Page One bookstore turns a new leaf in Sanlitun (4)

"It's a feeling, you know," opined Sun. "You can feel the books. You can really touch them. I have an iPad, but I never use it to read. Especially for the art and design titles and children's titles. Children like the paper and like books that can surprise them in ways that e-books can't. We have a lot of pop-up books, sound books and touch-and-feel books. E-readers can't do that."

In addition to the onslaught of books in the store, considerable floor space is given to quirky and hip merchandise which bears little connection to reading per se. Manager Sun notes that the Sanlitun area's natural focus is on lifestyle products, so she finds no disconnect in a bookstore that also sells jewelry, decorative plates, Lomo cameras or pillows. In fact, she's right: The well-chosen product selection somehow seems only to enhance the book-buying experience.

Page One, Sanlitun Village south. 15 minutes walk east from Dongsishitiao exit B.

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