SCANNOW 城市編輯室-心度探索（Deep Dive）- 怪獸選物所

店主的話

對於怪獸選物所的店主vivimic來說，創立這家店的想法，其實是從小就埋下的種子。他相信，每個愛書人，從愛上閱讀的那一刻起，心中便會悄然萌生開一家書店的夢想。至於這家店最終會是什麼模樣，包含哪些內容，則是在開店後，像摸著石頭過河般，一點一滴地邊走邊學，逐漸摸索出來的。

如果用三個詞來形容怪獸選物所，vivimic會選擇「任性」、「神神化化」和「可能的」。這份「任性」，或許是香港所有獨立書店的共同基因，因為若沒有這份特質，恐怕很難踏上開書店這條路。「神神化化」則不僅描述了vivimic團隊的性格，更精準地描繪了店內選書和選物的獨特風格——不按牌理出牌。客人們經常驚呼：「你們竟然有這本書？」或是「沒想到書店裡還賣這些！」這正是怪獸選物所迷人之處。而「可能的」，則承載著vivimic的信念：這裡是一個充滿可能性的地方，任何有趣、有意義的事情都可以在這裡發生。

品牌故事

每日的堅持與感動：書頁間的溫暖迴響

在創業的路上，並非只有初期才會遇到想放棄的時刻，而是每天都有那麼幾個瞬間，讓人感到疲憊和氣餒。但同樣地，每天也都有能讓人堅持下去的溫暖片刻。當vivimic看見有人靜靜聆聽著店內的《一紙讀獸》CD，或是看見客人們精心挑選著他們喜愛的書籍時，那些瞬間，便是讓vivimic感到「這就是我想做的事」的最佳證明。

城市角落的靈感：本地創作的魅力迴響

對於「本地創作」和「手作在這個城市的位置」，vivimic有著深刻的體會。他一直認為香港的創作充滿了獨特的魅力，一眾創作者就像放大鏡一樣，將我們習以為常、甚至習慣忽略的城市角落，轉化為豐富的創作靈感。他們用作品反映著城市的生命力與多樣性。

怪獸大廈的印記：書籤裡的溫暖故事

在怪獸選物所裡，最受客人喜愛且銷量最佳的產品，莫過於藝術家阿強設計的「怪獸大廈書籤」。除了阿強的作品本身擁有很多支持者之外，更因為書店正好位於怪獸大廈內，這款書籤成了客人們記錄「到此一遊」的絕佳紀念品，承載著一段屬於怪獸大廈的溫暖回憶。

閱讀的溫柔邀請：書桌的堅持

在店內，有一個vivimic堅持的小細節，是許多客人可能沒有注意到的，卻是他認為書店不可或缺的：一個可以坐下來看書的地方。他深信，提供一個舒適的空間，讓客人能坐下來，慢慢翻閱書籍，感受書的內容是否合乎心意，是書店應有的溫柔服務。這不僅是銷售，更是提供一種沉浸式的閱讀體驗。

靈感之泉：書頁間的溫暖迴響

當靈感枯竭時，vivimic有個獨特而溫暖的方法：他會隨手拿起一本當前並未閱讀的書，隨機翻開其中一篇章，沉浸在文字的世界裡。即便內容可能看似沒頭沒尾，不連貫，但正是這份不預期的跳躍，反而能激發出更多想像與靈感，如同在靜謐的書頁間，找到了重新點燃創作熱情的火花。

藍色的詩意：連結天空與海洋的溫暖

如果將怪獸選物所比喻成一種顏色，那會是他們Logo選用的藍色。vivimic認為，藍色帶有海洋和天空的廣闊感。儘管藍色通常被認為是冷色調，但在想像成熟悉的景象時，它卻能散發出一種溫暖的感覺，如同怪獸選物所給人的感受一般：看似獨特，實則充滿人情味。

最深刻的連結：父子共讀的溫馨畫面

在眾多客人中，一位住在附近的爸爸和他的兒子，是vivimic印象最深刻的客人。這位爸爸經常帶著兒子來店裡看書。vivimic非常喜歡兒子對世界的好奇心，以及爸爸用心解答兒子每一個問題的耐心。他珍視這種溫馨的交流，更開心怪獸選物所能夠提供這樣一個充滿愛的空間。

活在當下：「最多咪死」的勇氣與溫暖

對於「活在當下」的理念，vivimic常說一句話：「最多咪死。」這或許不是一個典型的品牌理念，但卻真實反映了怪獸選物所的精神：沒有什麼是不可能的，最壞的結果也不過如此。這份勇氣，驅使著他們「做了再說」。vivimic希望透過怪獸選物所，讓大家感受到這份無所畏懼的溫暖力量，鼓勵人們勇敢嘗試，活出屬於自己的精彩。

地址：鰂魚涌 英皇道1044號福昌樓地下7號舖

營業時間：星期一至星期日：13:00 - 19:30

A Message from the founder

For Vivimic, the owner of Monster Books & Gifts, the idea of founding this shop was a seed planted since childhood. Vivimic believes that every book lover, from the moment they fall in love with reading, quietly harbors the dream of opening a bookstore. As for what the shop would ultimately look like and what it would contain, that was gradually explored and figured out, bit by bit, like "crossing the river by feeling the stones," after the shop opened.

