thetravellingbookjunkie

[thetravellingbookjunkie]

Being a book junkie in the Middle East-Part 2

In my three years of stay in Qatar, I have only managed to visit the Qatar National Library a couple of times. It may have been a bit far from where I lived, and the fact that I don’t own a car, I had to make my trips to QNL worth while.

The Qatar National Library had its soft opening on November 2019. I remember the first time I stepped inside, it was just overwhelming. The fact that it is huge and spacious, it just overwhelmed me. In addition to their main selection of books (the ones in the shelves physically and digitally), QNL houses The Heritage Library. This area is located below the main floor, so it has a separate access that enables you to go down in the basement-like museum. In it are rare & antiquarian books and manuscripts, and other materials related to the Arab-Islamic culture/ civilization. 

I loved every bit of QNL. The books shelves are well illuminated. Almost every book shelf has an I-pad where you can search easily the locations of the book you want to borrow. The only down side for me is that because the library is huge, it is kinda tiring to go up and down between the aisles, although it is very good for burning those extra calories. They also have self-check out and return kiosks that are very easy to use. The whole library has enough comfy seating. Chairs and tables with sockets to charge your gadgets are readily available. They also have rooms you can book ahead of schedule if you want to use it for study groups or meetings. The library also boasts a good selection of kids books. This area is the most popular one as it is always filled with children and their parents. The young adult section is very good too, they even have a few Manga collection as well! If you’re a resident and have your Qatar ID card, you just go over the information desk and they will instantly process and give you your library card, it’s that easy. Over all, QNL is such a book heaven. It is just a pity I had to move to a different country and let QNL live in my memories.

[thetravellingbookjunkie]

Being a book junkie in the Middle East- Part 1

When I was still living in the Philippines, I was able to find books easily, be it new or old ones. But when I moved in the Middle East (specifically in Qatar), I had a hard time finding books that I really like. Though there are already big book stores in the country (which I have named below), the selection is very limited. Sadly, I was not able to find any second hand book shop during my stay there, though there are a lot of Facebook groups that were created to buy & sell books among expats. It also helped that Doha holds an International Book Fair annually, opening a gate for me to rummage stalls of books that are not available locally. Below are the the book stores I frequently went to when I am on a book buying spree:

*Jarir Bookstore: https://www.jarir.com

*Virgin Megastore: https://www.virgin.com/company/virgin-megastore

*Whsmith Qatar: http://www.almeera.com.qa/whsmith

*FNAC Qatar: https://www.fnac.com

*Borders Bookstore: https://www.facebook.com/BordersBookStoreME/

So basically, the above five are the main book stores in the whole country. Most of them not only sell books, they sell school supplies, art supplies as well as the latest gadget. 

Sometimes when I am really on a tight budget and can’t afford to buy even a single book, I head to Qatar National Library! More on that on my next post.

[thetravellingbookjunkie]

I.must.read.

---says every bibliophile

[thetravellingbookjunkie]

Only books can cure my restless mind, hopeless heart and aching soul.

[thetravellingbookjunkie]

I love Murakami. How is Murakami for you? how many books of Murakami you have read?? do you own all the posted here?

Hi there! So far, I have read two books of Murakami: Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore... and all I can say is that, he is one hell of a writer. He is more than a writer, more than an author, more than a story teller... He is a priceless gift from the literary gods (if there are any) :) His books are the best! I'm saving up to buy myself 1Q84 coz I heard this book is a must read. :) and yes I own all the books posted here, and I have a few more that I haven't posted yet.

[thetravellingbookjunkie]

what did you think of By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept?

First of all, I am so sorry for the late reply Anon :) About the book “By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept” by Paulo Coehlo, it’s one of the books that made me realize how beautiful and complicated love is. Sure, it made me cry a lot; it made me cry because I was able to relate to the situation the characters are facing in the book. And the book did help me get thru a heartbreak that time. Getting your heart broken will never be easy for any of us. But it will definitely make you stronger.