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LADIES OF LEISURE: Harried women find refuge and spiritual space in a dedicated reading environment (PHOTO BY LIU JIAN) |
Today, women have myriad ways to improve themselves. Some frequent beauty or hair salons to better their self-image, while others diligently exercise at the gym to preserve their figures. But for those looking for a less superficial form of enhancement, classes to garner new skills and improve professional competence have become all the rage.
Increasing numbers of Chinese women are opting to better themselves through sitting down - in order to pore over books. The Lady Book Salon in Beijing has fostered one such group of women, who are empowering themselves through reading and communication.
The salon opened its first branch near the city's Tsinghua University in 2007. Five years later, it now boasts three branches around Beijing.
On the store's shelves, books are divided into three categories. There are tomes "Written By Women," both domestic and international; texts "Written For Women," whose subjects range from psychology to health, cooking and makeup; and books "Women Should Read," most of which cover the humanities and social sciences.
Zhao Zhilin, 50, who lives near Lady's Chongwen branch, comes here three to four times a week. On how she first discovered the bookstore, she recalls, "One day when I was shopping in the mall, I heard some people reciting poetry in English. Curiously I entered the store and found they were hosting a poetry event." She became a member that same day.
Members are allowed to borrow three books and two DVDs at a time, according to Zhao. "It's different from other bookstores," she says. "You have soft music, sofas, lamps and tea. It's a good environment to settle down in. Here, I find more joy in reading."
The store is most popular among women between the ages of 20 and 50, according to Lady's planning director Sun Tingting. "Women in this age group are experiencing changes in their family and professional relationships, but still need to focus on personal growth," says Sun. She wants to provide a special place where women feel comfortable enough to read and interact.
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