Bookstore-cafe in Doha?

worth making a trip to the Dubai mall to get my fill of books at Kinokuniya. I could spend days there.....

I've been always wondering why we don't have a cafe-bookstore.

I've discussed this issue with my father. The conclusion is that the problem is the locals -Qataris- themselves. Reading is not a habit for a lot of them, so opening a cafe-bookstore here doesn't seem so beneficial.. at least to cover its costs. So it is up to you and the few Qataris who appreciate reading.

If you are serious, and if you managed to gather a good number of supporters, we can do something like this:

1- Choose a coffee shop that the majority of you are satisfied with, you can make a vote or anything similar.

2- Send them a suggestion letter to have a partnership with some well known publishers to start a cafe-bookstore project.

3- Most important, include with the suggestion the signature of all the supporters. We need a good number with some well-known names.

This is the least thing we can do, and I don't think we're going to lose anything if we didn't succeed :) .

Hamad, thanks for the offer, but the thread was about finding a café-bookstore, not merely a nice place to read.

...yes that's Coffee Cottage. Not a fan of their coffee though :)

I think that you could look in the Virgin store for Kindle. Not too sure, though, but seems the likely place.

u can borrow my balcony if u wish .. its at the 17th floor viewing the yacht marine at the pearl

:)

Anyone know if theres a place I can buy a Kindle in Doha?

Also there's a decent coffee shop on C-Ring in Al-Sadd area that has few decent books.

Its close to the Hardees.

Chocaholic,

I sure hope so, as it can be a traumatic experience!

I hope I never come to the point of knowing for myself exactly what you mean ;)

Still scouting for nice cafés, though :)

Will do. Although I didn't like the coffee at Coffee Cottage in City Centre.

But am willing to give all of them another shot :)

try these places the coffee is very good and books are also

1.caribou coffee-salwa road

2.coffee cottage-all branches are good

3.dunkin donuts coffee is good

the act of "respecting" here implies enforced reframe and restrict, thus you will feel coerced.

I had a great time in nice cafés, thanks ;)

Does it ever actually come to coercion? (Pardon the ignorance, but as you know, I'm a greenhorn here)

Or is it more FEELING coerced?

I hope you enjoyed your cafe sojourn :)

Nice and interesting conversation going on here. Almost as if this was the missing coffee shop.

I am back from a break away in the coffee shop’s world and would like to answer Mandi's question:

When does assimilation become capitulation?

When you abide to coercion in the name of respecting the local “culture”!

Yes, thanks, I've seen the one in the City Centre. Nice big bookcases, rather puny selection of books :)

But yes, when there's nothing better to do, definitely worth a drop in.

The only problem is, the coffee sucks :( I'm a 'serious' cofee drinker :) and I judge standards based on the basic, brewed coffee (nothing added). Only Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf comes somewhere close to good coffee. Sad... :(

But I'm hoping to find better in the cafes I haven't yet tried, of course :)

One by Ramada and the other in City Centre (by the cinema). I know they have book shelves in the far corner and though limited and few selection of books, those are good read.

I used to find time on weekends to drop by and have a read but since I smoke and that place is a NO SMOKING AREA, I tried looking for other coffee shops but no luck.

I have been wearing glasses since I was 8 years old, eyesight has neither improved nor deteriorated since then :)

Got hooked to online reading when I was in Dubai actually, there were no libraries that I could find and couldn't afford to buy a book everyday... Just carrying on with that in Qatar..

...or victim of circumstances? :) I don't want to reach the stage where I feel no difference between reading a real book and reading online!

My eyes start blurring and my brain gets fuzzy just a couple of hours into trying to read on the computer! And stuff that actually requires focus becomes impossible!

Good luck to your eyes! :)

Downloaded chocaholic..

It takes some time getting used to reading books on computer but I have to read or write at all times. .. It's an addiction so either I am writing something or I am reading something whenever I get free time.. Online or a real book, hardly matters to me now :)

Do the libraries have only reading rooms, or do they also function as lending libraries?

Whyteknight, I am reduced to my last 2 books, and then it'll be Amazon and online as well :( But 'on the computer' - ? Downloaded or specific sites?

Reading a novel a day but all on computer :(

"The last juror" by John Grisham on menu today

You can visit Qatar foundation, they've five different libraries and a branch of library of congress in the georgetown university building

Thanks for the heads-up about the sale.

