5 Best Bookstores in Singapore: For All Book Kinds

Written by Emma Lee | September 13, 2024

Image: Juhan Sonin

It is said that “Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light.”. The aforesaid may match Singaporean’s belief since Singaporeans read a lot and thus bookstores are grown everywhere throughout the country. They can be spacious stores of large bookstore chains or beautiful independent bookstores offering good selections of books.

Herein are the 5 best bookstores in Singapore which are highly voted.

1. Kinokuniya Bookstore

Best for

Japanese books

Phone

+65 6276 5558

Website

www.kinokuniya.com.sg

sims@kinokuniya.com

Renowned as the best bookstore chain in Singapore, Kinokuniya offers such a huge range of books and magazines that you can find almost any title there, from English and Chinese books to French novels, and Japanese comics and Taiwanese magazines. Quality stationery imported directly from Japan is also on sale in this place.

Highlights:

The mega-bookstore Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City is the biggest bookstore in Singapore and one of the largest bookstores in Southeast Asia, providing the widest selection of valuable books and magazines uneasy to find elsewhere. This store usually stocks 400,000 books and attracts more than 200,000 visitors every month.
The best place to buy Japanese books, mangas, magazines, and stationery.
It’s convenient to check Kinokuniya’s catalogue using its BookWeb website https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/. You can also order books online and then pay and pick them up at the store.

KINOKUNIYA PRIVILEGE CARD: Kinokuniya members enjoy benefits like buying books at 10% off retail prices and selected products at special discounted prices, attending member sales events organized periodically by Kinokuniya and its partners. Membership cost is S$21.40 for 1-year, S$38.50 for 2-years, and S$55.60 for 3-years.

SERVICE: Kinokuniya staff is efficient and friendly.

STORE LOCATIONS:
@ Ngee Ann City
Address: 391 Orchard Road, #04-20/20B/20C Ngee Ann City, Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Phone: (65) 6737 5021
Opening hours: Sun to Fri 10:00 to 21:30; Sat 10:00 to 22:00

@ Liang Court
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #03-50 Liang Court, S179036
Phone: (65) 6337 1300
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 11:00 to 20.30; Fri, Sat, Sun & Public Holiday 10.30 to 21.30

@ Bugis Junction
Address: 200 Victoria Street, #03-09 Bugis Junction S188021
Phone: (65) 6339 1790
Opening hours: Daily 10:30 to 22:00

@ JEM
Address: 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #04-23 JEM (Jurong East) S608549
Phone: (65) 6430 0868
Opening hours: Sun to Fri 10:00 to 21:30; Sat 10:00 to 22:00

2. POPULAR Bookstore

Image: POPULAR Bookstore

Best for

Chinese books

Address

Block 231 Bain Street #04-23/33 Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231

Phone

+65 6339 0772

Opening hours

Mon to Thu 10:00 - 19:00
Fri to Sun & PH 10:00 - 21:00

Website

www.popular.com.sg

popcentral@popularworld.com

POPULAR is a leading Singapore bookstore chain with a long history and a part of many Singaporeans’ childhood. Its bookstores are “popular” places for pupils, students, and local readers to spend their leisure time.

Highlights:

POPULAR is the largest and oldest bookstore chain based in Singapore with an extensive selection of books of all genres, from novels, science fiction books to non-fiction books like business books, biography books, travel guides, language guidebooks, to parenting books and cookbooks. Newspapers, magazines, music CDs, stationery, and computer accessories are also available at their stores.
A bookstore of choice for buying Chinese books: Among well-known bookstores, POPULAR offers the greatest range of different genres and titles of Chinese books.
POPULAR bookstores are conveniently located across Singapore: With more than 27 retail stores available all over the city, it is easy for you to visit a POPULAR bookstore near your place.
The best place to buy school textbooks, assessments books, papers, and school materials. Besides retail stores, POPULAR also operates educational-focused bookshops in many schools and colleges.

