Cover Jumble Station, The School @ Jaya One (Photo: Jaya One)
Jumble Station, The School @ Jaya One (Photo: Jaya One)
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From Books for a Better World (BFBW) to Dokusho Bookstore, check out these under-the-radar gems for second-hand books
What’s better than books, you ask? Cheap books, of course! If you’re open to exploring new titles regardless of author or genre, consider visiting and supporting a second-hand bookstore. Unless you’re shopping for gifts or looking for collectables in perfect condition, second-hand bookstores offer an exciting alternative for bookworms, as you never know what you’ll discover. From mystery paperbacks and romance novels to hard-cover editions of bestsellers, there’s something for anyone who is willing to look. From PJ to KL, we’ve earmarked some under-the-radar spots to find affordable books that need a new shelf-life.
Read also: 8 beautiful bookstores to know in the Klang Valley
Books for a Better World
What originally started as the owner’s hobby became much more than a simple side project. Books For a Better World (BFBW) was founded to encourage greater literacy in the community and to rescue unwanted books from landfills.
BFBW’s signature blue and white theme and logo can be seen across four outlets, namely in Petaling Jaya’s Amcorp Mall (pictured above), Paradigm Mall, Mahsa Avenue, and Phileo Damansara 1. BFBW also works with corporations to conduct community reading campaigns and collect unwanted books to sell at the store or donate to various charities and organisations.
Books n Bobs
Touted as Malaysia’s largest online pre-loved bookstore, Books n Bobs opened its first physical store on the second floor of the GMBB Kuala Lumpur building, an arts hub located at Jalan Robertson. It has more than 27,000 titles in stock. The self-service bookstore at GMBB is the place to find books in romance, mystery and science fiction, along with a selection of non-fiction titles and magazines.
Did you know: Books n Bobs also donates a portion of its profits towards a local children’s shelter.
BooKu
Also located at GMBB Kuala Lumpur but on the third floor, BooKu offers a variety of Chinese titles and English titles, along with adorable artisanal items made by local creatives, from decorative bookmarks to candles. You can also find BooKu’s wares in road shows, pop-ups and even art markets from time to time. Follow the store on Instagram to find out their latest stop.
Dokusho bookstore
Located in Jalan Klang Lama, Dokusho Bookstore’s physical store opens on weekends only from 10am to 5pm. Book lovers can visit Dokusho’s website to browse through its extensive collection of titles and even collect the books they’ve ordered at the physical store. Browse books for just RM10 or wait for a clearance sale where buyers can walk away with bundles of books at just RM3 per KG. Dokusho also donates a portion of its profits to support Teach for Malaysia.
BUKU by PJ Preloved House
Started in 2021, BUKU by PJ Preloved House has a self service bookstore known as LearnINC x BUKU Secondhand Bookstore on the third floor of INC KL Eco City. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the store offers limited seating, plenty of well-stocked shelves with books starting from RM5 upwards and even a book bin for visitors to drop their pre-loved books. Take note that the store only accepts cashless payments.
Jumble Station, The School, Jaya One
Above Jumble Station, The School @ Jaya One Photo: Jaya One
Jumble Station, The School @ Jaya One Photo: Jaya One
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In 2014, Jaya One set up an initiative known as Parents Without Partners to help disadvantaged single parents and legal guardians. The initiative collects used goods still in good condition, donating them to single parents in need or selling them at its flagship space, Jumble Station, located at Level P1 of The School and open from 10am to 8pm daily. In addition to clothes, accessories and baby's items, the humble store also offers shelves of pre-loved books in fiction and non-fiction categories.
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
