https://bobostory.wordpress.com List

  • 13 Things I Found on the Internet Today (Vol. 687) - [image: 13 Things I Found on the Internet Today (Vol. 687)] 1. Truth Windows A traditional feature of strawbale houses is the truth window – a small secti...
    19 hours ago
  • 陳韻文的《滋事札》 - *陳韻文著︰《滋事札》* 陳韻文八十年代在《星島日報》的專欄,陳進權先生經年剪存,如今選輯修改,訂成一冊,最近終於面世,書友無不捧場。五十多篇文章,有些未必來自《星島》,大部分經過重寫,和專欄原貌大不相同,不少寫的更是這數年的人事,完全可當是新書看。〈引子〉寫「滋事札」名字之由來(原來轉自鵲鴝「豬屎渣」之名)...
    2 days ago
  • 蒟蒻 - 蒟蒻,就是魔竽,英文名稱為魔舌Devil’s Tongue,是一粒粒的球狀根物,外表漆黑,肉雪白。 主要成分是 […]
    3 days ago
  • belated February 2024 Patreon round-up: EXCLUSIVE - True Detective: Night Country + ADVANCE - TWIN PEAKS Character Series entry - Although I offered a couple standalone sci-fi episodes last fall, *True Detective: Night Country* is my first (but probably not my last) patron-exclusive...
    1 week ago
  • Politics (論政治) - 要做醫生,先要讀醫;要做司機,也要考牌。世上唯有從政,可以完全沒有受過訓練就上任。其實從政應該如何入手呢?回看上世紀的政治人物,不少都受過深厚的哲學訓練,那是因為哲學一般分為形而上學、自然哲學、倫理學以及政治哲學。其中政治哲學研究的,正是政府的形式、權力的分配、革命的基礎等。美國的開國領袖不少便是美國哲學學會的...
    4 weeks ago
  • Live Q & A with David Harvey & Miguel Robles-Durán - Join me and Miguel Robles-Durán for a live Q&A session tomorrow, Wednesday, January 10th at 2:00pm (EST). Support our Politics in Motion Patreon to submit ...
    2 months ago
  • 下坡的思維 - 當我們沿迎風坡而下時,風顯得大而勁了。我穿在許臂彎裡的手慣性的縮回而拉一下裙裾。陡然,我感到這種無意識動作的可 … 繼續閱讀 下坡的思維
    3 months ago
  • 鄭明仁:41年歷史《旅行家》成絕響 - 陳溢晃帶隊遊新界。 資深旅行家陳溢晃於1972年成立正剛旅行隊,半個世紀以來他每周都帶隊作本地遠足遊;1982年1月他創辦了《旅行家》雜誌,到今年已41年,是香港歷史最悠久的本土旅遊雜誌。遺憾的是,陳溢晃月前急病離世,正剛和《旅行家》恐怕要停辦了。 陳溢晃離世,是香港旅行界的損失。 *研究本地史的寶貴資料...
    4 months ago
  • 翻译:巴迪欧《真理的内在性》第二章四种有限类型的辩证法 - 第二节 辩证法 就某一类消极有限性而言,这绝不是一个将无限性与有限性相对立的问题。因为所有真正的力量最终都需要在有限记录(registre )中运算。问题在于,要假设出一种积极有限性,而这种有限性不会成为无限性的消极废值。 一、主要假设 既然如此,我提出以下假设:要想有真正的活动,要想让有限的东西...
    2 years ago
  • 溫度日記 APP:用柔美的手繪插圖來療癒你的心、豐富你的手帳日記!(Android、iOS) - 無意中看到「溫度日記 Hearty Journal」,赫然驚覺,原來我們每天的生活早已被社群網站、即時聊天軟體攻佔已久,忘了有多久沒有靜下心來寫一段文字或是陳述自己的心靈告白,或為自己那荒蕪的一方天地灌溉過一滴水分呢? 吉娜承認自己心癢了!因為溫度日記不僅僅是日記網站、線上日記或是日記App,他更像是一個文字...
    2 years ago
  • 溫度日記 APP:用柔美的手繪插圖來療癒你的心、豐富你的手帳日記!(Android、iOS) - 無意中看到「溫度日記 Hearty Journal」,赫然驚覺,原來我們每天的生活早已被社群網站、即時聊天軟體攻佔已久,忘了有多久沒有靜下心來寫一段文字或是陳述自己的心靈告白,或為自己那荒蕪的一方天地灌溉過一滴水分呢? 吉娜承認自己心癢了!因為溫度日記不僅僅是日記網站、線上日記或是日記App,他更像是一個文字...
    2 years ago
  • 【藝術源於生活,但高於生活】 - ​ 【藝術源於生活,但高於生活】 脫口秀大會第四季的slogan「還是生活最幽默」,周奇墨決賽的段子顯示他對生活的敏銳觀察,加上深厚的表演經驗,更有第三季跌跌撞撞的表現,殺君馬者道旁兒的網路磨難,讓他從線下小劇場到線上綜藝節目表演的交換舞台,更小心拿捏那條線。更難得的是笑果文化在打造激烈的脫口秀大會喜劇擂台同時...
