The comprehensive collection of books that span Chinese literature, translated pieces and a decent selection of English and Japanese language publications, is only a small part of the story. Founded in 1989, Eslite has grown to be a prolific part of everyday Taiwanese life, and it’s not just fueled by the local’s love for reading. Eslite is bustling as a place to read and purchase books, sure, but it is more of a meeting place, a shopping place, a place to spend time by yourself, with friends, with family. It plays a specific role in Taiwanese society. Sure, reading is a part of the lifestyle but you don’t see people reading on the subway (the smartphone addiction in Asia is next level), but buying books is a part of the lifestyle that doesn’t quite exist anymore in the US where Amazon has taken over. Eslite is the one stop shop for purchasing books, for finding what to read next, for picking up the latest issue of a magazine (print magazines still thrive in Asia).
But like I said before, the very organized shelves sectioned into neat categories are a small part of what Eslite does. Eslite is a cultural hub for Taiwan. Where media and retail blend seamlessly. In many of the locations, Eslite is set up more like a department store than a bookstore. Spanning several floors, often with a section dedicated to local makers and brands (from arts and crafts to groceries and pantry), usually some kind of cafe within the book section, music, film and more. Oh, and of course there’s a food court because we’re in Taiwan, you have to have a food court.