A Proposal Straight Out of a Storybook

When we think of romantic proposals, our minds might immediately wander to candlelit dinners, beaches at sunset, or even surprise trips. But for Luis and Alyona, their love story had always been a little more literary, and their interests were very much bookish. So why not get engaged in a bookstore?

Instead of a big city rooftop or a grand public spectacle, Luis chose Capital Hill Books in Denver, a charming, locally owned shop filled with the scent of old pages and stories waiting to be explored.

The moment they shared has since gone absolutely viral online, capturing hearts everywhere as a tender example of how simple, personal moments can be the most memorable.

Where They Began: Sweet Beginnings and Quiet Intimacy

So let’s rewind just a bit to where Luis and Alyona met. The pair managed to skip the apps and the awkward blind dates. They met organically through mutual friends at a board game night back in September 2022, not long after Luis moved to Denver. Sparks flew fast, and their relationship quickly grew into something deeply comforting and joyful.

They made things official on Valentine’s Day 2023, and from that point on, it was clear that they were meant for one another. The couple thrived in the quiet moments spent together, whether that involved a cozy night at home or wandering through bookstores browsing titles.

That love for simplicity and shared downtime is what inspired Luis’s engagement idea. He knew a big public display wouldn’t suit their style, but a heartfelt bookstore moment definitely would.

Setting the Scene: After Hours at Capitol Hill Books

After scouring the city for the perfect bookstore, Luis found Capital Hill. With fingers crossed, he approached the owner with an idea: a private, after-hours proposal that would feel magical but still authentically them. The owner happily agreed, giving Luis the perfect canvas for what would become one of the most romantic nights of their lives.

Luis personalized the store, adding string lights, charcuterie, roses, and candles, and, perhaps most importantly, he played their favorite song: Meet Me in the City.

And then, he waited.

A Clever Note and a Trip Downtown

The evening began at their home, not the bookstore. Luis left Alyona a handwritten note: a sweet little riddle involving books, rings, and eternity, asking her to meet him “in the city” at 6:15 PM.

He even rigged their old boombox to play the first notes of “Meet Me in the City” while she read it.

As Alyona got ready, she was filled with excitement and a little nervous anticipation, unaware of what exactly awaited her.

When she walked through the bookstore door that evening, everything came into focus: dimmed lights, the smell of old books, and Luis, waiting for her with a bouquet and tears in his eyes.

The Heartfelt Moment

Once inside, Luis started speaking from the heart. Though he had practiced what to say for months, the moment he saw her face light up, he forgot every scripted word. But it didn’t matter, because what he felt came through even stronger.

He told her she was his best friend, that he chose her “today, tomorrow, and for the rest of his life,” then dropped to one knee with a stunning custom-designed oval diamond ring they’d created together with a local jeweler.

Alyona’s reaction? Pure emotion, tears, and a shaking head yes (even if she might’ve forgotten to say it out loud at first). She melted into his arms, overwhelmed by how perfectly Luis had captured the moment and how true it felt to who they were as a couple.

Viral Love: When the Internet Cheers Along

Of course, the sweetness doesn’t just stop there. The moment resonated with the world. Videos and photos of the proposal were shared across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, instantly going viral.

People everywhere were captivated not by grand gestures or over-the-top theatrics, but by this intimate night that felt like something out of a romantic novel. It was heartfelt, simple, and personal… a true reflection of Luis and Alyona’s shared love for one another and for quiet happiness.

Reflections on Love, Books, and Moments That Matter

After the proposal, the couple soaked in the rush of emotions, from the butterflies beforehand to the pure joy afterward. They took pictures with some of their favorite books and reminisced about everything that brought them to that night.

Alyona described how overwhelmed she felt the second she stepped inside the bookstore, and Luis couldn’t imagine a more perfect evening. He said he was “intoxicated by the smells of the old dusty books and the dim lights,” and that sentiment struck a chord with so many who watched their moment unfold online.

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Love, Language, and Human Connection

Love at first sight, when you are a child, seems like a feasible experience. Caught eyes, the sudden realisation that this person will be the subject of your heart’s desires. When we grow up, we learn that knowing someone is more intimate, because in knowing someone, you learn they are not perfect, but that you love them still. 

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of our communication is through our physical language, the way our pupils dilate, and how we relax around someone we love and trust. Our words and language are used to speak such feelings, to specify and articulate the warmth in our chest, the preoccupation in our mind. Sometimes, such feelings, in their intricacies, are specific to certain languages and cultures. Meaning, on occasion, you may not be able to say exactly how you feel in a language that is not your own.  

In English, we have one word for love: love. Of course, there exist similar words like affection, passion, or devotion, but none of these has the same exact meaning. They are facets, reflections of love, rather than words that embody the whole. If we traverse the world, we will find hundreds of other words that describe their own interpretation of love, all resisting simple translation.

Jeong and Collectivist Love

The Korean word jeong means love in a certain sense. Again, there is no one definition, even amongst Koreans. It is a type of love extending beyond just people, an attachment to objects or places, or even homes. Western societies tend to be built upon ideas of individualism, and jeong is born out of collectivist ideas of social responsibility.

Although there is no one sole understanding of jeong, most agree that it is something to be experienced, rather than described. It can be simple actions between strangers, the owner of the bakery giving you an extra pastry, keeping the door held open for an elderly woman, or offering a stranger a kind conversation.

Koi no Yokan and Romantic Premonition

Koi no yokan is a Japanese phrase that encapsulates the feeling of that heart-stopping first encounter. The type of encounter that serves as a premonition of the love to come. People will have many loves over their lifetime, but it is rare to experience this kind of premonition, this burning feeling that tells you this may be something more than just attraction.

Koi no yokan is a soft, slow-burning feeling. Something that grows and blooms, needing water and sunlight, differs from the Western idea of ‘love at first sight’.

Mamihlapinatapai and Shared Longing

The Yaghan are an Indigenous community living at the tip of South America, a place some people call ‘the edge of the world’. The last fluent speaker of Yaghan passed away in 2022, but the language is not yet extinct. Many consider the language simply lying dormant, waiting to be revitalised.