    2 years ago
  • John Cage: ASLSP(as slow as possible) - 在德国哈尔伯斯塔特的一座教堂里,一个不寻常的艺术事件正在进行,这个事件被称为「尽可能慢」。这并非一场普通的音乐会,而是由美国作曲家约翰·凯奇(John Cage)创作的一项持续时间长达数百年的音乐演出。 这个音乐演出的主角是一台巨大的管风琴(organ),位于哈尔伯斯塔特的圣母教堂内。这座管风琴被设计成每隔几...
    3 years ago
  • 林樹勛:馬吉〈臭屁〉的美感──兼讀其文集《時日悠悠》 - 馬吉文集《時日悠悠》,有一篇題為〈臭屁〉,全文如下: 兩口子睡在床上,意旺忽地在 … 繼續閱讀 →
    3 years ago
  • 蘇賡哲 : 他做不成杜月笙 - 杜月笙 舊書商回憶錄之四十 包括蔣介石在內,很多人喜歡和杜月笙稱兄道弟。因為任你有天大難題求助於他,他都若無其事,「閒話一句」就替你解决了。 當然,天下沒有白吃的午餐,但杜月笙的本事正在於,他要你還的人情債,即使是加倍奉還,必定是你還得起,樂於償還的。 奶路臣街有一位常作杜月笙狀的書商,他...
    3 years ago
  • 侶倫的《窮巷》 - 香港文苑書店1952年初版。書影來自香港中文大學圖書館。 香港文苑書店1952年初版。書影來自香港中文大學圖書館。 《窮巷》是侶倫第一部長篇小說,1948年動筆,隨寫隨刊於夏衍主編的《華商報》副刊《熱風》上,由1948年7月1日起,連載至8月22日止,共約3萬6千字。恰遇夏衍離開報館,新人上場,編輯方...
    3 years ago
  • 財富之城──威尼斯 - 剛讀完Roger Crowley(羅傑.克勞利)有關威尼斯共和國歷史的著作: City of Fortune: How Venice Won & Lost a Naval Empire (財富之城──威尼斯怎樣嬴取及失去其海上帝國)(台版:《財富之城──威尼斯共和國的海洋霸權》),作為我近年來閱讀地中海和威尼...
    5 years ago
  • 杭寧遊記 - 我的藏書裡有二部古籍和西湖相關,一是《御覽西湖志纂》,一是《西湖志》。
    5 years ago
  • 釐清香港議員取消資格案的法律概念:又名「跳出跳入打我呀笨蛋」然後被打 - 好多人真的不懂法律又要講法律。又有好多人以為只有香港才會有「人大釋法」。任何一個 … 繼續閱讀 →
    6 years ago
  • 照顧與創作 - 月前為谷淑美的攝影詩文集《流光.時黑》做了中文部分的編輯工作,實在因為是一種唇亡齒寒感。谷淑美的書,是關於她照顧年老患病的母親,過程中進而對母親生命、自己生命的發掘,轉化為攝影與文字創作。自己進入中年,身體開始變差,也進一步想到將來要照顧家人的責任,暗暗畏懼其龐大。於是,也就想通過進入谷淑美的歷程,讓自己學...
    6 years ago
  • - 暗夜小巴像搖骰,我們每個橫切面都刻了字,不知我們在終站會變成甚麼。或者是上帝,或者是狗。或者倒轉的日歷。紙張一天一天倒著依附,雨中有人望過來問:為甚麼不可以?聽到問題的人,心裡又虛又慌,因為撇除了時日的制裁,也沒有多麼費力。耗費也是不足夠的。如果真的有努力過的話,根本不會站在這裡。喂,他其實一早...
    6 years ago
  • 《別字》試刊號第二期出版﹗ - 立即下載:《別字》試刊號第二期 《字花》的網上純創作誌《別字》登場了! 「別字」一名,既有別冊之意,更寄望透過網上平台,另闢傳播門徑,開拓閱讀體驗。 暫定三個欄目,「透光」的作品從自由投稿中特別挑選,「有時」配合《字花》徵稿或另設新題,「極限」則專載萬字長篇。 試刊號第二期,以PDF形式呈現,供各位下載...
    6 years ago
  • 乌托邦遗迹 - [image: uploads/201510/18_114414_s1.1973peterderret.jpg] [水瓶节,宁宾,1973年。摄影:Peter Derret] 乌托邦遗迹 欧宁 宁宾(Nimbin)是澳大利亚新南威尔士东北部山区的一个小镇,因1973年举办水瓶节(Aquarius Fes...
    8 years ago
  • 「馬拉松 看世界」專頁 向世界馬拉松出發 - 如無意外,本周日我應該身在三藩巿,跑今年第五個外國比賽,也是人生第三十個馬拉松比賽(廿九個在香港以外)。雖然Blog有好一段日子沒有update,但跑步仍是繼續下去,這兩年尤其多,也去了俄羅斯、澳洲這些新國家、新大陸跑,是另一個飛躍期。 這些年的跑馬路上,有幸認識一些志同道合、見識廣博、洞察力強、對比賽有要...
    8 years ago
  • 自由路艱:再思肖友懷事件 - 文:野莩遣返或特赦肖友懷,無絕對之可不可行,但決定時當先考慮法理依據,而非道德情懷。我曾就此事詢問一位在入境處工作的朋友,她的答覆非常簡單:「1. 依法當遣返事主;2. 父母非港人,事主不能申請單程證;3. 除了酌情,事主無其他留港途徑。」那麼酌情先例會為制度開漏洞嗎?「Personally speaking...
    8 years ago
  • 烏蘭巴托的夜 - 《烏蘭巴托的夜》是首蒙古歌曲。蒙古的作曲家寫的,賈樟柯重新填了詞,左小祖咒改編,電影《世界》插曲(湖南台的字幕打錯了)。左小原版的就好聽,他少有的比較「正經」地演唱。譚版也不錯,大氣,聲情並茂。 左小改編演唱的《烏蘭巴托的夜》 賈樟柯電影片斷(趙濤演唱) 蒙古族樂隊杭蓋的版本 烏蘭巴托的夜 作詞:賈樟...