I agree with how you define capitulation. I was simply wondering about the difference between 'apparent' capitulation (which in a place like this may merely be an effort at fitting-in, or not sticking out) and real capitulation.

Or if apparent capitulation, if sustained over a long period of time, actually becomes real. And more scary would be if that happens slowly and almost imperceptibly, without one realising it.

Thanks, Soltero - I did read and check out Caribou.

I agree with Gadarene, though. 2 weeks in Doha, and I'm already fed up of chains and franchises! Doesn't bode so well for the future in this city :-/ But I guess it's also something that one gets used to slowly, but only because one HAS to get used to it.

But right now, I'd kill for a real cafe - charming and quaint and warm. And standalone :)

As for the books, I've already placed an Amazon order - I hate buying books online, but desperate times call for desperate measure :)

And Soltero - take a vacation! I'm already dreaming about going home in the summer!

Back home used to read 1 paperback in a day or two. Doha has cured me from this bad addiction. sighssssssssssssssssssssssss.

3 years?!!! my god. the anticipation of going home at least once a year is the only thing that keeps me sane in this hellhole.

plotting my leave schedule at the start of every year is enough to get me excited. the mere suggestion of my supervisor not allowing me to go on leave on the dates i want is enough to make me almost throw tantrums like a spoiled little kid and i'll be on a bad mood all day.

@ Soltero,whoa mate! 3 years?! here?!...you need to get out ASAP mate!...i don't know your situation but the ONLY thing that keeps people sane here is getting the hell out of here at regular intervals,so good luck mate!...happy reading to you too...

..to be honest about it, i like reading almost all of the posts everywhere here at QL..some made me laugh, some made me think and some made me more grateful for what i have..in a way, it was almost like reading books, also, coz am a bookworm myself, and i love to read...

..btw, have been away from home for more than 3 years now without a vacation so i can really empathize with some of the sentiments..just don't know how to start a blog by myself, for now...

happy reading, everyone...

best regards,

@ soltero,that might have something to do with the fact that QL is the only place people can vent their true feelings in public apart from conversations with friends...do you want 'nice' or honest?...because often,the truth is not very nice & as for surreal,it doesn't get more surreal than this town mate!...

Caribou Coffee is a Coffee shop & a chain one @ that NOT one of those quaint old world cafes(that have no branches!) one might find elsewhere in the world & certainly NOT a REAL bookstore...

..very nice, thought provoking thread..but it wonder, aside from the book sale that was last posted, if choco have read 2 posts that directly answers her query..

..try Caribou cafe on the salwa Road..

..then, again, i find a lot of overwhelming outpouring of emotions in most of the threads here in QL..nice, but surreal...

Just found out that the book sale won't be on this first Friday of February because of the Annual General Meeting after the service. Sorry about that. Actually I consider capitulation to be when one is at odds with one's own beliefs/standards/ideals. I used the phrase in a discussion about the Babylonian Exile and drew some comparisons with the expatriate experience.

Mandi

Thank you, gadarene!

P.L.U.R. :)

@ Mandi,thanks for the info. mate!...

@ chocaholic,the service is held @ DESS(Doha English Speaking School),it's in Bin Omran,closest landmark TV roundabout...

peace,love,understanding,respect-p.l.u.r

Sounds promising! Where is this church, and what is DESS (or is that the location? :))

I love the way you've phrased the question. An effort to integrate/assimilate is just that. I suppose different 'host' societies choose to read it differently.

But more importantly - and I'm just wondering - is it assumed as capitulation based on one's apparent behaviour?

In that case, wouldn't (what one thought to be merely) an effort at assimilation lead to real inertia/submissiveness/'zombie'-ness (as per Nic), if sustained over a long period of time?

What is p.l.u.r.?

Nic, then the choice would be to disown the ideology, wouldn't it? If that's what needs to be done to assert or even have a choice.

Yes, I'm rather obstinate when it comes to the fundamental freedom of having a choice. (Or would that be idealistic? :)) Anyway, I've always managed.

That being said, I'm sure there are realities that I'm not even aware of.