The Yaghan word mamihlapinatapai describes, most generally, a look of longing shared between people. A silent, shared wish that both want to initiate something deeper, but neither wants to be the person to instigate it. Words like these hold their own worlds and philosophies, and argue that language and their cultures must be protected.

Philautia and the Importance of Self-Love

The ancient Greeks had a word for the love that we reserve for ourselves, called philautia. A kind of self-love that allows us to protect our own well-being and not sacrifice it for the pleasure of others. Philautia does not have narcissistic tendencies; it is not to navel-gaze or concentrate only on our own problems, but rather, it is to practice self-compassion and set healthy boundaries.

The ancient Greeks knew that self-fulfilment is vital to happiness, but that we cannot use this as an excuse to abuse others to achieve our own goals. The nuance of language means words like philautia guard their beauty and subtlety through resisting translation. 

Ya’aburnee, Mortality, and Devotion

Ya’aburnee is an Arabic word that does something the Western world is afraid of – it references the eventual passing of life. In English translation, ya’aburnee means ‘you bury me’, but its meaning is far deeper. Often used amongst familial relationships and romantic relationships, it describes loving someone so much that you cannot possibly imagine living without them.

So, in saying ya’aburnee, you are professing that you hope it is you who passes first, because to bury them would be to live in a world without them. Call it morbid, but it expresses a feeling many of us have burning within us but can never speak out loud.

Kilig and the Thrill of Romance

Have you ever experienced the rush of adrenaline following a romantic encounter, a first date filled with butterflies, or a catching of eyes on separate ends of a room? The Filipinos describe such a feeling as kilig. You can feel kilig in many alternate moments; it is a shudder of delight that runs through you after a moment of romance. The Tagalog word fills a gap in the English language and has consequently been added to the Oxford dictionary.

When we cannot translate, we add, we develop, and we transform. Although the words to describe love are different in each respective culture, the fact that it exists at all is constant across the world, across all of history. These six words may not have a direct translation, but they define feelings that exist within us without definition. As our world grows more interconnected, our understandings of love will too, and there is a certain kilig in that.

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Some of the most brilliant writers who ever lived poured their rawest selves into letters. They were just trying to say, “This is what you do to me.” What came out was poetry.

Vladimir Nabokov to Vera Nabokov

“My sun, my soul, my everything. I love you, my life, beyond all words, beyond all reason, beyond all smiles and tears.”

Nabokov, the master of language, reduces everything here to the simplest truth: you are everything. There’s no metaphor, no flourish… just total surrender.

“Beyond all words” is particularly striking coming from a man whose entire life was built on them. It’s as though he’s admitting defeat. Language can do many things, but it cannot fully hold what he feels for Vera.

This is love as absoluteness. Not romance as decoration, but as gravity.

It doesn’t stop there, either. Nabokov wrote lots about his love, including: “Perhaps this is how the whole enormous world, shining all over, can be created — out of five vowels and three consonants.”

Franz Kafka to Milena Jesenská

“You are the knife I turn inside myself — this is love.”

Kafka doesn’t offer comfort. He offers truth, sharp and unsoftened.

This isn’t love as safety. It’s love with intensity. As self-recognition is so powerful, it hurts. To love someone is to be opened by them, to be made vulnerable in ways you can’t control.

It’s unsettling. And it’s real.

For Kafka, love isn’t warmth. It’s a transformation — and transformation always cuts.

Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas

“I love you, I love you, my heart is a rose which your love has brought to bloom, my life is a desert fanned by the delicious breeze of your breath, and whose cool springs are your eyes; the imprint of your little feet makes valleys of shade for me, the odour of your hair is like myrrh, and wherever you go you exhale the perfumes of the cassia tree. Love me always, love me always. You have been the supreme, the perfect love of my life; there can be no other.”

Wilde writes like a man who believes love should be extravagant. His metaphors bloom and spill. Deserts become gardens. Footsteps create shade. A beloved becomes weather, landscape, perfume.

This is love as art.

But beneath the lush imagery is a fragile plea: Love me always. It repeats like a prayer. Wilde, so brilliant and flamboyant in public, reveals a deeply human need to be chosen again and again.

It’s beauty wrapped around vulnerability.

John Keats to Fanny Brawne

“Love is my religion — I could die for that — I could die for you.”

Keats writes like a man already half aware of his own mortality. His love is consuming, almost frightening in its intensity.

He cannot exist without her. He feels himself dissolving. Love overtakes everything: his thought, purpose, and faith.

This is devotion in its rawest form. Not polite. Not restrained. It is love as total surrender.

For Keats, love is not a part of life. It is life.

Virginia Woolf to Vita Sackville-West

“Look here Vita – throw over your man, and we’ll go to Hampton Court and dine on the river together and walk in the garden in the moonlight and come home late and have a bottle of wine and get tipsy, and I’ll tell you all the things I have in my head, millions, myriads – They won’t stir by day, only by dark on the river. Think of that. Throw over your man, I say, and come.”

This letter is a whisper of rebellion.

Woolf doesn’t dress her desire in tragedy or torment. She offers Vita moonlight, wine, and a world that only awakens in darkness. She invites her into imagination itself.

It’s playful. It’s daring. It’s tender.

What makes it poetic is its intimacy. The sense that love is not just passion, but shared wonder. A private universe built from walks, words, and wine.

Anaïs Nin to Henry Miller

“You live in the realm of the senses, and I in the realm of the spirit — but together we make the whole world.”

Nin sees love as completion.

Two halves. Two modes of being. Sensual and spiritual. Body and mind. Neither is enough alone.

Together, they become whole.

It’s a beautiful vision of partnership. Not sameness, but harmony. Love as expansion. As a way of becoming more than you are by yourself.

 Albert Camus to Maria Casarès

“I love you with a kind of rage, as one loves only once in a lifetime.”

Camus names a feeling most people recognize but rarely admit. This is not calm love. It is urgent and consuming. A love that knows itself to be singular, not meant to be repeated. There is no promise of forever, only the certainty of once.

To love once is not about time, but scale. This love takes everything and sets a measure nothing else can match.

