Whether you’re a KL resident or a visitor, these bookstores are a bibliophile’s dream. We won’t be taking responsibility for your extra purchases. (Left: Image by @doitwithwilly. Right: Image by @bukitjalil.tsutayabooks.)
While the charming indie bookstores of Malaysia have my heart, the pull of big bookstores – with their towering shelves filled to the brim – can be hard to ignore. Admittedly, the childlike wonder of being lost in a maze of books feels like a warm embrace. It’s a place to get comfortably lost in, with every aisle and shelf offering new stories to discover.
Bookworms of Kuala Lumpur, let’s see if there are any bookstores on this list you have yet to explore!
1. Tsutaya Books, Pavilion Bukit Jalil
Tsutaya Books, Japan’s largest bookstore chain, opened its first Southeast Asian store right here in Bukit Jalil. Its Bukit Jalil bookstore features an in-house cafe, a children’s corner, as well as stationery and lifestyle products.
With a low-light and cosy atmosphere made possible by dark, woody materials, the bookstore beckons you as you walk by. A mirror-like material on some parts of the store’s ceiling gives you the illusion of walking amongst tall bookshelves. Explore shelves of books and lifestyle products on display, spend some cosy time at the cafe, or sit and read with your kids in the children’s corner.
If Bukit Jalil is a little too far for you, there is also a lite, cosier version of the Tsutaya Bookstore in Intermark Mall.
Address: Lot 2.89.00, Level 2 Orange Zone, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Persiaran Jalil Utama, Bandar Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
2. Eslite Spectrum, Bukit Bintang
This Taiwanese bookstore-slash-lifestyle store is here to impress. Walking through Eslite Spectrum is like shopping in a department store for books, art, culture, and lifestyle products. There’s the bookstore section of the store, then there’s a stationery and lifestyle products area, an arts section featuring art galleries, and an F&B area with cafes.
You’ll most likely get a little lost in here, in a good way. There’s lots to see, so take your time to explore the entire store and soak it all in. If you’d like to keep up to date with their arts and culture events, check out their social media accounts.
Address: L1 01-34, LEVEL 1, L145, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jln Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
3. Kinokuniya, KLCC
This is an oldie but a goodie. Most KL-ites would know this Japan-based retailer as it has a wide selection of books in English, Japanese, and other languages. If you’re a fan of manga, they stock a large variety too.
Personally, my favourite part of the store is the mezzanine floor with art and design books. It’s a little quieter than the rest of the bookstore, and design fiends can revel in the cool books they have in stock. It’s not as “aesthetic” as the other bookstores on this list, but if you’re a bibliophile looking for quality over quantity of decor, this is the place.
Address: KLCC, 406-408 & 429-430, Level 4 Suria, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
4. MPH Bookstores, The Exchange TRX
If you’re looking for a cosy place (that’s not a cafe) to escape to when you’re in the ever-busy The Exchange TRX, MPH Bookstores is the perfect place. It’s a spacious, well-lit hideout and a bookstore chain that’s familiar to most Malaysians. There’s a small kids’ reading area for the little ones and a stationery section as well. It’s not as grand as the other bookstores in the city, but it sure is comfortable and a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle.
Address: L2.28-29.A, Level 2, The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188 Kuala Lumpur
5. BookXcess @ MyTOWN, REXKL, LaLaport & The Gardens Rooftop
There are many BookXcess stores in the Klang Valley, and while they are all worth getting lost in, some of these are designed so that you could almost literally lose your way in them (in a good way). Their maze-like layouts make each store different from the other. It’s worth exploring each store to discover hidden gems in its nooks and crannies.
BookXcess is known to carry titles that are off the beaten path at affordable prices. If you’re lucky, it’s possible to find popular titles for a cheap price too. This makes the experience at BookXcess different from other bookstores—it’s an adventure, and you never know what you’re going to find.
The REXKL store is known for its labyrinthine layout and its charming location inside an old cinema building. Meanwhile, the LaLaport store has an artsy vibe with sculptures and art installations, and a design that honours the location’s Pudu Prison history. At the MyTOWN outlet, you’ll find a nice Japanese restaurant and a charming little cafe. If you want a little retreat for the eyes and soul, the BookXcess at The Gardens Rooftop offers some greenery and views of the blue sky.
There’s so much more to discover at each of these outlets, so we highly recommend taking the time to explore each of them individually!
BookXcess MyTOWN
Address: L1-012, Level 1, MyTOWN Shopping Centre, 6, Jalan Cochrane, Seksyen 90, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
BookXcess REXKL
Address: 80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
BookXcess LaLaport
Address: L1-13A & B, Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, 2, Jln Hang Tuah, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
BookXcess – The Gardens Rooftop
Address: Lot No. RT-1, 6th Floor, Rooftop, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
