BOOK SA blogger Alex Smith attended the opening of Cape Town’s newest independent book shop, The Book Lounge. Here are her impressions, illustrated with photos by Leon Roelofse.
The opening of The Book Lounge last week was a triumph for every man with dreams and the spirit of an independent bookseller. There was not a parking spot to be had along Roeland and Buitenkant Streets, all were occupied by the cars of bibliophiles come to celebrate Mervyn Sloman’s big gamble after years of being a cog in the book-trade wheel. (Mervyn’s pictured here with Odidi Mfenyana and Pieter-Dirk Uys.)
With a prize position opposite the restored Kimberly Hotel, Mervyn’s store is handsome, as loungey as the name suggests and has a congenial air of books worth reading, good music and serious coffee – complemented by a staff of expert booksellers. It is an ideal antidote for those with an allergy to malls, mall rats, trolley rage and mountains of soulless bestsellers in pastel-hued covers sprinkled with glitter on the outside and clichés on the inside.
At The Book Lounge older titles are not forsaken and forgotten in favour new, newer and newest; it is a place of timeless, quality reads.
Three Cheers to Mervyn and his fantastic team for being brave and giving Cape Town book lovers a most agreeable place to haunt!
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December 13th, 2007 @15:37 #
Just been to the Book Lounge and am impressed. Temptation on every shelf, great interiors, friendly atmosphere and good prizes. Coffee and cakes available if one wants to linger (and one does!). Nice chairs to sit in and page through new titles. Hope to go again soon.