knows MG Road.

Liked this quote which I read at Blossoms  A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend. I dont know the person's name.  Happy reading.