POPULAR MEMBER CARD: There are many privileges for POPULAR members like enjoying 10% off at all of its bookstores, 15% off Chinese books, 5% off school/tertiary textbooks, and 5% off at CD-RAMA stores.

Its adult member card is available at S$12.00 for 1 year and S$30.00 for 3 years while the student member card is at S$8.00 for 1 year and S$20.00 for 3 years.

STORE LOCATIONS:
@ Tiong Bahru Plaza
Address: 302 Tiong Bahru Road #03-20/30 Tiong Bahru Plaza, S168732
Phone: (65) 6375 3910
Email: poptbp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Bishan Junction 8
Address: 9 Bishan Place #04-02 Junction 8 Shopping Centre, S579837
Phone: (65) 6478 2500
Email: popj8@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Daily 10:30 – 22:00

@ Causeway Point
Address: 1 Woodlands Square #03-29/30 Causeway Point, S738099
Phone: (65) 6767 1250
Email: popcp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 22:00

@ Compass Point
Address: 1 Seng Kang Square #03-13 Compass Point, S545078
Phone: (65) 6315 6700
Email: popsk@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 11:00 – 21:30; Fri, Sat & PH:10:30 – 22:00; Sun 10:30 – 21:30

@ Heartland Mall
Address: Block 205 Hougang Street 21 Heartland Mall-Kovan #03-00, S530205
Phone: (65) 6287 1664
Email: pop2hg@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10:30 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:00 – 21.30

@ Hougang Mall
Address: 90 Hougang Avenue 10 #03-15 Hougang Mall, Singapore 538766
Phone: (65) 6287 0830
Email: pophm@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat 10:30 – 22:00; Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Jubilee Square
Address: 61 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 #02-07/12 Jubilee Square, Singapore 569814
Phone: (65) 6592 5712
Email: pop2jc@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ NEX
Address: 23 Serangoon Central #04-59/60 NEX Mall, S556083
Phone: (65) 6514 6718
Email: popnex@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Sun & PH: 10:30 – 22:00

@ Northpoint
Address: 930 Yishun Avenue 2 #02-16/17/18 Northpoint Shopping Mall, S769098
Phone: (65) 6852 2100
Email: popnp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 22:00

@ Sembawang Shopping Centre
Address: 604 Sembawang Road #02-14/15 Sembawang Shopping Centre, S758459
Phone: (65) 6465 1486
Email: popssc@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Thomson NTUC
Address: 301 Upper Thomson Road #01-01 Thomson Plaza, S574408
Phone: (65) 6459 6167
Email: poptn@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri & Sun 10:30 – 21:30; Sat & PH 10:00 – 21:30

@ Toa Payoh HDB Hub
Address: 530 Toa Payoh Lor 6 #02-01, S310530
Phone: (65) 6358 1709
Email: pop2tp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10:30 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:00 – 21:30

@ United Square
Address: 101 Thomson Road #02-22/25 United Square, S307591
Phone: (65) 6478 2318
Email: popus@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Bedok Mall
Address: 311 New Upper Changi Road #B2-02/35/36 Bedok Mall, S467360
Phone: (65) 6702 5011
Email: popbdm@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Daily 10:30 – 22:00

@ Marine Parade Central
Address: Block 86 Marine Parade Central #02-101/102, S440086
Phone: (65) 6344 9884
Email: popmp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:00 – 21:30

@ One KM
Address: 11 Tanjong Katong Road #03-30 One KM, S437157
Phone: (65) 6702 2518
Email: popokm@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri & Sun 11:00 – 21:00; Sat & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Singapore Post Centre (Closed)
Address: 10 Eunos Road 8 #B2-07 Singapore Post Centre, S 408600
Phone: (65) 6846 3690
Email: popsp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Tampines Mall
Address: 4 Tampines Central 5 #03-17 Tampines Mall, S529510
Phone: (65) 6788 7091
Email: poptml@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 11:00 – 21:30; Fri, Sat & PH 10:30 – 22: 00; Sun 10:30 – 21:30

