Tucked away in a cosy corner at Far East Plaza, one can not only find a bookstore with a few rare gems but also a friend in Mr Noorul Islam, the Mr Bean of Singapore.
By Muhammad Fathullah, Raushana Bte Shaik Mohamed Salim
Mr Noorul Islam, the 70-year-old who has been running Ana Book Store for over 40 years, posing by his store located on the top floor of Far East Plaza (PHOTO: Raushana Bte Shaik Mohamed Salim)
For six days a week, rain or shine, Mr Noorul Islam, a second-hand bookstore owner, would buy his mee goreng and teh tarik before opening his bookstore at 12:30 p.m. sharp. He has lunch at his bookstore and then carries on to work for seven to eight hours straight. Doing this for six days a week might seem daunting to many but Mr Islam would not have it any other way.
He sees his occupation as more of a hobby that he enjoys rather than a job which he dreads turning up for every day. Mr Islam’s bookstore is definitely a crucial part of his livelihood. He keeps the store running to this day not just to earn a living.
Mr Islam genuinely enjoys curating used books and selling them to his customers for a cheaper price.
Avid readers would know that buying books every month is a therapeutic but expensive hobby. However, they always have the option to purchase from second-hand bookstores like Ana Bookstore. The books from Ana Bookstore are usually rare or too old to be found in your regular neighbourhood bookstore.
Despite this, the books are still very affordable. Not to mention how purchasing used books is useful in saving Mother Earth.
Mr Islam will welcome you with open arms and help you find what you’re looking for. Even if you don’t end up finding anything, a brief conversation with Mr Islam is enough to make your day.
NOT SO MODERN BOOKSTORE
Ana Bookstore used to be more well-known back in the day. Mr Islam has put up all the articles that were written about him in his bookstore. (PHOTO: Muhammad Fathullah)
A landline phone and bobbleheads of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Bean sit nicely near a simple desk workspace that serves as both his headquarters and cashier counter. His entire workspace is a tiny nook facing the bookstore entrance. This is where the magic happens.
Working for seven hours, six days a week does not seem to phase Mr Islam. Maybe he’s just used to it, having ran the bookstore for decades, or maybe it’s his stellar attitude towards life. Both of those things combined make up an incredible business owner.
“As long as I have energy, my hands and legs are still moving, I will be here.” He says zestfully.
Mr Islam took over the responsibility of running the bookstore after his father passed away when he was 12 years old. Of course, he had some help from his grandfather in the beginning. Nonetheless, running a business is not an easy task to accomplish when you haven’t reached your teenage years.
When Mr Islam took over, the bookstore was still located at Bras Basah. At the time, it was called “Modern Bookstore”. It was a location filled with prominent schools which made it ideal for catering to students in the area. This lasted until 1990 - when they had to close down because the area was being redeveloped.
The store was re-opened in 1992. To this day, you can find Ana Bookstore in a concealed little corner on the fifth floor of Far East Plaza. Ever since the relocation to Far East Plaza, Mr Noorul built plenty of meaningful relationships and friendships with the shop owners and regular patrons.
THE MR BEAN OF SINGAPORE
This is where Mr Islam spends most of his time. His cosy workspace is adorned with his prized books and trinkets. (PHOTO: Muhammad Fathullah)
Mr Noorul Islam describes himself as a simple man. The only way customers can contact him is through his landline phone which he holds dearly. His store also does not use any electronic payment methods.
Despite not having any websites or social media presence, he still makes the effort to connect with customers by making conversation and forming bonds with his regular customers.
The store has always been part-and-parcel of Mr Noorul Islam’s life. To him, running the business is more of a hobby than a job that he dreads.
“It’s my bowl of rice, how can I dislike anything about it?” He expressed.
Having worked there for decades, Mr Islam has grown fond of Far East Plaza. He made many friends over the years and has grown comfortable with his work environment. These are the very friends that gave him the ‘Mr Bean’ nickname. Mr Islam believes that he is right where he was always meant to be.
A little-known fact is that he used to dabble in acting, back in the day. He appeared on television in Singapore, 30 years ago, on a few different channels.
Looking back fondly on those days, he chuckled, “I don’t think about going back to acting. I’m too old for that”.