    8 years ago
  • 莉娜骑士在盘子上 - 1874年12月25日,一个女孩诞生在罗马北部小城维泰博的贫民窟,迷信说,这一天诞生的人有特别的命运,父母为她取名“娜塔莉娜”(Natalina ),因为“natale”是意大利语里的“圣诞节”。12 岁开始,她当过卖花姑娘、包装女工,生活虽然贫寒,好在她天赋歌喉,每天从早唱到晚。邻居一个音乐教师给她上...
    9 years ago
  • 欲望的事故 - 欲望的事故 顾文豪 特里林在《知性乃道德职责》一书中引述亚里士多德关于悲剧的定义,认为悲剧的主人公具有某种程度的、可进行自由选择的可能性,他“必须通过自己的道德状况来为自己的命运进行辩解”,而其道德状况并非十全十... *博客大巴,你的个人传媒早班车*
    10 years ago
  • 給《明報》 - 一口答應寫一篇給《明報》,箇中心情,猶如「償還」。 明明我沒有欠這報甚麼,稿債沒有,瓜葛沒有。 都是人情吧。多老套。 這些年來,跟《明報》的這些年來,救命,怎麼細數。 第一次認真寫稿刊登,已是2003年的事了。正是馬家輝博士邀請,給世紀版寫一篇關於「網上飄流的香港家書」。(私人回憶:先生有份跟我寫的。)一年過...
    10 years ago
  • 召喚 新春秋 - 召喚 新春秋 諸劍仙現身, 草草一刀 頓首
    10 years ago
  • 偶然的發現 - 很久沒在facebook上看到湯正川的post,早上偶然看到他與另一DJ的對談,發現這首歌,先放上來,待電腦回復正常,再仔細欣賞。
    10 years ago
  • 阿城:你这个名字怎么念? - *你这个名字怎么念?阿城 * 堪萨斯州多好农地,广大,略有起伏,种着苞谷。苞谷快收了,一般高矮,一片灰黄。不过从车里望出去,灰黄得实在单调,车开得愈久,愈单调。 偶有棉田。两个人坐在路边白房子前,有车开过去,瞥也不瞥,呆看着棉花地。 从后视镜里望他们,愈来愈小了。发什么呆呢?棉花出了问题?第一次种棉...
    10 years ago
  • - *Chapeau...!*Cock your hat - angles are attitudes (Sinatra) By Heinz Decker Hats seem to stimulate the imagination; maybe because they are a prolongatio...
    11 years ago
  • 閱讀讓我質疑制度 - [本訪問稿乃〈不可能所有的真實都出現在你的攝影機前──賈樟柯、杜海濱訪談〉的第一部份。訪問稿全文網上版見以下網頁: http://leftfilm.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/jiaduinterview1/ http://leftfilm.wordpress.com/2012/07/17...
    11 years ago
  • 蜚聲卓越在書林──蘇州文育山房 - 蘇州的氣候溫潤,步調舒緩,水道與巷弄縱橫交錯,教人一來到此便安下心來。城裡的平江街區,從宋代便已經存在,以今日留存的巷弄來看,八百年來的格局規劃變化並不大,只是範圍縮小許多。而就在這僅存的街區裡,留下的不只是悠悠時光,亦有不少哲人賢士駐守的痕跡。書癡黃丕烈的百宋一廛、史學家顧頡剛的顧氏花園、清代狀元洪...
    12 years ago
  • 當世界留下二行詩 宣傳BV - 當世界留下二行詩瓦歷斯.諾幹Walis.Nokan本書以極簡的形式,現代詩行的排列,挑戰詩藝和語境的實驗風格觀察視角從台灣的土地與家園,擴及到族群、社會乃至世界的關懷。動情至深,引發共鳴,為作者近年來最新創意力作!短短的二行詩,宛如「芥子納須彌」激起無限想像空間,是一本趣意盎然、值得珍藏的現代詩集。向陽、李...
    12 years ago
  • V城系列明信片 - 圖:by 智海 and 楊智恆
    12 years ago
  • 【世界眼系列特别活动】迈克尔•桑德尔:公正,该如何做是好? - *迈克尔•桑德尔:公正,该如何做是好? Justice:What's the Right Thing to Do?* *开始时间:* 2011年5月21日 周六 13:45 *结束时间:* 2011年5月21日 周六 17:00 *地点:* 上海 长宁区上海市天山路356号长宁区图书馆10楼报告厅(地铁2...
    12 years ago
  • 诗歌是飞行术,散文是步兵 - *诗歌是飞行术,散文是步兵顾文豪* *刊于《南方都市报——阅读周刊》2009年10月11日* 在众多优秀诗人看来,散文不是适合他们展露才思表陈感情的文体,偶然为之,亦不过如布罗茨基所说的是一种“以其他方式延续的诗歌”。他还有另一个比喻———诗歌是飞行术,散文则是步兵。 是的,诗人兴许能在...
    14 years ago
  • 《般若波罗蜜多心经》印存 - 《般若波罗蜜多心经》印存 般若波罗蜜多心经 35*35*138mm 薄意山水巴林红丝冻石 观自在菩萨 26*35*80mm 貔貅钮巴林黄冻石 行深般若波罗蜜多时 30*38*90mm 貔貅钮巴林冻石 照见五蕴皆空 33*33*114mm 螭钮巴林黄彩石 度一切苦厄 25*2...
    15 years ago