@ Bukit Panjang Plaza
Address: 1 Jelebu Road Bukit Panjang Plaza #03-01, S677743
Phone: (65) 6765 9040
Email: popbp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Bukit Timah Plaza
Address: 1 Jalan Anak Bukit #01-16 Bukit Timah Plaza, S588996
Phone: (65) 6468 2663
Email: popbt@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ Clementi Mall
Address: 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West #05-01 to 05 The Clementi Mall, S129588
Phone: (65) 6514 6710
Email: popcle@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

@ IMM Building
Address: 2 Jurong East Street 21 #02-37 IMM Building, S609601
Phone: (65) 6514 6744
Email: pop2im@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 22:00

@ Jurong Point
Address: 1 Jurong West Central 2 #B1-41 Jurong Point Shopping Centre, S648886
Phone: (65) 6793 5280
Email: popjp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

@ Lot One
Address: 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 #03-13/14 Lot One, S689812
Phone: (65) 6765 9160
Email: pop2l1@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 22:00

@ Westgate
Address: 3 Gateway Drive #04-26/27, S608532
Phone: (65) 6375 4836
Email: popwgt@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11:00 – 21:30; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

@ West Coast Plaza
Address: 154 West Coast Road #01-68 West Coast Plaza, S127371
Phone: (65) 6514 6626
Email: popwp@popularworld.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 11: 00 – 21:00; Sat, Sun & PH 10:30 – 21:30

3. Times Bookstores

Image: Times Bookstores

Best for

Travel books

Address

438 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 1, #02-01,
Singapore 569619

Phone

+65 6459 1355

Website

www.timesbookstores.com.sg

timesbookstores@tpl.com.sg

With 10 outlets across Singapore, Times Bookstore is another major book retail chain in prime locations like Orchard Paragon, Plaza Singapura, Holland Village, and Changi Airport.

Highlights:

Specialized in travel books: Times bookstores, especially Times Travel bookshops at Changi Airport terminals, are popular places to buy traveller-books, travel guidebooks, maps, and travel-related items.
Interesting events are organized regularly like healthy lifestyle sharing sessions, meet author sessions and exciting children activities such as 3D paper crafting and stained glass kite making lessons.
Good return policy: Times Bookstores return policy allows customers to return or exchange the purchased books within 7 days of receipt date with no questions asked.
Free gift wrapping service provided at all Times Bookstores. House wrapping paper is also complimentary.

TIMES PRIVILEGE CARD: Times members enjoy 10% off all full-priced books and stationery products, 5% off magazines, and 20% off birthday voucher. Membership costs S$15 for 2-years.

SERVICE: Times Bookstores staff is professional and helpful.

TIMES BOOKSTORE LOCATIONS:
@ Centrepoint
Address: 176 Orchard Road, #04-08/09/10/11, S238843
Phone: (65) 6734 9022
Opening hours: Daily 10:30 – 21:30

@ JCube (Closed)
Address: 2 Jurong East Central 1, #03-04, S609731
Phone: (65) 6684 4150
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

@ Jelita
Address: 293 Holland Road, #02-16/17 Cold Storage Jelita, S278628
Phone: (65) 6466 5702
Opening hours: Daily 09:30 – 21:00

@ Paragon
Address: 290 Orchard Road, Paragon #04-41, S238859
Phone: (65) 6836 6182
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 21:30

@ Plaza Singapura
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #04-05, S238839
Phone: (65) 63368861
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

@ Tampines 1
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #03-06
Singapore 529536
Phone: (65) 6782 7017
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

TIMES TRAVEL LOCATIONS
@ Terminal 1, Changi Airport
Address: Departure Transit Lounge, after immigration
Phone: (65) 6546 3720
Opening hours: 24/7

