In Waiting For Faces

At The English Book Depot, the shelf-mates spend most of their day waiting. I call them shelf-mates because they have been here for years—long enough to know the shelves by memory, recognise which books sell without being asked, and sense whether someone walking in is a serious reader or just passing time. Their familiarity with the store is not written anywhere, but it shows in how quickly they locate books and answer questions.

Despite their experience, they often tell me that most of their day passes slowly. The bookstore remains quiet for long stretches when no one walks in, and nothing changes except the clock. Sometimes boredom settles in not because they dislike their work, but because there is little to do without customers. What keeps them engaged is people. When a customer arrives, their posture changes. They enjoy recommending books, explaining editions, or sharing what they know about an author. When asked about the store’s history or the owner, they speak with the confidence of those who have watched it grow over time. These interactions matter more than the sale itself, and that is what The English Book Depot is really about.

In many ways, the shelf-mates are observers. They notice patterns—the regulars, the students, the occasional tourists. Entertainment comes not from anything in the store, but from human presence. Through years of routine, they continue to show up, sit between the shelves, and wait for conversation. That waiting, repeated day after day, quietly defines their experience of the bookstore.

Sneha 

- Intern at The English Book Depot