K.X. Song’s Bookstore Rituals
K.X. Song, the author behind the new fantasy romance ‘The Night Ends with Fire’ inspired by the legend of Mulan, shares her unique habits when visiting bookstores and libraries. Song’s stance against the trend of color-coding bookshelves is well-known, emphasizing the importance of practicality and usability over mere aesthetics.
Early Literary Memories
Reflecting on her childhood, Song fondly recalls her favorite library – the Shanghai Library. Nestled conveniently along the subway line near her family apartment, the library offered a haven of study desks and a canteen with healthy, affordable meals. Arriving early to secure a spot was customary, and once a desk was secured, it was hers for the entire day.
Surprising Discoveries
As a teenager, Song encountered a poignant experience when a librarian mistakenly shelved the wrong book for her. This serendipitous event introduced her to mature themes beyond her youthful understanding, fostering a love for literature that unveiled the complexities of betrayal, suffering, and forgiveness. This transformative experience ignited her passion for writing, with the hope of touching readers’ lives as profoundly as that one book touched hers.
Favorite Bookstore Habits
When entering a bookstore, Song has a ritual of visiting the ‘New in Paperback’ section first, appreciating the affordability and convenience of paperbacks. She also enjoys reading staff recommendations, finding joy in discovering shared or differing opinions on familiar reads. Her preferred bookstore companions? Bookstore cats, which she believes perfectly fit the cozy, literary ambiance.
Song’s personal library is organized by genre and theme, with favorite covers facing out, abandoning the frustrating practice of color-coding. Her ideal bookstore-browsing snack is an iced americano, showcasing her ability to juggle coffee, sunglasses, and books effortlessly in one hand.
Dream Bookstore Visits
Among her bucket list of bookstores and libraries to visit, the Mill Valley Library in Northern California and the Beitou Branch Library in Taipei, Taiwan, top her list. Both epitomize unique architectural beauty—one as a sunlit haven in the woods, and the other as Taiwan’s first green library.
Song’s last literary purchase was ‘Half a Lifelong Romance’ by Eileen Chang, finally diving into the renowned author’s works after numerous recommendations. Her literary journey, filled with early library memories and serendipitous discoveries, continues to inspire her storytelling and personal reading habits.