For Camus, love is not meant to comfort. It is meant to alter you. It burns because it is real, and once it happens, it stays.

Emily Dickinson to Susan Gilbert Dickinson

“Susie, you make me drunken — I reel in your presence.”

Dickinson’s love is soft, shy, and devastating in its simplicity.

She doesn’t need grand metaphors. One sentence does everything: You undo me.

In another letter, she worries about her appearance, about being unworthy, about arriving “soiled and worn.” And yet, she trusts that their hearts are “always clean, and always neat and lovely.”

It is love without performance. Love as quiet certainty.

The post 8 Beautiful Love Letters That Read Like Poetry appeared first on Magazine.

Altstadt Vienna

This boutique hotel makes a point of filling its bright, stylish interiors with distinctive artworks, sometimes owned by the hotel, and sometimes on loan from museums. It also has a series of themed suites, a few of which come complete with their own personal mini libraries.

Even if you don’t book a suite, you can still enjoy the library in the hotel’s Red Salon—a sort of lounge/café where you can enjoy anything from tea and cake to whiskey and snacks. While much of the book collection is in German, there’s also a nice selection of art books that you can enjoy no matter what language you speak.

Address: Kirchengasse 41, 1070 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 2PM
– Check-out time: 12PM

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Vienna City Library

Vienna City Library is the city’s official research library and archive, and being set on the fourth floor of Vienna City Hall, a grand and stately building in peak Gothic Revival style, its official status will likely never be in doubt. It has a long history behind it as well, having been founded in 1856 and moved to City Hall in 1886.

The library currently holds hundreds of thousands of books, posters, musical scores, and a host of special collections and archives. In more recent years, it’s also been working to digitize its collection.

Address: Felderstraße 1, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 9AM – 7PM
– Friday: 9AM – 5PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed

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The University of Vienna Library (Universitätsbibliothek Wien)

With a whopping seven million items, the University of Vienna Library stands undefeated as Austria’s largest academic library. Housed mainly in the university’s historic main building, the library collection traces its origins to 1365 with Duke Rudolf IV’s publica libraria.

Of course, with a collection that massive, not all of it can be stored in one place—it’s actually divided up into 40 locations across the city. But even so, the main branch is well worth a look, with many antique volumes and a combination of stunning classical architecture and sleek, modern design.

Address: Universitätsring 1/Stiege 2, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 6PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed

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Pickwick’s

This bookstore and café/bar seamlessly combines a love of reading with a small taste of Vienna nightlife. It specializes in English-language books, with a selection of new and secondhand titles, as well as international DVDs for film lovers.

On top of that, Pickwick hosts a slew of both weekly and monthly events, including karaoke nights, quizzes, games, and loads of live music events featuring jazz, Latin American guitar, and more. Its open layout is lined with bookshelves and movie posters, making for a fun and interesting aesthetic.

Address: Marc-Aurel-Straße 10-12, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 4PM – 12AM
– Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 4AM
– Sunday: 12PM – 12AM

Shakespeare & Company Booksellers

Though not affiliated with the famous Shakespeare and Company located in Paris, this Shakespeare & Company was inspired by that store, opening the Vienna community to English-language literature since the 1980s.

It’s small but not cramped, with smooth, high ceilings and a cozy, open layout that makes it feel intimate and welcoming. It contains a wide range of both contemporary and classic works, plus plenty of Austrian titles translated into English—especially handy for those who want to know more about the country but don’t yet speak the language.

Address: Sterngasse 2, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 9AM – 8PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Buchhandlung Frick

You want history? You’ve got it. Buchhandlung Frick is a Viennese bookstore chain that first opened in 1752. It was recognized by Austria’s Imperial and Royal Court in the 1870s and has only grown from there, experiencing especially rapid expansion in the 1990s.

Nowadays, it carries 14 million titles in multiple languages, including German, English, and Russian. It also sells stationery and various gift items. Its flagship store catches the eye with its arched brick ceiling and distinctive, historic architecture.

Address: Graben 27, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Buchhandlung Herder

Though it’s gone through a few name changes in its time, including “B. Herders Verlag” and “Herder Zach-Buch GmbH,” Buchhandlung Herder has been around for a long time as both a publishing house and a bookstore.

The shop’s collection contains both fiction and nonfiction, mostly in German, with a decided leaning towards the subjects of theology, spirituality, and philosophy, plus a large children’s section that even comes with a colorful play area, complete with a slide and plushies.

Address: Wollzeile 33, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:

September to June:
– Monday to Friday: 9:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed

July and August:
– Monday to Friday: 9:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 1PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Austrian National Library

The Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) may well be Europe’s largest Baroque library. With towering wooden bookcases decorated in gold filigree, Roman-esque statues posturing on pedestals, and a ceiling fresco to rival the Sistine Chapel, it’s no exaggeration to say its grand State Hall is absolutely dazzling.

The library holds eight million items across special collections, globes, papyri, and four museums, bridging local heritage with modern research.

Address: Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: 9AM – 6PM
– Thursday: 9AM – 9PM
– Monday: Closed

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phil – Café, Bookstore & Bar

For a taste of more contemporary style, slide on over to phil, a hybrid café, bookshop, and bar in the hippest retro chic design you’ll ever see. Opened in 2004, it carries around 4,000 books, with a focus on off‑mainstream titles, and hosts plenty of events, such as readings, book presentations, and even live DJ sets.

On the café side of things, there’s an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients plus coffee and a wide selection of beers, wines, and more.

Address: Gumpendorfer Str. 10 – 12, 1060 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday: 2PM – 9PM
– Tuesday to Thursday: 9AM – 10PM
– Friday & Saturday: 9AM – 11PM
– Sunday: 9AM – 9PM

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COMIC Treff

Comic Treff is a veteran comic book chain in Vienna with three locations, but they don’t only sell comics, manga, and graphic novels in German and English. Their shelves are filled with basically anything one’s geeky heart could desire: merchandise, Funko Pops, action figures, costumes, and trading cards from Marvel, DC, Panini, and more.

The chain has been in operation for decades now, and stocks weekly U.S. releases to keep its eager regulars up-to-date on the latest.

Address: Barnabitengasse 12, 1060 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday & Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Thursday & Friday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Thalia Wien

Moving on to Austria’s largest bookstore chain, Thalia Wien is part of the Thalia group, which has over 350 stores across multiple countries. Its flagship store in Vienna is especially massive, spanning several floors with loads of books in German and English, offering enough variety to satisfy even the pickiest of readers.

The top floor has a café with a view overlooking the city streets below. The menu has a range of coffees and cakes on offer. There’s even an elaborate play area for kids to enjoy.

Address: Mariahilfer Str. 99, 1060 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 9AM – 7PM
– Thursday & Friday: 9AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 6PM
– Sunday: Closed

Library of the Austrian Chamber of Labor

The Library of the Austrian Chamber of Labor is Austria’s premier specialized library for social sciences. Founded in 1921 to support workers’ education and the labor movement, it holds roughly 500,000 physical items and 25,000 digital materials (e-books, audiobooks, etc.) on politics, economics, sociology, labor history, and related fields.

It’s clean-cut and well-organized, freely accessible to the public, and provides important resources to locals.

Address: Prinz-Eugen-Straße 20-22, 1040 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 7:30PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Buchcafé Melange

This book café is decorated more like the inside of someone’s home than a shop or eatery, complete with vintage furniture and lacey doilies on small tables. Coming here doesn’t feel like a quick stop and shop, but a warm, cozy visit with a long-time friend.

The book collection is mainly German with a small English-language section. The café has very limited seating, but a delicious offering of coffees and sweet treats. It also holds book readings roughly once a month in a close-knit environment.

Address: Mariahilfer Str. 215, 1150 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 11AM – 1PM & 2PM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 11AM – 5PM
– Monday & Sunday: Closed

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Book Flea Market in Rudolfsheim (Rudolfsheimer Bücherflohmarkt)

If you’re looking for a more freestyle, outdoor shopping experience, no worries. Vienna has its very own book flea market. Positioned in front of Rudolfsheim Parish Hall, around 40 booksellers gather almost every Saturday morning to peddle used books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and even games.

This book flea market draws collectors and casual browsers alike to its outdoor stalls. The proceeds for the sales also go to a good cause—specifically, to charitable projects run by the parish itself, some of which you can see here.

Address: Meiselstraße 1, 1150 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Saturday: 9AM – 1PM
– Sunday to Friday: Closed

Buchkontor

Buchkontor is an independent neighborhood bookshop opened in 2009. The interior is bright and welcoming, its walls a calming shade of green and a colorful corner set aside for regular readings. Its book collection is also a bit unique for the area in not only offering German titles, but Spanish ones as well.

The store is especially friendly to children and young readers, and was even named Austria’s “Bookstore of the Year” in 2019. Its reading club and story times alike make it a beloved community icon.

Address: Kriemhildpl. 1, 1150 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday & Friday: 9:30AM – 6PM
– Thursday: 9:30AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 2PM
– Sunday: Closed

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Hartliebs Bücher

Founded by bookseller Oliver and Petra Hartlieb, this independent shop is filled to the brim with books: lining shelves, stacked on tables, and filling up rotating racks posted outside. However, it never gets to the point of overflowing, and there’s a decided neatness that’s appealing to the eye and makes searching easy.

The bookshop also hosts quite a few events throughout the year, including author signings, book discussions, a regularly held literature circle, and more.

Address: Währinger Str. 122, 1180 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9:30AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM – 1PM
– Sunday: Closed

Buchhandlung List – Internationale Literatur

As you might’ve guessed from the “Internationale” in this bookstore’s name, its specialty lies in spotlighting international literature and titles across multiple languages, particularly German, French, Italian, and English. Even the staff is multilingual—perfect for both travelers and local ex-pats.

The interior has an eclectic sense of style, stacking books high on miniature shelves along staircases, setting a moped behind a glass display case, and hanging a Harry Potter-inspired paper mural from the ceiling.

Address: Porzellangasse 36, 1090 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 6:30PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Sunday: Closed

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o*books

o*books is an independent bookstore that focuses on queer, feminist, intersectional, and diverse literature in German and English, including children’s books. The decor is a mix of this and that—both wooden and metal bookcases, a variety of houseplants placed on shelves and tabletops.

The area in the back is especially nice for reading, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light and a comfy sofa perfect for settling in.

Address: Bruno-Marek-Allee 24/1, 1020 Wien, Austria
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

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What’s Going On?

At its core, this is about looking at the bigger picture. It’s about remembering, or rather considering, that people who are having to rely on food banks are likely to be struggling in more areas than just filling their kitchen cupboards. Yes, a food bank feeds people, but what about all the other shortcomings in these folks’ lives?

Like reading. Like education, creativity, and inspiration. That’s where books come in.

A charity called Bookbanks was born out of exactly this realization. It was started by Emily Rhodes, a writer and critic who, while volunteering at a food bank in Newington Green, north-east London, had a thought: Why shouldn’t people picking up essentials also have access to something nourishing for their minds? And so she began giving away her own books alongside food. It didn’t stay small for long.

With support from bookshops, libraries, publishers, and individual donors, Bookbanks quickly grew into a proper charity that partners with food banks across the UK to bring free, high-quality books to people who might not otherwise have access to them.

Why Books at Food Banks?

At first, you might think: “Food banks give out food. That’s their job. Why books?” But that’s exactly where the magic is. Bookbanks knows what we sometimes need reminding: books aren’t luxuries; they’re tools for connection, learning, and hope.

Last year’s data showed that more than one in 12 children in the UK does not have a single book at home. That’s heartbreaking. And that’s just children and ownership. It doesn’t even touch on how many adults struggle to access reading material.

Reading for pleasure has been shown to be one of the strongest predictors of future success in life. It’s linked to improved mental well-being, better academic outcomes for kids, and a higher quality of life overall. And yet, too many people live in “reading deserts” where books are scarce or treated as an unaffordable extra.

So Bookbanks is stepping in. It’s taking books to the frontlines, to the people who can’t afford a trip to the local bookstore, or who don’t have time for a trip to the library as a family. It’s spreading joy in the form of inspiration, creativity, and learning.

