

(Image from toothpastefordinner.com)
The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who’ll get me a book I ain’t read. (Abraham Lincoln)
I like to think I’m a modern, forward thinking kind of girl (at least for a Gen’ Xer, anyway). In some circles, I could even be considered an ‘early adopter’ of some technology. For instance, I was one of the first among my friends to get an iPad. I loved it. Now, I have graduated to an iPad mini – and I love it even more.
I’m a bit of a reader, and I have quite a few eBooks. I just counted them for you – 404 as at the time of writing! I even surprised myself!
Anyhoo. The point I’m getting to is that as much as I love my eReader, sometimes I need a real book. Not a soft copy. I love my eReader for fiction. I particularly love it when I’m travelling because real books are heavy and take up a lot of room. And, because I have been known to chew through a book a day when I’m on a serious reading bent.
But still, sometimes, I need a real book. I ALWAYS buy cookbooks in real book form. And, I’m starting to think I shall now do the same with all my non-fiction reading. Sometimes, especially with non-fiction, I want to flick back and forward. I want to spend time on specific information. I want to refer back to things I may have read earlier. At these times, a real book is the answer.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. (Groucho Marx*)
Today, I was in need of a specific real book**. And, for me, the first port of call in Sydney for a real book is the most fabulous Kinokuniya.

(Images by TSL)
Kinokuniya is the largest bookstore chain in Japan with over 80 stores worldwide.
Kinokuniya Sydney offers a huge range of books with over 300,000 titles in English, Japanese, Chinese, French and German. So, it’s great if you’re visiting Sydney and need a wee something to read in your language of choice!
Located in the heart of Sydney CBD, Kinokuniya stocks an extensive collection of Manga, graphic novels, art and design books, cookbooks, travel books and children’s literature. I reckon it is the place to come for art and design books.
You can find Kinokuniya at Level 2, The Galeries, 500 George Street (opposite the QVB), Sydney NSW 2000.
*eReaders clearly had not been invented at the time of Groucho’s quote!
**as it happens, my book was out of stock, but the very helpful man at the information desk sorted me out.
Wow, I wish we had one here! Our Barnes and Noble is slowly being taken over by the Nook and Games sections.
SSFAM – I checked. In the US, Kinokuniya can be found in Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Costa Mesa, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Jose, CA; San Francisco, CA; and the flagship store in New York. Sadly nothing in Texas, my friend. Bugger!
Total bugger!
I have just converted to a kindle! I have the grand total of one book on it so far….. Probably because the only time I read is when I am on holiday! As you say my case gets a little heavy with books, so seemed the perfect solution to allow me to buy more clothes!
I heart real books too… AND I always used to have my lunch in Kinokuniya near Bryant Park in NYC. I’m a magazine lover too. Love print. Long may it live!
Nothing like a real book and I love those book shops with a coffee shop so you can browse at your leisure with a good cup of something for company
I so agree about real books. I just adore the feel of certain soft paperbacks and, of course, hardcovers.
Yet I must admit that e-books have kept our book clutter down. That’s a plus.
I love Kino too TSL. I spent last Sunday there after a 2nd helping of Bacon. I also love their little kids reading nook that’s sunny in winter. Cheers Sue
I am not at all surprised that it is a happy place for you, Sue. I think the world can be split into 2 categories – those who can while away an afternoon in a bookshop, and those who can’t see the fascination others have in books…
Something to put on the to do list next time I’m in Sydney, I love books and still buy plenty of them to read and browse, just can’t curl up in bed the same way with my ipad 🙂
TBD – DEFINITELY plan a visit to Kinokuniya. They have an awesome travel section!
Sold! 🙂
Couldn’t agree more! So far I have managed to avoid getting any kind of e-reader and instead continue to fill our house with ‘real’ books… despite the increasing protestations! I can see the benefit for going on holiday and the like though. I could pack more clothes if I stopped weighing my case down with books! 😉
An eReader is a must for travel, if nothing else. Truly. 🙂
I heart Kinokuniya! Their selection is extensive.. especially their design mags. Plus they’re always designed in a way I don’t mind spending lots of time there.. unlike the chain bookstores like Barnes & Nobles / Waterstone..
LXAX – I knew you’d be into Kinokuniya, my sweet!
I love my Kindle, but I agree – every now and then I just need to read a real book.
Lovely shot of that huge bookshop.
Thanks, Lady Fi. I have my first ‘real’ photography lesson (ie – not my iPhone) coming up in a couple of weeks. Hopefully I will improve no end after that!
Kinokuniya was one of my favourite places to visit during lunch when I worked in Sydney, thanks for sharing this!
Anytime, Belgrade! 🙂