Reading is a passion many of us have grown up with. Recently, it seems TikTok and Instagram are reigniting an old flame. With the rise of Booktok, many people rediscovered their love for reading and are popularising this hobby! With the help of enthusiastic Booktokers and Bookstagrammers, people are beginning to stop judging a book by its cover. What you can judge it upon, is an excellent review, a swoon-worthy quote and an aesthetic TikTok.
What’s more, it also sparked the growth of the book community here in Malaysia! While we are always on the hunt for good books, we’re also looking for a calming place to read. Whether it’s a gorgeous library or a book-themed cafe, book lovers will find a way to incorporate books into everyday life. That’s precisely what Dayana did with Orchid’s Library. A Whimsical escape where you can drown in all your favourite books! With over 67K followers on Instagram meet the bubbly personality behind it all.
Get To Know Dayana & Orchid’s Library Cafe
Contents
- Get To Know Dayana & Orchid’s Library Cafe
- Tell us a little bit about yourself such as hobbies and quirks!
- What got you into reading? Have you always loved it as a child or is it a newly discovered hobby?
- What are some of your favourite books and How do you choose what books to read? Do you only read fiction or non-fiction books?
- What inspired you to start a Bookstagram account and share your love for books? Did you ever expect to become such a well-known personality within the community?
- What do you think about the book community in Malaysia considering it seems to be much bigger and more influential overseas?
- As a fairly new cafe owner, what inspired you to open a cafe and how did you come up with its name?
- What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
- How is Orchid’s Library Cafe different from other book cafes and what makes it unique?
- As an avid reader, are you passionate about writing as well? Will we be seeing a published book by you in the near future?
- Do you often write reviews about books you’ve read and what usually goes into a book review? Do you prefer spoiler or spoiler-free reviews?
- What kind of reader are you? We know there are many who love to annotate while some prefer not to. Is there any difference in the reading experience?
- Considering your growing and large platform on social media, what else do you hope to achieve with it and how do you think it has impacted others?
- Are there any new plans or secret projects in the works for Orchids Library Cafe?
- Personally, how many books do you read in a day? Or what is the yearly goal you hope to achieve?
- Lastly, what books would you recommend to a new reader who wants to get into reading?
- Visit Orchid’s Library Cafe Today!
Tell us a little bit about yourself such as hobbies and quirks!
Hi I’m Dayana, also known as @orchidslibrary on TikTok and Instagram. I’m a reader, entrepreneur, eating coach helping people to lose weight healthily and a cafe owner. I’m 21 years old and taken by my many fictional boyfriends from the books I read. Which is another way of saying that I am single. My current favourite books are “Salam with love” by Sara Sharaf Beg and “Sorrow And Bliss” by Meg Mason. These books are very dear to my heart and apart from that, I love coffee! I also love getting coffee stains stuck on my teeth and complaining about it to my dentist. I adore taking random videos and photos because such things for me collect beautiful and sad memories, see how fast time flies then make an aesthetic video out of it to share with others. Besides that, I listen to music daily and talk to myself in the mirror like an idiot. I promise you I’m not a psychopath. It’s just I like to pretend that I am more than..just me. It could be me pretending to be a singer or even an actress! But I hope you can relate. Oh! I also watch youtube videos like vlogs on lifestyle…I guess that’s it..for now?
What got you into reading? Have you always loved it as a child or is it a newly discovered hobby?
I think I’ve always been a reader since I was a kid. But back then I was sort of forced to be one. My grandpa was actually the one who triggered the reader in me. Although he has already passed due to cancer, I remember he used to make me read the newspapers every day after school and then ask me about what I’ve learnt. He taught me that reading is a way to become better in life and escape from reality. I didn’t know what he meant by that until I grew up…It became an identity for me. Dayana, A reader. I miss him. I wish he’d known now how much it helped me grow as a person. So yes, I’d like to say that it was my grandfather who got me into reading.
What are some of your favourite books and How do you choose what books to read? Do you only read fiction or non-fiction books?
@orchidslibrary Im sorry for being annoying 😭 i GET EXCITED
♬ Lovers Rock – TV Girl
As I mentioned above, Salam With Love and Sorrow And Bliss are my favourites. I’m planning to reread them someday. Salam with love is focused on faith, a diverse group of family and of course weird teen moments with halal romance AHHH!!
Sorrow and Bliss hits hard as it was recommended by a close friend of mine @whatafireads and I’m forever grateful for that. It talks about mental illness and a character named Martha going through her depressive episodes and struggling with it. I could feel her emotions and understand her as well. I most definitely cried reading it as well.
Choosing books that I want to read is actually the hardest because I am a “Mood Reader”. In case you don’t know what a mood reader is, your feelings or as I would like to say “moods” tends to change a lot. One moment you’re into literature then the next you’d want to read some romance. It gets super confusing, so for me, I tend to pick them based on my current moods. I lean more towards fiction books honestly as I prefer to be in a sense where I could escape from reality.
@orchidslibrary Read the books you guys its so good!!🥹🥹
♬ original sound – Clint Dela Vega
No, of course not. I’ve never expected to make it this far. I don’t think anyone did. But it came from a girl who took flatlays of her books in her room alone and wrote book reviews. It turned into making videos on TikTok at 2am in the morning almost every night because she was bored because it was something that she loved doing. I love being creative. I put so much effort into them, and I am passionate about them too! In all honesty, I just wanted to make friends in the community, and I did because of it, alhamdulillah.
