Pandemonium, Boston…nothing extraordinary

The board game is enjoying a resurgence. Sales in the U.S. grew 28% last year and worldwide, the industry is worth nearly $10 billion. Why? Probably it’s just fun to spend time with friends and get immersed in something completely unique.

Pandemonium has got a really decent selection of books (mostly used paperbacks, focusing on sci-fi and fantasy) and they put conscious effort into getting material from local authors. The game selection is good, though tabletop RPGs and a fairly decent area (if you can overlook the unattractive smelly basement) for the gaming community to meet.

This store isn’t terrible but it’s nothing extraordinary for a game shop. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Forbidden Planet, London…A visually amazing giant store to satisfy your inner geek

Ah, nerd mecca. They have things ranging from Pokemon to Magic of the Gathering. There’s a little geek in all of us and there’s something for everyone here especially Marvel induced euphoria. Don’t judge me.

This is probably a great treasure trove when it comes to comic books, movie memorabilia and everything that’s geeky – from collectibles and action figures over toys and fashion to stickers. Upstairs you’ll find all the merchandise, including the glass wall of statues that I’ll always want, but never need or own. Dr Who seems to be the fat cash cow together with Marvel superheroes. Star Wars fans will find their heads spinning from the galaxy of merchandizes to choose from. Then downstairs are the comics, graphic novels, dvds and books and more books and comics.

A visually amazing giant store to satisfy your inner geek. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Eslite, Taipei…I get an intoxicating buzz just being in this 8-floors, 24-hour mega bookstore

Wow, this is a book lover’s paradise. An overwhelming, stress-inducing, orgasm inspiring, drool producing, book paradise. If you are in Taipei for a weekend or have lived there for 10 years or more you will always find something that you may have been looking for or not looking for at this place. It has pretty much everything from imported magazines, locally published books, and numerous Japanese books translated into Chinese for the Taiwan market. I get an intoxicating buzz just being in this 8-floor, 24-hour store, surrounded by so many thoughtfully curated books and people who truly appreciate their value.

The idea behind Eslite is that it really isn’t just a bookstore. Don’t miss the cool CD and DVD store downstairs. Easily the most reliable DVD store in the city, this store has plenty of oldies as well as the usual “just released in cinemas” Hollywood blockbusters. The basement snack and drink and food court is no slouch either

A must visit if you have never been. Books can be sexy. I promise. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Crossword Bookstores, Mumbai…my second home in India. The prices are (honestly) incomparable.

This is my second home in India. This is by far, my favorite place in Mumbai. I could spend hours there… wandering around the bookshelves. It’s organized clutter, with thousands (millions?) of books to consider adding to your collection.

They got a good combination of books, magazines, CDs collection, toys and boardgames but what attracts is the huge collection of books. From latest best sellers to children books, from Self-Help to Management. Being a chain of bookstores, Crossword is scattered all over Mumbai…..the one at Mohammedbhai Mansion (below Kemps Corner fly over) is best.

The best thing is it’s not necessary for you to buy a book if you have entered you can sit and read the book if you wish you buy or else visit again and complete the book.

The prices are …honestly, incomparable. If you so decide to buy, you can immediately started adding up how much money you would save if you came from a place like Singapore, or Malaysia or USA – another plus for Crossword.  Regardless of the low prices, this is an engrossing store. I found books which were not available in my travels all over Asia. It’s definitely cheaper here than Barnes & Nobles and amazon.com.

There is just so many books. You’ll enter Corssword with a book in mind, but you’ll probably leave with one or two books that you had no intention of bringing home. Crossword Bookstore is worth stopping by and hanging out, who knows what you’ll find. This is the true truth as I still say it as it is…