Bookstores
NDJ Books
Despite declining in numbers during the recent 10 years, the used bookstore is still a Toronto staple. The uniqueness of each store is what keeps customers coming back to their favourite - whether it's the selection of books, the feel of the store, or the staff.
In the case of NDJ Books, it's most definitely the latter. Located at 504 Yonge Street, between College and Wellesley, the store is always staffed by the owner and operator - Nebojsa Knezic, who makes every customer feel like a long-lost friend.
No matter what I'm looking for when I visit, Nebojsa will spring from the cashier seat to scour the overflowing shelves of the one-room store, or failing to find anything, the dangerously crowded storage space in the back - complete with a bookcase that acts as a rotating wall. And when I have thirty (or a lot more) minutes of spare time, I talk with him on a range of subjects, from philosophy to politics to soccer. That, for me, is what makes the store a pleasure to be in.
A recent conversation started when I asked for a copy of "Molto Italiano", Mario Batali's cookbook. While Nebojsa couldn't find it, he let me into the chaotic storage area to look for it myself, after which point I forgot about my book and spent the next hour listening to him talk about life.
Mr Knezic left Sarajevo with his family to find peace in Toronto, which he praises as a vibrant multicultural city with little overt racism. As a journalist and a writer, his options in Canada were limited - as he put it "...as an immigrant, you can open a pizza store, a dollar store, or drive a cab". He chose to put his money into a bookstore, as that was a natural extension of his love of literature and the written word - and for 11 years, NDJ Books has survived the domination of the Chapters-Indigo behemoth and the rise of the online retailers.
Mr Knezic laments the closure of the many bookstores that used to be a more common feature of Toronto's streets, but he is hopeful that his knowledge of almost all subjects will keep NDJ Books going for many years more.
Although I did not leave with "Molto Italiano", I did buy a copy of "Balkan Ghosts", Robert D. Kaplan's travelogue of the Balkans. It seemed appropriate, and I will definitely be back soon and chat with Nebojsa again.
Discussion
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Unfortunately I've learned that some of the books he sells are cheaper online and that brings up a quandary: Buy the cheaper one or support the guy who owns the indie store and works long hours there alone.
I'm not really sure what "girls" your talking about. The only two girls I have ever heard him talk about are his daughter and wife. So I guess there is nothing left for you to figure out. Your comments are very bizarre.
One more thing...as you can see in the above picture the storage area is tight and cozy, reminds of old European style bookstores. If you didn't appreciate his generosity to allow you a peek, next time try Chapters, its less "chaotic".
I like to talk to owner.He's very knowledgeable.He also recommended me a few good authors and titles that I still enjoy.
Unfortunately,bookstores like this are disappearing and they are very scarce in town.
I'm very surprised about your comment about some "girls".It's more then bizarre.
I'm not sure why he let you in to the storage area?!
You have to be looking for something else,perhaps something like this...
http://intelligenttravel.typepad.com/it/2007/12/rolfs-very-subj.html
Not books for sure.
Regards
Nebojsa's journey from Sarajevo to Toronto was related to me in stories and anecdotes over the course of my many visits to the store. He is a writer, a book lover, a tenacious entrepreneur and a fascinating person. I still remember my first purchase back in 1998 - a volume on classical philosophy - and each time I return to NDJ my reading list gets a bit longer.
A treasure in it's own right.
I miss Toronto already, and,,,,,good book!
( Member of UDBA, well known ex Yugoslav ( comunist ) secret service. Yugoslav KGB. )
Now - Canadian Citizen !
( Photo above: http://www.blogto.com/listings/bookstores/upload/2008/11/20081102-ndg5.jpg )
http://rodoslovlje.blog.hr/2007/06/1622806541/popis-cuvara-jugoslavije.html
.....
KHATTAB (AHMEDA) ISMAIL, 1947. – EL FASKIR/SUDAN – »KAKTUS«
KIJAC (ILIJE) BOŽO, 1951. - MOSTAR – »LOGOS«
KLANCO (MEHE) HAMZO, 1945. – ŽEPČE – »ALADIN«
KLARIĆ (IVANA) MATO, 1936. – RITEŠIĆ/DOBOJ – »KRUNO«
KNEZIĆ (LUKE) BORIVOJE, 1908. – MOSTAR – »ASHKELON«
KNEZIĆ (MILE) NEBOJŠA, 1952. – SARAJEVO – »FILOZOF«
KNEZOVIĆ (MIJE) TOMISLAV, 1928. – MOSTAR – »SVETO«
KNEŽEVIĆ (AUGUSTINA) IVICA, 1945. – CEROVAC/TEŠANJ – »ORHAN«
KNEŽEVIĆ (JAKOVA) ILIJA, 1945. – BORČANI/TOMISLAVGRAD – »PAJO«
KNEŽEVIĆ (PEJE) JASMINKA, 1957. – DRIJENČA/LOPARE – »ZORAN«
KNEŽIĆ (RISTE) MIHAJLO, 1949. – ŠEMENO/KUPRES – »ŠERBO«
KODET WALTER, 1914. – GRAZ/AUSTRIJA – »OBREN« ... Etc. etc.
