KUCHING: Every year, 71-year-old Larry Siah continues his passion project, ‘Second Time Around Book’, by filling the corner of The Hills, here, with a variety of books from around the world.
Siah shared his 15-year journey of managing the secondhand book fair during an exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune at The Hills yesterday (Feb 7).
“For about 15 years, this secondhand book fair has been an annual event for the book lovers’ community in Kuching,” he said.
He revealed that books have always been more than just pages bound together, as his love for reading began at an early age.
The avid reader came across a few books that transformed his mindset, allowing him to see life from a broader and better perspective.
From that moment on, Siah’s outlook on life was forever changed.
“Books have changed my life from day one,” he said.
An attempt to help a secondhand book dealer 15 years ago was what led to the creation of his annual secondhand book fair.
“A friend offered me a space at Crown Square, and from then on, I saw how appreciative the Kuching book community was,” he said.
Thus, the annual book fair was born, bringing in thousands of secondhand books shipped from the United States over the past 15 years and offering them at affordable prices to avid readers.
Unlike commercial booksellers, Siah emphasised that he never runs the book fair for profit. Instead, it is purely driven by his passion for books and reading.
“Personally, it’s never about making money. It’s about making books accessible to everyone and keeping the reading culture alive, regardless of their financial situation,” Siah said.
In recent years, however, he has witnessed a slight decline in readership and wonders why people are reading less these days.
“I don’t know why, but this year has been quieter as well,” he said.
Although the economy might contribute to the slow but steady decline, he believes that the digital age has significantly changed society’s reading habits, especially among the younger generation.
“For those who come, they are the ones who have had a lifelong fondness for books, but their numbers are dwindling. They are mainly older people,” he said.
The hours spent on digital devices and the increasing consumption of online content may have taken away time from serious reading, which Siah finds unfortunate.
“The people who come here are very civil, wonderful people. It’s like seeing old friends again every year,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Siah finds joy in the friendships he has made along the way.
“I’m old now, and I’m tired. If someone has the passion, I hope they can continue this,” he added.
Looking ahead, Siah hopes that someone will take over the book fair in the future.
With only two days left in this year’s fair, Siah encourages book lovers to drop by and experience the joy of holding a book in their hands.
“If you love books, don’t miss this chance.
“Because once you open a book, you open a world of possibilities,” he said.
