ISSUE 17 I SEPTEMBER 2019 waterc��rswaterc��rsKDN: PP15600/01/2013(031621) "Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light" Vera Nazarian 10 things to do at the Penang Digital Library READERS' CORNERS Penang's best bookstores and book cafes CONTENTS ISSUE 17 I September 2019 04 10 things to do at the Penang Digital Library 10 things to do at the 08 Books and beyond Penang Digital Library ISSUE 17 I SEPTEMBER 2019 waterc��rsKDN: PP15600/01/2013(031621) Many ways to enjoy the "Whenever you read a good book, state-of-the-art facilities and somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light" Vera Nazarian conducive environment 12 In cake heaven 14 A sound investment 10 things to do at the Penang Digital Library READERS' CORNERS Penang's best bookstores and book cafes 20 By popular demand Books and beyond THE COVER From Malaysia’s From bookstores to longest bookshelf to a book-centric cafes, heritage house turned we highlight the top Nibbles and tipples by the pool book cafe spots in Penang that 24 every book lover should visit 26 Straits Quay updates All materials published remain the property of E&O Berhad. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form nor by 28 STP community news any means—graphic, electronics, Nibbles and tipples mechanical, photocopying, recording—without prior written by the pool permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the E&O Hotel’s Tapas & Wine credits accurately comply with the serves up a refreshed menu information supplied. Photographs 30 Avira community news used in this magazine are meant and soothing sea views to better illustrate a subject while providing information and are not meant to be invasive. All reasonable care has been taken to ensure that images are available for use in this publication and meet the necessary Straits Quay promotions terms and conditions. 31 PUBLISHER PRINTER KUALA LUMPUR PENANG JOHOR LONDON Eastern & Oriental Bhd (555-K) CLASSIC OFFSET PRINT SDN BHD (729079-M) Head Office & Sales Gallery The Sales Gallery & Show Units Avira Sales Gallery Eastern & Oriental PLC Level 3A (Annexe), Menara Milenium 11 Jalan Alfa Impian 2 Level 3A (Annexe), Menara Milenium Seri Tanjung Pinang No.1 Jalan Medini Timur 15 13th floor, Landmark House 8 Jalan Damanlela, Damansara Heights Taman Perindustrian Alfa Impian 8 Jalan Damanlela, Damansara Heights Tanjung Tokong Bandar Medini Iskandar Malaysia Hammersmith Bridge Road 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 43300 Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 10470 Penang, Malaysia 79250 Iskandar Puteri London, W6 9DP Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia T 603 2095 6868 F 603 2095 0231 T 603 8964 5661 F 603 8964 5669 T 603 2095 6868 T 604 891 8000 T 607 509 6868 T 44 (0)203 837 0000 E [email protected] F 603 2095 9898 F 604 891 2525 F 607 509 7878 www.easternandoriental.com FEATURE FEATURE FACING PAGE: Phase 1 is housed in a colonial bungalow; THIS PAGE: The Amphitheatre can accommodate up to 40 pax; there are meeting rooms available for rent The Penang Digital Library is a community service It began in 2015, when the Penang state upgraded into a 24-hour facility and 2. WORK OR STUDY WITHIN A CONDUCIVE project supported by government collaborated with Keysight in February this year, Phase 2 (PDL2) of ENVIRONMENT E&O Berhad 10 THINGS Technologies, Eastern & Oriental (E&O) the project opened its doors. Located Spacious, well designed and decked Berhad, and TIME to conceive the idea directly opposite PDL1, the second out in comfortable furniture, the library TO DO AT for a library that would drive the way phase comprises a bungalow and a presents a soothing environment that information is gleaned and consumed sleek, modern building set across a neat helps you focus and be productive, in this day and age. At the same lawn. whether you’re a student cramming for THE PENANG time, it would help foster better social an exam or a freelancer on a deadline. interactions and collaborations, that What can you expect at the Penang Phase 1, in particular, is generally quiet ‘human touch’ that has become lacking Digital Library? Here are 10 reasons to and has less visitors. It’s also open 24 DIGITAL in today’s societies. visit. hours so you can make use of its facilities any time. LIBRARY The resulting Penang Digital Library 1. FIND YOUR FAVOURITE READING CORNER (PDL) was officially launched in October By the window with the sun streaming 3. BORROW AND READ E-BOOKS 2016, housed in an elegant colonial in, inside glass cubicles meant for one, Apply for a library card to access Level up your learning bungalow on Jalan Masjid Negeri that booth-style seating, open