Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Goedkope boeken om de hoek

- Cheap books around the corner -

Question for the non-Dutch visitors: Can you pronounce the title of this post?

:D

These were taken on the night when me and my friend Danique came back from a Lykke Li's concert, last december.
Before we went inside, we took a look, right around the corner from where I live, at some old books that are always placed on a stand, outside of the booksellers house...
Yes you read that right! Books, just placed outside of the house...and the bookseller is sleeping (INSIDE of course!)!
(I think he lives on the first floor, because there are only paintings and books in the room on the groundfloor.)
I still don't know where he gets his books from, because there are always new books (second hand, perhaps even third hand) everyday.


- If you look at the window...you can see books and an artpiece behind it... -

If you want to become the owner of the book, just shove a Euro coin through the mailbox and it's yours. Of course you can steal allll these beautiful books, because there's no one on the lookout, the bookseller is not watching you with a camera or standing behind the window 24/7. That would be ridiculous.

He trusts his 'customers'. It's a bit contradictive because there is a saying about Dutch people: 'If it's free, we take advantage of it'.
But not here...that's why I LOVE my neighbourhood. It's the best part of Amsterdam. I'm sure my fellow countryman 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' doesn't agree. Haha. Or maybe he does...

Anyhow:


- The text on the left sign says: 'each book €1,- S.V.P. (french for 's'il vous plait meaning 'please') €1,- in the mailbox'. ' 'Open every saturday from 2 until 6 o'clock'. And the right sign says: 'Everything €1,- a piece!' -

My sister keeps coming home with new books almost every day. Hahahaha. And I'm disciplined enough not to take a look at them, everytime I walk pass by these lovely babies when going to the supermarket... 

30 comments:

Rita said...

There is a town here in New Jersey called Metuchen, which has two really awesome bookstores on its main street (which is called Main St :P) and there are always books outside as well, but not at night! And they're only a dollar, too. So, you just go, pick what you want and pay for it inside. There is also a very famous bookstore in New York, The Strand, they always have 1-dollar used books outside, too. But again, you pay for them inside, no cool mailboxes for us.

About the title, hahaha, if you heard me trying to pronounce that, your ears would probably bleed with horror. And, before I read the translation, I always try to figure out what your titles say (I haven't gotten it right a single time) and I thought it was something about fish, hahaha, probably because I thought hoek was hook, and goedkope was... goldfish... yes...

:P

Mirka said...

i love the idea of the books just standing there and waiting for a new owner... its true what you said about the dutch and "stealing" tho! nice pictures again, and the title i could pronounce, maybe... :)

have a nice day xx

Sarah Peguine (שרה פגין) said...

Lovely post! I like the light in the first photo! There is something similar in Tel Aviv see this: http://tinyurl.com/blorf2

Ella Gregory said...

I love the yellowish light in the first photo. It looks like it could be a still from Amelie. It's stunning!

SparkleQueen said...

wow, that's really cool :) seems like a lovely bookstore. I'm only thinking of one thing when it comes to books... Art books!!!

E

TMFA said...

It reminds me of an old book fair held at the city centre market in Cape Town. I miss it.

Annabel Wendt (LoveMore) said...

oh i love these photos! souls browsing through what might be there next escape from reality and their next adventure..so lovely.

:) xx LM

Anonymous said...

haha, yes. I wouldn't say I love Poland nor Polish ppl, but Krákow is an amazing city, really beautiful and amazing night life, although I didn't see all of it. The best clubs are supposed to be outside of the centre, in the suburbs, but we always stayed in the middle of town. But i definately want to return.

diane said...

Who doesn't love old books, especially the way they smell? That's a nice store in your neighborhood.
There's a real vintage feel to the first photo, even what she's wearing. And I love her reflection in the window. xo

Unknown said...

Beautiful place!
I would love to be close and talk with the owner of the place...It seems of movie!

I loved the posters,these is a arts...is so craft...

and of course the photos are great!! =)

Kisses.

Sara said...

My sister is working there in the Netherlands and she says that Deutch people are very honest and trustworthy.

Dominica said...

Lovely picture ...you're peek-a-boo shots are THE best !
I can even pronounce that sentence with a Dutch accent if you want me to ... LOL
My oldest and dearest (gay) boyfriend and I always do this Dutch speaking game (we kinda sound like Theo & Thea...) and we laugh our heads off !!

Great shop, love books and sometimes the old ones are te best !
In Antwerp you have the Kloosterstraat with a similar shop ...

Whistful Wind said...

I love this picture! it reminds me lots old days .......Thank you!

Eve said...

oh how nice! Ur neighborhood does sound lovely. :D i love books a lot..theres a bookstore here in san francisco that also leave books outside on a stand but the seller is not sleeping xD but he isn't really keeping eye on them tho....maybe theres a hidden camera ...
anyways awesome post! ~_~

lulu said...

Hi sir
Yup, from San Francisco. You should come visit. It's lovely out here.

Evelyn said...

We have some store selling used books in HK too, but I like those in Paris and NY.
I like the first photo!

Magenpie said...

You commented on my blog a few days ago and you asked me what tobogganing was and I stopped by to tell you that its when You slide down a hill on a sledge or lid of a bin. Love your pictures as well!
Maggenpie

Addie said...

Hi guy,

Your post is brilliant. CHeck my blog and go to read "Leam or rosebud". I think you'll like it.

Enjoy.

A.

Irene said...

Het is zo heerlijk om dan op zo'n bijzonder plekje een fantastisch boek te ontdekken. Mooie foto's trouwens!

amanda said...

Firstly the new banner is great.

This post is your best so far. I want to come back to Amsterdam. It is such an amazing city.

amanda said...

I think maybe I have only ever read your blog through my reader. This may have been the first time I actually visited.... Wow i have been following it for ages... Or maybe I am just forgetful :)

Jaime Jun said...

beautiful pictures daniel! i especially love the first one! and this is kinda late, but to answer your question my camera is a nikon d80 and i believe it's just standard lens, oh and my younger sister takes the pictures :)

karl's sweet child said...

oh no, it must be a book heaven..love the shots!

for the spelling : goodcop booken om de hook? is it?hahahaha..

Anonymous said...

i also like
and
thank you soooooooo much for comments
real pleasure to hear

maike said...

leuke post en blog!

Anonymous said...

stunning pictures as usual!
second hand books are great. it's a special feeling. and not to mention decode previous owners notes.

Enteni Karyuk said...

very nice// i

Enteni Karyuk said...

thanks for the comment on my blog too)
its my friend http://gille-k.blogspot.com/
At you really cool blog/

Hadley said...

On the island I lived on for four years, we had farmstands set up like this, and it always made me really happy that there was that much trust. Plus, it was gorgeous to see all the flowers and multi-colored eggs and veggies out, waiting for passers-by to drop their coins in a jar.

Suzanne said...

is dit de Oudemanhuispoort?