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Header image courtesy of Kubrick (via Facebook)
Originally published by Jenny Leung. Last updated by Beverly Ngai, Enoch Ngan, and Malin Angell.
There's nothing more satisfying than curling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea when the temperature suddenly drops. With this in mind, we've created a list of the best book stores around the city, in no particular order, so you can grab yourself a good read and snuggle up tight. Are you sitting comfortably? Let’s begin!
If you are looking to expand your reading collection with some affordable tomes, look no further than My Book Room. This cosy, hole-in-the-wall bookstore collects and re-circulates second-hand books with diverse titles that cover everything from classic literature to history, philosophy, and social sciences! My Book Room may be small, but you could easily spend hours here browsing their extensive collection and picking out bargain after bargain. Just be careful as you manoeuvre through the shop, as the aisles are narrow and nearly every available nook and cranny is stacked from floor to ceiling with books!
My Book Room, 208, Po Fung Building, 79 Lai Chi Kok Road, Prince Edward | (+852) 6121 8222
As one of the most popular bookstores among the English-speaking community in Hong Kong, Bookazine prides itself on offering the best selection of English-language books and magazines available in the city. Stocking over 900 different magazine titles and 20,000 books at its flagship store in Landmark, Bookazine also hosts regular book launches, signings, and readings, as well as fun activities in its Kids Corner, such as puppet shows and face paintings. It’s also decked out with an incredible range of fun and novelty gifts and cards, making it a great spot for last-minute gift shopping. Where else could you find The 100 Best Love Poems of All Time sat next to a giant wine glass that holds an entire bottle?
With over a dozen store locations dotted across the city, Joint Publishing HK works hard to source the very best literature around. Boasting a diverse range of books from shelf to shelf, this store also hosts regular events, workshops, book signings, and art exhibitions. Its Wan Chai and Yuen Long locations even boast a small café, which invites bookworms to settle down and enjoy some tasty bites with their reads. Having been around since 1948, these guys are well-established, to say the least.
Despite not being applicable here in Hong Kong, Eslite was actually the very first 24-hour bookshop concept in the world. As one of the largest retail bookstore chains in Taiwan, now with many locations dotted across Asia, the brand’s unique offerings have won it several awards. More than your average bookstore, Eslite is a cultural hub that offers everything from books and stationery, to some of the latest and trendiest lifestyle products imaginable. Whatever it is you need, you’re likely to find it here.
Residing inside Broadway Cinema in Yau Ma Tei, Kubrick is an urban bookstore that is full of life and culture. Apart from regularly hosting a series of talks, workshops, and even mini-concerts with local and foreign musicians, the store is also a publishing house with more than thirty book titles under its belt. To round off your relaxing afternoon shopping for page-turners, don’t forget to stop by their beautiful café, too.
Kubrick, Shop H2, Cinema Block, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei | (+852) 2384 8929
Whether you’re looking for a unique gift for a book lover or searching for a rare literary collection, Lok Man Rare Books is here to help. Offering a wide range of signed and rare books, first editions, and important folios, this treasure chest covers every category, from historical classics to books about food and wine, relying on its sources and contacts from every corner of the world. The store also uses its venue for private cocktail parties, wine tastings, and other exclusive events—perfect for those book club get-togethers.
Lok Man Rare Books, 6 Chancery Lane, Central | (+852) 2868 2056
As its name suggests, Flowbooks is literally overflowing with books, and this time around, they are second-hand. Not only can book-lovers browse through stacks of pre-loved books at the shop, but they can also bring their collection of unwanted books into the store and donate them to charities or individuals in need. This is a great way to de-clutter your home, help reduce waste, and do good in the community! Owner Surdham Lam is also incredibly knowledgable about his haphazard collection—if you’re looking for a certain title, just ask him.
