This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
Published on November 23, 2019, by Bett Kinyatti, more by this author can be found here.
Walking into Halfpriced Books, a bookshop in Nairobi's city centre, is like stepping into a treasure trove of stories. The shelves are stacked with pre-owned books, each one a testament to the power of reading. Among the titles is 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden, its pages smelling of musky storage and mawkish sentiments.
On the first page of this novel, the name 'Corrine Benedek' is pencilled in, a handwritten inscription that adds a personal touch to the book. This is not uncommon in bookstores like Halfpriced, where the owners take pride in their collection.
Behind the success of Halfpriced Books is Mercy Kibira, a book lover who turned her passion into a business. With a degree in economics from Kenyatta University, Mercy could have easily taken a job in a bank, but she chose to follow her heart and start a bookshop.
Growing up in Elburgon town, Mercy never had access to storybooks in school, but her father made sure she had a steady supply at home. This experience drives her to donate books to schoolchildren in marginalized communities, a goal that is close to her heart.
With a target audience of students, middle-class, and low-income earners, Mercy's bookshop offers a unique service. She sells pre-owned books at half the price of new ones, making reading accessible to those who may not have been able to afford it otherwise.
As a voracious reader herself, Mercy cherry-picks the titles that end up on her shelves, ensuring that her customers have a wide range of options to choose from. Her soon-to-launch website will further enhance the browsing experience, making it easier for customers to find their next great read.
