Literary gem: Book lover's haven at Fort houses rare titles for seasoned readers

Book lovers are an exceptional breed In a world full of screens they navigate the realms of imagination with the printed word Keeping the art of curiosity alive through the pages of books is Mumbairsquos independent bookstore ndash Wayword amp WiseNestled at Ballard Estate just a brief stroll from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus the bookstore was erected in 2016 with a mission to drive rare titles for seasoned readers At first it appears indistinguishable from the surrounding IndoGothic structures cafes restaurants museums and art galleries However upon entering this writer stumbled upon a hidden gem within a hushed bookstoreIn todayrsquos edition of Shelf Life with Midday we delve into this book loverrsquos paradise which found its home at the edge of Mumbairsquos business and culture hub ndash FortA literary revivalist communityA typical bookstore has books that customers are inclined to read An outstanding bookstore goes one notch higher to offer books that customers didnrsquot know they needed to read With a meticulous curation that was made after reviewing over 300000 books ndash owner Atul Sud and curator Virat Chandok have crafted a haven for book lovers seeking a respite from the digital marketplace giantsldquoAfter multiple sessions we narrowed it down to 7000 books encompassing various genres The idea was to expose readers to books that are not commonly found in the chain and open their minds to new subjects Also the bookstore serves as a sanctuary for those yearning to rediscover the joy of finding a great readrdquo shares ChandokMany visitors casually enter drawn by the quaint facade in search of books by popular authors such as Chetan Bhagat Amish Jeffrey Archer and others Those with a penchant for more literary works may gravitate towards titles by Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Haruki MurakamiHowever upon deep introspection readers will have their interest piqued by books seldom found in Indian stores mdash which include lsquoMislaidrsquo by Nell Zink a recent sensation in American literature lsquoKitchenrsquo by Banana Yoshimoto lsquoThe Book of Imaginary Beingsrsquo by Jorge Luis Borges the complete works of Primo Levi numerous volumes of The Paris Review Interviews and biographies of the Beats like Allen Ginsberg Jack Kerouac and Neal CassadyThe fiction aisle stretching gracefully along the stores length invites exploration with offerings ranging from the humour of Helen Fielding to the intellectual depth of Paul Auster However it is the food section that truly captivates the sensesAmidst classics from culinary luminaries like Pooja Dhingra Jamie Oliver and Anthony Bourdain one discovers treasures like lsquoJerusalem A Cookbookrsquo delving into the culinary tapestry of a land harmonising Muslim Jewish Arab Christian and Armenian flavours For music aficionados the Kurt Cobain Journals reveal the intimate musings and creative outpourings of the iconic musicianWhat sets Wayword amp Wise apart is its commitment to offering the unexpected Rare gems from Pushkin Press a publishing house seldom found in Mumbai grace their shelves Titles like Stefan Zweigs lsquoJourney Into The Pastrsquo and lsquoThe Monocle Guide To Better Livingrsquo beckon readers into uncharted territories of literatureNot your average bookstoreThe rectangular area of the store has been designed to achieve a balance of coziness and space The ambiance exudes peace yet beneath the surface it pulses with a devoted literary beat This balance extends to the art of thoughtfully curated books the sensation of a novel transitioning from shelf to hand the gentle sound of pages turning and the impromptu discussions that arise while two readers collide while hunting for their next readChandok opines that books have the ability to sell themselves This is why the duo has curated titles with the intention of attracting readers without relying on bestseller lists as a crutch The primary motivation behind establishing this bookstore wasnt financial gain We are passionate about books and our aim was to share this passion Sud tells MiddaySud had long harboured the desire to launch an independent bookstore in the city and joined forces with Chandok who previously managed the nowclosed Lotus Book House in Bandra Initially their plan was to open a Mumbai branch of Delhis renowned The Book Shop operated by KD SinghHowever with Singhs passing that plan was abandoned Despite this setback Chandok mentions We decided to proceed and open a standalone store because all our plans were already in place The response has been overwhelming We pride ourselves on the selection which has the serious readers in Mumbai swooning A wellinformed curator Chandok finishes around 12 titles in a monthThe store has attracted notable personalities like Supreme Court Justice DY Chandrachud filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Govind Nihalani author Jerry Pinto and corporate leader PJ Naik informs SudAt the core of Wayword amp Wise is the mission to share the delights of a good book prompting customers to seek recommendations from Chandok He notes Most visitors leave with several books and surprisingly no one ever requests a discount not even college studentsChandok shares that the philosophy and poetry sections were nearly exhausted by patrons from the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and one customer didnt hesitate to invest in Bob Dylans The Lyrics Since 1962 despite its hefty price tag of Rs 7000 Additionally if customers cant find a specific title Chandok is more than willing to procure it for them Presently only the book section is operational although a cafe space has been established at the rearThe genesis of Wayword amp WiseWayword amp Wise comes from the vision of Sud ndash a former banker and businessman Over the past decade Sud a lifelong reader book enthusiast and globetrotter made it a tradition to explore local independent bookshops whenever he visited a new cityOne standout experience was at Parnassus a literary haven in Nashville Tennessee named after the Greek mythological mountain symbolising literature and learning Founded in 2011 by Ann Patchett the renowned author of Bel Canto Parnassus is described by Patchett as a personal homage to Nashville a gift to the city I love The bookstore upholds the art of introspection that stems from finding solace within the pages of booksInspired by this Sud began to work on his own bookstore He possessed a property known as Strategic House on Mint Road in Fort In a landscape where independent bookshops grapple with exorbitant rents Sud recognised his good fortune in owning real estate in Mumbairsquos prime locality I could have utilised my property for a more financially rewarding business than an indie bookstore he remarked But I didnt mind Books are my passion and this is what I aspired to doIn a time dominated by online retail giants Wayword amp Wise invites bibliophiles to immerse themselves in a day of exploration encouraging them to discover their next literary passion