In an era where the digital wave dominates and chain bookstores are closing down, a group of independent bookstore owners in Taitung have chosen reading as the starting point for dialogue with their communities, quietly continuing the mission of cultural preservation.
On Zhongshan Road in Guanshan Township, Guanshan Organic Bookstore operates on a secondhand book exchange model, allowing books to flow freely between travelers and residents. Affectionately known by locals as the Little Eslite of Guanshan, the store adopts a “swap only, no sale” approach, where visitors can take home a book of their choice for a set NT$20. In collaboration with the Lilong Information Center, it also provides diverse tours and experiences such as the Little Town Guide, the Outdoor Mountain Secrets Tour, and the Farm-to-Table Agricultural Experience, creating a unique reading culture.
(Photo credit: Shuzhou)
(Photo credit: @dianehigurashi)
Books for Beds
Located in downtown Taitung, Guesthouse Susu offers a curated mix of new and secondhand books collected from across Taiwan. Through local curation and reading-sharing events, it has built a vibrant platform for exchange. After relocating from Taipei to Taitung, owner Susu not only runs the bookstore but also pioneered Taiwan’s first book-for-lodging model, allowing backpackers to offset accommodation costs with books, CDs, or vinyl records. Guesthouse Susu has become a must-visit for creators traveling to Taitung, and in collaboration with other local shops, launched the Wild Film Festival, extending events beyond the bookstore to places like Luye, Chishang, and Guanshan, and establishing itself as a hub for topics related to Indigenous culture, history, and the arts.
The Rotating Bookstore Manager System
In Changbin Township, Shuzhou Bookstore has introduced an innovative operating model. Founder Kao Yao-wei designed a rotating manager system, where book lovers from across Taiwan can sign up to serve as bookstore managers for seven days at a time. This approach not only resolves staffing shortages but also opens the space to greater participation, enabling more people to engage and share their stories. The popularity of the program is such that those registering this year may have to wait until the following year to take their turn, a testament to the system’s success and wide recognition.
(Photo credit: Shuzhou)
(Photo credit: @beizhenhu)
(Photo credit: @beizhenhu)
A Cross-Generational Experimental Platform
Beyond selling books, these bookstores have become innovative platforms for community building and local engagement. The managers of Shuzhou Bookstore have ranged in age from 15 to 76, each adding unique value based on their personal talents. One manager even launched a Buy a Book, Get a Portrait service. Shuzhou has also played a community role as an after-school place for children from Changbin Elementary School, giving them a safe space while waiting for their parents after work. The Taitung County Government has also actively supported the development of these independent bookstores, using cultural policies to foster a reader-friendly environment.
(Photo credit: Guanshan Organic Bookstore)
Small Bookstores, Big Energy
Though small in scale, these bookstores embody a strong sense of everyday life and play an important role in local revitalization. Guanshan Organic Bookstore, together with the Lilong Information Center, helps visitors explore Guanshan’s history and culture through guided tours. Guesthouse Susu regularly hosts author talks and cultural events, making it a cultural landmark of Taitung. Shuzhou Bookstore, meanwhile, embraces a philosophy of sustainability, where achieving “break-even” is considered success, offering a different perspective on life’s values. These unique bookstores not only preserve the warmth of physical reading but also serve as vital gateways for travelers to discover another side of Taitung, injecting ongoing energy into the cultural development of Taiwan’s East Coast.
(Photo credit: Guanshan Organic Bookstore)
