9 great independent bookstores to check out in Singapore

Singapore may be rich in cultural offerings, but alas, independent bookstores isn’t one of them. Luckily the few we do have are pretty wonderful. Here are nine of our favorites.

BooksActually

BooksActually is the 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, collection 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, perfect for when you need a crash course on who’s who in Singlit or to fangirl at your new favorite local poet. 9 Yong Siak St.

Booktique

After a series of book fairs and pop-up stores, Booktique finally has its own permanent outlet in Citylink Mall. The store’s interior is incredibly minimalistic, and books are arranged on wooden shelves. There are titles from literary luminaries like Leo Tolstoy and Margaret Atwood, as well as a Cynthia Ozick peeking out from the corner. The bookstore’s selling point, however, is the number of books and magazines dedicated to the craft of writing. Aspiring writers can find books on how to write and the magazine “The Writer’s Chronicle.” If you’re more visual, you may want to take a peek at the illustrated version of “Pride and Prejudice.” The store owner, Anthony Koh Waugh, rotates his selection from time to time, so there will always be new titles in stock. CityLink Mall, #B1-17A, 1 Raffles Link

Basheer Graphic Books

Anyone who has ever ventured to Bras Basah 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. If you like heavy coffee table books, you may want to bring a truck because this store is full of them. The staff are also all too keen to sell you everything that piques your interest, so it’d be unsurprising if you left with a tower of books. Try not to spend all your money. 231 Bain St., #04-19, Bras Basah Complex

Comics World

Deep within the gritty bowels of Park Lane shopping center lies Comics World, a place to get good, single issues of superhero comics. The uncle manning the store may be grumpy, and this cramped space clearly isn’t great for browsing, so it’s best to know what you want, grab them and go. Bring cash. 35 Selegie Rd., #B1-22, Park Lane Shopping Mall

Gohd Books

This place couldn’t get anymore highbrow as it sells antiquarian and rare books. Who knew this was a thing in Singapore? Impress your friends by oohing and aahing at books like Da Vinci’s Codex Madrid (a super rare book of his inventions), and a book of Lord Byron’s poems from the 1800s. You can also look through the different categories on the website and request for them. 175 Bencoolen St., #01-37, Burlington Square

Littered with Books

This bookstore has nearly every type of book under the sun, but that doesn’t mean that the selection is overwhelming. 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. 20 Duxton Rd.

Select Books

Bring your “intellectual” friend who uses words like postmodern in everyday conversation to this bookstore. While Select Books is known to be more of a publisher, you can get lots of nerdy books about Southeast Asian history and culture here. Profound-sounding titles include Imperial China And Its Southern Neighbours and Singapore’s Heritage Through Places Of Historical Interest. 65 Jalan Tantaram, #02-06

Woods in the Books

If you don’t “get” local lit, then head over to Woods in the Books, which is–guess what?– down the street from BooksActually. This bookstore is mostly for kids, but is nevertheless filled with graphic novels and quirky titles of all kinds, like Mao and Me, a hard-hitting tome about political upheaval during the cultural rebolution, and an illustrated interpretation of Persian classic The Conference of the Birds. Budding artists can also grab Let’s Make Some Great Place Mat Art for some inspiration at the dinner table. 3 Yong Siak St.

AllScript Magazines

If BooksActually doesn’t stock your favorite indie mag, you can head to AllScript magazines to get your copy of Monocole, Kinfolk or Hypebeast. There are a few outlets in Katong, The Star Vista, Thomson Plaza and Serangoon Gardens, with lots of shelves the many titles that are in stock. If you are feeling lazy, you can visit their website to order online. You can get carried away with over 2,000 titles in their selection. Who says print is dead? 301 Upper Thomson Rd.