Bookshop Spotlight: The Maldives’ Barefoot Booksellers On The Power & Magic Of Books
Sand between your toes, the sun on your back, the sounds of waves massaging your brain – the Maldives is a portion of paradise. But for a reader, nowhere is truly paradise without a carefully selected summer read to fill those long, lazy afternoons.
Enter The Barefoot Bookseller. Founded in 2018 by the expert-driven book curation service Ultimate Library, the name originated from the island’s no-shoes policy and became the first pop-up bookshop in the Maldives, first setting up shop at luxury resort Soneva Fushi and later expanding to a store at Soneva Jani.
Matching the island’s tropical vibe, Soneva Jani’s whitewashed bookshop sits on a jetty above a crystal-clear lagoon, where visitors to the store can try to spot the local marine life while hunting for their next page-turner. Meanwhile, surrounded by lush greenery, Soneva Fushi’s bookshop blends into the natural landscape. It is designed with tree-like shelving, with books suspended by string that appear to float in mid-air – creating a feeling of magic and escape for any reader.
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However, the most unique feature is the barefoot booksellers themselves, who offer curated book recommendations for each guest through personalised reading consultations. They also run writing workshops, storytelling sessions, visits from renowned authors for literary discussions, and quiz nights.
Malsa Maaz is a cultural anthropologist from the Maldives, who became the first Maldivian Barefoot Bookseller in October 2021, fulfilling her passions for culture, literature, and education. “It has truly humbled me to experience a dream job surrounded by books and the ocean,” says Maaz, “The most rewarding aspects have been connecting with the local book community and helping people from around the world rekindle their love for reading. I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for the power and magic of books.”
Another bookseller, Jennifer Harlow, started at the Soenva Fushi store in 2023 after working for some of the UK’s leading publishers for over a decade – she has fallen in love with “barefoot living in paradise”. “Easily my favourite part of the job is engaging with book lovers on a daily basis – there’s nothing like getting to know a guest, selecting the book you think would be perfect for them, then hearing them talk about how much they loved it” she says. “As the literary curators of the resorts, Malsa and I combine the slow life ethos Soneva represents with our passion for reading and sharing that enthusiasm with our guests and their children.”
The Reading List: 5 Books To Take To The Beach by The Barefoot Booksellers
- Cleopatra And Frankenstein by Coco Mellors – An addictive, humorous and totally engrossing debut novel about an unlikely romance in the bohemian whirl of New York and the shockwaves caused by one couple’s impulsive marriage.
- The Storied Life Of A.J Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin – A heartwarming tale about a quirky bookshop owner whose life takes unexpected turns through the power of literature and community.
- The Sign For Home by Blair Fell – Follow a deaf-blind man on his quest for independence and love. This unique perspective offers insight into the complex communication of the deaf-blind community, unfolding a deeply moving and inspiring story.
- Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – A witty and empowering read that follows the life of a woman chemist who defies societal norms and expectations in the 1960s.
- Folk Tales Of The Maldives by Xavier Romero-Frias – A collection of traditional Maldivian folk tales offering a glimpse into the unique cultural heritage and oral traditions of the small island nation.
Jamie Styles is Editorial Assistant at Service95
