Offline (books)

How did this place come about and what made it different from the start? 
Offline (Books) was created by passionate readers and coffee lovers, with the goal of bringing works originally written in English, or translated into English, to readers in Monterrey. 

The physical store was designed to encourage browsing and the discovery of new books. Our goal is to spark curiosity; we believe that often the book you end up buying isn't the one you were looking for, but the one that happened to be right next to it.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?
We love seeing customers browse the books and choose what they want to take home. We especially enjoy discovering and ordering books by new authors or special editions that interest us.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?
If someone is visiting us for the first time, we suggest exploring the entire space before focusing on a particular section. No one should miss the opportunity to wander at their leisure and take the time to discover something new, to be surprised.

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?
The biggest challenge we've faced has been building the physical store, including the curved bookcase. Even so, we remain convinced that it will be worth the wait, as it will be a truly unique space. Although its shape has been a challenge in the manufacturing process, the bookcase's curve invites the reader to awaken their curiosity and continue exploring the sections and titles.

What influence, idea, or reference continues to shape the way you work today?
Our favorite bookstores and greatest sources of inspiration are Shakespeare and Company in Paris, McNally Jackson in New York, and Topping & Company in Scotland. Although they are very different from each other, they share something at their core that we would like to replicate: the way they bring local readers closer to international authors.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?
The people and teams that have helped us build Offline (Books) have been Taller Arquitectónico, Sabbath and Made Inside. Their work has been fundamental in shaping what our bookstore offers today.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?
In the future, we would like to have a section about Nuevo León so that foreigners can learn more about our customs, history, cuisine, and geography. We would like to collaborate with local authors to create this section within our bookstore. We want those who visit the store to have access to guides that showcase what makes our city unique.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?
The special feature of the place is the mural or wallpaper, the importation of which was quite a headache. We chose it with those who stay to read in mind; we wanted them to feel, when they sit there, that they are in a forest reading peacefully, even though they are actually in the middle of a noisy city.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why? 
Offline (Books) would be a journey back in time to an era without constant or immediate communication, where everything unfolds calmly. A moment when time seems to stand still and haste disappears. A place where reading is not an effort, but something natural into which one can immerse oneself effortlessly.

Answers by Tania Paola M. Garza, General Manager at Offline (books).