City Landmarks – Old Books Collection at Boatbasin

The Karachi walla dreamt of a street where they sold books. The street was always packed from one end to another and the booksellers chased every passing by car to make a sale. There was a room for few chai and snack shops since it assisted in the purchase process but they remained the side cast.

That street in the dream was Boat Basin and the fortunes only reversed in reality. Credit is due to Mr. Old Books for carrying the flag for so long in the street selling carbohydrates and proteins otherwise. Finding out that they have moved to a bigger and better shop was a pleasure beyond measure.

And they have painted their shelves orange!

And they have a better book collection now!!

And the new place has some seating capacity!!!

Mr. Old Books has moved to the end of Boat Basin which is closer to Karachi Grammar School. They have renamed it to “Old Books Collection” too for some reason. They have utilized the tiny space well by dividing it in two floors. Children section and discount section (mainly popular contemporary fiction) is upstairs. There were few books which did not fit in this criteria. Tuzk-e-Jahangri, Arabian nights and Harry Potter etc. Or would you call Harry Potter a children’s book? Never mind.

The entrance display looked better than what it used to be but the choice of books for the display was not the best. Self help and Religion categories dominated the display but step down inside the fiction section and the book store would redeem itself. Eclectic but has few of titles of the most household literary names. As well as few surprises.

The Karachi Walla stayed there for half an hour. A kid came with his mother. They exchanged their books which reduced the bill for the new purchase. An O level Student came with his father. Quite unusual. The father sat on a seat and watched his son rummaging through the books.

The book store does not have a credit card machine yet.

Visit the place and help them grow further.