“OH no, we have to buy a box!” “Is it expensive?” “But I only want a few books.” Their voices low, the three teenagers milling around just outside the entrance to the bustling Big Bad Wolf Box Sale located in the spacious confines of the Exhibition Hall of the Starling Mall in Petaling Jaya, all sport worried frowns.
As they discuss how they’re going to launch their onslaught, I make my way into the inner sanctum of this vast cavern, an ocean of books accosting my sight and smell.
Like a child who has found herself in a chocolate factory, I find myself overwhelmed, not knowing where to begin or what to look for.
The sight of Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein — The Dead Town (which I’d been meaning to purchase but never got round to) peeking from under a pile in the Fiction section reduces me to silent spasms.
Just as I’m about to make a beeline for it, I’m momentarily distracted by a couple of Philippa Gregory paperbacks from under another mound. Another little jig ensues... and then, wait, just ahead I clap eyes on a sign that screams “History”.
“Oooh, I wonder whether there are any Tudor gems there,” I muse aloud, anticipation growing by the minute.
Just next to it, the “Biography and Memoirs” section seems to be calling out too, just like the Sirens in Greek mythology, luring hapless humans to their watery grave — or in this case, to an empty wallet!
Clutched tightly in my hand is a small box (courtesy of the organisers) which I’m in a rush to fill before my appointed time with representatives from the Big Bad Wolf.
Arrggghhh, I feel like I’m on The Amazing Race. Right, no time to waste — there are books to capture!
A NOVEL CONCEPT
“The difference between a Box Sale and the regular Big Bad Wolf Sale is that when you come, you have to buy a box. They are two sizes to choose from — small and a slightly larger one,” elaborates brand executive Michelle Hor, whom I meet by the check-out counter at the end of my “experience”.
Like the cat that got the cream, I’m a happy chappy, having managed to stuff at least 10 books into my little box and all for RM79!
Amused by my glee, Hor adds: “Do you know in the big box you can fit books up to the value of RM2,000? There’s also the family book that you can opt for, which is a combination of the big and small box. That one you pay RM160.”
The modus operandi is pretty simple. It’s not necessary to purchase the box first. You can just browse the Sale, see what catches your fancy, and then buy the appropriate-sized box.
“For this box sale, we encourage people to look for different genres,” advises Hor, adding: “For example, if I’m a die-hard fan of fiction and never give other genres a chance, here’s the opportunity to do so. The books are already at a bargain so why not add one extra book into your box?”
The trick, it seems, is to come with family and friends. This way, you won’t be too upset if you can’t find enough books to fill your box. Share the box with your “posse” and everyone gets to choose something.
Hor adds that this is also a fabulous chance to pick up books that you can later gift to friends and family.
When it comes to “cramming” the books into your box, it’s akin to approaching a jigsaw puzzle. Books come in different sizes and somehow, they need to fit into your box without anything bulging out.
“I’d put the big books at the bottom and then start arranging — some books will be standing, others laid flat. Last year I attended a Box Sale and bought a big box. I was able to fit 35 books inside!” chips in senior PR executive Pam Kaur, who’s also present for the interview.
The box, explains Hor, has to look the same until the end of your shopping experience. Before checking out your boxes, you need to ensure that it can be closed flat and without force, with the top flaps of the box meeting easily.
Shoppers with boxes that are bursting at the seams will be requested to trim down their book selections.
With more than 700,000 books here and so many genres to choose from, what makes this selection different from that found at the usual Big Bad Wolf Sale, I wonder aloud.
“The books are very limited in quantity,” replies Pam, adding: “You’ll probably find one or two rare gems here. They’re here in the Box Sale because they may have a little wear and tear. It’s not to say that they’re very old but just have some minor defects due to logistics.
NURTURING A READING CULTURE
Making books affordable is the founders’ way of encouraging people to read.
The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is the brainchild of BookXcess founders, Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng, and first kicked off in May of 2009 for five days at Dataran Hamodal, Petaling Jaya.
The books, which comprised various genres, from fiction, non-fiction, literature to children’s books, were predominantly taken from the stocks of BookXcess, a book store that deals in excess or remaindered books from international distributors.
“Our sales have been growing year by year and I definitely attribute this to the price,” confides Hor. “If you go to other book stores, you might find that the cost of your book is the value of one week’s grocery. By providing more affordable books to the public, we can get more Malaysians to read. We’ll end up with smarter Malaysians!”
Most of the books that can be found in the regular sale comprise a considerable selection of children’s books. The idea is to inculcate an interest in reading from young.
Says Hor: “Our children’s books sell really well. Parents like to pick these books up for their children because they’re very ‘senses-driven’ and interactive. They help to develop all the child’s senses, which is important for their growth process. If you go outside, interactive books like these can be pretty pricey.”
At the end of the day, it’s all about having the rights to knowledge — whether you’re rich or poor. And that comes from having access to books. Books that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Enjoy the feast!
WOLF BOX SALE
Where: Exhibition Hall, The Starling Mall, Petaling Jaya
When: Ends tomorrow. 10am to 10pm
A Big Box, which costs RM99.90, can hold up to RM2,000 worth of books. A Small Box costs RM79.90. Shoppers can also opt for the Family Box at RM160 for a combo of both boxes. Students can use their Kad Siswa at the Sale.