Hi book lovers, I wonder where is your preference in a peace afternoon to chill with your books?

Let say Pacific coffees? Starbucks? Bookstores? or if there are really one place designed for book lover with decent environment?

No library please. There are ain't comfortable enough.

I read quickest when I'm at home but occasionally go to starbucks

Aside from my own place, my friend's. ;D

at home because save money...sometime Starbucks if too boring haha

The sofa at Sunway Pyramid, Ground floor near La Senza is quite comfortable to sit and read too.

Do you like a cafe with a laid back environment where you can relax and read your books?

With a light music?

Do you enjoy such place or you prefer reading at home in your comfortable pj?

yes. I love it. Do you have a any suggestion? Book renting place is just too dirty liao. macam stor liao. haha

Sorry for summoning you like this

I dont hv any suggestion, only that i want to operate a cafe like the one i describe, only an idea so far

A laid back cafe where you are charge per entry, with a range of book/mags to read or rent. Light music at the background

But i dunno whether to serve a drink and pastries as it might end up on the book

Tq for your input anyway

Can I give my thoughts...

I like the idea in theory but recommend against charging per entry. Instead you should sell coffee/tea and pastries. You can make money via these sales instead.

I understand why you might worry about drinks spilling on the books but if you don't offer F&B, you're essentially a library. The best thing to do is to invest in magazines and second hand books. There's no point in buying new books as they'll get worn down petty quickly anyway; second hand books is the way as well as a bin/shelf for customers to donate books. Also, encourage your customers to practice Book Crossing (bookcrossing.com). So maybe keep a shelf empty for book crossers. This will also attract tourists who are hunting for books.

Above all though, the most important thing is LOCATION. The location needs to be:
Accessible area for tourists
Accessible by public transport (LRT or Monorail preferred)


The reason for the above --- tourists especially backpackers are avid readers. Public transport important for not just tourists but also good place to "stumble upon" your cafe and also good to avoid congestion in KL. Plus, easy for students without cars.

Also, make sure your food tastes good and don't sell anything with strong smells

Oh, and social media is your friend. Invite the SJ, USJ, PJ, etc book clubs to have a session at your joint.

Any opinion are welcome

But as a logical thinking, how will i get my income if i dont charge them per entry? Once you paid, you are free to seat until we are close and read as much book as you can. Definitely i cant avoid selling coffe and pastries. Selling coffee and pastry will be fraction of the income i guess, i believe for each coffee a guest buying it will last atleast 2hours...

Yes, i will try to get a 2nd hand book as well a new book. A new release and also hot selling book. I'll try to look into this book crossing stuff

Location is definitely the main stuff to look into. Easy access and ample parking will be one of the main point. Or maybe provide a timely shuttle? Maybe i can provide something like a request box for which book they like to read?

If this idea become a reality, i'll invite any book club known for the opening

My concern is that you might spend a lot of money buying new books that would eat into your profits.

It might be good to see how many people come in to read a book from the cafe or come in with their own book for the ambience (ambience is important). Hence why I suggested targeting book clubs as you wouldn't need to supply the books and they will make purchases of your F&B.

Beer Hive or E-Library @ ss2 mall.

Yes, i agree ambience is really importance for the reading mood

So, im just providing the place with a small amount of book? Pastry and coffee as main income?

That would be my plan if I were you. And realise that your books will continue to grow as you gain customers. Many people from book clubs give away books regularly.

They do?

Tqvm for those input you gave

Will try to expand my idea and make it a reality some day...

This is interesting, looking forward to it...its a nice change is scenery to actually be somewhere to read

It's also a lot more fun to read where others are reading too. See someone reading a book you love? Strike up a conversation offer coffee. I'd sign up for sure.

It's a good way to promote the reading culture here,
its lacking but once these outlets become a trend
the people would pick it up sooner or later

I think the libraries should be improved SERIOUSLY to encourage people to read.

love your idea. selecting location would be the most tricky part as you don't want to go wrong with this. Unless you have a lot of $$ to re-do again, selecting the wrong place could cost you a bom!

there was one time where i went to PD beach infront of seri malaysia to read. the best place to read is beaches lor.

