Remember the section of a bookstore lined with crisp coffee table books, gold-sprayed edges and clothbound classics? Now imagine an entire bookstore dedicated to them. With a new luxury collection recently opening in Khan Market, we explore how its floor-to-ceiling shelves of collectible editions and global classics are appealing to readers across NCR. Sneha Misran, founder of Kitaab Club, a book club in Delhi, shares, “The spectacle of it all is what would draw people… For me, as someone who enjoys classic literature, I would love being surrounded by collectibles in a luxury bookstore and browsing.”
‘Coffee table books are like children’s books but for adults’
‘Collectibles are literary heirlooms’Talking about the experience of owning collectibles, Vesmir, founder of Tangerine Book and Poetry Circle, a book club in Delhi, shares, “Collectibles and coffee table books can enhance a personal library because they give you a sense of achievement. If you own something rare and collectible, or a luxury edition of a book, there is naturally a feeling of satisfaction that comes with it. You feel like you’ve acquired something special that not everyone has access to. For example, owning a collectible edition of Wuthering Heights or a Jane Austen novel that very few people have, can feel exciting. It may also give you the feeling that you’re a little cooler for owning it.” Kapil adds, “Collectible editions are definitely valuable as objects. They are works of art in their own right.”
The (books) are collectible pieces of art that are handed down through generations. I own a couple of coffee table books that were handed down from my parents and one which is a gift from a professor
Sneha Misran, founder of a book club
‘Delhi’s readers have a thing for aesthetics’The city’s sense of style and aesthetic adds to the appeal and intrigue of luxury collections. “Delhi has a huge crowd of academics. We have our politicians living here and the publishing houses. Delhi has a beautiful reading culture and people really have a sense of design and aesthetics here which I don’t think I’ve even seen in other cities,” Sneha added.
A real gold-embossed volume featuring Salvador Dalí’s most iconic works and tracing the artist’s life sits discreetly inside the luxury bookstore in Khan market
Rare books that never make the display shelfA real gold-embossed volume featuring Salvador Dalí’s most iconic works and tracing the artist’s life sits discreetly inside the luxury bookstore in Khan market. Alongside coffee table books and collector’s editions, Bahri Luxury Collection store sources rare titles. Reserved for art collectors, these books are kept off display and can only be handled while wearing gloves. These bespoke editions which are often worth lakhs find their way into the collections of art connoisseurs, diplomats, and high-profile clientele.
“Apart from reading, we sell visual books on art, design, photography, fashion, and all visual arts. These books are beautiful objects in their own right which can only be enjoyed in physical form,” shares Kapil Kapoor, co-founder of an independent bookstore
Books you experience, not just readNoting the value of a well-designed physical copy, Kapil Kapoor, co-founder of CMYK, an independent bookstore, shares, “Reading for pleasure is still preferred in print format. Due to digital fatigue, people want a break from the screen and a tangible book gives them that.” Beyond the stories they hold, the books themselves are part of the attraction, with intricate bindings and striking illustrations elevating the reading experience. Sumit Roy, an artist who designs books, says, “Coffee table books are like children’s books but for adults, almost like having a toy you’ve been eyeing. Holding the book in your hands is part of the experience with catalogues and coffee table books. The aim is to make people find something in the book that makes them stop.
Bhavika Motwani, a digital content creator, who joined us for a shoot in a luxury bookstore, shares, “When you enter such a bookstore, expect to have your mind blown. You come across incredibly rare editions. It’s the kind of place where every shelf has a story, and you leave inspired whether you buy something or not. The books are works of art that document fashion, craftsmanship, and culture”
Should books be luxe objects?On the flip side, Vesmir questions whether the value of a book gets lost in its aesthetics. He shares, “A book is one of the few things whose true value reveals itself only when it is used. A painting can sit on a wall and still fulfil its purpose. But a book that is never read feels incomplete. The job of a book is to be consumed… But if your luxury book is not doing that, I feel there’s no point in owning it.”Aashna Malhotra, a third-generation bookseller whose family started the luxe collection, notes the growing interest among readers in diverse art forms. “Some people discover stories through novels, while others are drawn to art, fashion, architecture, photography, or design. These are books that people return to again and again, not just to read, but to learn from, display, and live with. Whether you’re curious about the history of a fashion house, the work of a celebrated architect, or the evolution of a design movement, the collection allows for a deeper and more thoughtful engagement than most other formats. The collection brings together coffee table books, classics, limited editions, and rare vintage books. We hope it adds another dimension to Delhi’s rich cultural and literary landscape,” she says.
‘It also offers an opportunity to browse slowly and explore subjects that inspire curiosity.’
Speaking about the design of luxury bookstores, she shares, “The focus was on creating a light, inviting environment that allows the books to take centre stage. The shelving was custom-designed for larger-format books, and the store makes full use of the natural light that fills the space. It also offers an opportunity to browse slowly and explore subjects that inspire curiosity.”
