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Published : 15 Dec 2024, 04:20 AM
The 'Bengal Boi', a bookstore and community space, is located in Dhaka's Dhanmondi 27.
Upon stepping into the cafe's open courtyard in the afternoon, rows of tables came into view, nearly all seats filled. Some visitors were absorbed in reading, others were chatting, and a few were deep in discussions—all while enjoying tea and snacks.
Inside the bookstore, a similar scene unfolds, with the venue bustling daily with book lovers and social enthusiasts alike.
This is a typical sight, according to the cafe staff.
Due to the overwhelming interest from bibliophiles, it now operates from 10am to 9pm daily.
Bengal Boi’s Operational Manager Akhtar Hossain told bdnews24.com, “We recently conducted a survey and found that over 1,000 people visit us every day.”
While primarily a book retail hub, Bengal Boi also offers a variety of food.
Many visitors come for extended chats while enjoying their meals, and some end up buying books too, said Akhtar.
“We get students in the morning who come in to read, and after work hours, the place fills up with office-goers,” he added.
BRAC University students Sabiha Anjum, Lumia Ahmed, Russell Sarker, and Krishna Chanda were chatting at the Bengal Boi.
Sabiha told bdnews24.com, “It’s both a restaurant and a bookshop at the same time.”
“This is a smart idea. Running a business solely by selling books is tough. Other restaurants are just for eating. Here, we can hang out, enjoy food, and then dive into our favourite books. If something catches our attention, we buy it. It’s great,” she added.
The concept of book cafes is now spreading beyond Dhaka, with similar spaces opening in Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Chattogram.
Bangla Academy President Prof Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq views the rise of book cafes as a positive trend.
"Book cafes are springing up in cities, which is an encouraging sign,” he told bdnews24.com
He added, “Much like coffee shops abroad, where people spend hours reading or chatting, we are seeing similar practices here. These spaces encourage reading, socialising, and cultural exchanges, which is delightful. I believe this will have a long-term positive impact on our society."
Another book cafe in the capital is “Baatighar” on Mymensingh Road in Banglamotor, where four young men were seen sitting at a table, engrossed in reading.
One of them, Zulhas Abedin, a Dhaka University student, said he frequently visits Baatighar to read books.
While he was speaking, several others nearby were enjoying coffee and chatting, with some even taking photos while holding books.
This blend of casual conversation, coffee, and reading is not confined to Bengal Boi or Baatighar.
Other cafes like Prothoma and Riddhi are also embracing the trend.
These retail spaces often host small cultural events, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
BOOKS OR VIBE: WHAT’S BRINGING PEOPLE IN?
When asked whether more people come to eat or to read, Akhtar said: "People come to hang out while having snacks. Some do read books, but not everyone buys books every day. However, book sales are satisfactory at Bengal Boi."
Dipankar Das, the owner of the Baatighar, said: “We’ve intentionally kept the menu light, offering tea and coffee. The idea is to ensure the focus on books isn’t overshadowed by a restaurant vibe.”
Originating as a bookstore in Chattogram, the Baatighar expanded to Dhaka, opening a charming branch on the seventh floor of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro.
Now, it has six branches in Dhaka's Banglabazar, Aziz Super Market, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Chattogram, with cafes in four of them.
Dipankar said, “People are now buying books, but sales slowed a bit in July and August. However, things are getting back to normal, and we hope the coming days will be better."
Recently, a new book cafe called "Riddhi" has opened in Mirpur.
It is located behind the old building of Islami Bank Hospital, opposite the Purabi Cinema Hall.
A three-story building is decorated with traditional Alpana paintings.
The third floor is dedicated to the book cafe, which also features a spacious hall.
This space hosts a variety of exhibitions, festivals, and fairs.
The entire ground floor is reserved for reading and food areas, while the second floor holds a library and archive.
There are separate corners for Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, along with a kids’ section in the library.
Naimur Rahman, the data entry operator at Riddhi Book Cafe, told bdnews24.com: “Over 500 readers come to our library every day.
He added, "Right now, it’s exam time in educational institutions, yet over 300 readers visit. In total, including the cafe, library, and events in the auditorium, more than 1,000 people come here every day."
The cafe remains open every day from 8am to 10pm.
The Prathoma Book Cafe started its operations on Nov 11, 2021.
