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Calling all bookworms
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Did you know that Coimbatore offers you a host of options if it is reading matter you are looking for? Monica Francis investigates
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FOR READERS Reaching out PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY
There is something magical about the world of books. It is riveting and addictive. Coimbatore has several watering holes for the bookworm. Unsung, unadvertised and even unglamorous, these are the places readers go for "soul food".
Two old book bazaars, one at Ukkadam and the other at Townhall are veritable treasure troves. There is nothing snazzy or upmarket about them. They are dusty, musty, but have a king's ransom of reading matter there.
Old is gold
While new books are available the second hand books are the main attraction. Textbooks, novels and magazines and if you have the patience to wade in and dig around, you could just come up with a rare collector's item. For voracious readers whose wallets cannot keep up with their thirst for books this is book heaven — affordable, out of print publications and best of all non-intrusive and patient booksellers. The Cheran Book House, AA Book Gallery and Higginbotham are favourite haunts for study material.
Borrow it
Another great place to read is the library. If you are looking for study related material, the SIMA Diamond jubilee Trust Academic Library is great. Around 600 project related reference material for both U.G and P.G students are available here.
The library subscribes to 67 periodicals and several newspapers. It also procures books on request for members. The membership fee is Rs 500 and this is refundable. Some regular members like N.R. Sampath, an advocate, swear by this library. "I like this library because I can find a good collection of journals under one roof," he says. The library is to be refurbished says librarian Shridharan who feels libraries should not be treated as a museum of old books, but should be updated periodically. The vast Central Library retains its old-world flavour. Established in 1952 it has a separate section for children and study rooms for aspiring IAS/IPS candidates and other professionals. Books and dictionaries in several languages and a collection of gazettes are available here.
At the Town Hall library there are several study rooms, besides internet facility. It is well stocked with Tamil books.
One of the oldest members is an 81-year old man! For those preferring lending libraries, the Choose and Read library is the ultimate hangout.
It has a wide range of books from Tintin and Asterix to biographies and old classics as well as best sellers and books of historical interest.
Interactive
If one can afford new books, then Anaweshana on Avanashi Road and Odyssey at R.S. Puram are perfect. Odyssey often has interactive sessions with authors and book lovers.
J.S Rajan who co-authored the book "India 2020" with President Abdul Kalam was invited to the shop to interact with students.
Similarly Karadi Tales, had an interactive session with school kids here.
Harry Potter has attracted young readers says Amirthanathan, of Odyssey.
The store stocks books in various disciplines from cuisine and computers to children's literature and Indian writing. It also procures books on demand.
Great bargains
Anweshana occasionally has a bargain section where one can get good deals.
But the perennial book sales are the real steal. There is one very frequently at the Rathna Regent and the permanent Choose And Read Book Exhibition at Town Hall has a staggering 1,00,000 English and Tamil books up for grabs.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
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Kochi
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