Imagine you’re a high school student in Phnom Penh. You’re young and bursting with energy to discover new things. But it’s 2006, and internet connectivity is both expensive and unavailable at home. You have $5 to quench your thirst to learn - what can you do? Our friend of Raintree - Vantha Douk - and partner of Phsar Book! @ Raintree says “Swing by D’s Books on street 240”.
ជួបវន្ថា @ Raintree
Vantha is a passionate small business owner, managing Phnom Penh’s longest-standing independent bookstore, D’s Books. They offer a large selection of pre-loved and overrun books for as little as $3 per title! To maintain the interest of both avid readers and newbies, she hustles to make sure that the store provides as many different types of books as possible. Ahead of her exciting collaboration with us on a flash book sale in our very own lobby (Phsar Book! @ Raintree), we spoke to her about the importance of reading in the digital age, her aspirations for D's Books, and more.
What’s behind your shop name D’s Books?
The “D” in D’s Books is for Derek, the founder of the store. I worked under his leadership from the first day of the store opening for 6 years before going off on my own and taking over in 2011. I can’t believe it’s been almost a decade! It felt like yesterday.
Why did you take over the store?
I want to contribute to building human resources in Cambodia. Making sure that this bookstore is alive and running is one meaningful way for me to do so, and something that sparks joy for me.
Why specifically human resources?
I have this memory burned in the back of my mind - the way my friends would lose voice and confidence to even have an opinion when mixed in a crowd with others who have received their education from abroad. Wherever we receive our education from, I believe everyone has the capacity to speak up, have an opinion and do amazing things. But if the absence of overseas education is what made us think we’re not good enough, we can change that - through books that are written by world-class experts from all around the world.
In an era where information is readily available at uttering ‘okay, Google’, why should we still make time to read books?
There’s more to reading than simply consuming information. It transports us to a world we never otherwise would see, and connects us with people across time and space. It teaches us to have the patience for great self discovery and learning.
What’s it like to manage a bookstore during the COVID-19 pandemic?
It’s been difficult. Nothing stings like waking up to set up the store, and making sure that all these hundreds of books are on the right part of the shelf, in the right category, only to have no more than 10 people visit per day. I understand why it’s happening - we’re in a pandemic. It’s important for everyone to stay indoors as much as possible to keep ourselves and others safe, and I advocate for this. But the experience itself came as a shock still because prior to this, people used to flock the store from dawn to dusk. But I think this is one reason why I’m excited for Phsar Books! @ Raintree - I truly cannot wait to connect with new people through books.
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Staying true to our core values to connect, create and collaborate, we’re beyond excited to start 2021 by co-creating an amazing opportunity for everyone in our community to buy incredible book titles at discounted rates! It’s even more special to do so through working with a small, independent business. Check out more event details below and link >> HERE. If this blog sparks your interest to work with our team in any way, drop us a message at hello@raintreecambodia.com. We hope to see you at the book sale! See below for details.
Phsar Book! @ Raintree
Flash Book Sale - Up to 20% OFF!
Is happening at the Lobby (GF) @ Raintree
Wednesday 13th to Friday 15th January 2021
9AM - 6:00PM
For all questions, please call us on +855 85 385 728 or send as an email at hello@raintreecambodia.com.
