where i usually get my books in kl, malaysia
rip book depository, you will be missed
As a reader, one of my biggest woes is how expensive books are. I’m actually the type to stand in the bookstore aisle for 10 minutes, deciding if I want to get books today or not. Or maybe I’ll impulsively splurge on a haul as a “treat yourself” moment.
I have a wishlist for books I want and another one for books that must be on my shelf. When I decide which books I want to get, I’ll compare online prices between bookstores to get the cheapest one possible, and then I’ll see if there are any discounts or vouchers I can use. Sometimes if I’m lucky, the books are on sale too!
My go-to bookstore is MPH Bookstores in KL, Malaysia, but there are a few online bookstores that I’ve shopped from. If you’re planning to get books soon, here are a list of bookstores you can get books from:
1. MPH Bookstores
I love, love, love MPH Bookstores. I’ve gotten a lot of my books from here, and I always love going into the physical bookstore to just admire the books there. Plus, I have a member discount which gives me 10% off on every purchase and 15% off during my birthday month.
The selections at my usual MPH location are pretty good as well, and I often come across titles I never thought would be there. However, if they don’t have a couple of titles that I want in the store, I’ll usually check out their MPH Online store.
2. Carousell Malaysia
On days when I cringe at the sight of the bookstore prices, I’ll thrift preloved books instead. That’s when the Carousell Malaysia app comes in. It’s one of my top platforms to get books in KL, and you might be surprised at how many secondhand books you can find that are in good condition!
I’ve thrifted many series and books over the years, and I’ve had a good experience talking to the sellers and buying their preloved books. In terms of selections, it’s pretty limited, but you’ll easily find the more popular (mainstream) books being sold.
3. Bookalicious MY
Bookalicious is an underrated indie bookstore you guys have to check out. It’s also one of my top online bookstores to get books in KL, and they also have a Shopee Malaysia store you can check out. You’ll find both local and international titles, and I’ve seen them also offer special editions of various series.
4. Bookurve
Bookurve was recommended by a few people on TikTok when they talked about where you can get books in Malaysia. The selection of English books is huge, and they have a Shopee Malaysia store you can check out. What makes Bookurve special is that they offer book rental and trade-in services. I also love how I can potentially get titles that aren’t common in most bookstores, and their website also lets you know how long the books will take to arrive for pre-orders. Their service is also good, which is why I’ll shop at Bookurve again.
5. Popular Bookstores
Popular is another place to get books in KL, and their selections are great! I used to shop at Popular a lot when I was younger, and I remember getting the Geronimo Stilton books from there. Their annual book fairs are one of my highly-anticipated events, and I always look forward to going because the discounts can vary from 25% to 30%, with an occasional Buy 1 Get The Second Book For 20% Off deal.
Fun fact: 10 years ago, I scored the whole Vampire Academy set (9 books) at the Popular Book Fest for RM19.90. I remember asking one of the employees if it was a typo or not because there was no way it was this cheap.
6. Tsutaya Books
I haven’t visited Tsutaya Books at Intermark Mall in KL, but I have been to the one at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. It’s truly a bibliophile’s heaven, and I dream of going back there someday. The all-black interiors are sleek and moody, and it’s such a nice place to take Instagram-worthy pictures.
I think if you’ve got the time, you can slowly browse through the diverse book aisles, chill at their cafe, and admire their various lifestyle items like art and bags.
7. BookXcess
Speaking of aesthetically pleasing bookstores, BookXcess Malaysia is just another place you should check out. It’s not my favourite place to get books in KL because I don’t find books that I want there, but their non-fiction selections are pretty decent. Also, the prices are crazy cheap!
Besides the books, the interiors are Instagram-worthy, and there are so many corners to take pics. I’ve been to BookXcess bookstores at The Gardens Mall, Tropicana Gardens Mall, and REXKL, Pasar Seni.
8. Kinokuniya, KLCC
Kinokuniya, aka possibly the best bookstore in KL — the aisles and shelves are filled with books and I still think about going back again. It’s a great place to get books that aren’t usually found in MPH/Popular, and my last visit filled me with joy seeing so many books that I read online and loved. But you know what I don’t like? The prices. They were a major jumpscare tbh.
9. eslite Bookstore, The Starhill
If you’re ever in Bukit Bintang, the eslite bookstore is a pretty nice place to check out. It’s located in The Starhill, which is near the MRT station. I was originally there for a writers’ workshop with Lilian Li and Claudia Tan, but I browsed the book sections for a bit before the event.
eslite bookstore have both English and Chinese titles and I thought their selections were just as great as Tsutaya’s. They also have a children’s section, and have more books on other topics like art, culture, and history. I’ll come again because there’s a small cafe inside it that I’d love to chill at on a slow day.
Anyway, here are some of the local bookstores/platforms to get books in KL. If I missed out on any other bookstore, do let me know! I’m still on the hunt to find more places to get books.
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