BooksActually

This charming indie bookstore in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood is frequented mostly by locals, and it is cultural fixture of the city. Founded in 2005, BooksActually carries vintage books of literature and poetry, including rare editions and autographed copies by famous authors, as well as new books. It has the largest collection of English-language works in Singapore, and carries many works by local authors and even has its own publishing imprint, Math Paper Press. Visitors can also purchase mystery books from a vending machine out front. 

BooksActually is a great place for people who want to read uniquely Singaporean fiction. It frequently hosts poetry readings and exhibitions, and Math Paper Press authors have won the Singaporean Literature Prize in English Poetry multiple years.

The mystery book vending machine out front allows visitors to pay S$10 to purchase books secretively wrapped in paper with cute doodles hand drawn on the outside. Some of the books are in Chinese, so visitors looking for books in English should be sure to choose from the books with the phrase “Mystery Book” written in English on the wrapping paper.