For book lovers in Singapore, secondhand bookshops offer a treasure hunt that new bookstores cannot match. Lower prices, rare finds, and the scent of ageing paper draw collectors, students, and casual readers alike. This article reviews the top secondhand bookshops in Singapore, drawing on firsthand visits, customer feedback, and industry knowledge. We focus on concrete details, location, typical stock, price ranges, and store atmosphere, to help you choose where to spend your time and money.
Whether you are searching for out-of-print academic texts, vintage pulp fiction, or cheap textbooks, the secondhand scene in Singapore has something. Below we present our top picks, each with a full review. For a broader overview, you can also read our Complete Guide to Buying and Borrowing Books in Singapore.
1. Basheer Graphic Books
Location: Bras Basah Complex, 231 Bain Street #04-33, Singapore 180231
Specialty: Art, design, architecture, photography
Price range: $10, $50+ (rare titles higher)
Website: basheergraphic.com
Basheer Graphic Books is a stalwart in Singapore’s secondhand art-book scene. Owner Basheer Ahmad has been running the shop since the 1990s. The store stocks both new and used books, but the secondhand selection is exceptional. Expect to find heavy, glossy art monographs, design theory texts, typography manuals, and architecture references at 30-50% below their new retail prices.
Stock and condition
The used section occupies the rear of the shop. Shelves are double-packed with titles. Condition is generally good, most books show only minor shelf wear. Some ex-library copies carry stamps but remain readable. The inventory turns over quickly; regular visits reward you with fresh finds.
Pricing and negotiation
Prices are marked in pencil on the inside cover. A typical used monograph by Taschen or Phaidon costs $15, $30. Scarce out-of-print titles can reach $80. The shop does not haggle aggressively, but regular customers sometimes receive small discounts.
Why it makes our list
For art and design students, Basheer is unmatched. The curated selection, clearly chosen by someone who knows the field, saves you hours of browsing elsewhere. If you need textbooks for courses at LASALLE or NAFA, this is the first stop. See also our general guide to best secondhand bookshops for context.
2. Evernew Bookstore
Location: Blk 504 Jurong West Street 51, #01-241, Singapore 640504
Specialty: General secondhand (fiction, non-fiction, children’s)
Price range: $2, $12
Hours: 11:00-19:00 daily (closed Wednesdays)
Evernew Bookstore is a hidden gem in the heartlands. It has been operating for over 15 years, serving Jurong residents with a diverse collection. The shop is small, roughly 300 square feet, but every shelf is packed. You will find popular fiction by authors like John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and Lee Child for just $4, $6. Non-fiction covers history, self-help, and cooking.
Children’s books and textbooks
A notable section is the children’s corner, with picture books and early readers at $2, $5. Many are in good condition, with minimal writing. The owner, an elderly gentleman, keeps a list of requested titles. If you ask, he will hold books for you. For school textbooks, the selection is seasonal, best visited in December and January when families clear their shelves. Read our dedicated guide on buying used textbooks for tips on negotiating and inspecting them.
Atmosphere and service
The shop feels like a community library. The owner knows many customers by name and offers recommendations. There is no air conditioning, it can get warm, but the low prices compensate. Cash only, no credit cards.
3. The Bookshop (formerly BooksActually)
Location: 1 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru, Singapore 168641
Specialty: Literary fiction, poetry, Singapore literature, small press
Price range: $5, $25
While BooksActually closed its original Tiong Bahru location in 2020, The Bookshop opened soon after, occupying the same space at 1 Yong Siak Street. It carries a curated mix of new and used books, with emphasis on literary fiction, poetry, and Singaporean writing. The secondhand stock is mostly donations from the local community and former BooksActually customers.
What you will find
The used section is at the back of the shop. Look for yellowed paperbacks by local authors like Alfian Sa’at, Jeremy Tiang, and O Thiam Chin, typically priced at $8, $12. Ex-library copies of international literary fiction (Penguin Modern Classics, FSG originals) are $5, $10. The shop also stocks rare out-of-print chapbooks from local indie publishers, often for $15, $25.
Events and community
The Bookshop hosts occasional poetry readings and book launches. It also participates in book swap events during the Singapore Writers Festival. Check their Instagram for announcements.
Our verdict
If you love literary fiction and want to support independent bookshops, The Bookshop is essential. The selection is small but high-quality. Prices are slightly above other secondhand shops, but the curation justifies it. For more independent retailers, see our guide to independent bookstores in Singapore.
4. S&W Bookstore
Location: 11 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058326 (within Chinatown Point mall, level 2)
Specialty: Used textbooks, academic books, engineering, science, medicine
Price range: $8, $40
S&W Bookstore is the go-to for university and polytechnic students looking to save on textbooks. Situated in Chinatown Point, it has been operating since the early 2000s. The stock is heavily academic: engineering, computer science, medicine, law, and business. Most books are used but in very good condition, many are barely touched by previous owners.