ATTENTION CANADA ! ATTENTION !!
( In The repressive communist system in Sarajevo - Bosnia. )
He was specialized in working against the Serbian political dissidents in repressive communist system. SHAME ON HIM !
Did you check out these Yougoslav secret police accusations against Nebo? It is quite damning to have online not true.
cheers..james dubro,
Hi Roamn
Did you check out these accusations against Nebo?? That he wa a member of the secret police in charge of political dissenters?
Serious charges!!
cheers..james dubro
http://www.ravnogorskipokret.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&;Itemid=2&func=view&catid=5&id=54
Look up - there - on The List!
....
KNEZIĆ (LUKE) BORIVOJE, 1908. – MOSTAR – »ASHKELON«
KNEZIĆ (MILE) NEBOJŠA, 1952. – SARAJEVO – »FILOZOF«
KNEZOVIĆ (MIJE) TOMISLAV, 1928. – MOSTAR – »SVETO«
....
KHATTAB (AHMEDA) ISMAIL, 1947. – EL FASKIR/SUDAN – »KAKTUS«
KIJAC (ILIJE) BOŽO, 1951. - MOSTAR – »LOGOS«
KLANCO (MEHE) HAMZO, 1945. – ŽEPČE – »ALADIN«
KLARIĆ (IVANA) MATO, 1936. – RITEŠIĆ/DOBOJ – »KRUNO«
KNEZIĆ (LUKE) BORIVOJE, 1908. – MOSTAR – »ASHKELON«
KNEZIĆ (MILE) NEBOJŠA, 1952. SARAJEVO – »FILOZOF«
KNEZOVIĆ (MIJE) TOMISLAV, 1928. – MOSTAR – »SVETO«
KNEŽEVIĆ (AUGUSTINA) IVICA, 1945. – CEROVAC/TEŠANJ – »ORHAN«
KNEŽEVIĆ (JAKOVA) ILIJA, 1945. – BORČANI/TOMISLAVGRAD – »PAJO«
KNEŽEVIĆ (PEJE) JASMINKA, 1957. – DRIJENČA/LOPARE – »ZORAN«
KNEŽIĆ (RISTE) MIHAJLO, 1949. – ŠEMENO/KUPRES – »ŠERBO«
KODET WALTER, 1914. – GRAZ/AUSTRIJA – »OBREN« ... Etc. etc.
( KNEZIĆ ( MILE ) NEBOJŠA... = NEBO - NDJ Books ! )
This is a list of the Yugoslav communist secret agents!
Spy list! They were against their people, against God!
They were Judas! For little money!
http://www.ravnogorskipokret.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&;Itemid=2&func=view&catid=5&id=54
Hope to see You soon!
Hmmm,,,smell nice,,,and now I im going to have one glas of your Russian votka,lonely!
Na web-stranici "Ravnogorskog Pokreta" ( pod slovom "K" ) piše:
KNEZIĆ (MILE) NEBOJŠA, 1952. SARAJEVO – »FILOZOF« ( NEBO )
Vidi link: http://www.ravnogorskipokret.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&;Itemid=2&func=view&catid=5&id=54
Da se zna ! Da se zna !!
I have known Nebo for many years now and have shared many conversations with him on a variety topics including politics (both practical and philisophical) and find it hard to beleive the accusations being levied against him.
I have checked out the websites provided as evidence but unfortunatly they are not in english and therefore I am unable to read them.
With this said I would ask the following from Nebo's accusors:
1. Can you provide this apparent damning information in English?
2. Can you confirm how common the name cited on the list as being Nebo The BookSeller is in the culture (i.e., if you show a list with the name John Smith on it that proves nothing about any John Smith in particular as there are numerous John Smiths)
3. If these claims are indeed true why is it that the accusations are being posted on a website that is dedicated to Toronto stores and experiences and not being reported and investigated by any number of Canadian or international bodies?
These are VERY serious accusations and if they are true then no one would argue that something should be done but as it stands the only evidence being provided is that of a name on a list.
( NEBO - NDJ Books )
Answers to your questions, you can find here:
http://www.ravnogorskipokret.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&;Itemid=2&func=view&catid=5&id=54
They know everything. They know the English language.
His father ( MILE ) was a colonel of the Yugoslav (Communist) Police!
Ask some translater for help:
Nebojsa ( Nebo ) je studirao na filozofskom fakultetu u Sarajevu. Odatle potječe njegovo kodno ime ( nick name ) "FILOZOF". Nakon što je njegov otac umro, pod "cudnim okolnostima", tajne sluzbe komunistickog rezima su vrbovale i njega ( Nebojsu ) da radi za njih. Za uzvrat su ga oslobodili od velikoga broja krivicnih djela kradje, zbog kojih je jednom vec bio osudjen. Kaznu je odlezao u KPD Zenica. ( Pocetkom sedamdesetih godina. )
http://www.kisobran.com/
http://www.kisobran.com/arhiva/2010/jun/pdf/knezic.pdf
Attention, attention ...! Be careful and vigilant!
Once a secret agent, always a secret agent!
Once a spy, always a spy!