What Actually Happens at a Bookbank?

If you imagine a cart of dusty books in the corner of a charity hall, let me stop you right there. That’s not this. Picture instead something more like a book stall, cheerful and inviting, with books laid out like treasures: picture books, novels, poetry, cookbooks, children’s books: the whole range.

The books are free to browse, take home, and keep forever. There are no library cards. No returns. No judgment. This is about ownership, which is something that’s deeply meaningful, especially for children.

The stalls are run by volunteers who come from the book world, we’re talking librarians, booksellers, writers, publishers… people who don’t just know books, but know how to chat about them in a way that’s warm and personal. They help food bank visitors find books they’ll love, whether that’s a first picture book for a toddler or a novel for someone rediscovering reading after years away.

More Than a Handout

There’s something quietly revolutionary about this. It’s not just charity; it’s community building. Food banks have historically been seen as emergency services — a safety net when things have gone wrong. But by introducing books, Bookbanks helps reshape that narrative. Rather than just survival, there’s culture, conversation, and curiosity.

Books act as social glue, linking people together not through need alone but through shared stories and ideas. It’s especially important when as many people are struggling day to day as they currently are.

In a practical sense, this addresses what some call literary poverty, that is, the lack of access to books and reading opportunities across certain communities in the UK. Bookbanks literally brings books into the places where people already are, often filling gaps where libraries are inaccessible because of location, opening times, or lack of fixed addresses.

Spreading Across the UK

This isn’t just a London idea anymore. Bookbanks has spread to Norfolk, and now there are spots opening in Manchester and other parts of the UK. They’re handing out over a thousand books every month, and local groups are throwing in their own flavour: author visits, storytelling sessions, and community read-alouds.

Campaigns like Get Britain Reading are helping amplify the effort, encouraging donations and volunteer support from all corners of society. Partnerships with organizations like Bookshop.org mean that when you buy certain books, it also helps fund more book donations.

The post UK Charity Gives Away Thousands of Free Books at Food Banks appeared first on Magazine.

Reading is an important attribute for one to have, especially in a world where doomscrolling is the order of the day. Thanks to all the distractions now in the world, reading aloud has almost lost its magic.

To preserve the tradition of reading aloud, the World Read Aloud Day on February 4th is bringing much-needed attention to the threatened art. Literacy is a social performance, and the initiative started by LitWorld in 2010 aims to further deepen the ancient art of telling stories and preserving history through word of mouth.

The Birth of a Global Echo

The World Read Aloud Day isn’t just about celebrating books; it’s a call to ensure that more people attain literacy as a human right. It’s no rumor that millions of people in the world lack the basic resources they need to read, and they have no escape. But by shining light on the need to read, more people will be able to grab a book and read to an audience, it doesn’t matter if it’s in a classroom or reading to their sibling. 

Doing this will also enhance the vocabulary of people. In fact, more people could develop confidence to speak to larger crowds than they can initially afford to. Since the day began, its wings have spread to over 170 countries, and this is simply telling of the fact that there’s an immense need for stories to be told.

The Science of the Shared Voice

When someone reads to us, we feel a deep sense of calm, which is why lullabies are largely successful. When someone is being read to, their brain is being engaged in a way that silent reading doesn’t. 

For starters, there’s a heightened sense of empathy in the listener as they process cues in the reader’s voice. This slow media is the perfect substitute for the brain rot that is the side effect of the snappy, short forms of media prevalent in today’s world. It requires the reader and the listener to be present in the same moment, sharing the same breath and the same rhythm. Reading aloud helps both parties go from a mere exchange of information to true understanding.

Breaking the Silence of Illiteracy

The World Read Aloud Day isn’t just another day to mark on the calendar; it’s one that sheds light on the global literacy crisis of the world. When people read aloud, it’s an expression of solidarity with those who cannot. Also, the day is a platform for authors, students, and celebrities to use their voices to demand better education and libraries. 

The beauty of the event is its low barrier to entry, as one doesn’t need to have plenty of books or a giant library to enjoy the day. Just one reader and one listener, and the day is underway. 

Celebrating in a Connected World

Before the advent of the internet, reading aloud to others had to be done in person. However, with the myriad of digital infrastructures we have now, read-alouds can be done online, helping people in remote areas connect. Also, inventions like hashtags make it easy for people to follow along with global reading events. 

How to Get Involved

There are numerous ways to participate in The World Read Aloud Days. One can use video calls to read a favorite childhood chapter to a relative who lives far away. In the same vein, book clubs could organize a story swap at local cafes for people to read their favorite poems or short passages. Audiobooks are also great read-aloud inventions that more people should pay attention to.

At its core, reading aloud in any form is a simple yet powerful way to connect, share stories, and keep the love of reading alive.

The post Why World Read Aloud Day Matters More Than Ever appeared first on Magazine.

Are Physical Books Becoming Obsolete?

Some have suggested that reading physical books will become a relic of the past. Or, moreover, that reading books electronically will become the norm. These predictions are not entirely wrong. Kindles and Kobos have soared in popularity, but physical books aren’t going anywhere. Despite having the option to download anything at your fingertips, people are still choosing to go to their local bookstores or thrift shops and purchase a physical novel. Logically, it makes sense to choose the easier option, so why do we still find ourselves drawn to the weathered pages of the past? 

How Reading Print Activates Spatial Memory

One of the most interesting reasons is one related to scientific study. Dimming the lights and beginning the first chapter of a new mystery novel satisfies more than just your interest; it also lights up your brain like the Manhattan skyline. Our brains are drawn to touch, to things that physically exist and engage our spatial memory. 

That connection between feeling the paper and turning the page, and thinking about the words we are reading, is incredibly important. They foster a far deeper memory, unlike when we read on a screen. Our brains treat e-readers as temporary, and even if we want to engage deeply with what we are reading, our brains are likely to remember less.

The perception of e-books as a temporary means, less of the brain is activated when we read on a screen. Even though it may be more visually exciting, it isn’t nearly as cognitively stimulating. 

