While the debate continues on whether print is on its way out and the collection of books at popular bookstore chains dwindles in favour of toys and stationery, there are still champions of the written word – Kitab Khana and Wayword and Wise – working to ensure bookworms get their fill. Adding to the list are two new bookstores and libraries that have recently set up shop, offering access to both popular fiction as well as indie content from India and abroad.
Underground Bookhouse
Founded by Himanshu S and Aqui Thami, Bombay Underground is a collective of artists and activists who produce and publish indie-zines and are behind social community projects such as Dharavi Art. A couple of years ago, they bought scores of secondhand books from the popular vendors at Flora Fountain in Fort after they were removed from the pavements. While they’ve set up a couple of small libraries over the years, including a small one at The Hive, the books now have a new home in a tiny refurbished garage behind Bandra’s Taj Mahal Tea House. The space functions as both a bookstore and a library with memberships available on a bi-annual basis wherein you’re permitted to borrow one book and a magazine at a time.
You’ll find mostly secondhand copies here, but well-maintained one in good condition. Sharing space with popular titles such as Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom and Mockingjay – the last installment of The Hunger Games – is a good collection of literary fiction, self-help books, graphic novels and a sizeable selection of books on art and photography. You’ll also find the collective’s quirky self-published zines with interesting artwork and intriguing titles such as The ABCs of Anarchy and Adventures of a Reluctant Superhero here. The duo plans to open up the space for independent artists to showcase their work. Currently, there’s artwork by Himanshu S on display, while an exhibition with works inspired by Van Gogh from the Dharavi Art Room was also recently held here.
Cost: Rs 1,500 for six months with an additional deposit of Rs 1,500 (for membership); books retail from Rs 50 onwards
Timings: 3 pm to 9 pm (Tuesday-Friday, closed on Monday); noon to 9 pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Contact: +91 9821209085/9773361243
Paper Planes
A project initially run out of founder and ex-lawyer Nupur Joshi’s home, Paper Planes was started as a way to introduce independent publications from around the world to Indian audiences. Their main offering is a subscription service – you can sign up for a monthly, half-yearly or annual package, pick your preferred genre, and they’ll send you a fresh title each month – while you can choose from a selection of titles from the online store as well. At their new studio in Fort, you can browse through a collection of indie titles personally curated by Joshi. We’re informed that they’re different from the ones sent out to subscribers, though some may be added a few months after they’ve been dispatched. Whether your interests lie in food and travel or pop culture, maybe even fashion and design – then there’s plenty to hold your attention. We were introduced to the innovative adventure-themed Avaunt, the gorgeously produced travel and style mag Cereal and Edinburgh-based Hot Rum Cow that’s dedicated to drinks and the people behind them. We were also pleased to find copies of food and lifestyle journal Lucky Peach and the interview-centric Mono.Kultur from Berlin. They’ve got a few local indie titles including design magazine Kyoorius, long-form culture champion Motherland and Gaysi Zine from LGBTQ focussed collective Gaysi Family. Visit with plenty of time on your hands and steely resolve to not empty your wallet before the next pay day!
Cost: Rs 1,350 onwards (subscription); individual magazines retail from Rs 1,000 onwards
Timings: 10.30 am to 6 pm
Contact: 022-22078034
While the debate continues on whether print is on its way out and the collection of books at popular bookstore chains dwindles in favour of toys and stationery, there are still champions of the written word – Kitab Khana and Wayword and Wise – working to ensure bookworms get their fill. Adding to the list are two new bookstores and libraries that have recently set up shop, offering access to both popular fiction as well as indie content from India and abroad.
Underground Bookhouse
Founded by Himanshu S and Aqui Thami, Bombay Underground is a collective of artists and activists who produce and publish indie-zines and are behind social community projects such as Dharavi Art. A couple of years ago, they bought scores of secondhand books from the popular vendors at Flora Fountain in Fort after they were removed from the pavements. While they’ve set up a couple of small libraries over the years, including a small one at The Hive, the books now have a new home in a tiny refurbished garage behind Bandra’s Taj Mahal Tea House. The space functions as both a bookstore and a library with memberships available on a bi-annual basis wherein you’re permitted to borrow one book and a magazine at a time.
You’ll find mostly secondhand copies here, but well-maintained one in good condition. Sharing space with popular titles such as Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom and Mockingjay – the last installment of The Hunger Games – is a good collection of literary fiction, self-help books, graphic novels and a sizeable selection of books on art and photography. You’ll also find the collective’s quirky self-published zines with interesting artwork and intriguing titles such as The ABCs of Anarchy and Adventures of a Reluctant Superhero here. The duo plans to open up the space for independent artists to showcase their work. Currently, there’s artwork by Himanshu S on display, while an exhibition with works inspired by Van Gogh from the Dharavi Art Room was also recently held here.
Cost: Rs 1,500 for six months with an additional deposit of Rs 1,500 (for membership); books retail from Rs 50 onwards
Timings: 3 pm to 9 pm (Tuesday-Friday, closed on Monday); noon to 9 pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Contact: +91 9821209085/9773361243
Paper Planes
A project initially run out of founder and ex-lawyer Nupur Joshi’s home, Paper Planes was started as a way to introduce independent publications from around the world to Indian audiences. Their main offering is a subscription service – you can sign up for a monthly, half-yearly or annual package, pick your preferred genre, and they’ll send you a fresh title each month – while you can choose from a selection of titles from the online store as well. At their new studio in Fort, you can browse through a collection of indie titles personally curated by Joshi. We’re informed that they’re different from the ones sent out to subscribers, though some may be added a few months after they’ve been dispatched. Whether your interests lie in food and travel or pop culture, maybe even fashion and design – then there’s plenty to hold your attention. We were introduced to the innovative adventure-themed Avaunt, the gorgeously produced travel and style mag Cereal and Edinburgh-based Hot Rum Cow that’s dedicated to drinks and the people behind them. We were also pleased to find copies of food and lifestyle journal Lucky Peach and the interview-centric Mono.Kultur from Berlin. They’ve got a few local indie titles including design magazine Kyoorius, long-form culture champion Motherland and Gaysi Zine from LGBTQ focussed collective Gaysi Family. Visit with plenty of time on your hands and steely resolve to not empty your wallet before the next pay day!
Cost: Rs 1,350 onwards (subscription); individual magazines retail from Rs 1,000 onwards
Timings: 10.30 am to 6 pm
Contact: 022-22078034