There are few free indulgences in life like curling up in a corner with good story and a cup of hot cocoa. But just like everything else, the habit of reading needs to be developed and cultivated. Avid readers will tell you that having a daily session of book time is the best way to go even if it is only 10-15 minutes. However, weekend-only reading is just as effective.
It can also be a fun activity to go book hunting too. I understand that we live in a time when you can google a topic, find an interesting book, purchase it and have it sent to your e-reader or tablet all in under ten minutes, without ever having to leave your couch. But there are two problems with this scenario. First, buying books can become very expensive quite quickly. Second, despite my deep love of cutting-edge technology, I sometimes miss the tactile enjoyment of reading a paper book.
There is a third often forgotten problem, discarding books is terrible for the planet. Enter the used bookstore, a solution for all three problems. We have two fantastic stores in Kuwait that offer a wide variety of second-hand books; Q8books and Better Books.
Q8books can be found in DAI’s Yarmouk Cultural Center and is a haven for book lovers. The kids and contemporary fiction selections are fantastic. Better Books in Salmiya has a great collection of Non-fiction and Sci-Fi books on the shelves. They also have the cutest, grumpiest white Persian cat that is open to belly rubs if you are deemed worthy. Both stores offer a credit system that allows you to drop off your read books and get a discount on the books you are picking up. Better Books is also a great community hub where you can find yoga classes, music lessons and many other different events that happen all year round.
Both stores only accept books in good condition, so no need to worry about buying a damaged book, but still keep in mind that some of them might show some slight wear and tear. But my favorite thing is the little things you find between the pages. From ticket stubs to notes and unique bookmarks to postcards.
Popular books are always easier to find because more people have read them and are ready to part with them. Classics are another easy to find genre because they have been in circulation for longer and are often part of school curriculums, and students cannot get rid of them fast enough.
Acquiring the books is the easiest part. The more challenging thing is to get through it. So only choose the books you love and want to read. Let go of the ones that are not bringing you joy and move on. Weekends are the best time to read for beginners. If you fall in love with a story and don’t want to put it down, the larger blocks of free time will help you keep going. Take your book to a café, you will get more reading done and look intellectual and smart to the outside world. And once you are done and if you liked it, pass it on to a friend or take it back to your favorite used bookstore.
Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash.
