Like the next literary fiend, I love a thick ol’ book. While that doesn’t mean I’ll be reading it anytime soon—shoutout to my dusty shelves—I still like to grab them when I see them, thanks to my serious case of tsundoku.
But here’s the thing: Mainstream bookstores can be heavy on the pockets, and I’d rather not step outside if I could help it, thank you very much. The quick fix? Indie bookstores on Instagram that’ll have reads shipped straight to your stacked library. Here are a couple of our picks.
Omniana Books (@omnianaph)
These books aren’t just eye candy (but that sure is a plus). Omniana Books offers stunning covers of handpicked titles, from staples like “The Odyssey” to contemporary Southeast Asian selections like Eka Kurniawan’s “Beauty is a Wound.” Aside from collectors’ editions, Omniana also sells curated works from local visual artists. So yeah, you get the best of both.
Bookshelf 1010 (@bookshelf1010)
It’s your library’s Filipiniana section, all for you. Bookshelf 1010 has coffee table books, textbooks and poetry collections—basically, if it’s homegrown, it’s probably there. With both preloved and mint condition picks, it can be easy on the wallet, but you’ll have to hurry: Their shop is on a first-to-pay policy.
Bookends and Beginnings (@bookendsbeginnings)
If you’re on the hunt for stories to devour, Bookends and Beginnings has tons of them. Specializing in literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry, the IG store has Joan Didion, Ursula K. Le Guin, contemporaries and classics, whether you’re a hardbound collector or a paperback person.
Barthes & Novels (@barthesandnovels)
Came for the Roland Barthes pun, stayed for the book collection. Barthes and Novels has the pile of reads your lit prof is probably hoarding too (s/o to Mieko Kawakami’s “Breasts and Eggs.”) To bag a copy, all you have to do is wait for the next drop and comment “mine.”
Livraria Manila (@livraria.mnl)
The shop’s tagline is “stay curious,” which is pretty much a given for bibliophiles. Started by two close friends last year, Livraria’s curated collection ranges from secondhand to brand new books, with certain picks (Hint: Nietzche’s “Man Alone with Himself”) that are rare in the country.
Tsundoku Books (@tsundokubooks_)
Well, it’s all in the name. Tsundoku Books has a whole mix in their selection, including titles fresh from the printing press and vintage pieces that were once part of library collections. If you’re lucky—and quick enough—you could actually snag the first edition of your literary fave.
Read more:
This PH novel about the murder of activists got shortlisted internationally
BTW, there’s a book dedicated to Filipino witchcraft
6 Filipino children’s stories tackling hard-hitting social issues
Still from “10 Things I Hate About You”