Bangkok is full of gems and hidden gems of everything! It's so lively and it's like there's a place for everybody and their interest. The city is packed and crowded but as an introvert, Bangkok would still give you room and space for your serenity in an exciting way. Especially, when it comes to... indie bookstores! On my short visit last February 2023, I went to two bookstores. One of them is Books & Belongings, located in the middle of the housing area in Sukhumvit.

Books & Belongings Store Front

When I saw the shop front, the simplicity of the exterior says it all. Minimalistic, with bold characters. On top of... hipster! The three elements I decode have shaped a subtle eclectic progressive lit culture. I know I would find so many good titles in this place! With a cup of Thai Ice tea I bought from the Erawan Museum in my hand, I entered the bookshop.

The bookshop was ... also calming. Only the shopkeeper was there. No other visitor, but me. 

Books and Belongings Inside

I was greeted with lots of titles facing my way from their own places on the bookshelves. The shop was small, with enough space to go back and forth the aisle. There's a main table placed in the center, and the shelves stand surrounding it alongside the walls. The cashier's desk is on the right and a small table with two chairs on my left when I entered this candy store.

All of a sudden, to my regret, I asked why my luggage was already full at this moment. I am sure these books would add up to some kgs but worth more than anything else. Well, I put my cup and my bag on the table so I can enjoy every side freely. I felt safe coz literally there was nobody else. 

There are fiction titles and non-fiction ones. Most titles are the ones I have never seen before! That made the best moment of truth of the day. But on the other hand, that also made the shopping decision would be much harder coz I couldn't just buy anything that caught my attention. I had to choose for the sake of financial sanity and my luggage safety. 

When I spent my time checking these titles and peeked inside, I realized why visiting a bookstore when you travel is a must. Cultural differences and backgrounds have given us diverse perceptions that lead us to be mesmerized by different things. A different taste. Even for any similarities found, I would still find the beauty of how we are somehow connected by the same thing. 

However, Books & Belongings has brought more soul by bringing out more variety of topics through their selected titles. You'd know when a bookstore owner(s) has put his/her/their dedication into curating the titles, not just purely selling books, but selling art and ideas. Totally a bookshop that makes you giddy anytime you just remember the memory of you experiencing every corner.

To my disappointment is that they don't accept Card Payments. I was stressed out coz I've always been a cashless person and I thought this hipster bookstore would be the kind that has many payment options. I was wrong. Luckily I had the exact amount needed to pay! Or else, it would be a great embarrassment for me. Ha!

I paid and left. Feeling like a champion. 

For finally making it to this bookstore, and getting myself these gems.

Books & Belongings

502 Soi Sukhumvit 95, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10260, Thailand

Opens: 11AM - 7.30PM

Note: Bring cash money. No card payments.

With the recent interest in ChatGPT, I am intrigued as well. Unlike most enthusiasts who ask ChatGPT to ask about what the platform finds about themselves, I would use it for my own urgency, such as to help me list down a travel itinerary to Japan. My first attempt to have a simple travel itinerary with Ghibli theme. However, my travel plan is not going to be all Ghibli, as I would go for Doraemon, Super Mario, Hello Kitty, and other pop culture icons. Here's I use ChatGPT for travel itinerary:

I simply put:

Make a travel itinerary to Japan, personalized for ghibli fans

Here's the result ChatGPT gave me:

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

• Check-in at a hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya, two vibrant and trendy neighborhoods in Tokyo
• Visit the Ghibli Museum in the afternoon, which showcases the work of Studio Ghibli and gives an insight into the creative process of these legendary animators.

Day 2: Explore Tokyo

• Spend the morning at the Tsukiji Fish Market and grab some sushi for breakfast.
• Head to Akihabara, known as the electronic capital of Japan, where you can find Ghibli merchandise and anime figurines.
• Take a stroll through the beautiful Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum to learn about Japanese history and culture.

Day 3: Travel to Nagoya

• Take a train to Nagoya, known for its castle and unique local cuisine.
• Visit Nagoya Castle and explore the surrounding gardens, and then head to the Toyota Museum of Industry and Technology, where you can learn about the history of cars and manufacturing in Japan.
• In the evening, visit the Noritake Garden and shop for unique porcelain souvenirs.

Day 4: Visit the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka

• Take a train back to Tokyo and visit the Ghibli Museum again, this time to see parts of the museum you missed on the first visit.
• Enjoy lunch in the museum's café, which serves a variety of delicious and creative dishes inspired by Ghibli characters.

Day 5: Day trip to Kamakura

• Take a train to Kamakura, a laid-back seaside town known for its temples and shrines.
• Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Great Buddha of Kamakura, two of the town's most famous landmarks.
• Head to Yuigahama Beach in the afternoon to relax and soak up the sun.

Day 6: Visit Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi

• Take a day trip to Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, located in Hakone.
• Take a boat ride on Lake Ashi and enjoy the stunning views of Mount Fuji.
• In the afternoon, take the Hakone Ropeway and enjoy the overlooking view of Mt. Fuji.

Day 7: Relax in Tokyo

• Take a break from sightseeing and spend the day exploring Tokyo’s many shopping districts, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya or Harajuku.
• Take a stroll in fluorescent-lit streets and neon-covered buildings of Tokyo to soak up the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of the city.

Day 8: Departure

• Check out of the hotel and head to the airport for departure.

Well, I can't believe my First Visit to Books Actually would be my last. They have moved away from Tiong Bahru area and a brouhaha about them happened.

Anyway, do not fret or be sad! Fortunately, I managed to explore other interesting indie bookstores in Singapore when I went there again after 2 years due to the pandemic.

Littered with Books

20 Duxton Road

Grassroot Book Room

25 Bukit Pasoh Road

The bookshop is slightly bigger than Littered with Books. They also have a cafe here.

As for the titles, they have more random picks, mixing between in Chinese and English titles. I found Brave New World in Chinese! And if you like The Little Prince/Le Petit Prince, you'd be happy here because they have a special corner dedicated to the famous story!

Besides Le Petit Prince in Chinese, you can shop anything Le Petit Prince, well mostly stationary and a few fashion items.

A small reading alley is also available for you tp enjoy while reading your new buy.

Hook on Books

115 Neil Road

I was already about to let this one go from my target visit list due to time limit. But I made it anyway, as I accidentally walked past this bookstore when I was going back to the hotel to check out. 

Once you entered, you'd be greeted by the staff as it's their procedure to give a welcome greeting and explanations about the bookstore. They sell children's books, mostly in Chinese, and handmade toys by mothers. 

If you have children, then this place is a must! There's a workshop for them to encourage their literature interest. For those who are talented to show off their creativity and publish their imagination, Hook on Books literally make that happened.

I... found stickers and Chinese version of Le Petit Prince that they publish independently. 

Tell me if I miss another interesting bookstore in Singapore. Please recommend me, then I'll visit on my next trip =)