Yes, well, when does assimilation become capitulation? A good question for all exiles. Anyhoo - there is a good book sale the first Friday of each month at the Church of the Epiphany (Anglican/Episcopal) which meets at DESS. Service 9:00 am, booksale after at about 10:15. All books 5 QAR.

Mandi

@ Nic,well put! :)...

chocaholic,

Let’s just say that pillars of certain ideologies remove the option of having a choice.

As long as one is aware of the IMPORTANCE OF HAVING a choice, one does everything possible to ensure that one really gets it.

Or is that just naive thinking from the free(er) world of personal liberty and freedom of thought? :)

You obviously know the realities of this part of the world much better than I do.

chocaholic,

lol... you're a lucky one, being able to resist ;)

some are born without that choice.

Engraved in the genes - ouch! :)

No wonder I've always resisted 'conditioning'.

Chocaholic,

"Conditioned" was a deliberate chosen strong word.

It has almost the value of "indoctrinated" a.k.a. "engraved in the genes".

This is what “education” and tradition does to those who are not encouraged to critically think as individuals.

...but 'conditioning' is another dangerous word.

It's the universal scapegoat, easy to blame almost everything on...like the rain :)

Chocaholic,

True and sometimes also conditioned by the cultural background!

For those who are interested, G. H. Hofstede has a great study on cultural behavior!

Nic, 'never challenge' is one thing. That happens to many, especially if they're in another country. They feel cowed by the fact that they're foreigners, and feel they have to abide by whatever the social modes and mores are. This could be looked on as 'submission' as well.

However, surrender and acceptance (real acceptance) are quite another thing, aren't they? That would have to do with individual character.

s_isale,

That depends on several factors:

- How dormant you were prior to your arrival here,

- The degree of connection and interaction you maintain with the outside world;

- How badly you or your loved ones depend on your stay here;

- etc, etc, etc....

;)

Gadarene,

The way things work here, we get unconsciously and slowly conditioned to surrender, accept and never challenge. The sad truth of a society where individual, creative and critical thinking are not welcome (no matter what slogans attempt to say)!

Nic - how long does it take to reach dormant mode?

@ Nic, LOL! @'dormant mode' apt term that is!...the zombies are amongst us, so leave before we turn into one eh?!...spot on...

FatherTed,

Thank you.

Chocaholic,

It’s a plague that will end up affecting all of us to a certain extent. Just try not to forget who you were before you came here and try to leave before entering into dormant mode.

Enjoy the adventure as much as possible ;)

Thanks for the suggestions, and Mandlilur, am hoping you'll share your knowledge of the book sales/groups :)

Since my last post (we don't yet have an apartment, hence the internet access is a little erratic), I've been the Jarir bookstore - and Gadarene, you were right - it is little more than a stationery shop! Thanks to all your inputs, my disappointment wasn't as huge, being prepared 'n' all :) What's with ALL that chick-lit?

Anyway, I just bought a Yann Martel book (probably my smallest bookstore buy to date!). Will look in on Virgin, too, of course still forewarned :)

Unfortunately, I'm beginning to see the sense in things like KIndle now, though I never thought I'd say that!

Tinkerbell, there really IS nothing like the feel of a new book.

Ah well, looking for ways 'to do things differently', then :)

Nic, I am beginning to notice, albeit not yet in a position to make informed comments, the state of resigned compliance.

great posts nic.

Try caribou coffee in Salwa Road. Nice ambience, nice coffee, short selection of books but the place is worthy to visit.

The problem is not finding the books we want to read, the problem is not having them available to those who have no means to get them in their own means!

Why people here tend to look at their own needs and their own satisfaction and there is limited social conscience and obviously zero activism to seek improvement for society in general!

Poor education systems and social dormant trends imposed by the local socio-political system, do a great job to transform all of us inhabitants of Qatar, in compliant silent zombies!

It should not be about the "ME", it's should be about the "ALL"!

deleted, wrong thread

I started reading e-books after coming here, doesn't hold the charm that a book does but atleast I still get to read.

We just find ways to do things differently. I have a Kindle and I've also scoped out the few coffee shops that offer Wifi. I know all the book sales that churches and women's groups offer. There are certainly LOTS of nice cafes available.

Mandi

...all of this.

Evokes a lot of apprehension in me, morbid as that sounds in someone 'just off the boat', so to speak.

