The 10 Best Bookshops In Singapore

Singapore is the place to be for bookworms; with dozens of book stores in this modern city-state, there’s everything you’ll need. From large shops you can get lost in, to small independents with a resident cat, Singapore has it all. Check them out…

Times Bookstore

Now with several locations dotted around the inner-city areas of Singapore, from the bustling strips of Orchard Road to the iconic side walks of Raffles Boulevard (not to mention more recent expansions into neighboring Malaysia), Times Bookstore is now unquestionably one of the most recognisable literary brands in all of Singapore. Times actually started life as a humble terminal book shop in the city’s Changi Airport, but now offers several unique spaces around town, where customers can browse collections of best-sellers and academic books alike whilst lounging on cosy furniture in a chilled-out setting.

290 Orchard Rd, 04-41 Paragon, Singapore, +65 6836 6182

Kinokuniya

Bookstore

Attracting more than two million visitors every year, Kinokuniya is Singapore’s largest bookstore. Located in Ngee Ann City, one of Singapore’s upmarket shopping centers, Kinokuniya offers thousands of titles in several different languages, including English, Chinese, German and French, as well as Japanese comics and Taiwanese magazines to boot. This bookshop provides a huge selection of books and magazines that can be difficult to find elsewhere, making it something of the perfect addition to this cosmo metropolis!

Select Books

Bookstore

For all of those who are fascinated by the culture and history of Southeast Asia, Select Books is a store to put on your list. Specializing in titles relating to the Asia region, this book store 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.

Books Actually

Books Actually is one of Singapore’s best independent book stores, specializing in classic, home-grown Singaporean literature alongside other rare and obscure editions. They also sell vintage, hand-made stationery like post cards, notebooks and pencils. This shop is a bit off-the-beaten-track, but oozes a certain boho-hipster charm, boasts a cool, stripped-down style and hosts countless literary events – totally worth the visit!

Books Actually, 9 Yong Siak St, Singapore, +65 6222 9195

Woods in the Books

Bookstore

Just a few doors down from Books Actually is Woods in the Books, another independent book store specializing in children’s books. In the company of resident white puppy Mr. Scotti, you can have a browse through and find the next big thing in the world of young person’s literature. Picture books are the main staple, while pop-up books and classics like The Wizard of Oz are always center stage.

Basheer Graphic Books

Located in downtown Singapore is Basheer Graphic Books, a one-stop shop for all titles relating to graphic design. Whether it’s architecture, fashion, typography or other related disciplines, this is the place to go to scratch that creative itch. What’s more, with a layout that places row upon row of tome and journal before every customer, this makeshift stall-style emporium of graphic knowledge is a real pleasure to browse through.

Basheer Graphic Books, 231 Bain Street, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore, +65 6336 1917

Earshot Café

Holding regular events such as writers’ talks and book launches, this bright little bookstore and café supports Singaporean arts and culture at a grass-roots level. Located inside the Singapore Arts House, this is a local favorite that’s great for hitting to simply browse through the cutting-edge side of the country’s literary talent, enjoy a coffee and chat with locals of a similar mindset.

Earshot, 1 Old Parliament Lane, The Arts House, Singapore, +65 6338 8220

Littered with Books

Bookstore

Tucked away on Duxton Road, Littered with Books is a charming little book store 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 book store, 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.

The French Bookshop

Bookstore

With new and used books, this bookstore specializes in French language books. Whether you’re a novice learning French or a French native speaker, The French Bookshop has what you need. The French Bookshop sells all genres of French literature, with a special penchant for both the classics and modern additions to the country’s literary canon. Inside, the decor is stylish and calm; perfectly inviting for those who simply want to browse through Flaubert et al.

As the name may suggest, Popular is one of the most visited bookstores in all of Singapore. Being Singapore’s oldest and biggest bookstore, POPULAR has an extensive collection of books from many different genres, including science fiction, biographies, non-fiction, travel guides, and more! It’s also huge, so is perfect for zoning out for a while and getting away from the fray of metropolitan life.

About the author

Matthew Clark

Matt is a Linguistics graduate who was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. A passion for travel and foreign cultures was developed from a young age thanks to his well-travelled, multi-lingual parents who encouraged him to study foreign languages and find a way to live abroad. After graduating from La Trobe University in 2013, Matt moved to southern France to become an English teacher, from where he plans on exploring the European continent and all the fascinating history and culture that it has to offer.