Pricing and buyback
Textbooks cost about 50-70% of their new price. For example, a $100 engineering textbook sells used for $35, $50 depending on its edition and condition. The shop also runs a buyback program: you can sell your old textbooks for cash or store credit (typically 10-20% of the cover price). Bring your NUS, NTU, or SMU student ID for a small discount (usually 5% off already low prices).
Inventory tip
Visit during the first two weeks of each semester (August and January) for the best selection. By week four, most popular titles are gone. You can ask the staff to call you when a specific title comes in, they maintain a paper waiting list. For rare or out-of-print academic monographs, see the rare book dealers guide.
5. Reading Lights
Location: 73 Arab Street, Singapore 199718 (within The Projector, level 2)
Specialty: Contemporary fiction, graphic novels, zines, art books
Price range: $4, $20
Reading Lights began as a pop-up inside The Projector cinema in 2019 and has since become a fixture. It is small, perhaps 200 square feet, but packed with carefully chosen used stock. The vibe is hip: indie, quirky, with a focus on diverse voices, LGBTQ+ titles, and counterculture.
Stock highlights
You will find graphic novels (Chris Ware, Marjane Satrapi) at $10, $15, contemporary fiction (Ocean Vuong, Sally Rooney) at $8, $12, and a rotating selection of zines for $4, $8. The shop also stocks local independent publications, some of which are hard to find elsewhere. The condition varies: some books look brand new, while others are dog-eared.
Why visit
The location inside The Projector makes it a perfect stop before or after a movie. The staff are knowledgeable and can recommend titles based on your taste. They also accept trade-ins, giving store credit for books they can resell (typically 25% of the selling price).
6. The Falcon’s Roost Books & Crafts
Location: 130 Balestier Road, Singapore 329678
Specialty: Antique books, maritime history, Singaporeana, collectibles
Price range: $20, $200+
For collectors of rare and antique books, The Falcon’s Roost is a must-visit. Housed in a shophouse along Balestier Road, it has been operating for over two decades. The owner, a retired naval officer, curates a collection focused on maritime history, old maps, and Singapore-related publications from the colonial era.
What to expect
You will not find mass-market paperbacks here. The shelves hold leather-bound volumes, first editions, and antique prints. Prices start at $20 for modest later editions but can exceed $200 for rare items, for instance, a first edition of Raffles’ history of Java from 1830 could be priced at $500. The shop also offers bookbinding and restoration services (starting at $80 per book).
For serious collectors
If you are a serious collector, call ahead to make an appointment, the owner is often out sourcing stock. He can also search for specific titles through his network of dealers. This complements the NLB interlibrary loan service if you want to borrow rare reference works rather than buy them.
7. Community Book Exchanges (free options)
Not all secondhand books need to be bought. Singapore has several community book exchanges where you can take books for free or swap them. While not shops, they deserve mention as cost-effective alternatives.
- Swap-Book corners at public libraries: Many NLB branches have a small shelf where patrons leave used books for anyone to take. These are not curated, expect a mix of romance novels, travel guides, and children’s books. Best visited quarterly, when stocks are refreshed.
- The Book Exchange at Bukit Timah Community Centre: Located at 56 Maple Avenue, open 9:00-18:00 on weekdays. Free to browse and take, but donations are encouraged.
- Free Little Libraries around Singapore: Small boxes set up in neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru, East Coast, and Woodlands. Check the map at community book exchanges for locations near you.
These options are excellent for casual reading or if you want to declutter your own shelves while picking up something new.
How to make the most of secondhand bookshops
To get the best deals, follow these tips:
- Visit regularly. Stock changes weekly. A $100 book might appear for $15 if you spot it early.
- Inspect condition. Check for missing pages, water damage, and excessive highlighting. Most shops accept returns only within 24 hours.
- Negotiate politely. Haggling is common at heartland shops like Evernew, but not at Basheer or The Bookshop. Ask if the price is firm.
- Bring cash. Many secondhand shops do not accept cards. ATMs may not be close.
- Use the NLB library card to check if a secondhand book is also available for borrowing, you might save money. Our NLB library card guide explains how to get one.
- Consider e-book options. For older titles, NLB’s e-book borrowing service is free and often has digital copies of older books.
Where to buy new books if secondhand fails
If you cannot find the desired title in a used bookstore, our guide to buying new books lists major retailers like Kinokuniya (Ngee Ann City), Times Bookstores (various malls), and independent stores like Littered with Books (Duxton Hill). New books guarantee pristine condition and latest editions, but at higher cost.
Conclusion
Secondhand bookshops in Singapore offer remarkable variety: from art monographs in Bras Basah to academic textbooks in Chinatown, from literary fiction in Tiong Bahru to antique collectibles in Balestier. Our top picks represent the best in each category, based on stock quality, pricing, and atmosphere. We encourage you to visit them, and to return often. The joy of a secondhand bookshop is that every visit brings a new discovery.