Singapore is a city-state where book lovers often face high retail prices for new titles. A paperback from a mainstream bookstore can cost between S$20 and S$35, while a hardcover may exceed S$50. For avid readers, this adds up quickly. Secondhand bookshops offer a practical alternative: they provide access to thousands of titles at a fraction of the original price, often between S$3 and S$15 per book. Beyond the savings, these shops carry out-of-print editions, rare collectibles, and books that have been out of circulation for years.

This article is a factual, locally grounded guide to the best secondhand bookshops in Singapore. It covers shops in the Bras Basah Complex, independent stores in the East and Central regions, online marketplaces, and charity-run book sales. Whether you are looking for a specific academic text, a vintage novel, or simply a cheap weekend read, these places are worth your time.

Bras Basah Complex: The Historic Hub for Secondhand Books

Bras Basah Complex, located at 231 Bain Street, is often called the “City of Books” by older Singaporeans. This shopping centre has housed dozens of secondhand book dealers for more than 40 years. Several shops have been operating since the 1980s and 1990s, making it the most concentrated location for secondhand books in the country.

Popular Bookstore (Bras Basah Complex)

Popular Bookstore at Bras Basah Complex is a large chain store that sells both new and remaindered books. However, it is the smaller independent shops on the second and third floors that matter more for secondhand buyers. One of the longest-running is Evernew Bookstore at #02-07. Evernew has been trading for more than 25 years and stocks around 10,000 used books. Prices range from S$4 for paperbacks to S$12 for slightly rarer hardcovers.

Another notable shop is Bookpoint (#03-09), which focuses on academic and textbook-heavy sections. Bookpoint often buys back textbooks from university students and resells them at S$8 to S$25 depending on edition. It is a good stop for engineering, medicine, and law texts.

Second Floor Corridor Stalls

Along the corridors of the second floor, you will find small, owner-run stalls that sell books out of simple shelves. These stalls do not have official names in many cases but are run by older Chinese-speaking uncles. They sell Chinese-language novels, manga, and mass market paperbacks. Cash is king here, most stalls do not accept credit cards. A bundle of five paperbacks can sometimes be negotiated down to S$12.

Bras Basah Complex is open daily from approximately 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, though individual shop hours vary. Some stalls close by 6:00 PM.

What You Will Find

  • Fiction and literature, Modern and classic novels, mostly mass market.
  • Academic textbooks, Especially from the 1990s and 2000s.
  • Chinese and Malay language books, A strong selection not commonly found elsewhere.
  • Vintage magazines, Some issues from the 1970s and 1980s for collectors.

BooksActually: Curated Secondhand Shelves in Tiong Bahru

BooksActually is located at 9 Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru. While the shop is primarily known as an independent bookstore that publishes local literature through its imprint Math Paper Press, it consistently maintains a dedicated secondhand section. The shop opened in 2005 and has become a fixture of the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood. Its secondhand shelves are curated, they do not accept all donations, only books in good condition.

Prices for secondhand books at BooksActually range from S$6 to S$15 for general fiction. Collectible editions of Singaporean authors like Alfian Sa’at or Balli Kaur Jaswal can go for S$18 to S$30. The shop also carries rare copies of the Journal of Contemporary Arts and other small-press publications. Unlike Bras Basah Complex, BooksActually accepts credit cards and has a café next door, this makes it a comfortable place to spend an afternoon browsing.

BooksActually is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekends. It is closed on some public holidays.

Littered with Books: A Hidden Gem in Duxton

Littered with Books is tucked away at 20 Duxton Road in the Tanjong Pagar district. The shop has a distinctive décor, wooden shelves, exposed brick walls, and a mezzanine level filled with secondhand titles. It was established in 2007 and remains independently owned.

The collection is deliberately small but high-quality. Approximately 60% of the inventory is secondhand, with the rest being new or remainders. The secondhand section includes literary fiction, travel writing, memoir, and poetry. Prices are slightly higher than in Bras Basah: expect to pay S$10 to S$20 for a used paperback in good condition. Signed first editions of contemporary authors can reach S$40 or more.

Littered with Books also buys books from customers, but only by appointment. They offer store credit of 20% to 30% of the resale value, depending on demand. The shop accepts Visa and Mastercard.

Opening hours are 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily except Sunday, when it closes at 6:00 PM.

Charity and Thrift Shops with Book Sections

Beyond dedicated bookshops, several charity-run thrift stores in Singapore have sizable book sections. These are ideal for bargain hunters who are willing to spend time digging through shelves.

Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores

The Salvation Army operates multiple thrift stores across the island. The one at 500 Upper Bukit Timah Road has the largest book section, with over 1,000 used books on the shelves at any one time. Prices are very low: S$2 for paperbacks, S$4 for hardcovers. The selection is random, you may find everything from Dan Brown thrillers to out-of-print academic monographs. The store is open from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM Monday to Saturday, closed on Sunday.

