Before Crosswords happened to Bombay we had to depend on our unfriendly neighbourhood bookshop. These places had titles crammed in no particular order akin to a grocery, no one to guide to make purchases.
The inhospitable proprietor would always be far too busy keeping a hawk’s eye at potential shoplifters. Books wouldn’t be allowed to be even touched, “Open it only if you want to buy it.” Many of us must have heard this rude line at such joints.
In stark contradistinction, what a boon Crosswords (Mahalaxmi, Chembur) has been to booklovers in Bombay. Time stands still in the aisles and behind the shelves at Crosswords. Hunting for a good book is now a pleasure. Especially to people like me who could take time leafing through many books, and then retire with a few to the adjoining coffee shop, spend time with the books to decide whether we like each other’s company. No one to rush you up. No one to bother whether or not you eventually buy something. In fact, they even encourage browsing, by bringing you related titles when they see you leafing through a particular category of books for long.
The space is sprawling by Mumbai’s standards. The variety…well lets just put it this way, “If you want to read it, they have it.” Bestsellers, humour, philosophy, poetry, reference books, on every conceivable topic and title plus movies, audios, stationery, toys and associated knick-knacks. All very well arranged and displayed. Look out for the personal notes of the staff, makes interesting reading even if you don’t subscribe to their views.
The staff is ever courteous, I always intend to make friends with them but get too busy with the books. Should they see you kneeling, a comfortable stool is offered. Every one is well-mannered and informed about authors, titles. My father has this very obscure choice in reading which he asks me to pick up on my next visit to Crosswords. And abracadabra, they always have it, or at least the customer support staff is aware of it and promises to have it delivered to within the week.
Their kids’ section is somewhat away from the grown-ups’ book section which sort of drowns their noise. And now they have started these Book reward points for regular customers. I wouldn’t like to comment on this scheme since I’ve only recently qualified. But knowing these silly marketing gimmicks I would like to remain eternally skeptical about such arrangements
I love this chain of stores so much that I find myself in its outlets even in other cities I visit. I’m so glad that they have a store in say Ahmedabad and Chennai, where I’d otherwise run out of ideas to spend that free afternoon before the flight back home.
Other than Crosswords there is also Granth in Goregaon, which is just about OK in all the above parameters. Maybe the size of Crosswords has spoilt me.
I’m not yet very comfortable buying books on the internet. For the only reason that I miss the personal experience of leafing through them, touching feeling, and smelling them.
Pavements at Fort or Matunga, well yes they are good enough to pick up good bargains but for god’s sake there is always such a pandemonium around, blaring horns, rushing buses which rob away the peace and quietude needed for buying a book
During visits to the vegetable market I also like to invade my neighbourhood raddiwala and go amok in his piles of books and buy them by the kilo there. He always has a good title or two that musn’t be missed. Plus they smell better than the new books.
The Wheelers stalls at railway stations are also fun to stand and stare at. At these stalls I love to rummage through all those Hindi thrillers and romance novels which have to most imaginative titles, “Udhaar ka Sindoor” “ Maut ka Sailaab”, “Sukanya Pareshaanee Mein” I wonder what the plot of these novels might be.
Capitol bookstore at Chandigarh’s Sector 17 is also recommendable. I simply station myself there during my holidays in that city while the rest of my family goes shopping for clothes.
Each drop goes to build an ocean, and I believe that buying a book every month will make me the proud owner of an extensive library by the time I’m 60 and retired.