Slow Living, Focus, and the Return to Print

2025 has seemed like the year of slow living. Our world is one of pressure, of time-crunches and never-ending checklists, which has caused an increasing number of people to burn out physically and emotionally. We are desperate for other philosophies of life, something not filled with constant stress and unfulfilling work.

We have therefore unsurprisingly seen a rise in popularity for slow-living philosophies from all over the world. These philosophies are inherent parts of the cultures they come from, whether it is Hygge, from Denmark, or Ubuntu from South Africa, and they are now joining the mainstream.

We need our brains to calm down, so we can free ourselves from the constant humming of stress and pressure in our lives. Picking up a printed book allows our minds that rare moment of peace, a rare moment we can breathe and finally concentrate on one thing at a time. 

Do Younger Readers Still Prefer Physical Books?

Books softly resist the distraction overload of our screens; they increase our focus on the subject and fight against our urge to skim information. Younger people are no different, also sharing an affinity for the physical. In 2019, a study found that 74% of 18-29-year-olds still preferred physical books over e-books.

Sure, you may read faster digitally than with a physical book, but most of the time, is that even the point? We read for pleasure, but also for comprehension. Our brains want to engage with the content, our brains want to question what we are reading and what the author believes. Similar to when we skim an article, gliding through a book but finishing it faster achieves little to nothing, and often leaves us knowing a myriad of half-truths.

Traditional forms of reading light up far more areas of our brain, areas that cannot be reached with newer technologies. Just because e-books are a mark of technological advancement does not make them automatically superior. 

What Technology Gains — and What It Costs

Aldous Huxley’s dystopic novel Brave New World describes a futuristic world where inhabitants are always in a state of manufactured pleasure and happiness. The people live for this feeling of pleasure, and in turn, rarely experience moments of profound contemplation. The people in this ‘Brave New World’ are living life shallowly, yet they deem traditional ways of life as uncivilised compared to their technologically advanced cities. 

Why Physical Books Still Matter in a Digital World

Huxley would never have denounced e-books; they are, after all, still a form of reading and critical reflection, but he might have warned us that not all technological progress is superior. He might have questioned the cost of technological advancement and asked what we are willing to give up in the name of progress.

Physical books have existed for many years, evolving from clay tablets to printed pages, lining the shelves of emperors and aristocrats, and now, hopefully, yours. Our world might be brave and somewhat new, but we have not forgotten the value of the old. The light of our screens might be pretty, but it can never compare to the undeniable beauty of an illuminated and activated mind.

The post Why Your Brain Loves Physical Books More Than Screens appeared first on Magazine.

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore

Rare, used, and new, there’s nothing you can’t find at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg. This family-run store has won awards over the years and is a popular stop for anyone searching for second-hand academic texts.

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore’s layout makes every second of browsing exciting, with well-stocked shelves along the walls and tables overflowing with books across the floor. Plus, there’s a bakery and coffee corner where you can grab some treats to enjoy during your literary exploration.

Address: 1302 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102, United States
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday and Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 7PM
– Monday: Closed

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Cupboard Maker Books

Cupboard Maker Books in Enola was once a typical gift store. Today, the store houses a collection of more than 125,000 second-hand texts and hardbacks, covering subjects that range from fiction to history.

There’s a lot that sets Cupboard Maker Books apart from the average bookstore. With frequent book signings and cats wandering the aisles, their store always has a buzzing atmosphere.

Address: 157 N Enola Rd, Enola, PA 17025, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 5PM

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Baldwin’s Book Barn

Baldwin’s Book Barn, just outside West Chester, is truly one-of-a-kind. Set in a building dating back to 1822, visitors are treated to a historic structure spanning five levels, complete with warm touches such as a wood-burning stove and stone walls.

To date, there are roughly 300,000 second-hand books for sale here, including many rare texts, manuscripts, and maps.

Address: 865 Lenape Rd, West Chester, PA 19382, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 5:30PM

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Head House Books

Located in Philadelphia, Head House Books is a well-known name among local readers. Opened in 2005, the store has a strong focus on fiction. Beyond its shelves, this quintessential community bookstore charms visitors with its cozy, thoughtfully designed decor and welcoming staff, appealing to a wide variety of readers.

Head House Books also regularly hosts events, including evenings with authors, for which visitors can purchase tickets directly through the shop’s website.

Address: 619 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 6PM

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Pocket Books Shop

Pocket Books Shop in Lancaster is a true feminist bookstore that ticks all the boxes for anyone in search of this type of literature. Founded by three friends, the weekend-run store was created with the goal of offering a thoughtful selection of feminist and LGBTQ+ titles for the local community.

There are so many elements that make the Pocket Books Shop special. From handwritten book recommendations and a charming porch with comfortable seating, to discounts for pre-orders, what’s not to love? Just be mindful that Pocket Books Shop now has two locations, but their main store remains on Wheatland Avenue.

Address: 903 Wheatland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603, United States
Opening hours:
– Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
– Monday to Friday: Closed

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The End: a bookstore

While the name ‘The End: A Bookstore’ may sound surprising, this Allentown shop is a true gem waiting to be discovered. Far from a typical bookstore layout, it feels as though a random property in the West End has been given a literary makeover, with comfortable standalone chairs, coffee tables, and paned windows.

As for its inventory, The End: A Bookstore is well stocked with a wide range of titles, including bestsellers and books for younger readers. Additionally, they also have a noteworthy selection of signed books, which make wonderful gifts for the bibliophiles in your life.

Address: 3055 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104, United States
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Saturday and Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
– Monday: Closed

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White Whale Bookstore

If you’re someone who loves shopping at fully independent bookstores, wait until we tell you about White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh. Covering every topic imaginable, including philosophy, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, there’s something here to satisfy every reader’s interests.

Beyond its extensive selection of titles, White Whale Bookstore also serves as a big event space. It’s not just the typical author readings, though; they host writing workshops, children’s story times, and evenings dedicated entirely to poetry.

