One of my small pleasures in KL is bookshop browsing. It’s not something I expected to enjoy here — the city’s reputation is for shopping malls and hawker food, not quiet corners full of books. But KL’s bookshop scene is better than most people realise, with a genuinely interesting mix of large chain stores, specialist independents, and secondhand shops that reveal a lot about the city’s intellectual life.
This guide covers the best bookshops in Kuala Lumpur — from the major chains to the hidden gems, plus a few things worth knowing if you’re a reader planning to live here long-term.
The Major Chains
Kinokuniya
If you’re a book lover and you haven’t been to Kinokuniya in KLCC, put it on your list immediately. The Japanese chain runs one of the best English-language bookshops in Southeast Asia here — an enormous store across two floors in Suria KLCC with a staggering range of titles across every genre.
What makes Kinokuniya special is the depth of the stock. You’re not getting a curated bestseller table and a few shelves of popular titles — you’re getting genuine breadth in literary fiction, history, science, philosophy, business, and the arts. The Japanese and Korean sections are excellent. There’s a substantial Malay-language section, and the children’s department is very good.
Staff are knowledgeable and the store is well-organised. If you’re moving to KL and worried about access to good English-language books, Kinokuniya is the reassurance you need. It’s open late and conveniently located in the most accessible part of the city.
MPH Bookstores
MPH (Malaysian Publishing House) is Malaysia’s home-grown book chain, founded in 1896 and still operating today. The range is solid if not extraordinary — good for local Malaysian authors, children’s books, and school materials, and a reasonable selection of imported English titles.
MPH branches are found in major malls across KL including 1 Utama, Bangsar Shopping Centre, and Gardens Mall. For serious reading, Kinokuniya outclasses them, but MPH is more conveniently located in your everyday shopping run.
Popular Bookstore
The large chain you’ll find in almost every major KL mall. Decent for stationery, children’s educational books, Malay-language titles, and general bestsellers. Not the place to discover obscure literary fiction, but useful for general needs and often cheaper than the alternatives.
Times Bookstore
Higher-end chain focused on English-language books, gifts, and stationery. Good curation of current titles, particularly in lifestyle, design, and non-fiction. Branches in Gardens Mall and Pavilion. More curated than Popular, less comprehensive than Kinokuniya.
Independent and Specialist Bookshops
Gerakbudaya Bookshop
The most politically interesting bookshop in KL, and arguably the most important. Gerakbudaya (which means “cultural movement” in Malay) is an independent bookshop with a strong focus on Malaysian history, politics, social justice, and regional Southeast Asian studies.
Founded as a space for critical Malaysian intellectual culture, the stock here reflects the kind of reading that you won’t find prominently displayed in the mainstream chains — alternative history, left-leaning political theory, writings on Malaysian social issues, academic and activist titles. The Malay-language selection is particularly strong.
Located in Petaling Jaya (just outside KL proper), it’s worth the trip if you’re interested in understanding Malaysia beyond the tourist surface. The staff are engaged and knowledgeable.
BookXcess
BookXcess is one of KL’s great book deals: a chain specialising in surplus and remaindered books sold at heavily discounted prices. The stock rotates frequently and you never know exactly what you’ll find, but the prices are genuinely extraordinary — hardback titles for RM20–40, paperbacks for RM10–20.
The flagship BookXcess Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya is the largest and most rewarding for browsing. There are branches in Sunway Pyramid and other malls around the Klang Valley. For bulk buyers and people who want to fill a bookshelf on a budget, this is an essential stop.
Silverfish Books
One of KL’s beloved independent bookshops, Silverfish has been a fixture of the city’s literary scene for years. It operates as both a bookshop and a small publisher of Southeast Asian literature, particularly Malaysian writing in English.
The stock is curated and thoughtful — Southeast Asian fiction and non-fiction, titles you won’t find elsewhere, and a genuine focus on regional writing. Events, readings, and author evenings are held here. It’s in Bangsar, conveniently located for the neighbourhood’s cafe culture.
The Reading Room
A cosy independent in Bangsar that combines books with a cafe. Good for an afternoon of browsing and reading — pick up a book, order a coffee, and settle in. The selection is smaller than the major bookshops but thoughtfully chosen, with a good literary fiction section and regular community events.
