I was at the new Borders store (in Kuala Lumpur) this afternoon. Had a quick look-round. No Joan Aiken! I'm hooked on her Wolves of Willoughby Chase series at the moment and so it's the first thing I looked for. I spoke to someone who used to work with the merchandiser and he said, "______ has probably never heard of Aiken." All I can say is: "B***** H***!"
However, I found Elizabeth Bowen in the Fiction section so it's not all bad.
Apart from that ... well, it's big and it's cold; there's lots of space and lots of light. It's definitely not charming (Eyeris and Erna say it reminds them of Popular!), but then which big chain is? I don't think I'll be hanging out there much - especially since I never go to Berjaya Times Square anyway. For now, at least, I'm sticking to Kino.
I do want to spend more time looking at the books though. The children's section is huge so it should have a good selection. Should. No Aiken though, hmmph.
One of the people from the head office was talking about how the stores have been greeted with open arms in places like New Zealan and Puerto Rico. People see Borders as a sign that civilisation has arrived at their cities! Well, that's really nothing to do with books though, is it? It's to do with size and money and branding. I'm sure these people would have been just as happy to see the launch of a Chanel boutique on their main street! And I bet most fans of Starbucks will also love Borders.
Daphne - just resent slides, let me know if you get them! :)
Posted by: Hsian | Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 21:30
Hisan: No, what email with slides?!!
Posted by: Daphne | Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 17:43
There is an interesting book on drugs called "The House that Crack Built" (in family values section) - have only ever seen it in speciality bookstore like Trisha and Sasha or at places like Pay Less. In same section, there are also books dealing with homosexual parents (if I am not mistaken)!
However, WOFS is really garish and has no place at the space. I think I like feel at Singapore Borders better.
Posted by: Hsian | Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 11:24
I do like how the have labelled categories in the kid's sections though - at least there is a good section on "Family Values" which deal with issues children have to face.
Plus, they DO have The Phantom Tollbooth (in multiple copies too) and also Where Did I Come From? :)
p/s Daphne - did you get my email with slides?
Posted by: Hsian | Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 11:21
Talk about having franchises within franchises. Starbucks and World of Feng Shui? Doesn't look like I'll be dropping there anytime soon.
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 15:39
I'm all for a variety of bookstores in Malaysia, but why oh why, can't they get that we don't want just a store with books in it but a store where we can spend oodles of time in reading books and feel cosy in?
I think I want to open a bookshop lah when I grow up.
Posted by: Amelia | Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 12:56
What kind of bookstore has a World of Feng Shui in it?!?!?!?!?!
Posted by: eyeris | Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 23:09