7 Budget-Friendly Online Bookstores in Malaysia

Books from online bookstores in Malaysia! One of the few socially acceptable items to buy in abundance. A source of personal growth, entertainment and… decoration. It’s okay to admit that last part – I like a nice book wall too.

I’ve been collecting a list of budget-friendly online bookstores in Malaysia, which I’d love to share with you in this listicle.

Where can I buy cheap books online in Malaysia?

You can buy cheap books online in Malaysia from these 7 budget-friendly online bookstores. My criteria are:

• They must have a healthy selection of books under RM30
• Free shipping and/or additional sales/price reduction is a bonus
• Exclude MPH Bookstore, Popular Bookstore, Kinokuniya Bookstore, Borders Bookstore, Times etc from this list because you probably know these bookstores already, and they are not known as budget-friendly bookstores, unless during sales or clearance events.
• Exclude BookDepository.com, even though it is a reliable website. The shipping simply takes too long (a few months is common)

Here we go. This list is not in any particular order.

#1 – Bookurve.com

Bookurve have a good selection of popular books at a cheaper price, and the cashback system is worth it, but that’s not why I included them here. For bargains, check out their Used Book section, and also their mystery boxes in fiction and non-fiction categories.

>>Buy books from Bookurve.com. You can also trade-in your old books for discounts. More info here.

#2 – Big Bad Wolf Books

You already know this baddie. As much as I love the experience of picking books from their annual warehouse sales, I also love the fact that I can buy books easily from their Shopee page.

>>Buy books from Big Bad Wolf Books Shoppe

#3 – BookXcess Online

Bookxcess Online is the sibling of #2, also well-known for stocking random books.

>>Buy books from BookXcess Online

#4 – BooksnBobs

If you enjoy sifting through random piles of books and discover one-off treasures that you can’t get anywhere else, you’ll like BooksnBobs. It reminds me of the times when I used to go to book warehouse sales organised at YMCA KL.

>>Buy books from BooksnBobs. You can also sell your books, more info here.

#5 – Buku-Buku Effi

If you like BookXcess, you’ll like Buku-Buku Effi! Lots of really good titles offered over at their Shopee page.

>>Buy books from Buku-Buku Effi

#6 – Gerak Budaya

Gerak Budaya has a lot of affordable Malaysian books, especially in the Sale section! Sometimes I feel bad because I have more Western (and predominantly white and male authors) on my bookshelves, when I am a proud South-East Asian. Need to put more effort into reading locally produced books.

>>Buy books from Gerak Budaya website or Gerak Budaya Shopee store

#7 – Buku Fixi

And last but not least, I must include Buku Fixi for their contemporary Malay-language books (and a smaller selection of English books). I love that they don’t shy away from ‘sensitive’ topics, like religion and sexuality.

>>Buy books from Buku Fixi Shopee store

Any other budget-friendly online bookstore in Malaysia to suggest?

Don’t suggest Book Depository – unless the specific book you want is only available there, avoid. Deliveries take too long and time is money. Plus, your local bookstores need the money more than them.

If you know of other Malaysia-based options, share in the comments. Would love to add other places you get your (physical) books from in this list. Happy book-buying 🙂

(speaking of which, have you bought #MYMoneyStories books? You should)