Address: 4754 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, United States
Opening hours:
– Wednesday to Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
– Monday and Tuesday: Closed

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The Otto Bookstore

Who could turn down the chance to visit a bookstore with a legacy like Otto Bookstore, which is one of the country’s oldest indie shops? The space is full of character, with well-maintained shelves and a relaxed, welcoming vibe throughout.

You’ll come across books on a variety of topics here, including travel, self-help, and biographies, many sold at fantastic prices. Even better, they provide a gift-wrapping service if you’re shopping for presents.

Address: 107 W 4th St, Williamsport, PA 17701, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 7PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 3PM

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Beyond Bedtime Books

It wouldn’t be a list of Pennsylvania bookstores without mentioning Beyond Bedtime Books. Located in Dormont, their collection of pre-loved and brand new volumes is impressive, with genres like sci-fi, horror, and romance all well represented. You’ll also find a vast assortment of Stephen King titles, as well as many books from Ursula K. Le Guin.

If you’re struggling to locate a particular type of text (which is rare in a store like this), Beyond Bedtime Books offers a book ordering service that their customers can avail themselves of.

Address: 1453 Potomac Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, United States
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Wednesday and Friday: 11AM – 4PM
– Thursday: 2PM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 4PM

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Bound Books

Bound Books in York is another one of Pennsylvania’s finest indie stores. They carry everything from new award-winning titles to classics that every reader knows and loves. In addition to books, don’t miss their carefully curated selection of gifts and houseplants, in case your home needs a little sprucing up.

You can tell that owners Chuck and Sarah have put a lot of thought into the store. Small touches bring the space together, like the window seats and the campground area where kids can play while you browse.

Address: 2555 S Queen St, York, PA 17402, United States
Opening hours:
– Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Thursday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday and Monday: Closed

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Capricorn Books

Capricorn Books in Jenkintown is a local store with a hefty selection of new and used books that’s regularly updated. Moreover, their additional items for sale, like vinyl records and art prints, attract all kinds of people, drawing in a unique mix of customers.

The interior of Capricorn Books is what really makes the place shine. Picture blue walls, touches of greenery scattered throughout, and bright, refreshing lighting that illuminates the entire space.

Address: 605 West Ave, Jenkintown, PA 19046, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 4PM

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Reads & Company Bookshop

Reads & Company Bookshop is a book lover’s haven in Phoenixville. Sure, it’s on the smaller side, but they make the most of every inch, with shelves upon shelves of bestsellers and new releases. To go with it, they sell their own merch, like cups and hats, perfect for remembering your visit.

Other highlights of Reads & Company Bookshop include their regular book club and additions for kids, such as a reading space with a rocket for them to enjoy.

Address: 234 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA 19460, United States
Opening hours:
– Sunday to Tuesday: 11AM – 6PM
– Wednesday to Friday: 11AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 8PM

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Wellington Square Bookshop

Over in Chester County, Wellington Square Bookshop is the go-to spot for everything related to literature. Having won multiple awards and offering an eclectic lineup of new arrivals and previously owned publications, it’s easy to see why everyone raves about this place.

A bookshop with a café always stands out, and Wellington Square Bookshop has just that. You’ll be able to get your hands on pastries, coffee, chocolate, and teas to pair with your latest read.

Address: 549 Wellington Square, Exton, PA 19341, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
– Sunday: 10AM – 5PM

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The Lahaska Bookshop

In the quiet pocket of Lahaska, Pennsylvania, the Lahaska Bookshop opened its doors in 2017 to bring the best new books to readers. With cookbooks, mysteries, fiction, and romance, the lineup at Lahaska Bookshop is nothing short of spectacular.

The shop is thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of space to browse each shelf, so it never feels crowded, even on the busiest days. Since the shelves are labeled by topic, it means you can go straight for the books that catch your eye.

Address: Peddler’s Village Store, 162 Carousel Ln & Rte 263 A, Lahaska, PA 18931, United States
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 10AM – 5PM
– Friday and Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

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Notes Through Time

Picture this: Steve is just pottering around at home, rearranging his pride and joy, which just so happen to be his collection of Enid Blyton books. Nothing unusual there; he’s a seasoned collector, with around 50 of the nostalgic children’s classics lined neatly on his shelves. But then, while pulling out his copy of The Naughtiest Girl Again, something caught his eye. Inside the front cover, in familiar blue ink, were scribbles—names, addresses, family details.

At first, Steve was baffled. He’d never seen these before. He’d bought the book from a charity shop, so it wasn’t a surprise that there were scribbles… But he knew the writing. He knew the names, the addresses.

Then the penny dropped.

This wasn’t just anyone’s childhood doodling; it was his wife Karen’s… The very same Karen he’s been married to for decades. She was just a little girl in Staffordshire when she scrawled those notes, long before she had even met Steve. And somehow, through a wild, 160-mile journey, a village fete, and a charity shop shelf, her old book had made its way right back into her husband’s hands, fifty years later.

“I kept rereading it and thought, This cannot be, surely?” Steve said, still gobsmacked by the find. “I opened the front cover and I was shocked to see my brother-in-law’s name in it. It included an address that I’d heard my wife mention and I just couldn’t believe it.”

Imagine it: you’re tidying your books, and suddenly you’re holding a little time capsule written by the love of your life when she was still in pigtails. The universe sure is a strange place.

A Book With a Backstory

So how did Karen’s book end up in Steve’s collection in the first place? Well, like all good stories, it involves the perfect mixture of a bit of chance, distance, and a dash of serendipity.

Back in the 1970s, Karen’s mom had a clear-out and gave away some of her daughter’s childhood books at a local fete in Staffordshire. That should’ve been the end of it.

Fast forward a few decades, and Steve, completely unaware of this history, picked up The Naughtiest Girl Again at a charity shop in Rayleigh, Essex, 257 kilometers away from where Karen’s mother had donated it. To him, it was just another Blyton to add to his collection. He slotted it on the shelf and didn’t give it much thought… until now.

When Steve finally showed Karen what he’d uncovered, she was just as stunned as he was. “She was equally shocked,” he laughed. “It was actually quite a cute thing to look at.”

More Where That Came From

Just when you think the story couldn’t get any sweeter, it does. That Enid Blyton book wasn’t alone. When the Mills started poking around, they discovered that two other books in Steve’s collection also carried Karen’s childhood handwriting.

