I was really excited about returning to Penang as I could stock up on my home library, both for my toddler and me. However, I was devastated when I saw MetroJaya’s Living Quarters instead of the Big Bookshop in Gurney Plaza!
Where did the Big Bookshop go???
Penang island and the mainland has only these few bookstores:
- The Big Bookshop, MPH and Popular in Gurney Plaza
- Borders and Popular in Queensbay Mall
- Popular in Pinang Megamall and Sunway Mall
While MPH and Borders offer a fabulous variety of fiction and non-fiction books, their prices are rather steep compared to Popular.
I love browsing through The Big Bookshop because I could get a good variety of fiction and non-fiction books (especially workbooks for kids) at great prices! I’ve come to think of it as Factory Outlet Store or Reject Shop for books…
Although I can’t find Pay Less Books (which sells quality secondhand books) in Penang, my passion (and pocket book) are soothed by The Big Bookshop. Now that the Big Bookshop is gone, we’ve only got 3 bookshops left!
In early 2008, I’d read about a KL store (in Amcorp Mall) that sells overstock books planning to open a branch in Penang. Guess they’ve changed their minds?
I don’t know about other book lovers’ shopping patterns but I tend to go to Borders and MPH to check out the books, run over to Popular to check out the prices and then go for the best 
I’m sorry but because I buy A LOT A LOT of books, I really have to be price-sensitive!
Why not just go straight to Popular, you say? I don’t know…somehow, the store layout for Popular seems to encourage reading for revision rather than reading for pleasure. I’m just never as comfy there as I am at Borders or MPH.
Does anyone know where has the Big Book Shop gone?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear, the big bookshop had moved to KL. I love missed it too. I used to buy very cheap children’s hardcover books, very tak !!!
Yammie – Me too but recently, I got some great news, which will also make Mums like you really happy. Stay in touch…
Hi,
I too am a book lover. I buy fewer books now because I’m a pensioner and pensioners, as you might know, receive barely enough pension to survive.
Have you tried buying books from Book Depositry? They offer free shipping worldwide.
Cheers!
Vincent – Welcome to my blog
Nice to meet another person who likes to read in Malaysia. Do you have kids? Get them to buy you books! My old Dad used to read any book I recommended…sigh, sure miss those good old days.
Thanks for recommending the Book Depositry. With a kid in tow, another on the way and bookshelves toppling over, it’ll be a while before I buy any more books LOL