The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Paradise for bibliophiles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Paradise for bibliophiles

D.V.L Padma Priya

The yellowing pages of old books take you through different worlds of fiction and non-fiction

Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Unique book shop at Nampally. —

HYDERABAD: As you pass by Hotel Residency on the busy Nampally road, you come across a board ‘Unique Book Exhibition’. And this is one ‘exhibition’ that’s been on since 12 years at the ‘Unique Book Centre’ selling second-hand books at throwaway prices. Over 25,000 books turn the dull high-ceiling rooms into a paradise of sorts.

The yellowing pages of the old books take you through different worlds of fiction and non-fiction -- mythology and theology; history and geography; interior designing and photography. From the omnipresent Austen Hardy, collected works of Shakespeare, Bronte to some well-preserved editions of Gibbon’s Decline of Roman Empire to political writings by Kuldip Nayar and Machiavelli, you will find it all here. A huge collection of German and Russian authors crowd a half of one room.

Run by two brothers, Mohd. Momin and Mohd. Arifuddin, most of the books are from Mumbai while a small percentage is bought from individuals who wish to sell their books. “We pay them 25 per cent of the original cost of the book. It largely depends on the condition of the book,” says Mr. Momin.

Their collection of children’s books is a treasure trove -- Tintin, Richie Rich, Casper, Spooky Town, Batman, Amar Chitra Katha, Tinkles… the list is endless. In fairly good condition, the used comics are priced from Rs. 20 onwards. And, of course, for the crime-fiction fanatics, this place offers some of the best works – from the good old Agatha Christie to the very hep Carol Higgins Clark (daughter of Mary Higgins Clark) and Robin Cook, who promise to trap you in a web of suspense thrillers.

For those with a taste for pulp fiction, there is Alvin Toffler, Sidney Sheldon, James Hadley Chase, Barbara Bradford Taylor et al. “We sell quite a lot of Mills and Boons too,” says Mr. Arifuddin. Despite the affordable prices, the brothers are not able to sell too many books. “We often have people who stay in the nearby lodges picking up books. But the response from those in the city is quite bleak,” sighs Mr. Momin.

The next time you are around Nampally, do make sure you explore this book centre. It’s a promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh