Nestled in the centre of Keelung resides the sweetest of second hand bookshops that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Relying on community trust to pay for the books that intrigued them and be a space for those that wander in who wish to browse the wide selection of literature and linger in the cosy space created by Luhmann who is born and raised in Keelung. He set up this bookshop four years ago above his English language school to create a space where people could be exposed to different types of authors and parents of his students could wait in and peruse.
The bookshop business is not easy to sustain given rising online readership preferences over paper, but this shop remains and reminds Luhmann of the days in his childhood that Keelung had lots of bookshops where he spent his time when he was young.
Name: Luhmann
Job: Owner of When Fish Are Talking
"If you can live happily here, then you are tough."
What makes Keelung unique?
First, because of the history. Keelung was dominated by many countries, by Spain, by Dutch, by Japan and China. I think they all gave Keelung a dramatic mix. It also rains a lot in Keelung, I don’t think it’s bad, for me I think it’s beautful, because in Winter, especially during the rainy season, it actually doesn’t rain, it’s drizzily, it’s like a curtain of water, it’s beautiful and I’ve thought that way since I was a child. We have lots of eagles flying over our shores which I think is unique, in other ports there are lots of seagulls but here we have eagles.
What is something people might not know about Keelung?
I think it is the tenacity of the people. In Keeling we have the highest suicide rates and lowest birth rates. So I usually tell my students if you can live happily here, then you are tough. The rain is tough for students, they must travel in the wet weather and be stuck in their damp clothes all day, in their wet shoes. It is not comfortable.
What are some special memories you have of Keelung?
I grew up here, lived my life among the various districts of Keelung so everywhere has special memories for me. I can not say which is most special to me. But when I was 18 and I got my drivers licence, I would drive to Dawulan Shan, during my college years, in the winter or summer vacation time, especially in summer I would go almost everyday.
Did Keelung change in your memory?
The number of tourists, about ten years ago, I don’t remember any tourists, before I was 14, maybe before I was 35, now on the weekends there are traffic jams which annoy some locals but I think it’s a good thing. I’m proud of my homecity.
Want to lose yourself among the shelves?
Luhmann's door is always open — literally, 24 hours a day.
Author/Image: Jiang O’Neill
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