By-appointment-only bookstore in Pasir Panjang specialises in old, rare books
Deyana Goh is only 25, but already a practised hand at sorting through old, rare books. And by ‘old and rare’, we mean genuinely scarce. The founder and proprietor of Gohd Books has an out-of-print, three-volume English-edition, Soviet-era copy of Marx’s Das Kapital; hardcovers on mysticism; esoteric Shi’ite texts; a positively medieval-looking hardback of Henry James’ The Ambassadors; and crumbly Sanskrit manuscripts wrapped in plastic.
Goh opened ‘shop’ last March – first operating out of Serangoon Road – but has since relocated to a quiet residential area in Pasir Panjang; customers visit the shop-in-her-living-room by appointment.
‘It grew out of my own collection,’ she says. ‘I don’t advertise…but [the shop] has spread through word of mouth and friends of friends. I’m not trying very hard to get walk-ins.’ Interestingly enough – particularly during the internet age – Goh doesn’t usually source via Amazon, hand-picks every title in the shop, and provides a rare-book-ordering service with a flat shipping fee for discerning readers.
‘Some of my books you can’t find on Amazon,’ she explains. ‘I contact suppliers overseas, and sometimes I travel and hunt for books. I went to India three times last year and found some really rare stuff.’
If you’re feeling linguistically adventurous, besides dealing in books, Goh also facilitates language lessons in Sanskrit and Classical Chinese (which probably helps in reading some of her more unusual tomes). ‘I don’t teach, but I help the teachers find students,’ she explains. Her favourite bookstore? ‘Bargain Books…I don’t really like the big chains.’
Gohd Books, 5A Pasir Panjang Close (9090 6181, www.gohd.com.sg). Visits by appointment only.
This story first appeared as 'Can't beat a Gohd book' in TOS (April 2010)
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The bookstore is moving out of its current location and is offering 50% off on all non-rare books over the next two weekends.
Posted on Thu 05 Apr 2012 16:22:06
just went there, and they got a book from 1682. OMG. Is that oldest book in SG?!
Posted on Mon 05 Mar 2012 19:08:44
The bookstore is having a massive sale with up to 70% off. http://www.gohd.com.sg The Haji Lane outlet is no more.
Posted on Sat 29 Jan 2011 15:09:26
The bookshop has a new outlet at 49 Haji Lane.
Posted on Thu 02 Sep 2010 20:54:55
It's exciting to see these sorts of places crop up - this bookshop's website and selection is wonderful. Will singapore be able to sustain culturally important places like these? It remains to be seen.
Posted on Mon 03 May 2010 04:05:37