Thursday, January 23, 2014

http://m.xuite.net/#/blog/fryuan1954/wretch

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

最後歲月的山水茶寮

3,695
■也斯溫暖的笑容長留讀者和至親好友心中。
跟也斯相交超過二十五年的何慶基,說他其實跟也斯是先師後友,當他還是中學生時,對一位非主流的作家端木蕻良很着迷,他發現中大有校外課程講述這作家的作品,一時引為知音,而授課的正是當年的也斯。
後來,成年了的何慶基因合作認識了也斯,更成了好友。他告訴也斯,「我是你的學生。」也斯說他當然不記得,他教過的學生這麼多。相認不成功,但他們的公私情誼卻從此展開。在也斯病重的最後一年,仍然跟何慶基互動頻繁,更主動找他傾辦展覽的事。「朋友有病,仍然找你談展覽,心裏其實很難受。」何慶基說。但兩人還是把難受放下,看看有甚麼可以做。
也斯從前很喜歡呼朋喚友,但病重的最後歲月卻減少了太熱鬧的場面,也少了大班友好去品嚐美食。何慶基記得跟也斯最後一次出外吃飯,那時的也斯偏好清淡,熱鬧如昔的大榮華飯局未必適合這時期的他,所以何慶基選擇跟也斯去大帽山飲茶。「我和他去了大帽山的川龍村,那兒高山流水,很適合他。」
安靜無爭的地方,兩人還是聊個不停,一如以往。何慶基說:「也斯走後我才發覺,原來我沒有幾個朋友可以那樣暢快、天馬行空的聊天。有些人太認真,有些人愛賣弄,純真不計較如也斯的很少。他是個思想上、創意上無界線的人。」話畢,何慶基的神情不無落寞惋惜。「也斯可以認真跟你討論豬油拌飯,也可以想出辦『鬼文化節』。那時已是距離他過世前數月的日子。」而直到在他離開前的最後對話中,兩人仍認真的討論過寫評論的人,「他批評有些人當自己是上帝,過於高高在上。」飯後,兩人在茶樓附近散步,看到一片綠油油的西洋菜田。也斯對眼前畫面充滿好奇心,他看到田裏有一個農婦踏着木條在收割西洋菜,便興致勃勃的拉住何慶基看人割菜,看完還買了大把新鮮西洋菜,說這個菜一定很清甜。何慶基記得那是個帶有陽光的冬日,天氣很好,清涼中又有溫暖的陽光。雖然也斯在病重中,還是和好友一同偷得一片靜好小日子。
後來,也斯的《普羅旺斯的漢詩》出版,何慶基在當中發現了這首《採綠》,「原來也斯回去把這次的相聚寫成了詩。雖然他沒有明言同行對象,但卻把我也留在他的詩裏,這是我的榮幸。」在病中仍能觀察入微並把感受化成詩,這就是好友口中經常提到的熱情的詩人。

