Bookshops & Booky Cafes in Singapore
Where to Buy Books in Singapore
You are likely to find that books in Singapore are quite expensive so many expats find e-books, especially the Overdrive platform offered by the National Library Board and of course our school e-book platform, to be a great alternative.
Book Depository, the online bookstore which offers prompt free delivery, is a very popular and economical choice. But, of course, there is nothing like browsing through bookshops and happily, Singapore offers the following options for those of you who enjoy doing this:
As part of the #BuySingLit movement to celebrate stories from Singapore, they have mapped out some bookstores with strong SingLit collections and regular activities that feature Singaporean writers.
Download the Map of Singapore Bookstores here.
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Kinokuniya
This Japanese bookstore chain operated by Kinokuniya Company Ltd has four stores in Singapore https://kinokuniya.com.sg/stores/ located at Orchard, River Valley Road, Bugis and nearby in Jurong. These bookstore stock a huge range of books, magazines and stationery items etc.
Popular
As the names suggest Popular is the largest and oldest bookstore chain based in Singapore and also has an extensive range off books, magazines and stationery items etc. There are more than 27 retails stores located all over the city. https://www.popular.com.sg/store-locator . The closest one to school is located in the Jurong Point Shopping Centre.
Times Bookstores
Times bookstores, especially Times Travel bookshops at Changi Airport terminals, are popular places to buy traveller-books, travel guidebooks, maps, and travel-related items. Now with several locations dotted around Singapore http://www.timesbookstores.com.sg/Page/Stores where customers can browse collections of best-sellers and academic books alike whilst lounging on cozy furniture in a chilled-out setting.
MPR
Originating in Malaysia MPR is a local chain with a fairly limited selection of books. http://www.mph.com.sg . It retails books, magazines, stationery, gifts and greeting cards.
BooksActually
BooksActually https://www.booksactuallyshop.com is a quintessential Singapore independent bookstore, thanks to its resident cats (Pico, Lemon, and Cake), its following of Instagrammers and its in-house publishing arm Math Paper Press, which offers exposure to promising local writers. The selection is more curated than comprehensive, but if you're just looking to browse and stumble upon a good novel, collections of essays, esoteric philosophy tome or specialty mag, this is the place. They're also big on book launches and readings that the owner, Kenny, is always plugging on Facebook. The back of the store is a small charming area with attractive vintage and retro items on sales. Located in the nostalgic and hip Tiong Bahru estate you can spend your whole weekend morning or afternoon enjoying all the best things this part of Singapore has to offer including art cafes, beautiful classic bakeries, fashion boutiques, cozy restaurant and the lively wet market. This shop is a bit off-the-beaten-track, but oozes a certain boho-hipster charm - totally worth the visit!
Woods in the Books
Woods in the Books http://www.woodsinthebooks.sg is another rare gem in the colorful tapestry of shops at Tiong Bahru. The vibrant life-size paintings of fictional characters on the glass doors and windows will give you an idea of the kind of books encased inside. What makes Woods in the Books perfect for young children is that the owners themselves handpick the picture books that make it to their shelves. They make their choices by taking in consideration the stories and illustrations that will captivate the kids and ultimately encourage them to read as a part of their everyday life. Woods in the Books’ unique concept is so successful that they had to open their second branch, Books Ahoy!, on Orchard Road.
Books Ahoy!
Books Ahoy! http://www.woodsinthebooks.sg/books-ahoy/ believes reading is the cornerstone of a child’s ingenuity. Nurturing a love for books is the greatest gift to children. Books Ahoy! aims to grow the appetite of mighty young readers through a selection of picture and chapter books for both early and independent readers.
Closetful of Books
Closetful of Books http://www.closetfulofbooks.com is run by a couple who are wildly in love with books, so much so that they have made it their mission to spread the habit of reading to as many people – especially the young ones – as they can. They are so passionate in carrying out their mission that they handpick every title in the store, which comes handy for parents who need recommendations for their children. Their book selection ranges from pictures books to early readers to junior fiction to young adult literature to titles from Singaporean authors. Closetful of Books’ eclectic book collection makes their book fairs a huge hit at our school.
Littered with Books
Tucked away on Duxton Road, Littered with Books http://www.litteredwithbooks.com is a charming little bookstore set over two levels packed with tomes and volumes of all kinds, shapes, sizes, and genres, from mystery-novels to classics and children’s books. This bookstore, which holds regular book launches and reading events, is a paradise for every bookworm and is a serious must on any literary tour through the city of Singapore. Apart from the calming music and neatly arranged displays, the staff are helpful and knowledgeable, going all out to bring in a book for you if it isn't in stock. The shopkeepers also know their stuff, so it's a great place to make friends, chill, and talk shop about your favorite writers. There is also a second floor that gets a lot less foot traffic if you want to browse in peace.
