For the Love of Books

NABILA AZLAN | 25 April 2026

YOU can tell a city that reads from one that does not. A humble, book-loving persona, Kuala Lumpur is a heritage-loaded literary hub with equal wit and charm. It is evident in the establishment of KL as UNESCO’s World Book Capital in 2020 (KL BACA) as well as the continuous initiatives and events to cheer the act of reading – KOTA BACA 2026 by Perbadanan Kota Buku, which is currently taking place at the historic Dataran Merdeka (April 23 to 26, 2026) is one of them, uniting readers, publishers and creators through the soft power of literature.

On top of these, the quaint bookshops and happenings surrounding the city bring forth a dynamic ecosystem for readers. We truly believe that KL has something for all kinds of bookworms – so this is a list made for everyone! We’re giving you a crash course of where to start when it comes to falling in love – or back into it – with KL as a book lover through the city’s local stores and events, no matter your preferred genre.

…But not without the help five personalities – writers, booksellers, artists, literary makers and shakers: Dina Zaman (56), Surin Suksuwan (51), Farah Liyana (28), Muhammad Nazreen (36), Rishika Lazarus (29) and Linda Tan Lingard (62) who are all for the art of relishing in a good book.

A glimpse at KL’s reading culture

Dina Zaman, 56, writer and co-founder of IMAN Research whose bookshelf is a mesmerisingly mixed bag, from fiction to Islamic studies and poetry: “I think it's becoming more public; in a way that's good, because more people are reading. I have to admit that I've always been surrounded by readers.”

Surin Suksuwan, 51, co-founder of Sunda Shelves who as a nature conservationist finds himself pages deep into science fiction and Malaysiana, atop natural history: “Despite the many distractions of everyday life in KL, there is still a good number of active readers here. There seems to be a diversity of reading habits and preferences – there appears to be more fans of fiction, for which there are various book reading clubs. There are also reading sessions in different forms and at different locations.”

Farah Liyana Abdul Rahman, 28, published author, artist and founder of Mythologie Resources whose writings are influenced by Hermann Hesse and Olga Ravn’s experimental, surrealistic nature: “KL readers are diverse depending on the places you go. You’re likely to find these reading ‘creatures’ the most in places with food and public transport like the LRT. Most KL readers are solitary but there is also a huge number of them who find reading in groups to be comforting – a transition that you could see after the pandemic, when the youths yearned to connect.

From left: Dina , Surin and Farah Liyana

Muhammad Nazreen, 36, founder-manager of Bukuku Press whose favourite genres span across various types of non-fiction – history, politics, current affairs to name a few: “Readers, especially among the younger generation, rise exponentially. Books are also easily accessible. Publishers are aplenty. Relatively, imported books are also affordably priced. KL has a lot to offer for book lovers. This is perhaps why the reading culture we need most is not one built around escapism or self-improvement – though those have their place – but one anchored in history, politics, and ideas. The demand for bookshops is increasing, the book market is ever growing.”

Rishika Lazarus, 29, Creator of Rish’s Book Club who realised at a point that she could not find a right space to belong, so she made one from scratch: “What feels different now is how visible and accessible reading has become. With platforms like TikTok, Goodreads and Instagram, conversations around them are reaching so many more people. You’ll see someone recommend a book, and naturally it sparks curiosity – one book leads to another, and suddenly you’re exploring genres or authors you might not have picked up before. In KL, there’s also been a rise in community-driven spaces – book clubs, independent bookstores, and curated events that make reading feel more social and shared. It’s not just about reading on your own anymore, but about the conversations and connections that come out of it.”

Rishika's Book Club

Linda Tan Lingard, 62, founder and director, OyezBooks and co-founder and director of Duke Museum of Picture Book Art who finds herself going for whodunits, popular non-fiction and Asian lit: “It is certainly active – there are many regular book fairs, which are always crowded.”

From pop culture faves to niche titles, not to mention vast selections of local publications, KL’s bookstores have it all. They not only serve as retail spots quenching one’s thirst for lit picks but also where conversations and newfound fascinations ignite. Here are some must-go stores, a different take from the popular international chains in KL like Kinokuniya, Eslite and Tsutaya.

