Street Vendor Transitions: From Peddling Textbooks on the Curb to Operating a Bookstore

Street Vendor Transitions: From Peddling Textbooks on the Curb to Operating a Bookstore

In a Twist of Fate: Shadi Abu Nasser's Winding Path to Literary Maverick

Meet Shadi Abu Nasser, a self-proclaimed bookworm who went from high school student peddling books on the streets to running a bustling emporium of knowledge, packed with over 10,000 titles that span a plethora of subjects. The irony? He inadvertently embarked on this literary journey due to financial woes in his early years.

Against all odds, Shadi transformed his humble book peddling beginnings into a thriving bookstore. Reminiscing about his journey, Shadi recalls the first book he sold - a random find priced at just $5 - which marked the beginning of something extraordinary. Though his family initially disapproved, they eventually warmed up to his unconventional means of income once they saw the enterprise's potential.

The entrepreneur in Shadi soon surfaced, and he began investing in books, expanding his inventory, and even venturing into importing books from nearby countries such as Beirut, Syria, and Egypt. Today, his small shop serves as a treasure trove of literature that encompasses thought-provoking ideas, deep philosophical discussions, political debates, psychological insights, renowned literature, medical sciences, children's literature, and books that foster human development.

Knowledge: The Great Equalizer

Shadi's bookstore isn't confined to the walls of his small Irbid-based shop. With the power of the internet, he's reached far and wide, catering to global readers. Countries such as Palestine, Kuwait, the United States, Europe, Brazil, Germany, and Denmark regularly support the store, ensuring prompt book delivery at competitive prices.

Whether it's through word-of-mouth or social media, Shadi's community of book lovers keeps him going. When local bureaucracy posed a challenge, rising against the municipality, the support from the public echoed across social media for three full days. The viral #ReturnShadiStore hashtag garnered international attention, prompting even major news agencies like Reuters, the French news agency, and various others to inquire about the store's forced relocation.

A Storied Struggle

From saving his books from landfill dump sites to facing laughable yet endearing theft attempts, Shadi's journey has been far from straightforward. The darkest moment came when the municipality seized his books and discarded them into a landfill during one of his travels. Showing unyielding resilience, he retrieved the books and continued his mission of spreading knowledge.

Fueling the Spark of Curiosity

Shadi's has presented a quirky yet effective way of showcasing books - leaving them unguarded and inviting patrons to take a book they find intriguing. One such attempt resulted in a funny but heartwarming encounter, with a passerby expressing gratitude for Shadi's generosity and leaving a heartfelt note behind.

Shadi's wanderlust eventually led him to the United Arab Emirates, where he worked briefly as a cultural consultant. However, he soon realized his true calling lay in the humble, unassuming reality of his bookstore.

The Bestselling Titles

As for the books that repeatedly find their way into shoppers' bags, Ghassan Kanafani’s novels, works by Gibran Khalil Gibran, Mark Manson’s "Art of Indifference," and Ragheb Al-Sirjani’s "Facilitated Encyclopedia of Islamic History" frequently make the list. The store even houses several controversial books, such as "King Talal's diary," "The Genius of Failure," and selected works by Ayman Al-Atoum, which have faced bans.

Towards a Literary Empire

With grand ambitions in sight, Shadi dreams of one day owning the largest bookstore in the Middle East, and perhaps even establishing a publishing and translation house to introduce diverse literary works to a broader audience. A visionary embracing multilingualism, he hopes to introduce Arabic literature from countries like the Congo and Nigeria, Portuguese literature, and South Korean literature, to name a few, to his clientele.

Shadi's bookstore stands as a beacon of culture and intellectual growth in Irbid, carving out a niche for itself in the broader fabric of Jordan's rich cultural landscape. With works on the Palestinian cause, as well as novels and histories penned by renowned authors, Shadi's shop serves as a sanctuary for those who challenge the status quo and seek knowledge without barriers.

1. Shadi Abu Nasser's bookstore receives support from countries like Lebanon, Kuwait, the United States, and even Denmark, making it a global hub for knowledge.
2. Despite initial disapproval from his family, Shadi's entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to expand his inventory, importing books from places such as Beirut, Syria, and Egypt.
3. The public's support was instrumental in Shadi's struggles, with a viral #ReturnShadiStore hashtag garnering international attention, even capturing the interest of major news agencies like Reuters.
4. In a peculiar twist, Shadi's bookstore incorporates a unique method of sparking curiosity, by leaving books unguarded for shoppers to take and read.
5. Shadi's wanderlust led him to the UAE, where he worked briefly as a cultural consultant, but he ultimately found his purpose in the humble reality of his bookstore.
6. The most popular books at Shadi's include works by Gibran Khalil Gibran, Ghassan Kanafani, and Mark Manson, as well as controversial titles such as "King Talal's diary" and selected works by Ayman Al-Atoum.
7. As a literary maverick, Shadi dreams of owning the largest bookstore in the Middle East, and establishing a publishing and translation house to introduce diverse works from countries like the Congo, Nigeria, Portugal, and South Korea.
8. Shadi's bookstore functions as a cultural and intellectual haven, carrying works on the Palestinian cause and novels by renowned authors.
9. In response to the municipality seizing and disposing of his books, Shadi demonstrated unyielding resilience, retrieving the books and continuing his mission of spreading knowledge.
10. Shadi's journey from street peddler to literary maverick serves as a testament to the transformative power of books, acting as a great equalizer in society, and fostering relationships, lifestyles, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and entertainment.

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