If three words were to describe Monster Books & Gifts, Vivimic would choose "unconventional," "whimsical," and "possible." This "unconventional" nature is perhaps the common gene of all independent bookstores in Hong Kong, because without this trait, it would probably be difficult to embark on the path of opening a bookstore. "Whimsical" not only describes the personality of Vivimic's team but also accurately portrays the unique style of book and item selection in the shop—unorthodox. Customers often exclaim, "You actually have this book?" or "I didn't expect a bookstore to sell these things\!" This is precisely the charm of Monster Books & Gifts. And "possible" carries Vivimic's belief: this is a place full of possibilities, where anything interesting and meaningful can happen.

Brand Story

Daily Persistence and Emotion: Warm Echoes Between Book Pages

On the entrepreneurial journey, it's not just in the initial stages that moments of wanting to give up occur; rather, there are several moments every day that make one feel tired and discouraged. But similarly, every day also brings warm moments that keep one going. When vivimic sees someone quietly listening to the "A Paper Beast"(一紙讀獸) CD in the shop, or observes customers carefully selecting their favorite books, those moments are the best proof that vivimic feels, "this is what I want to do."

Inspiration from City Corners: The Resonant Charm of Local Creations

Regarding "the position of local creations and handmade goods in this city," Vivimic has a deep understanding. Vivimic has always believed that Hong Kong's creations are full of unique charm. A group of creators act like magnifying glasses, transforming the city's corners that we take for granted, or even habitually ignore, into rich creative inspiration. They reflect the city's vitality and diversity through their works.

The Imprint of Monster Building: A Warm Story in a Bookmark

At Monster Books & Gifts, the most beloved and best-selling product is undoubtedly the "Monster Building Bookmark" designed by artist Ah Keung. In addition to Ah Keung's work itself having many supporters, and because the bookstore is conveniently located within the Monster Building, this bookmark has become an excellent souvenir for customers to record their "visit," carrying a warm memory of the Monster Building.

A Gentle Invitation to Read: The Persistence of the Reading Table

Inside the shop, there's a small detail Vivimic insists on, which many customers might not notice, but which Vivimic considers indispensable for a bookstore: a place to sit down and read. Vivimic deeply believes that providing a comfortable space where customers can sit down, slowly browse books, and feel if the content resonates with them, is a gentle service a bookstore should offer. This is not just about sales but about providing an immersive reading experience.

Fountain of Inspiration: Warm Echoes Between Book Pages

When inspiration runs dry, Vivimic has a unique and warm method: she casually picks up a book Vivimic's not currently reading, randomly opens a chapter, and immerses himself in the world of words. Even if the content might seem disjointed or without beginning or end, it's precisely this unexpected jump that can spark more imagination and inspiration, as if finding a rekindling spark for creative passion among the quiet pages.

The Poetic Blue: Connecting the Warmth of Sky and Ocean

If Monster Books & Gifts were to be compared to a color, it would be the blue used in their logo. Vivimic believes that blue carries the vastness of the ocean and the sky. Although blue is generally considered a cool color, when imagined as familiar scenes, it can radiate a sense of warmth, much like the feeling Monster Books & Gifts evokes: seemingly unique, yet full of human touch.

The Most Profound Connection: A Heartwarming Scene of Father and Son Reading Together

Among many customers, a father and his son, who live nearby, are the customers who left the deepest impression on vivimic. This father often brings his son to the shop to read. Vivimic particularly loves the son's curiosity about the world and the father's patience in carefully answering every question his son asks. Vivimic cherishes this warm interaction and is even happier that Monster Selection can provide such a loving space.

Living in the Present: The Courage and Warmth of "What's the Worst That Could Happen?"

Regarding the philosophy of "living in the present," Vivimic often says, "What's the worst that could happen?" This may not be a typical braphilosophy, but it truly reflects the spirit of Monster Books & gifts: nothing is impossible, and the worst outcome is just that. This courage drives them to "do it first and then talk about it." Vivimic hopes that through Monster Books & Gifts, everyone can feel this fearless and warm power, encouraging people to try bravely and live their own wonderful lives.

Address: No.7 G/F Fuk Cheong Building King's Road 1044 Quarry Bay

Business Hour: MON-SUN：13:00 - 19:30