“Bookstores can indeed be quiet engines of civic life. But this is something that takes time … often years to take root. We often see this in bookstores around the world … but many of them have been operating for decades. In Europe, for instance, some of these independent bookstores have been around for over 30 years.
 
“Everyone has a role to play. Independent bookstores thrive when the community believes in them. If more readers in the Klang Valley choose to support local over big chains – not just by visiting, but by bringing a book home – it makes all the difference. Every purchase helps keep independent bookstores alive. Running a physical bookstore comes with its challenges, but with steady, heartfelt support, we can keep Riwayat thriving for the long run."
 
So far, the response to Riwayat has been “quietly affirming”, he says. “I’ve met so many people who’ve said, ‘I didn’t expect to find a place like this’. That means a lot. There have been many highlights, but perhaps one of most the most rewarding has been witnessing the small yet committed community – people who return, support us by buying books, and engage in meaningful conversations.
 
Roestam wraps up: “Moving forward, I hope to see Riwayat grow deeper roots – to publish, to document untold narratives, and to stay open to reinvention as the world around us evolves.”