In a time and age when the world is practically at your fingertips – finding stories on social media, e-books at the click of a button and apps which read out stories and novels to you – the world of the internet couldn't be more exciting.
And, while the segment of tech-savvy people is rapidly increasing, there's still a sizeable fraction of society that loves to hold a book in the hand, smell the scent of print, and flip through the pages of the book, while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.
Most do it at home, but what if cafés offered the option to do both – eat as well as read? As luck would have it, Goa has opened its doors to 'foodie bookworms'.
From grabbing a cup of coffee to fries or even a sandwich, these cafés go beyond the regular, with more than a hint of books in them.
Some of them even let you borrow, buy and immerse yourself in the books – while you dig into cupcakes and coffee – making them the perfect destination to curl up with a captivating story.
Café Literati Goa, in Calangute, is more than just a bookstore, it’s a community, says its website, and truly it is just that. Chatting with Diviya Kapur, who runs the place, you learn how the community at her café is gradually growing.
“We have a section where people can buy books -- and it's a café, too. So, people can read books, and at the same time, enjoy some snacks,” she shares.
She adds, “There is a garden in the backyard, where people can read, but we have realised that letting too many people inside the reading area can cause a disturbance. So, we have limited that space.”
Nikhil Zaveri, who loves to read, along with his brothers decided to stick with the book shelf at their Café Basil, in Miramar, when they had a choice between a TV and a book shelf.
“The book shelf has been in the café since the time we opened it in 2013. We, brothers, are avid readers and thought it would be great to have some of our book collection at the café, too.”
Although they started giving away the books to people who wanted to borrow, they quickly realised that the concept didn’t work out as expected.
Although they started giving away the books to people who wanted to borrow, they quickly realised that the concept didn’t work out as expected.
“Initially, we would let people borrow the books, but then we had customers who would ask us about the borrowed books. So, we decided to stop it. Sometimes we also get customers who donate their old books. There's nothing like finding a cosy place in the café to sit and read with some coffee,” he says.
The owners of Café Rasa, in the heart of Panjim, believes that books enrich the mind.
“We've filled the café with books to create a warm, inviting space where everyone can find a moment of peace or inspiration. You'll find a variety of reads, including books about Goa, and works by authors who have passed through our doors,” says Navneet Prakash, of Café Rasa.
He adds, “This initiative not only enriches the cultural vibe of our café, but also fosters a shared community space where guests can relax, exchange books and perhaps discover their new favourite read.”
Radhika Timbadia of Champaca, in Anjuna, works on a similar concept where people can buy books at Champaca, which is situated in the outhouse of the restaurant run by Tanjore Tiffin Room.
Mansi Desai, who likes to inculcate reading in her 10-year-old son, loves this concept.
“My son, Atharva, loves to read and I love to spend some time with him. So, we go to different cafés like Basil, where we can eat, and at the same time, Atharva can read, too. There are book stores in Goa, but they don’t have a place where you can read and read,” says Mansi.
Book cafés such as these are venues where you can enjoy reading a book, while socialising and, of course, having a bite, too, with the result that they are gradually getting popular among Indians, and more so, among Goans. And, it looks like this trend is here to stay.