Struggling to find solace in a hectic city? Jisaam.books offers a refuge. It is a place to handle your emotions through literature.
Jisaam.books stands as an independent bookstore. It is a comfort to Hongkongers in these uncertain times. The name Jisaam means “two” and “three” in Cantonese. It refers to the room number So and one of her co-founders shared in university. That number was 23.
Let’s step inside Jisaam.books. You will find literature. You will find philosophy. You will find history titles. Jisaam also hosts art and music events. It is one of over 20 independent bookstores. These bookstores have been established since the anti-government movement in 2019.
The idea for Jisaam began with So and her roommate Sherry Lam. Lam dreamed of having her own library. So saw it as a chance to create an emotional outlet for Hongkongers. So felt lost about the future after graduating with a visual arts degree. She realized she had no place of refuge to handle her emotions.
So and Lam used their savings from part-time jobs. They rented a 500 sq ft shop in Yau Ma Tei. Later, they brought in another friend, Joyce Yeung, to help. The three girls did everything themselves. This included sourcing books and decorating.
At first, things were not working out. For the first few months, they could only fill one bookcase. The books were mostly second-hand titles. Professors and friends donated them. So laughed and said they spent a long time convincing people that Jisaam is a bookstore.
Jisaam’s selection was limited. The team was picky about the books they offered. So explained that books shape people’s thinking. She said they carefully select books to appeal to readers.
To attract more people, the three owners expanded beyond a traditional bookstore. They turned Jisaam into a cultural hub. They organized talks and concerts. They created reading clubs and film screenings. When they charged fees, they were criticised. People thought they were commercialising art. So disagreed with this mindset. She said art and culture are valuable. She said people should be willing to pay instead of expecting artists to work for free.
The most successful event has been the Philosophy Bread talks. Roger Lee King-hang is a senior lecturer at Caritas Institute of Higher Education. He is also a member of a local group promoting philosophy. He wanted to support Jisaam. He saw it as a cultural hub that encourages reading and learning. These are essential to civil society. Lee said the founders are young and talented and their efforts are admirable.
So borrowed money from her parents. She opened another bookstore in Lai Chi Kok. She wanted a bigger space for their growing audience. Jisaam was becoming more popular. However, it barely made enough to cover the rent. So and the other two owners often felt discouraged. So felt like it would not make any difference if the bookstore disappeared.
Bleak House Books announced it was closing. The store owner, Albert Wan, decided to leave Hong Kong. He shut down the beloved shop. Wan texted So about his decision. So felt upset but not very sad. She knew this would happen. That night, she ordered new English books. She tidied up a corner at Jisaam for them. So said they can’t just let everything disappear. Wan left her an encouraging message. He said enthusiasm and love are most important when running a bookstore.
Some people tell them thank goodness Jisaam is still here. So doesn’t want to let them down. She believes bookstores are essential for a city’s well-being. She hopes people agree with their philosophy. She hopes people come to Jisaam to learn new things. Jisaam.books is more than a bookstore. It is a community hub. It is a place for learning and growth. It is a testament to the power of books. It is a place to find comfort and connection in uncertain times.