Yes, that is the main concern, location and i believe city, big city people tend to be more well educate so reading is one of the hobby, not to say small city is not educated but majority will agree with me

But as for now i need to hold that idea, my capital source seem to be in trouble



What about an open air rooftop? With a garden surrounding or minimalist design?

but as for me, i prefer to sit on a sandy beach instead.....

let me know if you need help. When i'm free i can help you to do some research. Location is definitely tricky. even big cities, it's hard to select the location. for me I will be thinking: KL/PJ/Damansara?Subang/Bangsar/Mont Kiara?etc Then the cost of operating, say KL could be expensive sometimes it is hard when you have noble ideas to reach out and help others, encourage others to read. However, it can be done. Look at Big bad wolf books, I've spoken to the owners before, really respect them for their life long mission of making sure everyone reads by bringing in cheap books.


erm, sandy beach may not work all the time, especially when it is too hot. just my 2 cents

bawah pokok kelapa lah, aiyo! its freaking relaxing, when you got your feet buried in the sand and read your book, dayyum

haha. I've yet to try that. Maybe i will someday

the thought of having sand all over my precious books scare me :S

They will fall asleep instead

Nobody can't deny the relaxing factor of the beach, but normally it is located far from town/city, i'm afraid nobody wanna come if the location is setup near the beach


Research will be held when the capital is there as for now it is just an idea

Community that read is a better community, they are more knowledgeable, if you ask me, my fave book genre will be biography but we can learn a lot through reading, not necessarily someone need to read iq test book all the time to be smart

I just hope kids will understand how important to read a book plus we can get a tax reduction by buying books

I dont read books

I read at airport waiting room and during the flights.

so you planning to do it. hopefully your wish will come true very soon

Yes, thats my plan but for this moment it is just an idea without resource to make it happen

Maybe in a year or two

So far usually read at coffee shop or house.but nice idea TS,would love to spend the time reading in a cozy place serving tea/coffee and snacks with some instrumental/slow music

This post has been edited by Azure19: Oct 11 2013, 11:19 PM

Yeap, do most of my reading during these times. The only good thing that ever came out of delayed flights.

No idea why ppl like to read in Starbucks. Most of the time it's a noisy and busy place. Not to mention, a cramp place as well.

I would have prefer any other coffee shop than Starbucks. Depending where u stay, kl and selangor actually got a lot of unique coffee shop places for u to go, which is more serene.

But for me personally, I would prefer to read at home or in lrt. But nowadays driving to work already. So now read less book 😢

Hey guys,

Any suggestion for a nice and comfortable place to read and hopefully easy to focus, around Subang Jaya area?
(I am super easily distracted by almost anything especially walking people!! )

Thanks in advance!

Read a lot in Starbucks. Noisy and cramped at times yes but at home there is that irresistible temptation of computer, internet, tv and the ever comfortable & seductive bed.

Public parks in the afternoon right after people finishing work and publics began their jogging rituals....

White noise. Some people focus better with white noise.

I just need to open my kindle and I forget about my environment. But I would say reading in the LRT and missing your station is priceless

This post has been edited by Nocturnal Being: Dec 8 2013, 06:42 PM

This has happened to me too many times.

Hmm... the library at the Japanese Foundation of Kuala Lumpur which is just across the bridge from Mid Valley. I went there to study for JLPT or hang out with a friend and sit there reading manga/light novels on kindle all afternoon.

It's extremely quiet and the natural sunlight from the seats at the window is pleasing. They don't charge for entry but you have to register to be a member if you want to borrow books.

Link

Hope this helps V

I would love to see another person holding a book aside from myself when I'm just chilling with a book at cafe (quite an assortment, especially one that's less packed with people). I've done this throughout my teens up till now, whenever I'm out alone but have yet to come across a fellow reader.

train. KL-Bangkok