There are many good book shops in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Reading is a great way to gain knowledge and expand the mind.
Other than going to one of the public libraries in Klang Valley, our family likes to visit the bookshop when we see one in the shopping mall or in town.
We have compiled a list of 15 bookstores in Klang Valley and Petaling Jaya that you can visit, some of which are our favourite places to pick up some adult books for ourselves and children books for Little E.
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1. Book Xcess
You will be amazed with the selection of books that Book Xcess has, from romance to self-help, sci-fi and fantasy, there will be something for everyone. What we love about this bookstore is the environment for reading and browsing. There are discounted books which can go up to 80%.
There are BookXcess outlets in Klang Valley including in the Gardens Mall, Lalaport, The Starling, Sunsuria Forum and more.
The BookXcess outlet in Rex KL (refurbished iconic Rex Cinema) has a unique multi-level maze layout to explore.
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
2. Books For A Better World (BFBW)
With a welcoming space, Books For A Better World (self-service preloved bookshop) brings the joy of reading to the community. They aim to pass down the love of reading to the next generation and accept donations of old books.
The second hand book prices here are affordable to ensure that everyone has access to books.
Most of the BFBW bookstores are located in shopping malls including Cheras Leisure Mall, Amcorp Mall, Paradigm PJ, IPC Shopping Centre, 1 Mont Kiara, IOI City Mall in Putrajaya, The Grange at AmpWalk, and KLIA 2.
Operating Hours: Daily from 10am to 10pm
3. Popular Bookstore (OG Bookshop in Malaysia)
Popular is one of the original bookstores in Malaysia since 1984. Many Malaysian parents shop here for school books, stationeries and other learning resources at affordable prices for their children.
They have many stores in Klang Valley (including in Mid-Valley MegaMall) and other states in Malaysia.
4. Kinokuniya (KLCC Book Shop)
Kinokuniya is one of the bookstore chains from Japan with a wide selection of books including fiction, cooking, romance, mystery, biography, Japanese books and stationeries for sale.
Most of the books aren’t wrapped in plastic, so customers can flip through the book first before deciding if they want to buy it. Stop by the in-house cafe with a beautiful view when you are here.
Locations:
- KLCC 406-408 & 429-430, Level 4 Suria, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.
- Lot 4.59.00 & 4.60.00, Level 4, Pavilion Damansara Height, 1, Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours:
- KLCC: Daily from 10am to 10pm
- Pavilion Damansara Heights: Monday to Friday from 11am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 10pm
5. Lit Books (Bookshop in Tropicana, PJ)
An independent bookshop in Tropicana, PJ where you can find a selection of literary, fiction and nonfiction, children’s books and hard to find titles.
The place is cosy and you can have a cuppa while reading. The owners were friendly and knowledgeable.
You can easily reach here by the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT line and getting down at the Surian MRT Station (Gate A). Hop on the T807 feeder bus and get off at Tropicana Avenue.
Address: P-1-11 Tropicana Avenue, 12, Persiaran Tropicana, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 7pm. Closed on Monday.
6. CZipLee Bangsar (Bookshop And Stationery Haven in Bangsar)
Amazing spot for those who are looking for stationery and school supplies. They have many types of stationery including erasers, pens, colour pencils, papers, painting supplies, note books and brushes.
They do have a small selection of books including reference books, kids story books and comics.
Address: 2F-27, 28, 29A, 36&38, Bangsar Village II, 2, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10am to 10pm.
7. Tsutaya Books (Japanese Bookshop in Pavillion Bukit Jalil)
Do drop by Tsutaya Books if you are in Pavillion Bukit Jalil. This Japanese themed bookstore is a spacious space with a beautiful design, and a wide variety of books from comics to art books and fiction and non-fiction, something for everyone to choose from.
There are reading nooks on the wall and plenty of seating for families with younger kids at the children’s books section.
There’s an in-house cafe with reading and study tables with a ladder waterfall view where you can have a cup of coffee with a slice of cake while reading.
Address: Lot 2.89.00, Level 2 Orange Zone, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Persiaran Jalil Utama, Bandar Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Daily from 10am to 10pm
8. Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur (Bookstore in Bukit Bintang, KL)
One thing we love about Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur is the cozy reading corners and nooks with plenty of natural lighting.
This bookshop chain from Taiwan has a wide selection of books from different genres, stationeries, lifestyle products and local artisan goods.
Stop by their V88 Café where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with some snacks while you read.
Address: G36 & L1 01-34, The Starhill, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Operating hours: Daily from 10am to 10pm
9. Books n Bobs (2nd Hand Book Store in Taman Desa)
A cosy second-hand book shop in Taman Desa with a selection of children, fiction and non-fiction books. An absolute gem for book lovers.
The prices are affordable which is suitable for those with a limited budget to get a new book. Self-serve coffee is available at 50% off on weekends with a book purchase.
There is parking near the shop, but it can get crowded during peak hours. More books are available on their online shop.
Address: 37, Jalan Desa, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm
10. Twigs
Twigs is a lifestyle bookstore with a great selection of books for all ages, a variety of educational toys, stationery and children’s gifts to choose from.
Parents with younger children will appropriate the tables and stools at the small kids area.
There are Twigs bookshops in Elmina Lakeside Mall, The Curve, and Sunway 163 Mall.
Operating hours: Daily from 10am to 10pm.
11. Monsoon Books (Chinese Bookshop in PJ)
Most of the books in this small independent bookshop in Section 17, PJ are in Chinese and they focus on local literature with a small section on English books.
They occasionally have Chinese literary readings and workshops.
Address: 1st Floor, 605, Jalan 17/12, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Closed on Sunday.
12. Duke Museum of Picture Book Art
The owners were inspired by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Massachusetts, USA and decided to open this bookstore in GMBB.
As we stepped into the bookstore, we were amazed with the many South East Asia and Malaysian picture books available. The beautiful illustrations definitely attracted Little E’s to read the books.
They also often organize book launches, art activities for children and storytelling sessions.
Address: GMBB, Jalan Robertson, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Daily from 10:30am to 7:30pm
13. Cite Book Garden (Chinese Bookshop in Sri Petaling)
A Chinese bookstore in Sri Petaling for readers who are into Chinese literature with many Chinese books from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.
Check out their small cafe where you can relax and read.
You will find hanging potted ferns in this bookshop which creates a cozy atmosphere.
Address: 41, Jalan Radin Anum, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Daily from 11am to 7pm
14. Monalisa Bookstore
A small two storey bookstore at the shoplots outside of Pavillion Bukit Jalil. Most of the books are in Chinese, but you still can find some English books.
Address: F-8-1, Pusat Perdagangan, Persiaran Jalil 1, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30am to 8:30pm. Closed on Monday.
15. Gerakbudaya
A bookstore in Petaling Jaya with niche books on Southeast Asian history, local literature, socio-economics, documentary titles and more that can be harder to find in other more mainstream bookshops.
Address: 2, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Pjs 12, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm