Even before I could read, my parents would take me to bookstores so I could be in the presence of books and hold them in my hands.
✦
At night, they’d doze off while reading me bedtime stories, only to wake and find me happily flipping through the pages on my own.
Since then, my love for books has only deepened with age. I never leave home without one, even if I’m just heading out for a quick lunch. And whenever I travel, I make it a point to seek out a bookstore – there’s something about them that puts me instantly at ease.
In my hometown of Singapore, I’m a frequent visitor to independent bookstores, where I’ve discovered a rich but underrated literary scene while steadily adding to my ever-expanding TBR (to be read) list. Here are some of my favourites.
Lead photo: Lauryn Ishak. Above photos: Rebecca Toh, Lauryn Ishak
Woods in the Books
My first encounter with Woods in the Books was over a decade ago at its now-closed first space in Tiong Bahru. I’d gone to visit another indie bookstore, not expecting to find a charming children’s one a few doors down. These days, it has several outlets – I often visit its East Coast Road one to awaken my inner child, and to admire the diversity in children’s publishing. Next to classics like Eric Hill’s Spot and modern hits like Bluey, you’ll find books on topics like Mexican food.
City Book Room
Close to Woods in the Books is the cosy and inviting City Book Room (城市书房). It’s hidden in an apartment complex called The Modules, but is worth seeking out for rare and out-of-print titles. Founded in 2014, the independent publisher-cum-bookstore has made a name for itself in the Chinese literary scene. On my most recent visit, Anthony Koh, founder of pop-up bookstore Chio Books, was manning the store. He shared how the bookstore was expanding its English collection, including Singapore literature and migrant worker writings, alongside a small selection of books on Palestine and Ukraine.
Photos: Cherry Tan, Rebecca Toh, Book Bar
Wardah Books
The street where Wardah Books is located leads to Sultan Mosque – Singapore’s most historically significant mosque – and it teems with tourists most of the day. But every time I step in, I feel at peace. Founded by Ibrahim Tahir, the shop specialises in Muslim books written in English. I come here to browse the latest Palestinian fiction and nonfiction writing. Wardah also hosts regular book clubs and literary discussions.
Basheer Graphic Books
I love flipping through art books and magazines to help me discover new ways of seeing the world. And nowhere in Singapore carries a better range than Basheer Graphic Books. A stubborn champion of print in a digital world, the store has been a staple for creative types for more than 30 years. From travel and fashion magazines, to books exploring anime art and even zines on Princess Diana, there’s something for everyone.
Book Bar
Corporate bookworms can seek refuge in Book Bar, a cosy bookstore and cafe focused on local and Asian works situated along Duxton Road. It opened in 2023 but is already an important player in the literary scene, lending support to authors and publishers for book launches. Whenever I’m in the area, I stop here to read over a cup of iced mint chocolate – a great recipe to reset before moving on again.
Photos: Cherry Tan (left, middle), Lauryn Ishak (right)
Grassroots Book Room
Less than 10 minutes away on foot from Book Bar is Grassroots Book Room. It specialises in Chinese titles – in particular from Taiwan – though there’s also a small but thoughtfully curated English section of predominantly Singapore literature and Southeast Asia non-fiction. Also within the store is Nice Day, sister brand of a popular local ice creamery, where you can enjoy ice cream and waffles.
Casual Poet Library
As its name suggests, Casual Poet Library isn’t a bookstore but a library. Founded 2024, it allows anyone to rent a shelf for six or 12 months, filling it with books that members can borrow for a month. I have a shelf here with a curated selection of books and a small box of stickers and postcards for anyone to take. There’s no financial benefit to being a “shelfie” (as shelf owners are called), but knowing that someone has found their next favourite read on your shelf is a priceless feeling.
