Garden Books
This café and bookstore is a fantastic addition to Shanghai’s foreign community. The café’s highlights include gelato (Italian ice cream), Illy coffee, and a quiet seating area to work or chat in if you need it.
The book selection, however, is what truly makes Garden Books quite special. The collection is small, yet varied with mystery novels, non-fiction titles, and Chinese themed cultural novels. The selection will satisfy both tourists and locals seeking some new pleasure reading. In addition Garden Books also features an excellent selection of Chinese learning materials. I found a great ’Intro to Chinese’ book that has made learning Chinese far less overwhelming for me.
Garden Books also contains a considerable collection of cookbooks, art and interior design books. Many titles are courtesy of the publisher Phaidon, whose beautifully designed books on a number of topics from art history to fashion make perfect gifts. The section of books on Shanghai is naturally quite helpful as well (and also makes great holiday gifts). My particular favorites are the Shanghai Architectural Guide and the small photograph book with pictures of old and new Shanghai placed side by side (only 68 RMB!).
In an effort to support the environment, no plastic or paper bags are given with your purchase. The option of buying a cloth tote bag for 10 RMB is far more useful anyway!
Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd Station. Exit onto Shanxi Rd and head north for two blocks to Changle Rd. Take a left on Changle Rd. Garden Books is about 50 meters down the street.
User reviews
Re: Garden Books
Don't go to Garden Books!!!!
The bookstore just recently changed the manager to Mr.Chen who has been reported to the police for his racist and discriminatory treatment of the customers. He has instructed all his staff to bully the customers who browse more than 2 books without buying -- the special instruction is to treat the ethnically Chinese customers as if they're criminals.
I have been there a few times (for the cafe, not the bookshop, and the quality of the coffee doesn't match the price but the location was close to my office) and every time I was there I saw the staff harassing the customers with rude words and atrocious attitude. The reports to both the Trade and Commerce Bureau and the police have been filed for this bookstore a few times. The manager Mr. Chen was quoted as saying, "this is not a library...if you want to read a book, go to a library..don't come here; we only sell books."
Mr. Chen also mentioned that he's also a manager of a bookstore on Fuzhou Road, which, according to him, is "about 10-20% cheaper than Garden Books." When asked why he made the prices of books at Garden Book more expensive than elsewhere, he commented "The foreigners in this area are naive and do not know the market price because they're only rich but no brain...They have no idea that books here are more expensive."
Re: Garden Books
Garden books's official website : http://www.gardenbooks.cn/
where you can find information about latest books.