Yes, three separate novels, all annotated by young Karen, had somehow found their way back to her husband. What are the odds? Steve himself admitted, “We both sat there really not quite sure how to handle it because this was just extraordinary.”

For him, those books are no longer just collector’s items; they’ve become personal treasures, tangible little reminders of how their childhoods, passions, and paths were quietly aligned long before they ever met.

“They look nice on the shelf, and it gives me a nice warm feeling to know I’ve got them,” he said. “It bridges the two of us even closer.”

How Special Books Can Be

There’s something especially touching about this story because it taps into the romance of books themselves. Anyone who’s ever scoured a charity shop shelf knows the thrill of a “find.” Sometimes it’s a rare edition, sometimes it’s a long-forgotten favorite, and sometimes, if you’re very lucky, it’s a book with a story written into its very pages.

Marginalia—that’s the term for little notes in the margins, childhood doodles, lists, or signatures—are like breadcrumbs from the past. They remind us that books are more than just items; they have lives, just as we do. They pass through hands, carry memories, and sometimes, if the stars align, they make their way back home.

For Steve and Karen, that sense of history feels even more magical. They were two children who never knew each other back then, yet somehow the love of reading, of scribbling names inside book covers, and of holding on to beloved Blytons was already knitting their lives together.

A Collector’s New Quest

Of course, now that Steve knows what treasures could be hiding on his shelves, he’s officially on a new mission. “There’s probably more out there, so it’s set me on another quest,” he admitted. Can you imagine the excitement of picking up one of your books and wondering, could this be another one?

For a man who already loves collecting, this adds a whole new thrill to the hunt. Forget just finding an Enid Blyton in good condition, now the grail is one that carries his wife’s childhood scrawl. Bring on the charity shops!

The post Book Collector Finds Hidden Notes in Wife’s Old Book appeared first on Magazine.

From a Love of Books to a Park Full of Them

Lee is not your typical librarian; he’s 90 years old and walks with a stick, but that doesn’t stop him from spending hours every week tending to his mini libraries. He set them up about five years ago, inspired by his lifelong devotion to reading and sharing books with others.

Picture this: five cheerful little book nooks spread around a scenic lakeside park. Some look like they were crafted by an artist: neat wooden shelves with rustic charm. Others are delightfully improvised, with Styrofoam boxes stacked and covered with plastic sheets to keep books dry and protected.

There’s no formal registration, no membership card. Lee’s motto? “Take a book, read it, and return it whenever you can.” He even stamps each book with the label “Lee & Gan Library Kuala Lumpur” (Gan is his late wife’s name), so people remember they belong to this joyful little collection.

A Lifetime of Reading and Giving Back

Lee didn’t just wake up one day and decide parks needed libraries. This passion for books goes way back, so far back that his house used to be a personal library, filled with tens of thousands of books that needed a ladder to reach the highest shelves.

Unfortunately, after his wife passed away, keeping up that massive home library became too much for him alone. But rather than box the books up or sell them off, Lee had a heartwarming idea: share them with the world. That’s how the park libraries began, as an extension of his personal collection, now open to everyone.

And share he does. The collection boasts more than 30,000 books in English, Malay, and Chinese, covering everything from novels and comics to non‑fiction titles. Some came from his own shelves, others were donated by generous members of the community who believed in his mission.

A Librarian With a Personal Touch

What makes Lee’s mini libraries different from your typical community book exchange? It’s personal. He doesn’t just set it and forget it. Lee dedicates about three hours from Monday to Thursday tending his stations, organizing donated books, stamping new arrivals, and sometimes recommending his own favorites.

And he remembers the books. Lee can walk you through his collection, telling you about beloved titles like Outside the Window by Chiung Yao, The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong, and novels by Yi Shu, all personal favorites that reflect his literary tastes.

For Lee, books are more than entertainment; they’re bridges to imagination, connection, and community. He reads every day for at least an hour, even at his age, a habit he says keeps his mind sharp and his spirit young.

More Than Just Books: A Community Oasis

Lee’s mini libraries have become a local fixture. Visitors don’t just borrow books; they chat with him, leave donations, and sometimes bring their own stories to share. According to friends and regulars, the park has become a magnetic spot for people to gather, read, and bond over shared interests.

But Lee doesn’t stop at books. He cares for the park itself. Before tending to his literary treasures, he often starts his mornings cleaning up litter, picking up takeaway boxes, beer cans, and other debris left behind by careless visitors. It’s like Lee is saying, “If you’re going to enjoy this space, let’s keep it nice for everyone.”

Friends admire him for his tireless work ethic. His long‑time friend Loo Ah Kaw, 76, praises his dedication, noting that Lee even used a hoe to clear drains when he was younger. But as age catches up, some have begun offering their help, worried that Lee’s aging body might one day struggle with the physical demands of caring for so many books.

Challenges and Community Support

Of course, a park library setup isn’t without its quirks. A few visitors have pointed out that the books aren’t always well protected from rain and harsh sun, and there’s limited shaded seating, so reading for long stretches during hot afternoons can be tricky.

Still, people come. They come to take books, give books, chat with Lee, and enjoy the unusual charm of this open‑air literary space. And many want to see it grow, suggesting upgrades to better protect the books and make the space even more inviting.

A Lasting Impression

Whether you’re a hardcore reader or someone who merely enjoys the occasional paperback by the pool, there’s something inspiring about Lee Kim Siew’s mini libraries. They’re a testament to how one person’s passion can transform community spaces, and perhaps even someone’s day, one borrowed book at a time.

In a leafy corner of Puchong, books whisper, pages turn, and an old headmaster still goes about his joyful work, proving that age is no barrier to impact. And that sometimes, the best libraries are the ones that invite you to read beneath the sky.

Lee Kim Siew’s quiet dedication has also been recognized beyond his neighbourhood. His story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading.

The book brings together inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a heartfelt love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. You can order your copy here.

The post This 90-Year-Old Turned a Park Into a 30,000-Book Library  in Malaysia appeared first on Magazine.