Borders Malaysia will cease operations in Malaysia on August 31, more than a decade after the original U.S. book chain, Borders Group, filed for bankruptcy and closed all of its U.S., FMT reported. The chain's online store has been closed since May 31.
Berjaya Books, which operates Borders Malaysia, thanked customers for their support through the years. "We are truly grateful for the trust and loyalty you have shown us and we would not have been able to come this far without you," the company said in a notice posted at the Bangsar Village 2 Borders outlet, which will close after July 31. "Although our journey is coming to an end, our commitment to our customers remains unchanged. We will ensure that you receive the best customer service until the very end." The bookstore chain has not said when its other outlets will be shutting down.
Coconuts KL noted that over the years, Borders Malaysia had "also lost out to its competitors in terms of marketing and publicity. Some patrons also said that its selection and stock was not as expansive as other competitor bookstores."
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| Fiona Stager | |
Several Australian booksellers, publishers, authors were among those recognized in the 2023 King's Birthday Honors, Books+Publishing reported.
Fiona Stager, owner of Avid Reader in Brisbane and former Australian Booksellers Association president, was recognized with a medal in the general division for service to literature as a bookseller. Suzy Wilson, owner of Riverbend Books, Bulimba, and founder of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, was honored as a member of the general division for significant service to the Indigenous community, to the book industry, and to education.
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| Suzy Wilson | |
Author Tim Winton was recognized as an officer in the general division for distinguished service to literature as an author and novelist, to conservation, and to environmental advocacy. Author Jen McVeity, CEO of Seven Steps for Writing Success, who established SCBWI Australia, is recognized with a medal in the general division for service to literacy education as an author and publisher.
Caroline Wood, co-founder and CEO of the Centre for Stories and founder of the Margaret River Press, was recognized as a member in the general division for significant service to literature as a publisher, and to the community through a range of roles. Susan Hayes, former director of the Literature Board of the Australia Council, received a medal in the general division for service to literature, particularly as an administrator.
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During Madrid's Book Fair (Feria del Libro de Madrid), Spanish newspaper El País featured a piece by writer and former bookseller Carlos Pardo, in which the author praised the role of booksellers who "I like to think are the best literary critics," the European & International Booksellers Federation's Newsflash reported.
Pardo added that the bookselling profession "protects a certain mental health in a world that otherwise fosters our lack of self-esteem, envy and arrogance," and suggested that public funds should be devoted to bookshop internships for writers, in what he considers to be "a win-win for literature."
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More than 2.3 million participants from 22,542 locations took part in last month's National Simultaneous Storytime, according to the Australian Library and Information Association. Noting that this was the largest total in the event's 23-year history, Books+Publishing reported that children across Australia, New Zealand and the world joined together to read The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young, illustrated by Heath McKenzie on May 24. In total, 2,357,960 participants took part. Last year's event attracted 2.18 million readers. --Robert Gray