A leisurely hour or two spent over a cup of espresso and nibbling something while reading a book may recall images of a Parisian sidewalk café but that was what a few establishments in the city bravely attempted when they stocked up on books.
This was also to stand out from other hangouts where loud music and talk was the order of the day.
Something for all
City residents though are yet to warm up to the idea. Cherries and Berries at Cotton Hill has the usual Chetan Bhagat, James Patterson, John Grisham, and Jane Austens, but also J.D. Salinger and Gustave Flaubert for the serious-minded. Children can bury their noses in the adventures of Pinocchio. But only five or 10 people a day reach out for the books, says café employee Sheeja. Most people come in groups and for fun, she says.
Take them home
At Square One Homemade Treats, the shelf of books weighs light these days as customers can not only borrow books but also buy one if they so wish. Here too, only or two people a day sit and read at the outlet, says Prem G. Jacob, floor manager. “This is probably because we have only a few seats and are usually busy, which is not what those looking to sit and read here at leisure have in mind.” The shop plans to add to its collection soon.
Brewberry at Sasthamangalam has some 10-15 books, but few takers. “Most people just turn the pages, and then move on to the food,” says manager G.V.K. Nair. There are some who come in when the crowd is thin to spend long hours reading, he says. The magazines here are changed regularly, though the book titles remain the same, something that is not an issue at Cherries and Berries where people can take home books provided they leave one behind.
The comfort factor
At Café Sarwaa, which has some 60 plus books, the clientele mostly comprises groups or couples. Single people who are likely to linger over coffee and read something are few and far between. Some do come, but to work or make use of the Wi-Fi facility, say the owners. “Women, especially, need to feel comfortable in a café, with no one to disturb them.” Finishing a book in a café is not easy, they agree.
Takers or no takers, most cafés have no plans to dismantle the book shelf as yet.
A few cafes have put up well-loaded bookshelves, but there aren’t many takers.