鍾愛大榮華炒苦瓜

何慶基說也斯「為食」,愛在飯桌上邊享受美食,邊天南地北,很多計劃更在這些飯局中想出來的。「在他離世前數個月,我們合作了『鬼文化節』,這個意念便是吃飯時想出來。他是香港唯一可以將整個文化界串連一起的人。」何慶基回想:「他愛去元朗大榮華,每回飽餐一頓便叫『韜哥』(梁文韜)出來跟席上賓客交流。也斯愛吃甚麼,找韜哥一定知。」原來也斯和梁文韜相交十年有多。也斯吃得雜,自從到過大榮華,便特別欣賞圍村菜。韜哥說:「那時也斯不但自己來吃飯,也跟其他教授如劉紹銘一起來,甚至有海外交流團來香港,他也會帶人來我這兒。」也斯對韜哥的廚藝欣賞不容置疑。「豉汁生炒苦瓜和家鄉蒸芋泥是指定菜式,其餘則全由我話事。外邊很多苦瓜用切碎的豆豉來炒,但我是用原粒豆豉,他最欣賞這點。」
也斯欣賞的並不只是韜哥的廚藝,也欣賞他是「另類廚房佬」,不只廚藝好,對飲食典故知識豐富,也斯也在梁文韜多本書中寫序,還在《人間滋味》中寫過一篇「韜哥的藝術」,說如果有學生不知寫甚麼題材,去找韜哥吧,總會有故事可寫:「不僅是因為鄉情掌故,在背後我還希望他們通過飲食,看到上一輩敬業的藝術和人情的寬厚。」

也斯生平

梁秉鈞(1949-2013),筆名也斯,是一個對不同事物充滿好奇和熱情的旅人,亦是一位教育家。他的作品形式不拘,詩歌、散文、小說,也作繙譯、文學評論和研究,亦同時涉獵攝影、錄像,以文字配合影像或其他媒介,對推動本土文化不遺餘力。
《回看,也斯》展覽主要分兩部份,展期由一月十日至一月二十八日。在香港中央圖書館有《游──也斯的旅程》,由何慶基負責,作品由也斯遺孀吳熙斌選出,以也斯舊作為主,也有百多件也斯與友人的文學藝術互動創作,其中對香港的殖民地身份也有不少記錄和探討。
另一部份致敬展覽《也斯*吾友──跨媒介回應展》則在藝穗會展出,策展人謝俊興找來也斯朋友、學生,及被他作品影響很深的後輩加入致敬行列。

Friday, January 3, 2014

Tokyo's a book lover's dream

If life' an open book, then Tokyo is a veritable bookstore. From tiny little kiosks in train stations to mega chains in Shinjuku, Tokyo's a book lover's dream. From art books and Arabic to smuggling and science fiction, this city's bookstores have it in any language. This week John Paul Catton gives us chapter and verse on where bookworms need to go.
English-language bookstores in TokyoBuy the book
By John Paul Catton 


GOOD DAY BOOKS

The jewel in the crown of Tokyo's secondhand book world, and a must-visit for anyone looking for bargains. It has 30,000 used books and 7000 new, mostly in English. An extensive section of secondhand books on Japan includes language texts, for those who want to get started on nihongo, but don't want to pay a small fortune. For people with books they don't need, Good Day trades and offers a credit voucher good for one year. Books can be ordered; how long it takes depends on the publisher.
Bargains: Paperbacks between 400 and 700 yen. Some good quality hardbacks for 1000 yen
Most Bizarre Find: "The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them"
Where to Find it: Exit JR Ebisu station by the Beckers burger place on the side opposite the escalators. Turn right, then left down the road with Sanwa Bank on its corner. Turn right again, walk past the Subway shop, and Good Day Books is opposite the Kygnus store. Ebisu 1-11-2, 3F, Shibuya-ku. Open: 11am-8pm, Sun and holidays 11am-6pm, closed Tue. Tel: 5421-0957. Fax: 5421-0958



SHOSHINDO

This little gem in Shibuya is for the antique hunter. It has over 2000 books in English and other European languages (a lot of German). There are scholarly reference works, very old books and very good value. There are also boxes of cheap paperbacks and stacks of what look like new hardbacks.
Bargains: A 1924 edition of Sir James Frazer's "The Golden Bough" for 2000 yen - the same price as a brand new hardback copy of "Sophie's World"
Most Bizarre Find: "50 Works of English Literature We Can Do Without," a hysterical attack on just about everyone
Where to Find it: 
From Shibuya east exit walk over the road and go down Miyamasu-zaka. Walk past the main Shibuya Post Office; it's on the same side, opposite Nisseki garage. 1-8-7, 1F, Shibuya-ku. Open 10am-6:30pm. Tel: 3400-6046



ARBAN

This really is a curiosity: a store providing new and used books on just about every fetish you can think of. The War/ Military section takes up most of the shop, and ties in with the models, stamps, and coins available to collectors. The shop also stocks martial arts books (and a number of Bruce Lee fanzines) and, as the choices get progressively weirder, survivalist instruction manuals, American underground comics, and racks of mondo porno videos. Some books in French and German, and quite a few in Arabic.
Bargains: 
The stock is mostly in hardback, ranging from 1200 to 5000 yen for large or older editions.
Most bizarre find: 
"Sneak It Through: Smuggling Made Easier"
Where to find it: From Shibuya Hachiko exit, walk down Fire Dori towards Tower Records. Arban is on the same side, in the basement of the Taiseido bookstore building. 1-22-4 Jinnan, B1, Shibuya-ku. Open 10am-8pm daily. Tel: 3461-3419

JENA

Jena is not a secondhand bookstore, but it does have one section which is set aside for paperbacks at half-price. This section is near the escalator, and opposite the bestseller display. The rest of the shop holds 50,000 new books in English and some European languages, plus a very good selection of books on films.
Bargains: Paperbacks in the sale section are 700 yen, although some large trade paperbacks were 1000 yen
Most bizarre find: "If You Think You Have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)"
Where to find it: Leave Ginza station by exit B3. You'll see the entrance to Jena directly across the alleyway. 5-6-1 Ginza 3F, Chuo-ku. Open 11am-8pm, Mon-Sat; 12-7pm Sun/ holidays. Tel: 3571-2908



bookstore  image 1
TOWER BOOKS/ TOWER RECORDS

Probably the best choice for new books in Tokyo, and a very impressive range of magazines. Most are in English, and though they can't order books, they do have a wildly eclectic selection.
Most Bizarre Find: Check out the street culture section for titles like "The Anarchist's Cookbook" and "The Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide."
Where to Find it: Exit Shibuya station and turn right. Cross the road and walk down Fire Dori. You can't miss it. Open 10am-10pm daily. Tel: 3496-3661



BOOK CLUB KAI

Specializes in psychology and New Age subjects. Mostly Japanese, but one wall is devoted to English books and obscure magazines. They stock about 2000 English books and can order from the US.
Most Bizarre Find: "From Coherent Tunneling to Relaxation"
Where to Find it: From Gaienmae station walk along Aoyama Dori towards Akasaka. Walk past Doutor Coffee and turn right at the pharmacy. It's on the right side of the alleyway. 2-14-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 3430-1926. Open 12-8pm daily. Closed New Year holidays
EXTRA, EXTRA!!
Other places to read all about it...

KINOKUNIYA BOOKSTORE
Takashimaya Times Square Building (Annex), 6F
South ExitShinjuku
Tel: 5361-3301
Open 10am-8pm daily

Perhaps the largest selection of books in foreign languages, they claim to stock one million, and can order more from the UK and US. The Annex is directly behind Takashimaya, a department store opposite Shinjuku station. There's also a branch in Shibuya, on the 5th floor of Tokyu Plaza, Shibuya station south exit

MARUZEN
2-3-10 Nihonbashi, 2/4F
Chuo-ku
Tel: 3272-7211
Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat and 10am-6pm Sun/holidays

Probably the second largest selection of books. French, German, Italian and Spanish available. They can order from the UK and US. Children's books on the 4th floor. Take B3 exit at Nihonbashi and you'll come up right inside the store.