Still, Mr Islam is definitely not too old to crack a joke or two with his customers and friends. He claims that his favourite book is Sarong Party Girls by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan because he is not a serious person. Of course, someone known as ‘The Mr Bean of Singapore’ would come off as quite the joker.
ANA BOOKSTORE’S SPECIALTY
Some books might be yellowed but every word is still legible. Macbeth is one of many classic titles that Ana Bookstore has in stock. (PHOTO: Raushana Bte Shaik Mohamed Salim)
Mr Islam is a book collector. He collects books from his friends or people around him and sells them in his store. However, Mr Islam doesn’t just sell everything he gets. The books in his store are carefully curated and priced according to their condition. If the book is older or in poorer condition, it will be sold at a lower price. Prices are set as low as $2, depending on the condition of the book.
Despite his meticulous system, Mr Islam’s selection of books does not disappoint. He still has books from many genres and eras. There is something for everyone.
“Like chicken, mutton and beef, you can find everything in this shop.” He says proudly.
Mr Islam’s meat analogy is certainly appropriate in his situation. After browsing through the bookstore for a while, we found that he has children’s books, romance, self-help books, autobiographies and even a bunch of vintage magazines. He also has titles that are rare and some books in his store might not be found anywhere else as they have been discontinued.
Whatever book one might look for, there is a high chance that Mr Islam has it in stock. All his customers have to do is ask him for help. The humble Mr Islam might say that he is not a serious person and he only reads joke books. In reality, he is quite knowledgeable when it comes to books.
SHOP AT ANA BOOKSTORE TO SAVE MOTHER EARTH
The books are overflowing off Mr Islam’s shelves. Some even have to be stacked up from the floor to save space. Many people go to him to donate or sell their used books. (PHOTO: Muhammad Fathullah)
Ana Bookstore looks as though it is bursting at the seams with used books. One may think that Mr Islam is making a huge difference in the reduction of paper waste by selling used books. On the contrary, the used books that Mr Islam sells is just the tip of the iceberg.
In 2021 alone, the National Environmental Agency has reported that Singapore generated 113,600,0 tonnes of paper and cardboard waste and only 39 per cent of it was recycled.
Second-hand bookstores like Mr Islam’s collect the books that people do not wish to keep anymore and sell them for a cheaper price. However, Mr Islam chooses to go the extra mile. Customers are allowed to purchase a book and return it to him for a refund when they are done reading. This saves us a lot of money. Not to mention how it reduces the chances of his customers discarding the book after they read it.
According to the Ministry of Manpower, Singaporeans usually retire when they reach 63 years of age. Mr Islam is definitely a different breed. He doesn’t just work to earn a living, he works to make a difference in the environment and help the people around him.
CUSTOMERS (OLD AND NEW)
Mdm Rohaila Binte Sanusi (left) posing with the owner of the bookstore that she grew up with; Mr Noorul Islam. (PHOTO: Raushana Binte Shaik Mohamed Salim)
Having been around for decades, Ana Bookstore gained a few loyal customers. People of all ages, from all walks of life, come to Ana Bookstore to be greeted with a warm smile and friendly conversation before leaving with a new used book.
The splendid service and great deals keep Mr Islam’s customers wanting more. They enjoy coming to the bookstore so much that he has customers that have been supporting him since his Bras Basah days.
“(I’ve seen) children grow up to be mothers who bring their children here.” He says.
Due to the large selection of books from different genres in his store, Mr Islam gets to meet customers from all walks of life. People usually go there when they wish to purchase a book but still need to save some money.
Mdm Rohalia Binte Sanusi, a 50-year-old secondary school teacher has been purchasing books from Ana Bookstore ever since she learned to read. She keeps going back there, to this day, to buy books for herself and her children.
“I used to come to buy and borrow books because it’s cheaper. Now, I bring my children here to buy books for them and reminisce moments from when I was young.” She recollects.
Mdm Rohaila came for the books, but she stayed for the memories. She enjoys telling her children stories about the good ol’ days; going out with her friends, and looking for books to improve their English.
Ana Bookstore is not just a second-hand bookstore. It is also a library and a great place to just hang out or relax with Mr Islam. The perfect combination. Just like the ‘Chanel baby’ that keeps coming up in Sarong Party Girls, his favourite book.
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