I started Bookstagram a long time ago but stopped during high school because it was just too hectic for me. Then right after graduation, I met my online best friend @bibliorey. She was the one who inspired me to start up my account again! We have grown together and it’s amazing really, how time flies by. I thank Allah SWT, friends and family for this. I wouldn’t be here without them.
What do you think about the book community in Malaysia considering it seems to be much bigger and more influential overseas?
I love it! I think it’s about time we’re finally shining here. The book community has always been here, hidden like Hogwarts. But the fact that the book community in Malaysia is finally growing and welcoming more non-readers out there and inspiring everyone is amazing. We need more!
As a fairly new cafe owner, what inspired you to open a cafe and how did you come up with its name?
I think it’s everyone’s dream to open up a cafe. Everyone has their own hobbies that they would like to turn into a cafe someday to share with others. Could be music, cosplay, or games. You name it. I was inspired by the idea of it, sharing what I’ve read with others who visit the cafe. Meeting new people, feeling cosy and warm all around with the comfort of books and people with me. I love it. I love the crowd.
Actually, I named the cafe based on my name! I’m such an idiot because orchids are my favourite flowers. And there is a specific orchid in Brazil named “Laelia Dayana” hence the name ORCHID’S LIBRARY = DAYANA’S LIBRARY and there we have it!
What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
To be stronger, I faced a lot of things mentally that no one knew about. I mean technically we are all struggling with it, right? With our mind. It’s a battle every day in there. And to overcome them, I take one step at a time. Istighfar and try making it through another day in this life just by being in the present. I know it’s easier said than done, which is why I believe that trying is enough. Cry if you need to, there’s no shame in that at all. Have a mindset that you’ll be able to shut it off by sleeping once your day is over. Then repeat. Somehow, it has really helped me in a way. Just remember, to never let it stop you from growing to be better.
How is Orchid’s Library Cafe different from other book cafes and what makes it unique?
Orchid’s Library is unique because it is focused on including nutritious value in all of our menus. For example, my smoothies are all named after my favourite fictional characters from books! We have Choco Darkling, Crunchy Nikolai, Starfish Berry and so much more! We use premium grocery items and of course, we strive to reduce using sugar as much as we can while keeping it savoury. Incorporating high protein, and fewer calories, yet still maintaining an exquisite taste! So when customers stop by with an empty stomach, they’ll leave feeling full and satisfied. But if you are a coffee lover, don’t worry. We have coffee, waffles, refreshers, protein bars and many more! If you are visiting with friends and family, we have plenty of board games to go around.
As an avid reader, are you passionate about writing as well? Will we be seeing a published book by you in the near future?
Nope, but the future can surprise you sometimes. Maybe or maybe not. I’d like to think that there are people who are made to be writers and readers simultaneously. But there are also people who just read for a living. Like me! AHAH
Do you often write reviews about books you’ve read and what usually goes into a book review? Do you prefer spoiler or spoiler-free reviews?
I used to, but lately, I’ve been busy and so I’ve been trying to keep up with it. Writing book reviews is pretty easy, you talk about the things that you adore and dislike about a book. Without giving away spoilers of course, because NO ONE likes getting spoilers about a book they are planning on reading or are reading. But if you really want to talk about spoilers, just remember to give a little warning to readers! Don’t be too hard on yourself as well, because writing reviews doesn’t necessarily have to be long…It can be a short one! Either way, you read it for your own enjoyment. Forget about others’ opinions and how they write their reviews. Be you. That’s how you’ll be able to communicate with others, by being yourself!
What kind of reader are you? We know there are many who love to annotate while some prefer not to. Is there any difference in the reading experience?
A mood reader! Everyone has their way of loving books and devouring them with reading. Some annotate some don’t. Some ruin the spines of books for fun and others hate ruining them. I think that’s the best part about being a reader, we have our own quirks!
I hope to help others grow with me because I don’t want to be alone on this journey. I want them to experience it with me. It’s hard to believe sometimes how I’m inspiring others out there just by sharing what I read. Or simply just me having fun online! I love having that impact on others and I never knew I could be that kind of person you know? But with Allah’s permission, I became one and for that, I’m so grateful. I hope I’ll be able to do that more for others out there.
Are there any new plans or secret projects in the works for Orchids Library Cafe?
Yes! I’d rather keep this as a surprise but there’s one I can tell you. “More menus” are on their way hehe!
Personally, how many books do you read in a day? Or what is the yearly goal you hope to achieve?
My yearly goal in reading books is 60 books this year. At the moment, I’ve read 55 books so far. Although last year, I read 85 books. As I said, it depends on my mood and if the book is good. If it is, I’m sometimes able to finish it all in one night without any sleep and easily continue to other books. But if my mood isn’t right, or I’m in a reading slump, it’ll take months before I finish a book. So, I’ll use this cringy sentence with you guys, “go with the flow”! OMG BYE.
Lastly, what books would you recommend to a new reader who wants to get into reading?
5 books for new readers that are #beginners
- The Bromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay Adams
- Salam with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
- Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
- Stormrise by Jillian Boehme
- Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Visit Orchid’s Library Cafe Today!
So what are you waiting for? Visit Orchid’s Library cafe today and read all your favourite books! Stay as long as you like and enjoy refreshing drinks and scrumptious snacks. Talk all about books with your friends, strangers or even Dayana herself! Here’s all you need to know to find your way to this gorgeous book cafe.
| Address | 53A – 1 KL TRADERS SQUARE, Jln Gombak, Kampung Kuantan, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur |
| Opening Hours | Tues-Sun: 2pm – 8pm | Closed on Mondays |
| Contact Details | +6012 352 0097 | +6012 352 0097 |
| Social Media | Instagram | TikTok |
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