At least, that's what Word Power would have you think. This indie bookstore is situated right next to campus, along West Nicolson street. It prides itself on supporting young writers and small publication houses, in addition to stocking a range of thought-provoking, "alternative" material.
I was greeted by a large but docile dog upon entering Word Power this afternoon. It followed me obediently for a few minutes as I checked out the shelves which were labelled thematically: 'Politics,' 'Sociology,' 'Feminism,' 'Sustainable living,' 'Travel,' 'Environment'...you get the picture. There is also an adjacent room stocking fiction, but I mainly confined myself to the non-fiction section.
Some of the titles are quite fascinating, and I do urge you to go down and just browse at your leisure. I lingered quite a bit at the Feminism section, reading blurbs of various books which chronicled the global sex trade in devastating detail. Moving on to the Sustainable Living/Environment section, I finally learnt that Rough Guides doesn't focus only on travel books (yes, call me ignorant). They also produce guides on a whole range of subjects including Rough Guides to Ethical Living, Ethical Shopping and Climate Change, which I was interested to see.
Similarly, the Travel section doesn't just stock your usual assortment of guidebooks, but also has a selection of travelogues and literature pertaining to responsible tourism.
Its manifesto may be a bit strident for some, but Word Power truly is a welcome balance to large chain bookstores which are chock-a-block with the latest 'blockbuster' novel. Well worth a look-see.
On a different note, photography aficionados out there might do well to linger along Cockburn street which houses both a specialist gallery and bookstore.
Entering the Stills Gallery, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it as yet another too-posh, White Cube set-up. What's not immediately apparent is this is not just a gallery devoted to photography, but a virtual resource centre for all photographers and photography enthusiasts. The gallery itself is rather small; it's currently devoted to an exhibition of Barbara Probst's works. Once you're done taking in Probst's works, skip on down to the lower or upper levels where you'll find an assortment of facilities including:
- A wee reference library dedicated to photography - free and open to all. Just walk-in, no problems
- FREE WIFI
- Darkrooms, open to the public to use...though I think you have to book ahead
- Computer labs
- Coffee and tea to nourish you while you wait for your photographs develop...
Hung around in the library and poured through a critical reader on contemporary photography. I have to admit I spent more time looking at the photographs than reading the text! But in any case, I think the entire gallery-cum-resource centre is a great idea, and does show a commitment to nurturing photographic talents within the community. Did I mention that Skills also conducts training workshops and educational programmes? Hats off!
If you need more of a photo fix, head on down to Beyond Words, which is just up the street from Stills.
Beyond Words is a bookshop specializing in photographic books. Beautiful hardcover tomes featuring breath-taking photos on a variety of subjects including the urban architecture of France, panoramic landscapes, Japanese 'gothic Lolitas' and female nudes. Lovely to thumb through.
So shall settle down tonight with my new book from Word Power. Feel pleased with myself! See you world.
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