table set- digital books via an app called Libby. was once the Puspanita office. E&O ups…PDL provides a variety of reading Membership and rental are free. The and working styles at Group was the main contributor for corners to suit different preferences. collection of over 3,000 titles have been the Penang Digital building refurbishment works, including On good weather days, consider specially curated and covers many the mechanical and electrical aspects. finding a spot at Wisdom Street (PDL2), genres, including children’s books, Library. a semi-outdoor area with large tables, comics, and there are even audio The PDL was designed to facilitate face- oversized lamps and bits of greenery. books. to-face discussions, sharing sessions, and There’s complimentary WiFi all around cross-disciplinary engagements. Just six and plenty of plug points for you to months after its opening, the library was charge your devices. 4 Watercolours issue 17 I September 2019 Watercolours issue 17 I September 2019 5 FEATURE FEATURE DRIVE THE WAY INFORMATION IS GLEANED AND CONSUMED 9. SPEND TIME WITH YOUR KIDS For the little ones, PDL1 has a Kid Learning Area that is comfortable and 4. UTILISE THE COMPLIMENTARY IPADS seminars or bigger group meetings. The spacious, an ideal space for reading Left your laptop at home and can’t Amphitheatre can accommodate up to and exploring. If you prefer them get what you need done on your 40 people whereas the Community Hall outdoors, there’s a playground next to mobile phone? Head inside the Phase has a 200-pax capacity. the café at PDL2. 1 building and look for the iPad Area on the ground floor. There are about 10 7. JOIN A WORKSHOP 10. HIDE AWAY tablets, tethered to long tables, that you PDL organises in-house events from Some days, the city can feel a bit too can use on site. time to time, such as children’s arts much. If you need a place to get away and craft workshops during the school from it all for a few hours while eschewing 5. HAVE A BRAINSTORM SESSION holidays. In April, they also hosted a the typical café scene, PDL may have Sometimes, a change of environment ‘Let’s read together for 10 minutes’ just what you need. The Mansion, one is what you need to stimulate creativity session in support of the Penang state’s of two buildings that make up PDL 2, and spark innovation. Bring your team government initiative to get people to has an elegantly furnished Lounge Area over and rent either the Collaboration read more. that could pass for a charming boutique Room (PDL1) or Brainstorm Cube (PDL2). hotel. Rental starts from RM80 for two hours 8. DRINK AND DINE and the rooms come with LCD TV and Love A Loaf Café has one outlet each PENANG DIGITAL LIBRARY HDMI cables. at PDL1 and PDL2. The former serves 135 Jalan Masjid Negeri, light bites and drinks, whereas the latter THIS PAGE: Phase 2 opened this January, Daerah Timur Laut, George Town 6. HOST AN EVENT (also known as Cabin in the Park) offers a modern complex that includes Opens: Phase 1: 24 hours; Besides the smaller rooms, which a wider selection of breads, cakes and outdoor seating; FACING PAGE: Parents Phase 2: 8am-10pm daily are suited for work meetings and hot food for all-day dining. Both are can enjoy a meal at Cabin in the Park Helpdesk +604 370 8715 brainstorms, the library also has larger operated by the same people behind while their children make use of the Office +604 370 8687 spaces that you can rent for events, the popular Kota Dine & Coffee. playground penangdigitallibrary.com 6 Watercolours issue 17 I September 2019 Watercolours issue 17 I September 2019 7 FEATURE FEATURE BOOKS AND BEYOND Bibliophiles, bookmark these places in Penang to satisfy your love for the written word. ARECA BOOKS BOOKXCESS GERAKBUDAYA BOOKSHOP @ HIKAYAT THE NOOK BOOKS & CAFÉ History buffs, literature enthusiasts, After wowing book lovers in the Klang The original store at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Describing itself as a used bookstore and culture vultures, arts lovers…if any of Valley with their astounding selections Keling has been in business since 2014 espresso-tiam or coffee shop, The Nook these describes you or your choice of at low prices (and the record-breaking and last year, Gerakbudaya branched certainly lives up to its name, a cosy and reading materials, you don’t want to Big Bad Wolf book sale), BookXcess out to nearby Lebuh Pantai with this tranquil café housed in a row of neatly- miss Areca Books. expanded to Penang to open their new edition. While the former focuses preserved heritage residences that’s eighth store, at Gurney Paragon Mall, on South East Asian literature and rare ideal for escaping into a book.