Gestalten

If the ubiquity of its tote bags are any indication, do you read me?! in Berlin is as much of a bookstore as it is a fashion statement for its loyal following of trendsetters. And it's easy to understand why: the glammy, black-cube space is as pretty as the glossy magazines it carries: from Fantastic Man to Love Magazine and Apartemento. We chat with owner Mark Kiessling about what makes the store a stylish staple – and why it's been chosen as Gestalten's May Shop of the Month.

How did do you read me?! happen?
As a graphic designer, I've always been in love with and in search of elaborate printed matter. Due to the sheer lack of a well-kept store for international magazines and reading materials, I teamed up with Jessica Reitz, a professional bookseller, to take things into our own hands. In autumn 2008, after months of research, we set up what now has been established as a specialist shop with more than 700 magazines and a curated assortment of themed journals and books from over 20 countries. Our focus lies on printed matter covering topics from art, fashion, photography, design and architecture, to literature, music, society and contemporary culture.

Unexpected bestseller?
Bestellers, among others, are: 032c, Inventory, Forms of Inquiry, Sang bleu, The Ride, Apartamento, Paper Monument, Dummy, Mono.Kultur, 100 chairs in 100 Days and its 100 Ways by Martino Gamper, I Love You, Acne Paper, Berlin Haushoch...

Unexpected flop?
There are no flops, but more or less good selling publications.

Explain how you curate your selection of books
It's quite a time consuming and subjective process. We do a lot of research online, meet with publishers and distributors, go to fairs, exhibitions and of course other bookshops whenever possible…

You carry a lot of glossy fashion magazines. Where do you think the publishing industry will be in 10 years?
We have a selection of international fashion titles that define the limits of what you call glossy fashion magazines. A lot of the people behind smaller and maybe more profound publications are or have been somehow working for glossy zines and the fashion industry. So even if the idea of the bigger titles – half advertorial, have sponsored review – might be questioned quite rightly, they still can be seen as a hotbed for a vivid independent scene. In 10 years, hopefully the monopoly for distribution in Germany is taken over by niche distributors that love print.

Describe your choice of location in Berlin.
Close, but not in the thick of it. With specializing in magazines we need a lot of traffic, otherwise we wouldn't be able to survive at all…

Book on your night stand right now?
Jessica: Gentlewoman, Tirzia by Arno Grünberg, Apartamento #05, Wer bin ich - und wenn ja wie viele?: Eine philosophische Reise by Richard David Precht.
Mark: 032c, White by Kenya Hara, Dapper Dan, The Form of the Book Book, Apartamento #05.

Most played song on your shop's soundtrack?
Jessica: "What's a Girl to Do," Bat for Lashes.
Mark: "Splendid," Vic Chesnutt; "Riding," Palace Brothers; "If Jesus Drove a Motor Home," Jim White.

What is your favorite Gestalten book?
Jessica: Arcadia.
MarK: Der kleine Besserwisser (The Little Know it All).

What is your design fetish?
I know it might sound affected, but I'd say well made print in form and content is my fetish…

Independent bookstores are becoming a rarity. Do you feel like the community has been supportive?
Of course independent bookstores are dependent on the support of a community. But I do not think that they will become a rarity, I think there always will be a niche for specialist shops – a growing demand.