Leafing through The Open Book.
If you’ve ever fantasized about having a library room at home, then realised that you have neither a) the time, or b) the space, then have we found a literary fix for you.
It’s called The Open Book and it’s situated rather too conveniently over the road from Prego on Ponsonby Road. There you can browse a treasure trove of 20,000 second hand books ranging from Bill Bryson, or Banksy, through to business tomes. Take your time in one of the comfy armchairs, or really kick-back in the courtyard hammock. The Wi-Fi’s free, as is the tea, coffee – and if you time it right – homemade cake.
This literal cottage business was purchased last year by long-time local, Hayden Glass and his not so local friend, New Yorker, Julie Fry. They’ve quickly put their bookmark on the place with some ingenious initiatives such as a new subscription delivery service – you tell them what sort of books you like, they sort through their collection, then post you two or three on a timetable that works for you. The book version of Spotify! They also host mini-concerts, plus book clubs and non-commercial coffee groups can hire the space for free, commercial events can also enjoy the space for a small fee. The Open Book is always happy to take donations of unwanted titles too. Not surprisingly, even their website ponsonbybooks.co.nz makes for great read. Enjoy, bookish friends.
