After a very long while of closures for many bookstores all over Malaysia due to the lockdown to control the number of COVID-19 cases, the order has been finally lifted. Recently, it is announced that bookstores are able to be operated again but with strict SOP applied. It is such great news for bookstores owner as they can continue their businesses.
If you are a book lover who is really in search of a bookstore to find your next read, we got you covered. Even if you are not searching for any books and you wanted just to use the services provided in the bookstores, this article would also help you a lot in a certain ways. Believe it or not, these are actually 5 unique bookstores located all over Malaysia.
1) Monalisa Bookstore, Bukit Jalil
Decked in pastal colors and also dreamy hues, this is such a beautiful bookstore in Bukit Jalil. This triple-story Monalisa Bookstore is an oasis for book lovers and offers an extensive collection of curated and mostly imported books. If you are a bookworm, head over here and get yourself some favorite books for you and your loved ones.
2) Book Xcess Sunsuria Forum, Shah Alam
Enter Book Xcess Sunsuria Forum, home to a book tunnel and towering circular bookshelf. This bookstore gives off a vibe that’s pretty similar to the popular Starfield Library in Seoul. Step into a world dedicated to bookworms in this space that houses over 500,000 discounted books covering a wide range of topics, Besides being a great space to browse for your next book, you can also find comfortable workstations, cozy reading spaces, a children’s mini maze.
3) Lit Books, PJ
The folks behind Lit Books believe that “good books light up our world”, thus the name of this independent bookstore besides also being short for literature. Lit Books specializes in English literary titles and houses a curated collection of tasteful fiction and non-fiction books from the classics to contemporary reads and new releases. Many patrons have expressed enjoying conversations with the well-read owners at the store, who are extremely friendly and happy to guide you on your book selection.
4) Junk Bookstore, KL
KL’s Junk Bookstore is a long-standing secondhand bookstore and the largest one in Malaysia packed with literary gems and antique titles that are hard to be found elsewhere. While its aesthetics cannot be compared to the fancy new bookstores in Malaysia, this three-layered store exudes a nostalgic old-school charm that will draw you in. The ambiance is warm and cozy, and books are neatly arranged on racks, wrapped in clear plastic. Don’t be fooled by its name and the fact that it’s a secondhand bookstore, most of the books here are far from junk, and can be considered as treasure instead.
5) Tintabudi, KL
Another gem located housed in the Zhongshan Building in Kampung Attap, Tintabudi is a modest space that we have a soft spot for. This humble independent bookstore is not huge and fancy like some of the bigger ones on this list, with a book collection that may only appeal only to a very specific group of readers. The selection of books here aren’t for everyone, and mostly cover the fields of humanities, literature, poetry, philosophy, history, and arts. You can browse through their catalog on their official website.
Sources: Facebook Monalisa Bookstore, Facebook Book Xcess Sunsuria Forum, Facebook Lit Books, Facebook Junk Bookstore, Facebook Tintabudi.