Located at Chef's Table Courstside in Dhaka’s Madani Avenue, the cafe offers light snacks alongside options to read and purchase books.
Visitors can drop by between 4pm and 10pm daily.
The cafe’s Manager Humayun Kabir told bdnews24.com, “We have four sales centres, two of which are book cafes.”
He added that the book market has been a bit slow recently. "The rising cost of living has negatively impacted book sales, and with the influence of technology, people aren't spending as much time socialising."
Located near the Shantinagar intersection, Panjeree Book Shop, also known as PBS, started its journey in 2010.
The shop offers a space for book lovers to hang out, with a dedicated children’s corner.
It also features a 3D theatre and a music cafe.
The PBS has three branches in Dhaka – Shantinagar, Uttara, and Dhanmondi.
It stays open every day from 9am to 9pm.
The Pathak Shamabesh, or Reader’s Assembly, in Shahbagh is also well-known among book lovers.
It is located just past the National Museum at Shahbagh intersection, opposite Aziz Super Market, heading towards Katabon.
They also have a branch at 278/3 Elephant Road in Katabon.
This 6,000-square-foot space features not only a library but also a “Silent Reading Room” and a cafe.
It is open daily from 10am to 9pm.
In addition, “Bookworm Bangladesh” at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan and “Bookend” cafe in Banani are also gaining recognition.
DIPANPUR CLOSED, KABITA CAFE SHRINKS IN SIZE
At the busy Katabon intersection, two book cafes once stood side by side.
One, named Dipanpur Book Cafe has now shut down completely, while the other, Kobita Cafe, has moved to a small room in a nearby building.
On Oct 31, 2015, publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan was killed in an extremist attack at the office of Jagriti Publishing House in Sahbagh’s Aziz Super Market.
After his death, his wife, Razia Rahman Joly, stepped forward to manage her husband's publishing house.
In memory of her late husband, opened a unique bookshop cafe called “Dipanpur”.
The cafe was launched on the 45th birthday of publisher Dipan in 2017. However, it was completely shut down in 2021.
“We couldn’t manage the financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the space was rented, we had to pay a large rent during that time, Razia told bdnews24.com
She added, “Eventually, we closed ‘Dipanpur’ and moved the publishing house to an office in Katabon’s Concord Tower.”
When asked about the business success of book cafes in Dhaka, Razia said: “It’s easier to run a book cafe if you own the space, otherwise it can get tricky. After a few years of building a customer base, you often have to leave the place for different reasons. Also, the book business isn’t exactly the most profitable.”
At the same intersection, Kabita Cafe now has a “To-Let” sign hanging on the premises.
The cafe’s Director Nahida Ashrafi told bdews24.com, "We initially rented the space for Kobita Cafe, but the lease has expired."
“Now, we are searching for a new, permanent location. Currently, the cafe has been temporarily relocated to a small room in a nearby building. Once we find a new space, we’ll be back in a larger setting,” she added.
Nahida continued, “I run ‘Kabita Cafe’ under my own publishing house, ‘Jolodhi’. Managing this kind of business without own property makes things more difficult.”
READERS TURNING TO POLITICAL BOOKS
Talking to several book cafes in Dhaka, it has been revealed that there has been a recent increase in interest in political books.
Publishers are also preparing to release political books at the "Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025".
Bengal Foundation Director General Luva Nahid Choudhury shared her observations with bdnews24.com, saying: “Sales of history and political books have gone up. It’s a positive sign.”
"Interest in books has increased; people's curiosity has grown. Along with topics related to Bangladesh, there is also a rising interest in history and sociology," she added.
Prothoma’s Manager Humayun, and Baatighar’s owner Dipankar provided similar information.
“Earlier, novels used to dominate sales. Now, books offering political analysis are taking the lead. We’re planning to release a few titles on the 2024 mass uprising at the upcoming fair,” said Humayun.
Dipankar said, “For the past few years, we’ve seen a rising interest in political books. It seems people in our country are becoming more politically aware.”
When informed about this shift in reading habits, Prof Fazlul, president of the Bangla Academy, said: “It’s too early to conclude that this means people are becoming politically conscious. However, if this trend continues, it will have an impact on our social structure or political reforms. This is a positive development."
[Writing in English by Sheikh Fariha Bristy]