@ Terminal 2, Changi Airport
Address: Departure Transit Lounge (level 2), after immigration
Opening hours: Daily 06:00 to 01:00

@ Terminal 2, Changi Airport
Address: Departure Check-in Hall, public area
Phone: (65) 6542 2955
Opening hours: Daily 07:00 to 23:00

@ Terminal 3, Changi Airport
Address: Departure Transit Lounge, after immigration
Phone: (65) 6242 8211
Opening hours: 24/7

@ Terminal 3, Changi Airport
Address: Departure Check-in Hall (North), public area
Phone: (65) 6214 0098
Opening hours: Daily 07:00 to 23:00

4. BooksActually Bookstore

Image: BooksActually

Best for

English literature books

Address

9 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru, Singapore 168645

Phone

+65 6222 9195

Opening hours

Monday 11:00 - 18:00
Tuesday to Friday 11:00 - 21:00
Saturday 10:00 - 21:00
Sunday 10:00 - 18:00

Website

www.booksactually.com

booksellers@booksactually.com

If you are looking for a lovely good bookstore in your leisure time or to buy a nice book, BooksActually is a good choice. This is a favorite place of avid readers and literature students.

Highlights:

BooksActually stocks the largest collection of English literature books with rare and unique titles of Murakami, Salinger, Capote, Nabokov, and Sweeney. You can also find many local novels of Singaporean authors.
A vintage quaint bookshop with a warm relaxing atmosphere provides visitors enjoyable and pleasurable book-browsing ambience. The back of the store is a small charming area with attractive vintage and retro items on sale.
Located at the nostalgic and hip Tiong Bahru estate: You can spend your whole weekend morning or afternoon enjoying all the best things Tiong Bahru neighbourhood has to offer such as art cafes, beautiful classic bakeries, fashion boutiques, cosy restaurants, and lively wet market.

SERVICE: BooksActually staff are book lovers themselves, they are always willing to recommend good books that suit your taste.

NOTE: The bookstore is quite small so it’s difficult to move around when crowded.

GETTING THERE:

Buses: 120, 147, 167, 196, 197, 961, and 961# (Walk 6 mins from bus stop B10069)
Nearest MRT Station: Tiong Bahru MRT (EW17) (Walk 8 mins from Exit A)

5. Basheer Graphic Books

Image: Basheer Graphic Books

Best for

Graphic books

Address

231 Bain Street, #04-19 Bras Basah Complex
Singapore 180231

Phone

+65 6336 0810

Opening hours

Mon - Sat 10:00 to 20:30
Sun & PH 11:00 - 18:30

Website

www.basheergraphic.com

enquiry@basheergraphic.com

Located at Bras Basah Complex, Basheer Graphic Books is an independent bookstore, offering excellent and unique art-related books. All designers, photographers, copywriters, artists, art students, and professionals working in the creative industry must pay a visit to Basheer Graphic Books bookstore.

Highlights:

The one-stop shop for all art, graphic, and creativity books and magazines: Basheer Graphic Books offers the best specialized titles of graphics, cartooning, animation, illustration, architecture, interior design, landscape design, fashion design, product design, graphic design, typography, photography, art & craft, picture books, drawing books, sketching books, copywriting books, and inspirational books.
Besides visiting the bookstore, you can patronize interesting fairs held at Bras Basah Complex weekly like second-hand book fairs, stationery fairs, and antique fairs.

SERVICE: Basheer Graphic Books owner and the staff are welcoming, friendly, and helpful.

NOTES:

The bookstore has a clearance section at the back of the shop offering old stocks at cheap prices.
If you are a student of NAFA or Lasalle, you may be entitled to good discounts.

GETTING THERE:

Buses: 7, 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 145, 175, 197 and 851 (Walk 1 min from bus stop B01029)
Nearest MRT Station: Bras Basah (CC2) (Walk 4 mins from MRT Exit A)