Kotob Khan whisks you away from the bustle of everyday life
CAIRO: It is not just a foreign-language bookseller. It’s a reader’s haven. A cozy atmosphere, good coffee, comfy chairs, free Wi-Fi access, and most of all a variety of above-average quality books, Kotob Khan (which literally means book market ) is the place for serious readers.
Situated on El-Lasilky road in Maadi, the bookstore is very easy to find. And its design is original for a bookstore in Cairo. The outer display of the bookstore has a country style, with wooden doors and windowpanes, white curtains, a wooden sign at the door, small stairs, a bench in the open air, beautiful greenery and all.
Sitting in the bookstore, sunlight streaming though the large glass windows, one could easily feel like he is outside of Cairo; away from the noise and clutter of his busy life.
One could simply go there to relax, with a cup of coffee and a slice of homemade cake, while skimming through the display of free magazines or leafing through a few books before deciding which to buy.
The bookshop owner, a well-read young woman named Karam Youssef, is very welcoming and is happy to show people around, recommend books and go through the large display of English, French and Arabic books with the enthusiastic reader. Youssef has also placed a round table of books she has personally handpicked for what she describes as “serious readers, readers who see reading as “a lifestyle, not just a way to get information, “or something to add to your profile.
Indeed, the choice of most of the books does not fall into the category of light reading or popular fiction. Youssef’s fiction, non-fiction and even self-help books speak of fine taste: Glen Duncan, Paulo Coelho, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, George R.R. Martin, J.R.R. Tolkien for the classy fantasy reader, and Karen Armstrong for lovers of theology.
A variety of colloquial and traditional Arabic literature as well as translated Arabic literature from the American University in Cairo Press is also on offer: the infamous Yacoubian Building and Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz’s best works, among others.
Going through the books, I even found a brand-new copy of the Gospel of Judas, which was very recently discovered and translated in the United States, with commentary, a book I did not expect to find in Egypt for a long time.
The categories do not stop there; there are sections for children, general reference, Egyptology, cinema, history of art, filmmaking and photography, biographies, politics and history, religion and Islamic studies.
Interested in arts and literature, Youssef’s approach to the bookshop speaks of her own personality and culture; the choice of books, the way the coffee area is intermixed with a display of books on ancient Egypt and references to the Pharaonic era and even the way her selected literature are a mix of classic and modern, traditional Arabic and foreign-language. The owner has personalized the bookshop, making the shop less of a business enterprise, and more of “Karam’s bookshop.
It’s definitely a hobby and a passion, not business, for the owner. “It’s not a project, I do [not care much] about figures, just good books.
Youssef says the three-month-old bookstore has become like her baby. “My life is the bookshop now . I get up in the morning with the bookstore on my mind. I go to sleep with the bookstore on my mind . It gives me pleasure.
After many years of pondering this “life-changing idea, the broadcasting studies graduate began to seriously consider pursuing her dream project and launching a bookstore only a few years ago.
First, she wanted to open a gallery for rare books, cards and manuscripts. “But I discovered that in reality, it’s not practical, Youssef told The Daily Star Egypt. “But now I have this. It’s also like a cultural center, where I hold movie and documentary screenings, tributes to celebrity musicians, the last one was to Jim Morrison of the Doors, and book discussions and readings.
Youssef hosts other activities like readings and discussions of poetry and Arabic literature. Especially those written by young Arabic writers, “My philosophy is to focus on modern Egyptian authors, young authors. We need to get them known . read their books and discuss [them] with the attendees.
Youssef also holds scheduled story-telling sessions for children. “It’s about education, said Youssef of her bookstore’s activities.
Keeping in touch with readers and faithful buyers through a mailing list, Youssef has no difficulty publicizing her activities and is willing to do more to reach Cairo’s book lovers. “We’re preparing a Web site, where books can be ordered [online] and delivered. She currently offers customer cards and gift vouchers for frequent buyers.
Putting no limit on her dreams, Youssef plans to revive her old gallery idea through her bookstore, by including rare books and having stacks of beautiful cards on display. Youssef also wants to have her own publishing and distribution house, insisting that she’s independent and that she’s always open to ideas. “I don’t have restrictions [on what to do next].
