Books Kinokuniya – Singapore

I’m trying to make it a point to visit bookstores whenever I go on a trip outside the country, just because it’s fun. Plus for a bookish person like me, it’s always interesting to see various editions of books, especially the ones translated in the country’s local language. The first foreign bookstores I went to were during my trip to Europe. I was only able to check one bookstore in Jakarta (and I wasn’t able to blog about it, eep!). So I went to Singapore last week, and as I was planning my itinerary, I knew there was one place that I should go to: Books Kinokuniya.

I’ve read really great things about this place — and by great, it’s really more This is such a big bookstore and There are really so many books inside. On my third day at Singapore, I hopped on a train to Orchard to get to Takashimaya Mall and looked for this bookstore.

And…I was amazed.

I wasn’t able to take a lot of photos outside and inside that aren’t sneaky photos (I haven’t had that tourist-y talent down pat yet). I was alone when I went there, and I was really too amazed at the selection of books more than I wanted to take photos. Here are some photos I took, though:

kinokuniya02

Rows and rows of shelves!

Two versions of The Lover's Dictionary

Two versions of The Lover’s Dictionary

David Mitchell

David Mitchell

Ishiguros

Ishiguros

Complete (and several) editions of Raymond Carver's books. I really wanted to buy one but I didn't know what to pick. :o

Complete (and several) editions of Raymond Carver’s books. I really wanted to buy one but I didn’t know what to pick. :o

Tolkiens

Tolkiens

 

I spent about an hour in the store, and I couldn’t decide what to get! When I first got in, I ended up carrying around about 4 books…then I realized that they were expensive, so I decided to get just one. What a hard thing to do! I went out, got some money exchanged, then went back in, and tried to decide…in the end, I decided to get this:

The History of Love

The History of Love

I figured this was kind of hard to find in Manila ((Funny thing, I just spotted a copy of this in the bookstore near the office…and it’s cheaper here. Oh well.)) and my friends all sang praises for this, so I got it. The carpet bookmark beside the book is for my friend.

I wished I had more time (and more money!) to spend in Kinokuniya, but I’m glad I was able to visit it. I think there was another one in Bugis Junction, but I wasn’t able to go in anymore. I wasn’t able to visit Books Actually, this other bookstore other friends talked about in their blogs, because I didn’t have time. Perhaps next time, when I visit Singapore again. :)

8 Thoughts on “Books Kinokuniya – Singapore

  1. The History of Love *sigh*.

  2. The History of Love *sigh*. ♥

  3. Kinokuniya is my 2nd favorite bookstore in the whole world! Of course, my #1 favorite is still Strand in NYC. Still, I can blow my vacation budget by visiting Kinokuniya, which usually happens. Hehehehehehe.

    • I can imagine how one can blow a budget in Kinokuniya! It’s just that I went to Ikea after so I had to stop myself from buying too much so I still have some left for Ikea shopping. :D And one day I’ll visit The Strand and spend a day there! :)

  4. Books Actually! I want to get one of the Penguin mugs that they have. Yes, next time it should be on the itinerary (and I hope I could visit Singapore, too).

    • I hope you can visit Singapore, too! When I go back, I’m going to really try to get lost and not act all tourist-y. That way, I can go to Books Actually, too. I hear it’s a little hidden somewhere. :D

      Oh, and then I realized: if that trip you and Mae brought up last F2F pushes through, we definitely have to make some stops at some bookstores there just for kicks. :D

  5. Pingback: Thank you, Singapore! | tinamats.com

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