Maktaba Habib

Maktaba Habib is situated on Kanhaiya Talkies Road, right near the Jama Masjid Chowk. Being so close to the mosque means it is always lively and there is a constant flow of people outside. We have books stacked pretty high in here. If you are looking for something specific, it might take us a minute to pull it from the shelf. The shop has that old paper smell that you only get in places that have been around for a while. We don't have fancy lighting or air conditioning that works all the time. Mostly we just leave the door open to get some air. We spend our days organizing stock and talking to people who come in looking for specific titles. Sometimes we don't have what they want, so we have to write it down and see if we can get it later. It's a slow process compared to the internet, but we like it this way. The road outside can be very noisy with the rickshaws and the crowds, but once you step inside, it feels a bit more settled. We’ve had the same wooden counters for years and they’ve got a few scratches now. It’s just a place for people who still like the feel of a physical book. We aren't trying to change the world, just keeping the shelves full and the shop open for whoever needs a good read or some stationery. It is just a simple bookstore that serves the local community.