Check these out: Local physical bookstores and more in KL and beyond

RIWAYAT
A cosy nook with carefully selected new and old fiction and non-fiction

34, Jalan Tun H S Lee, Kuala Lumpur
Opens daily from 11am to 5pm

G-41, The Campus Ampang, Lot 7706, Jalan Kolam Air Lama, Mukim, Hulu Kelang, Ampang, Selangor
Opens Sunday to Thursday from 2pm to 11pm; Friday and Saturday from 2pm to 12am

“Engku Roestam, the determined force behind Riwayat, came to me one day with a simple idea: he wanted to open a small bookstore somewhere in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. I didn't need much convincing. The city deserved a proper literary space in its downtown core.

If you ever find yourself in Kuala Lumpur with a free afternoon, skip the malls and head instead to the city's independent bookstores,” notes Nazreen. “[Head over to] places like Tintabudi, Riwayat, Czip Lee, and Pelita Dhihin. But if you don’t find the book in those physical bookstores, you can find it at the Bukuku Press website – we specialise in rare and out-of-print books about Malaysiana that might not be able to be found elsewhere.”

JUNK BOOKSTORE
A used bookstore in the heart of KL for rarities and hidden treasures

78, Jalan Tun H S Lee, Kuala Lumpur
Opens daily except Sunday from 8.30am to 3pm

“I love Junk Bookstore because I have a thing for old books,” says Dina.

TINTABUDI
A delightful stop for readers of philosophy, history, literature and more

A-1-13, TTDI Plaza, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Opens daily except Monday from 11am to 9pm

“While the (bigger retail) bookshops may have a lot of beautiful books on diverse topics, the really interesting finds are in the independent bookshops because they each have their own specialty and often have books that are not easily found elsewhere,” notes Surin. “For true book lovers I would recommend a tour of the independent bookshops in KL such as Riwayat for books on local interests, Tintabudi on the humanities especially philosophy, Lit Books for their curated selection of fiction and of course Sunda Shelves if you're into nature, culture and travel.

BOOKXCESS AT REXKL
A modern haven housing high-quality books of various genres

RexKL, Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur
Opens daily from 10am to 10pm

“If I can visit a bookstore for the first time again,” notes Farah Liyana, “I would want to visit the Bookxcess in REXKL. (It offers) a variety for beginner readers, a friendly environment as well as being whimsical place to explore. Gives a sense of adventure to those who seek adrenaline in finding a title.”

THE DUKE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART
A delightful stop showcasing and selling artful stories for children and children at heart

GMBB, 2, Jalan Robertson, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Opens daily from 11am to 8pm

“We have a good collection of Malaysian children's picture books – which are great for gifts – as well as rare limited edition books and a number of political-socio-economics books supplied by Gerakbudaya PJ. Just looking at the book covers will give the visitor an overview of current topics in Malaysia apart from history. We also have original art and prints from local artists such as the late Yusof Gajah and Stephanie Kuen and Wen Dee Tan,” says Lingard.

Bookstores aside, our favourite way to delve head on into the local reading scene as well as explore new publishers, genres and literary forms has got to be the slow walk through KL’s best bookish events. Here are some of the most-awaited annual affairs – filled with unique and most-coveted literary finds, creator meets, international exchanges and not to mention new recommendations

Check these out: Local physical bookstores and more in KL and beyond

KL INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR (PESTA BUKU ANTARABANGSA KUALA LUMPUR)
May 29 to June 7, 2026 at WTC KL
10am to 10pm
The biggest Malaysian book event, set to host more than 1000 booths this year, comprising galleries, book stores and more

KL ALTERNATIVE BOOK FEST (KLAB)
Central Market Kuala Lumpur
2026 dates have passed (Jan 30 to Feb 3); usually takes place in the first quarter of the year
An undeniable go-to for indie publishing houses, titles and niche finds all under one roof

KL ART BOOK FAIR
2026 dates yet to be announced; usually takes place in the final quarter of the year
A series of walks (and talks) through KL’s most unique literary talents, effortlessly opening doors for international art discourse

A message of hope – some of what they would like to see more of as readers:

“More reading spaces in the middle of KL. One might say that Malaysians could read in public places like the gardens or parks provided but do consider the external factors such as the weather and accessibility of the venue.” – Farah Liyana

“I would like to see more appreciation of books by local writers, whether historical or contemporary. Also, for our local authors to find their own voice rather than writing for the sake of others.” – Surin

“I would love to see more curated events and spaces that celebrate the art of reading and learning. Not just reading individually, but creating environments where people can come together, have conversations and build connections through books.” – Rishika