I see ‘em!

Though studying much of late, my 2 exams are to do with literature; hence providing a capaciousness of schedule. I was able to squeeze a day today to be at Bras Basah Complex.

Whenever I have a day to donate to my poor self, this is where I go. It is basically my favorite place in all of Singapore (alot of qualifiers should be here). But there! I’ve said it and defined myself as the nerd I that I am. Haha. Why Bras Basah Complex? It is a haven of second hand books, many going for a dollar, if one has the mind, eye and time to dig them up.

I was discomfitted entering my favourite store today, there being quite a few people,some foreigners as well. Would they take all my favourite books? I overheard then, ‘teacher say [sic] try not get more than 200 page book’. I guessed we weren’t exactly going after the same titles…

Here’s a list of what I found. In fact, as I was reaching amongst the shelves in this visit, I closed my eyes and wished I would get 2 books today, The Magus and Naked Lunch of which I believe cannot be found in Singapore and surprise!

Here’s the list:

John Fowles’ The Magus ———$1

I couldn’t believe my eyes! In case you don’t know, the books here are completely randomly shelved and it is impossible to ‘look’ for a book. Also, who knows what babies are abandoned at Bras Basah? It’s all about timing and ‘fate’. Hence this makes my week in a way.

And here is another find that I’ve been crossing my thumbs to pick out someday.

Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughter-House-Five ——— $2

I knew I’d find SH5 sooner or later cos it is used as a textbook by some psycho teachers. In fact, my literature teacher intended to use it this semester but had to drop it due to time-constrainst (despite my pleading). One can usually expect to find those books that are used as textbooks and grossly under-appreciated by the student. Eventually all these books find their way to Bras Basah. You could say all the books here have an inferiority complex.

A perfect example of such a book:

Jean Rhys’ Wide Saragasso Sea ————————— $1.70

To think that just 2 days ago, I saw about 10 copies of WSS at the NIE booksshop going for a very saddening and cutprice $5. Some (very much accursed by the bookshop aunt) lecturer must have ordered them and none of his/her students bought from the shop. Maybe it was Dr. Lindley! Kidding…

2 great detective classics to go with my Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep (which is rivetting by the way)

Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon —————– $1

John Le Carre’s The Perfect Spy ————————- $1

I don’t really read detective fiction, but wish to know some bit about the genre. These seminal classics might also come in handy if I have a son who likes to read.

Another 2 amazing finds fo which I paid more than the usual I am willing to part with. I usually am willing to spend a bit more on others. (Stop laughing) I promptly gave these 2 to my cousins at dinner. However, Samantha has The Kite Runner while Sarah has read Holes! (the coincidence) Maybe I can tap into the teenage consciousness after all…

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner —————————- $1.70

Louis Sachar’s Holes ——————————– $1.70

Hosseini’s book you can find in the bestseller list of most book stores. I went to Popular (also in Bras Basah) to take a peek — Hehe! 17 bucks!

Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eyes ——————– $3 (blue marbles cover)

$3 am I mad? Well I was real happy to hear that Nisha really enjoyed Beloved (also by Morrison) from Dr. Wong’s class, thus I got this for her. Rare that people connect with literature you know. Also it has a real delicate cover, probably the same edition as her Beloved’s. The cover of which I like, a sunflower…

Other gems:

Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose  —————– $1

Yet to finish this one, though I watched the film when my JC tutor screened it. Sean Connery! He’s on this version’s cover.

Joseph Conrad’s Nostromo ————————– $1 (real Exotic Vintage Cover)

2 other books I can’t remember off-hand. $1 ones. My poor adopted babies, I’ve forgotten your names as quickly as Madonna or Brad Pitt would…

I was real saddened to miss out on an Autobiography of Albert Camus —-$6.90. It was far too expensive to even try bargaining. Anyway these types of books puzzle me. They are not bought out of compulsion because it takes a dedicated and slightly skewed mind to want to possess these esoteric books. Hence if you love it so much, why is it surrendered to such shelves? It puzzles, it does. I mean, the 100,000 copies of Jane Eyre I understand…

Anyway, there is also a seasonal bookfair at the ground floor. Not much good stuff to me, a mix of cut-price new books and second hand ones. many mandarin books. Still a heat-wave of people there though.

So that’s 12 books for $17 dollars, incredibly satisfying. Ah…

To complete my day, I ate a student meal at BK $3.90 and Cheers convenience store saved my life (Cheers!) as my slipper broke and I got a pair there ($3). Oh, part of what I enjoy about Bras Basah is that I get to dress in tawdry clothes and slippers (this time it was my Vietnam-embroidered sunflower shirt, torn Guess jeans and slippers) Hey if you are shopping at Bras Basah and bargaining over a $3 book, you’ve got to look the part. The Indian uncle will only believe you if your slipper is broken (like mine) haha. Oh I enjoy it so, dressing sloppily and shopping like a king (beggar?) for $20 bucks. No irritatingly attentive shopping assistants - just bored, who-cares-if-you-steal-my-stuff owners.

Just a quick guide, in case you’ve ever a need to visit Bras Basah Complex. I always visit the $1 bookshop first (it is nearest the National Library, at the very corner of Bras Basah building). The shop next to it also has a shelf of 3 for $5 books, very current!

To take a break from all that old-book-smellin’, the next stop is to go to ART FRIEND! Woohoo! This is a great art supply shop, the biggest (I think) in Singapore. Also, I am an art friend (member la) so it’s all good. They still stock the cheap Marie gouche and oil paints, hence always enticing me back. Canvases at 20% off, 30% if you’re a member!

Afterwhich, make your way to the 2 Knowledge Bookstores. (This sounds like a travel guide) Here you can look for your specific authors, though still not exactly cheap. Buy only if you find some real old edition or copy of some banned book. Also look under your favourite author headings. ‘C’ is my favorite shelf in case you don’t know. Haha. It is also near ‘B’, my second favorite shelf. This is where I look first at Kino, Borders etc. Ops, showing too much of my nerdy side here ahaha.

‘C’ by the way is for Albert Camus (No.1), Cervantes, Italo Calvino, Louis-Ferdinand Celine and Douglas Coupland.

‘B’ is for Saul Bellow, Samuel Beckett and Jorge Luis Borges … probably some I’ve forgotten.

Oh, at Knowledge Bookstore you must bargain your ass off, it really is too expensive, even if the place is air-conditioned and catalogued.

Last of all, make your way to Popular bookstore to smirk at how much you’ve saved ala The Kite Runner. Haha, sheesh… Or to buy what you really need but can’t find. Popular here is actually 3 stories high (or 4?)

Of course, to assuage my guilt at spending 5 hours on myself, I went to Robinsons at Raffles City to look for a handbag for my poor mugging darling. The cookie monster colored one I got her from Christmas is fraying. But alas, where’s the 2nd hand section at the ladies’ section? Haha, kidding.

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