“A town isn’t a town without a bookstore” — so writes Neil Gaiman in American Gods, and we agree.
For all you bookworms, we’ve rounded up 5 best independent bookstores around the island where you can get your lit geek on and #SupportLocal while you’re at it.
1. Booktique
While we’re sad to have to say goodbye to locally-owned book-lovers’ haven Booktique soon (it closes on 30th June), it’s not too late to pay the store one last pilgrimage.
The store started as a series of book fairs in 2013, and moved into its home at CityLink Mall in 2015. Its minimalist interior and rustic wooden bookshelves house plenty of literary classics and titles on the craft of writing—a great resource for aspiring writers.
Booktique
Address: CityLink Mall #B1-17A , 1 Raffles Link , Singapore 039393
Opening hours: Sun – Thu: 11.30am – 9.30pm; Fri – Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Website
2. BooksActually
BooksActually is the place to be if you’re looking for local literature, with its good selection of works by Singapore poets. Here, you’ll also find the trademark minimalist SingLit book covers printed by BooksActually’s publishing arm, Math Paper Press.
Venture into the back room and you’ll find several knick-knacks and accessories with local flavour. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a chance to say hi to the bookstore’s resident feline friends.
BooksActually
Address: 9 Yong Siak St, Singapore 168645
Opening Hours: Tues – Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun – Mon: 10am – 6pm
Website
3. Woods in the Books
A few doors down from BooksActually is Woods in the Books, an independent bookshop that specialises in picture books for the little ones.
With its adorable outdoor mural and charming decor, Woods in the Books is nothing short of enchanting.
The young at heart can also indulge in a little childhood nostalgia here, as the bookstore carries plenty of classic titles such as The Giving Tree and The Hungry Caterpillar.
Woods in the Books
Address: 3 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 16864
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 10am – 7pm; Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun: 10am – 6pm; Closed on Mon
Website
4. Littered with Books
Located in a charming two-storey shophouse in Duxton Hill, Littered with Books will have you wanting to curl up in an armchair with a good book and a mug of fine coffee. Think tall French windows, skylights, cushy rugs and an impressive selection of fiction and non-fiction books.
Wandering through the bookshelves here will take you from fantasy novels to science fiction, to cookbooks and travel guides, with helpful post-it recommendations along the way on the staff’s favourite picks.
DiscoverSG Pro Tip: Look out for the discount pile under their staircase, where you can get some great steals.
Littered With Books
Address: 20 Duxton Road, Singapore 089486
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12pm – 8pm; Fri 12pm – 9pm; Sat 11am – 9pm; Sun 11am – 8pm
Website
5. Basheer Graphic Books
Hankering for a dose of design inspo? Head to Basheer Graphic Books. Offering shelves upon shelves of books and magazines on architecture, graphic design, fashion, photography, typography and more, the store is a mecca for lovers of design and collectors of magazines. The store’s no-frills, old-school vibe is also a big part of its charm.
Basheer Graphic Books
Address: Bras Basah Complex #04-19, 231 Bain St, Singapore 180231
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm; Sun: 11am – 6.30pm
Website
Few things in life are better than curling up in bed and spending a lazy day in, with the company of a good book.
The next time you’re on the hunt for something new to read or the perfect gift for that bibliophile friend of yours, head down to any of these bookstores! Set aside some time because we foresee you’ll be spending hours browsing through their incredible array of titles.
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(Header Image Source: BooksActually)
