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Chinese & Japanese Bookshops



Youth Book Co- Bras Basah Complex #02-27

Another Chinese bookshop that looks to cater to Chinese readers with its huge collection...actually it is a whole shop of Chinese books. I remember my precocious friends buying the Math books in Chinese when they needed to further themselves in its intricacies in school. The shop has stocked up many books written by Chinese authors from China in topics such as Health, Science, China History and Medical related books. You name it and I am sure this shop has it. The shop owner looks like an avid reader herself and must have read most of her books as she is taciturn, leaving you to browse without even looking up from her reading.




Ki-Shun- Hong Leong Building #B1-13


A small Japanese bookshop that serves mainly the Japanese community. When I was there, the shop was serving a few Japanese executives working in the nearby CBD. Available in the store are second-hand Japanese novels- categorised by the authors on the shelves, magazines and comics. The bookshop also provides rental services. For those who understand Japanese, check out their online portal at www.ki-shun.com.


Academic Book Shops



Select Books- Tanglin Shopping Centre #03-15- 17

There is a reason why this book shop is not too popular among the everyday book readers. This is a niche book shop, which specialises in Southeast Asian titles. Books in the shop are either about Southeast Asia or written by Southeast Asian authors. The strong sections are the two full shelves of Southeast Asian books-especially on politics and culture-facing the entrance. Also comprehensive are books on antiques and art- Asian Art, Prehistoric Art, Carpets, the flora and fauna sections and a section on Malaysia with everything from Beyond Mahathir Era to a Compendium of Malaysian Artists. However, do take note that most titles are academic in nature. I did see also a erudite looking man- looking really like a professor- at the counter, paying for a particular read. Look out for poetry readings and book launches that sometimes takes place at this bookshop.




ResearchBooks Asia- 189 Thomson Rd, Goldhill Centre

In the shop, the fake skeleton used for medical studies will alert you on its nature. The bookshop has a comprehensive section on Medical, Nursing and Allied Health. Also available are academic books on Science & Engineering, Arts & Social Sciences as well as books on Business Finance and Law. They offer free delivery service for hard to find academic books at a 'no GST' prices. All these are a part of their service to customers, including a glass of icy drink at $0.80 for a purchase of any book.




Others


Basheer Graphic Books- Bras Basah Complex #04-19

This shop is the haunt for design students. With such a huge array of design books, it will be quite hard for it not to be their first place of stop. It has a myriad of books in design. In advertising itself, it has books that teach its concepts as well as more technical books on the design aspects. From, graphic design to interior design to fashion design, the shop has both books and imported magazine journals. The list includes Sight and Sound for serious film critics, View for fashion design professionals and Blok- the Czech-English design magazine for digital culture. I am actually kind of mused by the depth of its collection in interior design, which even includes interior design for home and garden landscapes.




Computer Books Shop- Funan The IT Mall #03-22

A book shop that sells only computer books- this is not surprising given our technology crazed country. This shop has a huge assortment of computer books in a myriad of areas. Talk about a plethora of computer books; this bookshop have it all from books on graphic programs like Photoshop to web applications or development to more practical ones like upgrading PCs, hardware and handheld PCs. What I like about this shop is the carefully thought of shelf sections- look out for shelves on Microsoft books, and also the Programming sections, not forgetting the individual shelves for publishers like Wiley and McGraw Hill Osbourne. Magazine shelves in the store are also bursting with titles including magazines for gamers- Xbox Gamer, PC Format. Also if you are in a hurry and have a title in mind, you can search for it in the computer available straight-off.




Music Plaza Bookshop- 68 Orchard Road #06-01 Plaza Singapura -inside Yamaha Music School

This is a huge music bookshop that you should really visit first, because the chances are that it'll have what you are looking for.
There is an array of exam materials for your music studies, which is further splitted up into its different grades. Books on classical piano, piano method for you to try the scales and a whole section on instrumental/string can be found. Look out also for a pop section for you to pick up your latest pop piano and guitar scores.



Music Book Room- Bras Basah Complex #01-63

The succinctly named shop seems to suggest that it's a place that offers only music books. Upon being greeted by Chinese classical music playing, I knew immediately that it's a bookshop with deep Chinese influence. The shop has a good collection of music scores for Chinese music lovers- romantic Chinese hits and the latest Japanese, Chinese hits popular with the young- but also a collection of Classical scores for music studies.
Rabid fans of Leslie Cheung, Jacky Cheung and Faye Wong can also buy their piano scores here.
A quick glance at the shelves also shows an immense collection of Taiwanese and HongKong entertainment magazines to cater to the younger readers. This shop is well-stocked up with Chinese magazines from Hong Kong's Men Uno to its TVB weekly to the controversial Taiwanese-based magazine, Next. For fans of the classics, this is also the place to stock-up your Chinese-influenced flute music, the lost Theresa Teng Cds, China films and even Vcds on learning calligraphy.




Awareness Place- Bras Basah Complex #01-63, Causeway Point #04-15


Do you sometimes need motivational or inspirational books to be at peace of mind? This shop provides books and music to inspire and motivate you. You can find books by renowned spiritual teachers and even soothing nature's music in Cds. Some book titles like Faith, The Tibetan Way, Overcoming problems as well as books on Buddhism and Yoga can be found.