We you visit Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and would like to know how some of its young one or Gen Z think, you can visit Natan an independent book shop that offers beyond books. Located at Jalan Cisanggiri, Kebayoran Baru, Natan book shop gives you a warm welcome when you step into and a feeling of comfortable provided by the brownish nuances by the wood bookshelves. It is simple reflecting an endeavor by an artisan entrepreneur.
The books are tidily organized, and all is very simple. It is quiet as there is not any background music, showing that the focus is books to read or perhaps to contemplate as browsing for some people.
The displays show history books, philosophy, religion, self-development, children’s books and education including famous comic from Belgium – Tintin. Indie books are available too, as the bookshop has the goal to promote not-yet-popular writer.
A great content curation as it potentially answers the Gen Z curiosity about the past that has shaped today. There are books by scholar, writer and editor, Hans Bague Jassin or most famous as HB Jassin, such as Angkatan 66 Prosa dan Puisi and Gema Tanah Air.
There is history book like The History of Java and Hikayat Kretek, and there is also a recent history book like 1965 (standing out due to its simple big title in red with white background) by Bernd Schaefer and Baskara T. Wardaya (2025). The book 1965 Indonesia and The World that compiles the personal accounts on mass violence in Indonesia following the 1965 coup and brings together scholars with various linguistic skills to examine international complicity in this violence argues that despite Indonesians were most responsible for the violence, there are foreign governments share some responsibility for standing by as the violence unfolded.
Classic books like Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk, books by Pramudya Ananta Tour and Mochtar Lubis including his cultural speech “Manusia Indonesia” on 6 April 1977 at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta are on display. At that time, Mochtar Lubis’s views caused pro and con opinions from various parties, because he said that Indonesian people have six characters: Hypocrite, Reluctant and reluctant to take responsibility for their actions, Feudal nature and behavior, Superstitious, artistic or artistic talent and weak in character or character. All leads to feed the appetite of Gen Z (and all of us across generations) about who we are.
Self-development and growth book is available such as The Greatness Mindset Unlock the Power of Your Mind and Live Your Best Life Today by Lewis Howes, that tells practical tools and mindset shifts to help us overcome self-doubt, reconnect with purpose and design our life, which could be useful for today uncertain situation. Also, the global famous Homo Deus is easy to grab from the shelf.
Beyond books, Natan bookshop has community program such as book discussion and writing workshops. Open on Sunday to Monday at 0900 – 2100 Jakarta time, most visitors are the young ones going to Santa Market and drop by to this book first or after. A South Jakarta experience.
Lastly, the staff is friendly, helpful and proactive in explaining the new arrival, which creates connection between this little book shop and the visitors.
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