[chocopie]

I know there are quite a few Daejeon-ites on here, so I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed the recent drop in English novel availability? I'm talking about popular fiction, not classical literature or the Harry Potter series. Lotte Dept store, Timeworld (Dunsan) Dept store, and the bookstore in the Yusong Carrefour building have practically eliminated their popular fiction section, and English Plus' selection is pretty bad too since they changed locations. This all seems to have happened in a very short time. Anybody know why this is, or can suggest other good stores in Daejeon for buying English novels?

[Eric]

There are 2 places that I used to go to; Kyobo and Samsung downtown. Kyobo use to have a great selection but now they are down to the classics, though they do have a decent Lonely Planet selection (at least the last time i was there). Samsung has some new, popular novels, though the selection is limited and a lot of the books have been made into movies or vice versa.

I dont even bother with shopping for books in daejeon anymore. easier to hop on the bus to seoul's bus station (can't remember the name) and they have tons of books! plus you never have to go into seoul! just get back on your bus when you are done shopping

[little sage]

I know that English Plus in their new location near Timeworld in Dunsan has quite a rack of Lonely Planets but maybe their novel selection does suck, I haven't checked. There is a copy of the History of the English Language that interested me, but that's still pretty low on my personal list of required reading

Has anyone shopped online for books from anywhere other than Amazon? I used Amazon once and it took SO long... Maybe I ordered over Chuseok holiday, though, it was a long time ago...

Anyway, if there is an online site that ships from within Korea (or anywhere in Asia) more quickly than Amazon, I would be loving life.

[chocopie]

There is a site called "What the book" that is based in Seoul and is similar to Amazon. I haven't ordered from them but I know people who have. If you order over a certain amount shipping is free. I don't know how much shorter the wait time is, as I think that they are simply ordering from the U.S. as well, but the free shipping is nice (as shipping from Amazon can be quite expensive) and you can transfer money to them from your Korean bank account, which is good if you don't have a credit card.

I probably will end up ordering from them if I don't find something in Daejeon soon, I just like going to a bookstore when I need a book to read, not having to go through ordering, transferring money, etc....

[chocopie]

[quote=Oreamnos]There are 2 places that I used to go to; Kyobo and Samsung downtown. QUOTE]

I know the one bookstore downtown - kind of next to Macdonalds - which one is that, Kyobo or Samsung? And where is the other one? TIA

[little sage]

I don't know the names of the bookshops downtown. It's been soooo long since I've even bothered to look inside (I don't need to reread To Kill A Mockingbird anytime soon...)

Thanks for the link to What a Book. I'll have to settle for virtual browsing as well I much prefer bookstores, though. I hate shelling out money before reading a few paragraphs and knowing the font size and paper quality (call me obsessive).

If I find another site like that, I'll post it here.

[songsengnim]

I have placed orders with "what the book". You can get free shipping within Korea if the order is above W15 000. Also, you need to have a Korean person's phone number, when you place the order,so that they can varify your address or call (in case)to get the directions correct to your doorstep.
You'll have to log in and create an account.Once you have placed an order, they display an amount of time for delivary. There's a "fast books" section also, where you can order and receive the books the next day or within 2~3 days.Yes, some books do have to come from the States and the usual wait is 18 days.The sale section is also great.I highly recommend this place,if you don't have a credit card in Korea. ps.can't wait for Harry Potter 6..about 135 days left(not sure about the days)

[Eric]

good info! i'll check them out the next time I need a book. Is there a website?

[songsengnim]

You're welcome.
Yes, there is a website: www.whatthebook.com
You can also visit the store on your next trip to Seoul,directions on the site.The owner, Chris,is very helpful too.
Hope this helps..happy reading!

[asiaexpat]

Thats a good link

I wonder if they have a site like that for books in Thailand.

If you're looking for something new to read I was told by 2 seperate people yesterday that the author Don Brown has written some great novels.

[Eric]

Quote chocopie

I know the one bookstore downtown - kind of next to Macdonalds - which one is that, Kyobo or Samsung? And where is the other one? TIA

That one is neither Kyobo or Samsung.

Kyobo bookstore is further west of time world, probably about 2Km away. Its in a big brown building called Kyobo Saeng Myeong

You can get to the Samsung building from the underground and it too is further west of time world. And its name is Samsung Saeng Myeong. (Im pretty sure Saeng Myeong means Insurance).

I havent been to that one in a while but its always packed when i go there so im sure they still have some English books. they also have teaching material as well.