Well...er...thank you, then :)

One did come here only hearing about how Qatar is 'different' from for e.g. Saudi Arabia, and after Dubai, the region's leading light. And the fact that almost 80% are expats did encourage a belief that life would be fairly 'easy'...I mean, if there are so many foreigners working here, it must be because they (also) enjoy their lives here, right?

Or is this a ridiculously naive way of thinking? I am fast realising, though, that it's all, well mostly, about appearances. And of course, money.

Sigh...I do hope I can find my 'happy spot' here somehow.

Formatted Soul

Reality bites but we need to face it, if we want to mature and progress!

Isn’t this taught and encouraged in schools where individual and creative thinking is promoted?

Isn't this what Sheika Moussa wants for Qatar?

silence and compliance results in maintain the status quo... exactly what Arab country have been doing in the last centuries... the results are what we all can see .

Start thinking, unlock your competences... that’s the only way things will get better!

Formatted Soul,someone should tell her what it's really like & Nic has just stated the glaringly obvious truth which is lamely attempted to be hidden under a facade of,well a lot of things!...

Chocoholic,there are private book clubs among friends but that's about it,i agree that nothing equals browsing a nice bookstore with a cuppa but none of that here!...

If work takes you or you can otherwise go to Dubai,they have some wonderful bookstores there...

Nic..you disappointed her more..:)

chocaholic,

Choosing to remain in Qatar will mean to give up many other things which you'll realize with time.

The usual process is that you start by feeling disappointed, frustrated, and empty until you start feeling numbed and sleepily accommodated.

With time, you no longer feel the need for nothing else... (make sure you leave before that otherwise you'll be trapped here for a very long time).

Remember that Doha has been classified by the Lonely Planet as the dullest capital of the Middle East.

Today it has change d a bit. But it only invests in its appearance and façade. The core and soul remains shallowly empty.

Down Town is a great tangible example o this: from the distance it might be compared with Manhattan, once you approach it and get inside the streets, you’ll see the lifeless and soulless emptiness.

...and very, very sad...!!!

I just asked this question casually, since (being only 5 days here) I didn't know where to look. These responses have rather shocked me!

So what do people do for alternatives? I mean, a nice beanbag, coffee and books at home are all very well (and I most certainly will get them!), but the sheer act of browsing a bookstore, settling on a couch (or hard chair, if that's what's on offer) with a cup of coffee to while some time away pleasantly, is quite a ritual in itself...

Are there things like book clubs, then? If not, those definitely need to be started!

Thanks for the information, though, however disappointing it is.

Jabba, why not get a Kindle? It's better suited for book reading, and much cheaper than iBad.

Yes there is one. Well not actually in Doha. But you can access it via Doha airport.

Get an iPad. Download all the books you like from amazon and i-store without censorship. Read them anywhere. Win.

try Caribou cafe on the salwa Road..i found that they had a collection of Books in there... It is to entertain their cafe's patrons and not a book store in itself...But u can always try

Sorry mate,you're in the wrong town! or should i say wrong country?!...there's this glorified stationery shop called Jarir that has the audacity to call itself a bookstore,in fact their slogan is "not just a bookstore"?!?!?! just leave out the 'just' & that sums it up!...As Nic said,Virgin has a book section but expect nothing beyond coffee table glossy travel guides(no rough guides so even that isn't comprehensive) & some other completely uninteresting,boring,useless stuff & the standard best seller airport transit variety "novels"...my suggestion,get on Amazon,sign up with Aramex shop&ship,get a nice coffee machine @ home,a nice couch/beanbag & live it up! the best you can do under the circumstances,good luck!...

really? :( too sad..

All in Qatar is ..........

:( :(

The sale of books here in Qatar is still subjected to the Qatari government’s censorship.

Virgin Megastore opened here in Doha with a huge selection of books (in several languages) and not too long after its opening, the Qatari government ordered the removal of the great majority (aprox. 90%) of their stock, leaving only tourist guides and a very few uninteresting ones.

This is still the sad reality here in Qatar, kept secret from the public and from foreign media (the local media are too scared to report facts)!

This is the sad reality of a country that will host the World Cup!

no.

try,Jarir Bookstore..theres coffee shop inside...

Sigh, I wish! It's BYOB here.

Mandi