The Decisive Moment: A Tale of Two Bookstores, Paris and Beijing

Nestled along the Seine River in Paris, with the Notre Dame as its backdrop, Shakespeare and Company, arguably the most famous independent bookstore in the world, is more than just a place to buy books—it’s a living embodiment of literary romance, a utopia for book lovers.

During our recent visit to Paris, I finally had the opportunity to venture into this haven of timeless charm. Stepping into its labyrinthine rooms for the very first time, I felt as though I was entering a sacred space where words and stories have been cherished for nearly a century. Each creaky wooden floorboard and narrow aisle is steeped in history, and the air seems to hum with the voices of writers, both past and present.

Among the many bookshelves, I stumbled upon a book about Henri Cartier-Bresson, often considered the father of modern photography. He famously coined the term "the decisive moment," referring to that fleeting instant when all elements in a photograph align perfectly, capturing an image that tells a deeper story. This concept resonated with me as it speaks not only to photography but also to life's serendipitous moments—the ones that define who we are. Holding his book, stamped with the famous Shakespeare and Company seal, I felt deeply connected to his philosophy of seizing and capturing these moments, both through the lens and in life.

Shakespeare and Company, with its enduring legacy since the original store opened in 1919, has long been a magnet for writers and thinkers. Literary giants like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, alongside generations of aspiring writers, have walked through its doors, seeking both inspiration and refuge. But it’s not just the history that makes this place magical—it’s the ongoing story of discovery. Whether you find a book that touches your soul or see yourself reflected in the pages, Shakespeare and Company remains a sanctuary for those who still believe in the magic of books. Even in an age dominated by ebooks, there is something irreplaceable about walking into a real bookstore and savor the smell of a real book. Paris, in fact, seems to have many more physical bookstores than one might find in the U.S., each with its own unique charm.

As I stood at the counter purchasing the book, my thoughts drifted back to a different but similarly evocative place: Beijing’s Wangfujing bookstore (王府井新华书店). Once the largest bookstore in China, Wangfujing had been a frequent stop when I briefly lived in Beijing exactly forty years ago. Earlier this year, I returned to the same bustling street and wandered into this seemingly unchanged yet ever-evolving space. Wangfujing, located in one of Beijing’s busiest shopping districts, is a far cry from the quaint charm of Shakespeare and Company. Still, I found myself drawn to its endless rows of bookshelves, compelled by the same curiosity and love of books that transcends borders.

There, among thousands of volumes, I experienced a moment that felt both surreal and deeply affirming: I found the Chinese version of my own book (The Odyssey of Self-Discovery: On Becoming A Leader ) prominently displayed on the main floor in the business and management section. It was a proud and humbling moment, seeing my words and ideas standing alongside works from all over the world. In that instant, I was reminded of the quiet power that bookstores hold—places where ideas, creativity, and human experience converge. Whether in a cozy Paris bookstore or the bustling Beijing’s literary haven, bookstores remind us of the universality of stories and our shared human need to learn, dream, and leave something meaningful behind.

Both experiences—discovering a book by the father of photography in Paris and seeing my own book on the shelves of Wangfujing in Beijing—reminded me of the importance of "defining moments." Whether captured through a photograph, written in a book, or born in the act of creation, these moments have the power to shape our perspectives and remain etched in our memories. In many ways, they are what Shakespeare and Company, and indeed every great bookstore, is all about: discovering the moments that define us.

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