Lit Books
A well-regarded independent in Petaling Jaya with a strong focus on literary fiction and serious non-fiction. Curated rather than comprehensive — every title feels like it was chosen deliberately. Popular with the KL literary community and known for its knowledgeable staff.
Secondhand and Vintage Books
Buku Fixi Lelong
Buku Fixi is primarily a Malaysian publisher of popular fiction (crime, horror, sci-fi in Malay), but their Lelong events and sale stalls are a good source of affordable secondhand and clearance titles.
Petaling Street (Chinatown)
The street market around Petaling Street in KL’s Chinatown has a few vendors selling secondhand books, particularly older Malaysian titles, Chinese-language books, and occasional English-language finds. Worth a browse if you’re in the area, though don’t expect a systematic selection.
Social media and expat groups
The most reliable source of secondhand English books in KL is the expat community’s Facebook buy-sell groups. Expat Marketplace KL and similar groups regularly have people selling departing-expat libraries — entire collections for very reasonable prices. Excellent way to pick up a few hundred books at once.
Book Clubs in KL
For readers, a book club is one of the best ways to meet like-minded people in a new city. KL has several active ones:
British Malaysian Society: Occasional literary events and a reading circle for British and Commonwealth expats.
KL Book Club: Facebook-organised reading group that meets monthly at various cafes and restaurants. English-language focus, mix of expats and locals.
Goodreads KL groups: Several genre-specific groups (sci-fi, literary fiction, mystery) organise in-person meetups.
The international school communities (parents’ associations at Garden, Alice Smith, and others) often have active book clubs that welcome non-parent expats too — worth inquiring.
Reading in KL: Practical Notes
Imported books are more expensive in Malaysia. Kinokuniya and Times prices are higher than UK cover prices once you account for the exchange rate and import duties. BookXcess is the exception — their prices are genuinely cheap. If you’re a heavy reader, consider bringing a well-stocked Kindle.
E-readers make sense in KL. The heat and humidity are not particularly kind to physical books over time (especially in older buildings with less climate control). A Kindle or Kobo is practical for everyday reading, keeping your physical books for the titles you love most.
The National Library of Malaysia (Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia) is open to the public and has a reasonable English-language section, though it’s primarily Malay-language. Membership is free. Worth knowing about for long-term residents.
British Council KL has a library and reading room, accessible to members. If you’re a reader who values a proper library experience, membership is worth considering.
I use NordVPN to access UK e-book platforms (Overdrive through UK public libraries, for example) from Malaysia — some digital library platforms are geo-restricted and a VPN solves this instantly.
The Literary Scene
KL has a more active literary scene than most visitors realise. The George Town Literary Festival in Penang (annual, November) draws major international authors. KL itself hosts occasional literary events through Silverfish, the British Council, and the Alliance Française.
Malaysian writing in English is vibrant — authors like Tash Aw, Yangsze Choo, and Zen Cho have brought Malaysian fiction to international attention. Reading Malaysian authors is one of the most rewarding ways to understand the country you’re living in. Silverfish and Kinokuniya are the best places to start.
Where to Browse Books + Coffee
Several of KL’s best cafes have small book collections or operate as reading-friendly spaces:
- The Reading Room, Bangsar — purpose-built for it
- Astro Awani Kafe — media-adjacent, journalism titles
- Piu Piu Piu, Bangsar — independent cafe with books and zines
- Ben’s, KLCC — lifestyle cafe with a small curated book selection
For accommodation, if you’re visiting KL specifically as a literary tourist, staying in Bangsar puts you closest to the city’s independent bookshop concentration — Silverfish, The Reading Room, and several good cafes are all within easy walking distance. Agoda consistently has competitive rates on Bangsar hotels and serviced apartments.
Planning a Trip to KL?
Best hotel rates in KL, consistently cheaper for Southeast Asia than other booking sites. Bangsar, Bukit Bintang, and KLCC all well covered.
Access UK digital library platforms, streaming, and geo-restricted content from Malaysia. Essential for expat readers who use UK library services.
Pay for books, cafes, and shopping in Malaysia at real exchange rates. No hidden fees, no painful bank markups.
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