Changsha Evening News all-media reporter NingSha Ou
Have you ever seen a bookstore where you can listen to talk shows? The Shuma Bookstore University Town store is one of them. Since its opening at the end of 2020, for more than a year, it has become the soul of the students of Yuelu Mountain University Town. It is a bookstore, a study hall, and can also be transformed into a small theater, a talk show, and an author's meeting venue. This bookstore, hidden under the Yuelu Mountains, has become the "second classroom" for Xinxin students.
It starts with "face value" and ends with "depth"
In the morning, when the reporter came to the University Town store of the Stop Bookstore, the bookstore had just opened, but many students from surrounding universities had already studied and read here. Mr. Shu did not study nearby, but took advantage of the spring light to visit Yuelu Mountain, was attracted by the "high value" of the bookstore, and could not go out as soon as he came in. "The sculpture at the door is very interesting, and the dark colors of the interior are also quiet and serene, although it is a first time, I like it here." Mr. Shu said.
As he put it, there is a sculpture at the entrance of the bookstore, fashionably dressed and with his hands folded, which should be the image of a young thinker. This is also a portrait of the students in the main group of bookstores, the university city: young and active, eager to learn. Walking into the University Town store, black and gray ceilings, black and gray pillars, black and gray bookshelves... The dark tones project light onto books and cultural and creative products, and also properly highlight the protagonists in the space - all kinds of books.
If many readers like to stop is "starting from the value", then the end is "depth". "Our bookstore is the 'best bookstore in Changsha' that readers have passed on by word of mouth." Gu Lijun, general manager of Stop Bookstore, introduced it proudly. Relying on the profound cultural heritage under the Yuelu Mountains, the selection of stops takes into account the best-selling and depth, entertainment and thinking, "Readers who know the goods will know that they have come to the right place when they look at the bookshelf." Gu Lijun said.
Mr. Shu was more interested in architecture, and after finishing his conversation with reporters, he found an architectural atlas on the bookshelf and read it with relish.
The bookstore has a bar counter to provide drinks and light meals for readers, and many student members order a breakfast and then study by themselves. On platforms such as Meituan, the catering here has repeatedly received five-star praise. Gu Lijun said with a smile: "The bookstore focuses on doing what it is good at, and the catering is actually not in this list, but it was 'out of the circle', which is also a windfall for us."
Famous teachers start the second class
Huda University, Zhongnan University, and Normal University surround the three colleges and universities, and in addition to the role of the original bookstore, they have gradually developed a new function of "second classroom". Recently, the bookstore has launched the "Stop-and-Go Youth Talk", inviting knowledgeable students and accomplished seniors to discuss public issues and share entrepreneurial experiences here. The first issue was hugely popular as soon as it was launched, and the end time was delayed by nearly an hour due to the enthusiastic speeches of the students. The three surrounding universities are also very interested in this, recommending many excellent speakers, and the monthly "Youth Say" schedule is full.
In addition, there are activities such as "Intensive Reading Club" and "Lushan Famous Artists Reading Club", and famous artists such as Wang Yuewen and Yu Xiuhua frequently visit and share exchanges with students. The bookstore area can also be used as a classroom to hold "excellent postgraduate courses", and this month, a postgraduate tutor from Lake University Law School will bring his disciples to give lectures.
It is also one of the few bookstores in Changsha that can listen to talk shows. The bookstore launched the "Book Project", where institutions such as the Dabing's Laughing Factory regularly hold cross-talk talk shows, dramas and other performances. If you're confident, you can even volunteer to come up and talk about a talk show. At every performance, the seats were packed, and even the audience outside the window was crowded.
Lu, who studied at the Law School of Normal University, said: "In addition to self-study, I will come to participate in bookstore activities when I have time. I was impressed by many sharing sessions and book clubs. Currently, the bookstore has thousands of members, mostly from three nearby colleges and universities. The University Town Store of Shuma Bookstore has become an important place for students to acquire knowledge, share views and show themselves.