Meow! This is Ginger, historical thinker and reading enthusiast of the Cats of Kochi household and I'm back to delight my readers with more expertise and anecdotes about books! I have discovered that they’re my favorite object in the world (after treats and any surface to scratch, of course, that should be obvious!)
Last time, I went on a Library hunt in Fort Kochi which was very fun and exciting. But after talking to a kind hooman who came all the way from Germany to visit me, I realized that the library books can be used best by locals, not travellers. So I had to find places which would be loved by travelling hoomans! Here’s a guide for explorers, readers, wanderers and cats alike to browse through old and new books, sniff parchment and tear across them. Do not advise the last one for hoomans, I will not be responsible for your consequences!
Idiom Book Sellers
This quaint bookstore is tucked away cozily in Bastion Street, next to the Post Office. With a welcoming ambience, the place is a purrfect nap spot for my fellow felines! (Sorry, priorities you see.)
This bookstore has the biggest and extensive collection of books in Fort Kochi. They even have a stock of well-loved, second-hand books for cheaper rates. As a traveller who wants to read about Kochi and Kerala, the shop offers a wide range of books in all genres; from short stories to cooking recipes to travelogues to graphic comics, they have them all! As a feline, I’m a natural so I don’t see the point of reading about it but I guess humans do have their shortcomings – so to help with that there are numerous books on Yoga and Meditation. With shelves dedicated to different kinds of Yoga, such as Hatha, Mantra, and Yantra, as well.
The store also has a small collection of postcards and other trinkets which you can browse at your leisure. I sure did take my time playing with the fridge magnets.
If you want to send a piece of Kochi to your friend (or cat) abroad, grab a postcard and head to the Post Office situated right opposite! Postcards to International locations are priced at 30-50 INR.
The Head Post Office in Fort Kochi for all your postal needs
All the residents of Cats of Kochi have a degree in making maps so here’s one to visualize all the bookstores of Fort Kochi:
Kochi Books
This bookstore, nestled on the second floor in Princess Street has a small but carefully curated selection of books with a generous collection of both international and local authors. All the books are brand new and in pristine condition (very tempting for a cat like me).
You can meet a lot of fellow travellers with similar interests in this quaint store. It has an array of books on the different aspects of the country, not just Kerala and about topics that spark immediate interest in explorers. For example, books on religion, spirituality, languages and history are go-to sections for many.
"The books here are very extensive, I can find all the things I want to learn about this city and country in here. It's very helpful. Because of the post office nearby, I can send them to my friends back home too!" noted a hooman from America.
Dear hoomans, please do note that the bookstore is only accessible by a staircase!
BOBO’s Bookstore
A hole-in-the-wall bookstore in Fort Kochi, hidden inside a pet haven. It’s last on the list because of one thing – my enemies reside there sometimes because it's very much frequented by dog fraternities and the like. However, do not let my lack of enthusiasm for anything dog-related dampen your experience! I will grudgingly admit that, like us (the superior species), dogs are a friendly companion for humans too! Although the dopamine boost you will get from us is higher! (Do not cite me on this.)
The store has an impeccable collection of children’s books, comics, manga and you can find the most trending books here. There is also a wide range of cute stationery items on sale. Next to the bookstore is a pet store! I found myself indulging in all the variety of treats and cat food they offered me. It was heaven. So many flavors, a diversity of feline cuisines!
Now, as I take my leave, let me show you two books on my favorite topic! Myself.
Here are the Google Maps location links to the bookstores, put your paws on these buttons!
If you love books, don't forget to check out my list of Libraries in Fort Kochi too!
Ginger