My Greatest Child
This bookstore’s mission is to promote reading to children of all ages by selling books and other educational materials at affordable prices. Much of the books and stationery that they sell at My Greatest Child https://mygreatestchild.sg/about-us/ are imported from Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States. My Greatest Child boast of more than 1,000 titles in the children’s section alone. This selection is comprised of colorful picture books, early readers, young adult literature, and various reference titles. MGC’s book fairs are well-anticipated because of the huge price drop that readers enjoy.
Junior Page
Junior Page https://junior-page-books.myshopify.com is located at Alexandar Retail Centre (ARC). The shop has a wide range of books from educational to references. If you prefer buying books from the comfort of your home, they provide free delivery for purchases above $15. You will find colorful books with dynamic illustrations and huge prints for infants and little tykes, sort of an introduction to the world around them – about the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, and all those basic concepts.
Basheer Graphic Books
Venturing into Bras Basah Complex in Bugis you can easily get lost in the many second-hand bookstores there, but the one that has stood the test of time is Basheer Graphic Books https://www.basheergraphic.com . This is a one-stop shop for all art, graphic, and creativity books and magazines: Basheer Graphic Books offers specialized titles of graphics, cartooning, animation, illustration, architecture, interior design, landscape design, fashion design, product design, graphic design, typography, photography, art & craft, picture books, drawing books, sketching books, copywriting books, and inspirational books. Besides visiting the bookstore, you can patronize interesting fairs held at Brah Basah Complex weekly like second-hand book fairs, stationery fairs, and antique fairs.
Select Books
If you are fascinated by the culture and history of Southeast Asia, Select Books http://www.selectbooks.com.sg is a store to put on your list. Specializing in titles relating to the Asian region, this bookstore is internationally recognized. Located not far from Fort Canning Park, this quaint, architecturally simple shop is a great place to have an afternoon’s browse, or to discover the next tome to take you through the storied past of this corner of the continent.
Gohd Books
New, used, rare, and some truly beautiful books are sold at Gohd Books http://www.gohd.com.sg . These include leather-bound biographies, fairy tale tomes, books on natural history and folklore, and translated classics like Don Quixote that remain in almost perfect condition. Equally notable are works on observations of the world, whether an 1886 study on the gypsies of India or a written documentation of Borneo natives from 1927. Prices start from around $56. They also host language classes in Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit. The shop is open for browsing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Of course, their online shop is open 24/7.
Booky Cafés in Singapore
https://thesmartlocal.com/read/book-cafes/
Open Book Café
Located in the Bukit Pasoh area, Open Book Café is a small yet charming café that happens to be an extension of the Grassroots Book Room - see below. The bookshop itself is dedicated to carrying Chinese titles (with a few English titles), making them quite unique from other bookstores that predominantly sell English books. They also carry various trinkets and knick-knacks over the counter. With reading paraphernalia and attractive decor on display, this is a lovely place to sit down and read a book over a cup of tea and bakery treats - their apple cookies are highly recommended.
Grassroots Book Room 草根书室
Tucked along Bukit Pasoh a Chinese bookshop named “草根书室“. It roughly translates to Grassroots Book Room. It is a gorgeous little bookshop with charming decorative items placed thoughtfully on the shelves. It predominantly sells Chinese books but there are some in English. You can also buy works by local artists before you enter the Open Book Café situated at the back for a relaxing cuppa and a cake – or their highly recommended apple cookie!
The Reading Room
Just a couple of doors down from the Grass Roots Bookshop situated along Bukit Pasoh Road is The Reading Room. This is a quaint book café that will surround you with books of different genres packed on full-length bookshelves that hug every corner of the cafe. Patrons are welcome to grab a book off the shelves to read while enjoying a meal or tea break. With comfortable pillow clad seats and a tranquil ambiance, it is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
The Book Café
The Book Café, features diverse reading material which customers can browse through as they partake of the simple Western fare and beverages the café offers on their menu. With its comfy couches, brightly lit corners and free wifi it is a great place for a quick meal, be it lunch or dinner, or to chill out with a book in hand. If you happen to pop by from Friday to Sunday, you have got to try their Traditional Italian Lemon & Pine Nut Pie ($5.95 per slice). Homemade and baked in limited quantities, this sweet treat is hard to pass up.
The Pigeonhole
The Pigeonhole is a book café and arts space which promotes local NGOs, film, performance and art. It brings in uncommon beers from around the world and they also offer coffee and tea. It is located in Tanjong Pagar where you will find an array of other cafés and restaurants located along winding streets offering culture and diversity.
Links to other articles about the book scene in Singapore:
https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/literary-league-bookstores-singapore/
http://teenage.com.sg/lifestyle/independent-bookstores-singapore/
https://zula.sg/singapore-indie-bookstores/
https://expatliving.sg/book-shops-in-singapore-stores-and-cafes-bookworms-will-love/
https://thesmartlocal.com/read/book-cafes/
https://sgmagazine.com/things-to-do-singapore/news/independent-bookstores-singapore