‘Book mobile’ touring capital’s streets to spread love of reading

AMMAN — On the streets of the capital’s old neighbourhoods of Jabal Amman and Jabal Luweibdeh, one old Mercedes car has been grabbing the attention of motorists and passersby.

Usually parked on the side of a street, the car features a collection of books on its hood.

The strange arrangement first attracts the attention of pedestrians, but the wide range of books on offer piques their curiosity further.

A few minutes after perusing the merchandise, the passersby-turned customers leave the “book mobile” with a stack of newly bought books in hand.

The bookshop on wheels is the brainchild of Ghaith Bahdousheh, who, had had enough of his tedious desk job at a private firm and decided last year to simply quit and follow his passion to help fellow bibliophiles. 

The 26-year-old started preparations to open a bookshop in his hometown of Madaba, 30km southwest of Amman, to provide a social hub for people to read and discuss topics of interest and encourage them to get attached to reading.

Unable to secure the funds to open a bookstore, Bahdousheh transformed his car into a mobile shop in pursuit of his passion. 

“I had been working in the private sector for four years, and I wanted to change it and do something I really like,” he told The Jordan Times in a recent interview.

“In the beginning, it was really difficult because I was searching for a source of income to establish my project, so I turned to the street,” the bibliophile recalled.

Since February 2016, he has been touring the capital to sell books, on topics from politics to society, the economic and education.

Bahdousheh commended the support he received from the Greater Amman Municipality and the Central Traffic Department for facilitating his job.

“Weather conditions are the main challenge, especially in winter,” he added.

Bahdousheh said he chose Jabal Amman and Jabal Luweibdeh to sell his books because they are the main hub for tourists and book enthusiasts.

“I have sold more than 2,000 books since I began my project. The whole idea of my efforts is simply encourage people to read,” he said, leafing through a book.