Flowbooks, Unit 1B, 1/F, Fung Wah Industrial Building, 646 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok | (+852) 9278 5664
Located in Landmark and Pacific Place, Kelly & Walsh is known for its cosy and intimate setting where you will find a refined selection of books on art and design, architecture and fashion, as well as cookbooks and classic literature. What’s more, the folks at the store often host events such as author signings and discussions in order to help encourage the love of literacy in Hong Kong, so fuel your passion and come check them out.
If you’re looking for airport fiction and glossy magazines, then you might want to look elsewhere, because Hong Kong Readers is an academic bookshop that carries an extensive range of titles on humanities and social sciences. Quietly hidden away in bustling Mong Kok, this small and humble shop works hard to create a community where its customers can gather and interact with one another. While you’re there, don’t forget to look out for their adorable shop cat purring around, too!
Hong Kong Readers, 7/F, 68 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok | (+852) 2395 0031
Mount Zero is a hidden gem of a bookshop tucked away in the quiet but hip Poho neighbourhood. There’s a quaint and cosy space upstairs to get lost in your latest read and the books on offer at Mount Zero come from the owner’s careful curation, specialising in local and Taiwanese art and literary works. Though English options available here are scarce, the space is well-loved and tended to by friendly staff and book-lovers alike. There’s also an assortment of handcrafted stationery and homewares for sale, as well as an occasional selection of free books outside the shop. They also love hosting book clubs and fairs around the neighbourhood.
Mount Zero, 6C Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan
German publisher Taschen opened their first and only retail space in Asia in the most fitting location in Hong Kong: the beautiful Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts. Modern and organised with a small terrace, it’s the perfect spot for sunbathing and reading. Taschen is known for their beautiful tomes on a wide variety of topics, ranging from art and food to travel and fashion, but their specialities are their limited-run, “sumo”-sized books, which are so large that they are sold with an accompanying table and can run you a pretty penny (their art book on Ferrari, of which there were only 250 prints, cost $480,000). Check out their “sexy books” as well, a naughty but tasteful collection for adults’ eyes only.
Taschen Store Hong Kong, Shop 01-G02, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central | (+852) 2544 8016
There is no better feeling than being surrounded by books from floor to ceiling, and at Books & Co., you will be so comfortable that you will not want to leave! Located just a minute away from Sai Ying Pun MTR, book lovers are welcome to order a cuppa, some snacks, and curl up in one of the many eclectic chairs around the shop with their favourite book. The new and used selection of sci-fi and mystery novels will easily transport you to a different world, but to be honest, so will their cheesecake.
Books & Co., 10 Park Road, Mid-Levels | (+852) 2559 5199
If handpicked books are your thing, then Jisaam Books is the place to go. Currently with two locations in Hong Kong, Jisaam specialises in literature, philosophy, and history titles. The owners of the bookstore carefully curate the books across a wide range of genres. From time to time, the stores will host cultural events, including talks, film screenings, and concerts. Jisaam also offers a book club for bookworms to gather and discuss their favourite titles. The Yau Ma Tei store also has a 180-degree view of the city for you to enjoy. Most of the collection is Chinese, but you will find a small section of English books among the mix.
In one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Hong Kong, tucked away in a walk-up building, is Book Punch, a small bookstore opened less than three years ago with the goal of offering a place for people to appreciate literature. This is not where you will find discounted books, but rather an environment where authors are praised. Browse through different novels and join one of the many events, including yoga classes, book clubs, and talks.
Book Punch, 3/F, Tai Nan Commercial Building, 169–171 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po
Books and coffee are two things that always work together, and at Breakthrough Book Gallery, you can get both in one place! Its collection of books spans various topics and genres, fitting anyone’s needs and wants. Run by a non-profit Christian youth organisation, Breakthrough offers educational and cultural activities to kids in the city. Besides books, it also has a wide range of stationary honouring Hong Kong culture, fair-trade products, and specially designed items. In its snug interiors, you can appreciate the small things in life and take a break from the buzzing city right outside the door.
Breakthrough Book Gallery, Breakthrough Centre, 191 Woo Sung Street, Jordan
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
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