I've searched high and low for this one. I didn't try Borders or Kinokuniya, instead trying the numerous second-hand bookstores in Singapore. Last week I made calls to all such bookstores that are listed on the Internet, and all are out of stock, or they are not even familiar with Ayn Rand. Are these books really so popular that they get sold out all the time? Or are they so esoteric that shops don't bother to stock too many, unlike titles like Kite Runner which seem to be flooding every shop.
This past week I made many trips (due to my bad memory) to VivoCity (and by gosh, it is really a city, because it has EVERYTHING! You can practically LIVE inside there!) and by chance, the friendly computerized store directory (sponsored by VISA) told me there is a SAN Bookshop when I tried to look for "books" (PageOne was not the first result). So off I went to the far corner of the complex, only to find the shop, but not the book. "It's sold out, may not come in for another 2 to 3 weeks." "Okay", I said. "Could you let me know when it arrives?". "Sure!" and I left my name and number.
Just TWO days later, I received a call, "Mr Cheng, your book has arrived. We shall reserve it for 3 days only." Darn, I was going for Sitex that day, Library@Orchard closing on Friday, leaving only Saturday free to collect the book.
So off I went on Saturday after finishing my chores at home - mopping the floor, tidying my room, cleaning my desk, and messing around with my MP3 player - by then it was almost 5pm! Fortunately, the book was still there, with my name stuck on the cover :). I happily paid the $18 for it. It's a six month lease, but I'm not sure if I want to return it. Like the girl at the bookshop told me, "usually people who read such books won't return them - they will have them for keeps".
So kudos to SAN Bookshop (Vivocity)! You have made my day/week/month/year. Not forgetting, that I got my TWO copies of Atlas Shrugged from SAN Bookshop (Suntec) too!
SAN Bookshop Vivocity: #02-130 Vivocity, 63769332.
SAN Bookshop Suntec: #03-30 Suntec City, 63342326.
I shall post their carrier design later. Oh, and they wrap the books nicely too! THANKS! :-)
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