Ahead of her three-night concert run in the Antwerp Sportpaleis this week, British-Albanian pop star Dua Lipa named one of the city's bookstores as "Indie bookshop of the month" as part of her new online book club.
As part of her weekly lifestyle newsletter called 'Service95,' the singer launched her online book club a week ago, where she shares reading tips and interviews with authors. Additionally, she named the Antwerp store 'De Groene Waterman' as her first "independent bookshop of the month" on social media.
The singer called it "a cosy spot in Antwerp" that celebrates "original, thought-provoking reads that spark ideas and conversations." At the shop, they were delighted with the recognition (and publicity) the pop star's attention got.
"Getting a compliment for what you do is always nice, especially when it comes from an unexpected source," Katrien Merckx, coordinator at De Groene Waterman, told The Brussels Times.
Will she drop by?
Some three weeks ago, someone from the pop star's team emailed the shop to ask for some of its current book recommendations. "We sent them some material."
Merckx believes that the attention and press that Dua Lipa's recommendation has generated will definitely bring in some new people. "Some people might also remember that they wanted to come by again. And we have also noticed that many customers and partners are very happy that 'their bookshop' is being featured."
Dua Lipa will be in Antwerp this week, as she is performing at the Sportpaleis venue three nights in a row: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. "With such a busy schedule, three concerts in three nights, I think the chances of her dropping by are very slim. We have not heard anything about it, in any case."
Still, Merckx made it clear that Lipa is most definitely welcome to drop in. "I think it would be great fun to chat about books with her."
And the fans? Are they hanging around in the hope of spotting their favourite singer browsing some books? "Not that I have noticed. Either way, should they not be heading to the Sportpaleis early, in the hope of getting a front-row place?"