MINDS Thrift Stores

The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) runs thrift shops at several locations, including 800 Margaret Drive and 30 Woodlands Ring Road. Book sections are modest, typically 200 to 400 books. Prices are S$1 to S$3 per book. Proceeds go to the charity. The Margaret Drive store is open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, closed on weekends.

Metta Welfare Association Book Room

The Metta Building at 32 Simei Street 1 houses a book room run by the Metta Welfare Association. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays only, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Books are priced at S$1 to S$5, with many recent bestsellers in good condition. The proceeds support Metta's programmes for the elderly and disabled.

Online Secondhand Book Marketplaces

Physical shops remain important, but a significant share of secondhand book transactions in Singapore now occur online. Three platforms dominate the market.

Carousell

Carousell is a peer-to-peer marketplace where individuals list secondhand books. As of early 2025, there are more than 300,000 active listings for books in Singapore. Prices are highly variable, from S$1 for a common paperback to S$50 or more for a rare academic monograph. The search function allows filtering by genre, condition, and location. Meeting points are often MRT stations. Carousell takes a small transaction fee from sellers.

Books2Give

Books2Give is a social enterprise that collects donated books and resells them online via its website. It ships islandwide for a flat fee of S$5. Prices are S$4 to S$8 for paperback novels. Books2Give also operates a small physical outlet at 321 Clementi Avenue 3 (open Saturday afternoons only).

Facebook Groups

Several Facebook groups are dedicated to buying and swapping secondhand books in Singapore. Singapore Book Lovers (about 12,000 members) and Secondhand Books for Sale (Singapore) (about 8,000 members) are the most active. Transactions are managed privately between members. There are no fees.

Specialised Secondhand Bookshops for Academic and Rare Books

For those seeking scholarly works or rare editions, two shops deserve special mention.

Select Books

Select Books at 51 Armenian Street is a long-standing specialist in books about Asia. While it sells primarily new titles, it has a dedicated secondhand section on the mezzanine floor. This section features out-of-print academic works on Southeast Asian history, economics, and cultural studies. Prices are S$15 to S$40 for most used titles. The shop has operated since 1975 and is open 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.

Basheer Graphic Books

Basheer Graphic Books at Bras Basah Complex (#04-19) is known for art, design, and architecture books. Its secondhand section, though small, includes limited-edition volumes from publishers like Taschen and Phaidon. Prices are S$20 to S$100. The shop also supplies many polytechnic and university students with used design textbooks. Basheer is open 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

Tips for Buying Secondhand Books in Singapore

To make the most of your visits, consider the following practical tips:

  • Bring cash, Many small shops, especially in Bras Basah Complex, do not accept cards or PayNow.
  • Inspect condition carefully, Check for yellowed pages, water damage, or missing pages. Most shops do not offer refunds.
  • Know your editions, Some shops price books based on perceived rarity. A common paperback should not cost more than S$10.
  • Negotiate politely in bulk, Purchasing five or more books from a single stall can sometimes lead to a discount of 10% to 20%.
  • Visit during weekdays, Weekends are more crowded, especially at Bras Basah Complex and charity thrift stores.

For a broader perspective on the ecosystem of buying and borrowing books in Singapore, refer to our complete guide: The Complete Guide to Buying and Borrowing Books in Singapore. If you are also interested in purchasing new releases at retail prices, see Where to Buy New Books in Singapore.

Seasonal Book Sales and Flea Markets

Several recurring events offer opportunities to buy secondhand books at very low prices.

The Big Book Sale (organised by Woodlands Regional Library)

Held twice a year at Woodlands Civic Centre, this sale features ex-library books from the National Library Board (NLB). Prices are S$0.50 for children’s paperbacks and S$2 for adult fiction. The sale usually runs for two to three days in March and September. Check the NLB website for exact dates.

Tanglin Trust School Book Fair

The Tanglin Trust School at 95 Portsdown Road holds a community book fair in April each year. It includes a large section of donated secondhand books. Proceeds support school charities. Prices are S$2 to S$5 per book.

Flea Markets at The Grandstand (Turf Club Road)

The Grandstand flea market is open every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Several vendors sell secondhand books. Bargaining is expected. You can find recent bestsellers for S$5 to S$8. The selection is unpredictable but can be very good in the first hour of opening.

Conclusion

Singapore offers a rich network of secondhand bookshops, from the dense cluster of stalls in Bras Basah Complex to the curated shelves of BooksActually and Littered with Books. Charity thrift stores and online platforms add further options for readers on a budget. Prices remain low compared to new books, most paperbacks cost between S$2 and S$15. By combining visits to physical shops with online browsing, any reader can build a substantial personal library for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

For further reading, consult our guide to buying and borrowing books in Singapore to understand all the options available. And for collectors and casual readers alike, the secondhand bookshops of Singapore are destinations worth exploring for their cultural variety, affordability, and unexpected discoveries.