Chongqing—As the 33rd National Book Expo opens on July 25, it offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of reading and bookselling in an age dominated by smart devices and the convenience of e-reading. Amid the challenges of adapting traditional business models, Chongqing’s distinctive bookstores are crafting new survival strategies. Among them, Razor’s Edge and One Book One Week Store have emerged not only as innovative bookshops, but also as cultural landmarks that continue to enrich the city’s literary life.

Razor's Edge (Photo: Feng Xiaolou)

Founder Jiang Ling, inspired by William Maugham's The Razor's Edge, initially ran the independent bookstore with a purist's wish - banning bestsellers, refusing photo-focused visitors, and curating a "Lonely Books" wall (titles never sold). Yet by 2019, he found that 80% of the revenue came from its café bar, which helped him sustain the bookstore and fund more book events.

Commercial and cultural needs are not opposites. "We're not a pure bookstore - we're a 'bookstore+'," says co-founder Luo Huanjun when he tries to define the current commercial strategy of Razor's Edge. This philosophy has guided the bookstore through two closures and three relocations since 2016. The once-dreaded label of "internet-famous bookstore" has now become a vehicle for attracting more readers. "We don't deliberately create Instagrammable spots, but if someone genuinely appreciates a particular corner's design, we welcome such interest and hope to convert these visitors into real book lovers," Jiang explains.

One of the founders of Razor's Edge, Luo Huanjun (Photo: Shangyou News)

Meanwhile, One Book counters reading choice overload by foregrounding one title weekly, and its 4,000-member book club thrives on curated depth. For this week's special, One Book recommends Chen Yuhui's Who Decides What to Eat, prompting us to rethink what food means culturally beyond its taste. "Food is about memory, love, and creativity. It also means control and power, which cut deep into our everyday lives," writes founder Shui Du on One Book's rednote page about the curation choice.  

To attract readers and diversify the shopping experience, Shui Du stages immersive themes. For example, when Love in the Time of Cholera was featured, roses cascaded from the ceiling. In addition, revolving around its weekly recommendation, One Book will host cultural events such as book signings or reading sessions to encourage readers to approach a book differently. 

One Book One Week Store (Photo: Feng Xiaolou)

Razor's Edge and One Book share some running strategies, such as diversifying reading experiences and cultivating their fan club. Their answers to the sustainability issue of independent bookstores stand as good examples for struggling bookstores. Bookstores aren't just selling books - they're selling human connection.