Previously, a sculpture workshop on wood, rudimentary library - named Ganesha after the Hindu God of Writers - literally grown hundreds of cardboard boxes of books taken from the storage house Ketut in Denpasar. These are the days where Monkey Forest Road was only negotiable by pedestrians, pushbikes and motorbikes. She remembers a little crazy old farmer conversing with his cow while he went down the path in front of the shop.
Ubud was then a favorite destination of the Aquarius Age characters like Blossom been legend and long-haul travel the world, Six Finger Eddy. Anita has her father-brother in charge of the shop. Friendly university, it has become popular with many expatriates living in and around Ubud. Even if the store has kept irregular hours, travelers seemed to feel when he was there and they would fall to discuss and browse the shelves.
In 1991, they had exceeded the small shop and moved to a larger location on the main street of Ubud. Ganesha grew steadily. musical instruments, incense, cards, gift items and "things bookish" were added as bamboo bookmarks, journals and maps. After 10 years, they have opened an even bigger store on the corner of Main Street and Jl. Jembawan in front of the post office where they remain to this day. From the embryonic Action Australia, Anita and Ketut carried by hand have built over the years a prosperous book company offering new books and second-hand quality on subjects from gardening through astrology, rare books and antiques to Indonesiana and Baliana plus everything in between.
In addition to our large bookstore on the main street of Ubud, we opened another store in Seminyak inside Biku in 2009. The owner, Asri Kerthyasa, and I are good friends and we often talked about opening a special place like this. It has an amazing feel about it and this wonderful food! What a bonus to work in a bookstore and a tea fabulous afternoon when you come to work. Our shop Sanur, we opened in 2012, was an indulgence too. I missed being at the beach, so look hard for a place that was close enough for a swim in the afternoon.
Is Ganesha specialize in certain kinds of books
Yes, we specialize in 'Indonesian Studies "- that is, books on history, culture, religion, music, art, ecology, architecture, language, and textiles from Indonesia. In our book sections used, we focus on modern literature and the classics, including poetry. Our Section of the rare book in each store only contains rare books on Bali and Indonesia, and we travel the world for these. We have about 60% of new books, 35% used books and books 5% Rare in stores.
has affected the digital revolution which book buyers buy?
As the book industry changes some customers will use e-readers for guides and even some holiday reading material light. Some long-term residents buy books for their e-readers, but many books on Indonesia - fiction and non-fiction - are not available as e-books, especially for titles published within the 'Indonesia. We have a plethora of beautiful photography books locally produced art books, books Keris, etc., and these are not suitable for e-book readers.
How different Ganesha large chains such as Gramedia, and Journey Times?
Ganesha is a very personal store with a relaxed feeling about it. People really appreciate the atmosphere of the shop - the music, friendly staff, seats and air conditioning. Our customers are very important to us and we try to give one-on-one attention. I do not think that's possible in the chain stores. Both Ketut and I work in our stores - I do not think you will find the owners of chain stores talking to customers. Because we take this practical approach, we are fully aware of what our customers want and we can follow and order books that meet their needs and desires.
Why are not there independent bookstores in Bali?
There are many reasons for the lack of independent bookstores, but the most obvious is that we can not function in the same way, as we say the United States or in Australia. There is no question of taking the phone and order books just as there are virtually no large publishing houses represented here in Indonesia. And here we do not have a sale / return system. All books here must be purchased outright and are not returned to the distributor. This means that you must be quite sure of the marketability of a book.
As an independent, that specific economic and marketing issues that you face you?
book are you reading now?
Kader Abdolah the house of the mosque. I saw him last year at the Festival of Ubud writer and he was so charismatic and his life so fascinating that I was inspired to read his work.