BIBLOS
F1 Building., 5F
1-26-5 Takadanobaba,
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 3200-4531
Open 10am-9pm Mon-Sat and 10am-8pm Sun/holidays

About 30,000 books, mostly in English. Large resource section for keen English teachers (yikes!). The F1 building faces the Waseda exit of Takadanobaba station.


FIONA BOOKS
Solofiole Jiyugaoka Building, 1F
5-4-5 Okusawa
Setagaya-ku
Tel: 3721-8186
Open 11am-8pm daily

Claims to stock Tokyo's largest selection of children's books. Exit Jiyugaoka station by the north exit. Walk down Shirakaba shopping street, turn left and cross the railway tracks. Take the third turn on the left.
AOYAMA BOOK CENTER

Although the main branch of this store is in Aoyama (naturally), it's not that well stocked, and anyway most gaijin are probably familiar with the one in Roppongi. They carry about 1000 English books and magazines, and are open very late. Branches in Hiroo, Jiyugaoka, Tennozu and Shinjuku.
Where to Find it: The Roppongi branch is across the street from Almond, next to the koban. The Aoyama branch is on Aoyama Dori, behind the United Nations University building. Roppongi Denki Bldg. 1F, 6-1-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Tel: 3479-0479. Open 10am-5:30pm Mon-Sat and 10am-10pm Sun/ holidays


KANDA/ JIMBOCHO

Tokyo residents will soon become familiar with this name, because it's the neighborhood where the Japanese rare and antique book dealers are all clustered. The 133 bookstores are renowned for Edo period (and prohibitively expensive) publications, paintings, maps and wood block prints, but there are several places of great interest to literary-minded gaijin. If you have an afternoon free to browse (except Sundays, when most are closed), here's where to go.


KITAZAWA BOOKSTORE

You can't fail to notice this one. Set back from the street is a massive glass granite front, with a brass-railed staircase leading up to the rare books section on the second floor. A small plaza outside holds boxes of paperbacks at bargain prices. Inside, the mahogany bookcases and marble floor foster a scholarly atmosphere, confirmed by the shop's emphasis on literature and nonfiction reference works. There's a couch for browsers on the first floor and a special reader's room on the second for those interested in the valuable first editions. They have 40,000 new books and 30,000 secondhand. They also buy books. You can order from the UK and the US; it takes about six weeks.
Bargains: Paperbacks outside for about 500 yen, new books inside for 2000 to 5000 yen. Upstairs are some bargains, such as a 1930's edition of Shelley's poetry for 1200 yen
Most Bizarre Find: "An Examination of Elizabethan Handwriting"
Where to Find it: Leave Jimbocho station and cross Hakusen Dori for five minutes; Kitazawa is on the left. 2-5 Jimbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Open: 10am-6pm, closed Sun. Tel: 3263-0011. Fax: 3263-0015
ISSEIDO BOOKSELLERS

Climb the marble staircase and you'll find Isseido's rare and used book section. The shop specializes in antique works on Japan and the "mysterious Orient". The selection is mostly in English, and it's not as expensive as it looks. They order books from the UK and the US, but it can take over two months.
Bargains: Carl Jung's "Man and His Symbols" and other nonfiction paperbacks for under 2000 yen
Most Bizarre Find: "Chats on the Old Tobacco Jars"
Where to Find it: Almost directly opposite Jimbocho station main exit. 1-7 Jimbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-6:30pm, 10:30am-6:30pm national holidays, closed Sun. Tel: 3292-0072. Fax: 3292-0076



MATSUMURA AND COMPANY

The store inside specializes in art books, mostly in English, some very expensive. However, outside on the pavement there are bins overflowing with cheap paperbacks and recent American comics. There seems to be no order here; the best thing to do is just have a good rummage.
Bargains: Paperbacks and comics for about 500 to 1000 yen
Most Bizarre Find: The smiling faces on the cover of "The Brady Bunch Annual 1967"
Where to Find it: See Tuttle. 1-7 Jimbocho 1F, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Open: 10:30am-6pm, closed Sun and national holidays. Tel: 3295-5678


CHARLES E. TUTTLE AND CO


This store is the office of the long-established publishing company, specializing in books on Japan. Although the first floor is new books, upstairs are boxes of paperbacks, mainly novels, at reduced prices. Watch out for those elbows, though; it can be a bit of a scrum.
Bargains: All paperbacks in the boxes are 700 yen
Most Bizarre Find: "The A-Z of Punk", in lurid pink fake leopard skin cover
Where to Find it: Both Tuttle and Matsumara (above) are on Yasukuni Dori, further along from Isseido, going away from Hakusen Dori. 1-11 Jimbocho, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Open: 10:30am-6:30pm (including national holidays), closed Sun. Tel: 3291-7071

