Fuzzyken's Used Book shop

21/12/2025

Visit our bookshop in Udon Thani. https://fuzzykensblog.com

16/12/2025

https://fuzzykensblog.com

08/10/2025

October 2025: Fuzzykens 20th Anniversary! and still ticking over

Where did those years go? Back in 2005, struck down with boredom and looking for something to do, I opened a small beer bar, originally a massage business, in the strip of businesses located opposite “Robinsons”, but behind Mr.Tongs popular bar. Actually, we were right opposite Justins Australian bar and the public toilets. I often dreamt that perhaps one day we would be as busy as the man with the hat, charging one baht for this and 3 baht for that, to relieve themselves in his salubrious washroom facilities.

Apart from snacks, beer and spirits etc. we had a small selection of paperbacks that I had read, which I thought might be of interest to others. Interestingly, years later, on Prajak Road, our book stock had swelled to well over 7000, and became a mainstay of our business.

From the onset, we were aware that our stay in Robinson’s carpark was limited, but it was to be 30 months later that we were informed that the land had finally been sold, and we would have to move. It was rather sad to witness businesses that had existed for many years, demolished with the remains and memories
unceremoniously carted away on the back of anonymous trucks.

Looking for new premises, I discovered that the restaurant, cannot remember the name, opposite, across Prajak Road, might suit our purpose and following discussions with the owners, we took the building over and moved, while our bar was still operating. This was to be our home for some nine years, where we established our popular restaurant, used bookshop and western food shop. I was therefore, quite sad to discover that the owners wanted the building for their own use, and consequently, it was time to move again.

We had less time than I would have liked to locate a suitable new premises. The best I could find was on Sayoutis Road, right opposite the bus station and 7-Eleven. This was OK, but with no parking and customers complaining about noise and exhaust fumes from the buses, not going too well with a tasty bacon sarnie and glass of amber nectar, it was time again, to up-sticks and look for pastures new.

Although smaller, we opted for the shophouse at 44/59 Soi Paradise, close to the Paradise Hotel where we still live. Selling used books, with my dear partner Lek, taking care including the welfare of numerous cats. A real blessing to have no more parking problems.

When Covid arrived and customers did not, we somehow kept going but decided to concentrate on selling books and maybe rebuild the restaurant side of the business sometime later.

All things considered, we overcame a variety of obstacles but managed to remain in business, and hope to be around in Udon for many years to come.

Ps. Please, does anyone have photos of the bars, that would be happy to share with us?

With sincere thanks to all those that have visited, helping us to survive the past 20 years and giving us encouragement for the future.

Sincerely, Fuzzyken

Please visit our travel site at https://fuzzykensblog.com

Send a message to learn more

22/09/2025

21st Sept. 25: Hello to book lovers near and far

As soon as time allows to complete a detailed stock check, we will be publishing a revised version of our stock list. The XL spreadsheet has proved to be very popular for those with a computer, but maybe not so easy to navigate on small-screen smart phones. We are therefore going to see if there is another way that we can illustrate what we have in stock that meets everyone’s abilities.

Of course, in any event, many visitors prefer the old way of simply calling in and browsing the shelves for anything that looks interesting.

Because of the trend for shoppers to purchase just about anything online, we will publish our revised book stock list with this in mind.

In the meantime, though, please refer to the “stock update” for guidance. Also, you are very welcome to call in to our shop to see what we have, and remember to bring those books you might like to exchange or sell.

Please visit our website at https://fuzzykensblog.com

Send a message to learn more

08/08/2025

8 August 25: Library and book shop research for that illusive publication

Search and ye shall find, with a little luck
During many years as a private investigator, I looked forward to visiting a wide variety of libraries, county record offices, cemeteries, the Newspaper Library and countless other sources of information throughout the UK and overseas.

Never underestimate the general public.
A wealth of information, expertise and experience may count for little, if the publication you need has been misplaced by a previous user. Items misplaced can cause big headaches. The sad thing is that a book put in the wrong place, although maybe just a couple of shelves away from its “home”, may be lost forever, for who will know where it has gone?

My favourite research venue
I loved visiting the British Library on Great Russell Street, London, home of the historical round reading room that opened its doors back in the 1850s. Armed with my library permit, as an authorized researcher in all departments, I would enter the large circular reading room, following in the footsteps of its many famous visitors.

Pre digitization
I recall that the catalogue of some 14 million publications was rather like a scrapbook with strips of paper added to appropriate pages. I remember completing the order for presentation at the desk. Usually within 15 minutes, the book was brought to my table. Should you have ordered more than one publication, you were able to collect the next one from the desk upon presentation of the one you have just finished. Sometimes, the book required, was in the round reading room itself, instead of the stacks, and you were given the shelf reference for you to locate it. The reference was based on degrees of a circle, meaning that if the reference was, for example, 273/5 or 273/E. You found 273 degrees and the book would be found on shelf 5 or E, counting down from the top.

I felt quite sad, really
In 1997 the new British Library at St. Pancras opened, sweeping away more than a century of history. It never felt quite the same, visiting the new, somewhat “sterilized” library with its computerized catalogue, even though most of the library’s holdings, well in excess of 150 million items, were for the most part, conveniently in one place.

Returning to the importance of putting things back where you found them.
I recall ordering a book, when in the old reading room, and being told it was unavailable. Sometimes books were out to another reader, on loan to another library or being restored. I enquired as to when it would be available, and with a smile, being told that they had no idea as it had been missing since 1894.

A footnote
When visiting my rather modest establishment in Udon Thani, with around 2500 books, please feel free to browse, but if not purchasing, please return items to the exact same place you took them from.

Please visit our travel us at https://fuzzykensblog.com

Send a message to learn more

15/06/2025

15 June 25: Frederick Forsyth recently passed away. Checking stock at our Udon Thani shop, I noticed that we have a couple of his books in stock as shown, which may be of interest:

Visit us at https://fuzzykensblog.com

19/04/2025

We wish to offer Easter blessings to all those in Thailand and elsewhere around the world. May peace be with you always

Send a message to learn more

29/03/2025

Visit our travel guide at https://fuzzykensblog.com

29 March 25: With regard to the earthquake close to Mandalay, I spoke to my partner in Udon Thani earlier today. Like many that are reporting, she tells me that she had experienced a sensation of dizziness but OK now.
Furthermore, no property damage where she lives at our bookshop about a 15 minute walk from Central Plaza.

We hope that all those trapped in Bangkok, and elsewhere, will be quickly and safely rescued and our condolences go out to all those who have lost relatives and friends in Thailand and Myanmar.
Fuzzyken in Phnom Penh

Send a message to learn more

25/03/2025

25 March 25: Robert Harris has written many excellent books and this is no exception. Dictator at 129 Baht is one of some 2500 used books that we have in stock, mostly paperbacks, including about 150 non-English publications

Our shop is very near the Paradise Hotel at 44/59 Soi Paradise, with no parking problems.

Please refer to our website for other information including trading hours, buying, exchanging and sending books by post through EMS or Flash Express etc.

For detailed information about all our services and to view our stock list, please visit us at https://fuzzykensblog.com/used-books

29/01/2025

Easy to connect to our website using your smartphone.

Open your phone and Google search for www.fuzzykensblog.com for a direct link to our site.

You will see many links on the site to various subjects including the bookshop in Udon Thani

Turn your phone sideways (landscape) for the best view

Best wishes to all, Ken

Send a message to learn more

26/01/2025

Fresh stock. You can check our full stock list at https://fuzzykensblog.com