GINKEIDO


Pretty much the same deal as Matsumara and Co. Inside, a large number of art books and a scattering of used English nonfiction books mixed in with the Japanese. Outside, shelves and bookcases of secondhand hardbacks at reasonable prices. They order books, but only from the US, and it can take a long time.
Bargains: "The SF Encyclopedia" and other hefty volumes for 1000 yen
Most Bizarre Find: "Michael Jackson's Guide to Beer"
Where to Find it: Past Tuttle, Yasukuni Dori bends to the right. Cross over Ochanomizu Dori intersection and keep going straight. Ginkeido is on the right. 3-1 Ogawamachi, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku. Open: 10:30am-7pm, closed Sun. Tel: 3291-5081. Fax: 3291-4155

Thursday, January 2, 2014

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

By Emily Temple on 

[Editor's note: In celebration of the holidays, we're counting down the top 12 Flavorwire features of 2012. This post, at #1, was originally published January 31.] With Amazon slowly taking over the publishing world and bookstores closing left and right, things can sometimes seem a little grim for the brick and mortar booksellers of the world. After all, why would anyone leave the comfort of their couch to buy a book when with just a click of a button, they could have it delivered to their door? Well, here’s why: bookstores so beautiful they’re worth getting out of the house (or the country) to visit whether you need a new hardcover or not. We can’t overestimate the importance of bookstores — they’re community centers, places to browse and discover, and monuments to literature all at once — so we’ve put together a list of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, from Belgium to Japan to Slovakia. Just so you know now, all you bookstore fiends: neither the Strand nor Powell’s is on this list. They’re both great bookstores, of course, but not particularly pretty (at least in our minds), and thus disqualified. Click through to see our picks for the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and as always, if we’ve left off your favorite, be sure to add to the collection in the comments! 
A gorgeous converted Dominican church gives the power of reading its due diligence. Selexyz Bookstore, Maastricht, Holland
Modern design at its finest in a store full of art books. The Bookàbar Bookshop, Rome, Italy
We love the stairs as reading and display area, the wall-to-wall bookshelves, and the simple, clean design. Plural Bookshop, Bratislava, Slovakia
This divine neo-gothic bookstore, opened in 1906, contains what we consider to be the ultimate definition of a stairway to heaven. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
Somehow, this bookstore manages to be both whimsical and slightly macabre all at once. Cook & Book, Brussels, Belgium
There’s magic in the air at this English-language bookstore in Beijing. Bookworm, Beijing, China
This majestic converted 1920s movie palace uses theatre boxes for reading rooms and draws thousands of tourists every year. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina [images via and via]
How could any kid (or adult, for that matter) resist those delicious reading nooks? Poplar Kid’s Republic, Beijing, China
This is a bookstore that seems to be made almost entirely out of books — down to its dramatic front doors. Livraria da Vila, Sao Paulo, Brazil [photos via]
For those who like their green spaces (and coffee shops) to invade their bookstores. Cafebreria El Pendulo, Mexico City, Mexico [photos via]
For those browsers not as impressed by architecture as they are by the beauty of books upon books upon books in narrow hallways — not to mention a place to nap. Shakespeare & Company, Paris, France [photovia]
The huge space, high ceilings and stately pillars make for a lovely reading experience. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, CA
For sailors and beach readers alike, this sun-kissed bookstore is a little less ostentatious than some of the others on this list, but no less lovely. Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece
The biggest outdoor bookstore in the world, this photo doesn’t really do the place justice — it’s all about the view. Bart’s Books, Ojai, California [photo via]
The bookstore section of the larger complex dedicated to art and design certainly lives up to its mission. Corso Como Bookshop, Milan, Italy
We’re suckers for rounded ceilings and decorative lighting. Barter Books, Alnwick, UK [photos via]
This beautifully designed space has surprising shapes, cleverly constructed nooks and crannies and even a tree or two. The American Book Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands [photo via]
Almost utilitarian but filled with simple old-world grace, this store is a little like what we might imagine our ideal ship’s main cabin to look like. VVG Something, Taipei, Taiwan
This store has a flying bike and books to the ceiling. Need we say more? Ler Devagar, Lisbon, Portugal
This slick, super-modern store benefits from clean design and charming flourishes of light and mirrors. Daikanyama T-Site, Tokyo, Japan