Image credit: @marlusha_zinger, @iamladyanthea, @abookolive
Regardless if it’s a realm-transporting fantasy, emotion-laden fiction or thought-provoking textbook, we love books all the same. Although aimlessly wandering about physical bookstores is enjoyable, it can get annoying when you’re actually searching for something. Far away bookstores, out-of-stock or not-available-in-Singapore books are just a few of the issues that arise.
Good thing for us, online bookstores are plentiful and blooming all around – with some offering free delivery to Singapore! These massive stores have everything from fiction to textbooks to Sing Lit, and all at crazy cheap prices.
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Image credit: @iamladyanthea
With a large, diverse, unimaginable selection of book titles and similarly eye-catching prices, it’s no wonder Book Depository is one of the most popular online bookstores out there. There are over 20 million titles ranging from bestselling fiction to children’s books to self-help books – all with free delivery worldwide! You’ll even find that the prices are all-around cheaper than typical brick-and-mortar bookstores, with some going for half the price.
You’ll be able to get classics like George Orwell’s “1984”, young adult fiction like the Harry Potter series and autobiographies like Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” all in one place. The only downside is that the books may take a while to arrive but if you don’t mind the wait, everything else is a steal.
Book genres: All
Delivery fee: Free
Delivery time: 2-4 weeks
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $18.10
Website
Image credit: @lifeofamna
OpenTrolley is a home-grown online bookstore with a fast yet reliable delivery service. Not only do they fulfil all local deliveries within a mere 7 working days, but there are also tracking numbers available to give you some peace of mind. The huge, 15-million assortment of fiction, non-fiction and academic books from both local and international authors will blow you away.
Since the delivery fee of $4.90 is per order, buy your novels or university textbooks in bulk for an even better deal. For even more cost-savings, opt for their locker collection service at 90 locations islandwide for only $1.95. The lockers are open 24 hours a day, making it possible to pick up your books even after midnight supper.
Book genres: All (including local publications)
Delivery fee: $4.90 for home delivery | $1.95 for locker collection
Delivery time: 4-7 working days
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $23.29
Website
Image credit: Neo Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store
It’s hard to forget the memories of spending hours wandering around the gigantic Kinokuniya Singapore at Orchard, admiring the rows upon rows of books and sneaking in some time to read them at the store. Thankfully, for those of us who don’t have that time anymore, Kinokuniya also has an online webstore.
Image credit: @kinokuniya_singapore
All your favourite selections including popular Japanese manga like Death Note are available online. Note that based on availability, the retail and online prices may differ – so you could be snatching a better deal online!
Book genres: All (including Japanese manga, books, magazines and Chinese & French books)
Delivery fee: $6 for orders below $50 (priority shipment) | $4 for orders below $35 (normal shipment)
Delivery time: 1-2 working days after dispatch (priority shipment) | 2-4 working days after dispatch (normal shipment)
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $18.90
Website
Image credit: BooksActually
With a special array of books from local writers, poets and playwrights, Books Actually represents Singapore literature. You’ll see the works of well-known Singaporean authors like Alfian Sa’at and Cyril Wong who have encapsulated our island through their own creative eyes.
Image credit: @booksactually
Besides that, there are also more elusive books about history, aesthetics or biographies that are hard to find anywhere else. With a super-low delivery fee, it’s the go-to for the best of indie.
Book genres: Indie titles, Singapore fiction & literature
Delivery fee: $1.50 (standard) | $19 (next-day shipping)
Delivery time: 3-7 working days (standard)
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: n/a
Website
Image credit: @abookolive
Better World Books was founded nearly 2 decades ago by university students who sold their textbooks online. Today, they’re not only an online bookseller, but a social welfare organisation and has managed to either re-sell, donate or recycle over 300 million books.
It’s tough to beat the low prices on second-hand books on offer, especially since shipping is free to Singapore. And instead of spending an astronomical amount on new textbooks you’ll barely touch for university or classes, grab used ones for much cheaper prices. You’ll also be contributing to a more sustainable world and save both your wallet and the Earth.
Book genres: All (new & used)
Delivery fee: Free
Delivery time: 10-21 working days
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $8.98 USD (~S$12.45)
Website
Image credit: @epigrambooks
Being an independent publishing company as well as an online bookstore, Epigram cultivates contemporary Singaporean works – and sells them too. Award-winning titles such as Amanda Lee Koe’s “Ministry of Moral Panic” or Jeremy Tiang’s “State of Emergency” are just a few titles this local company has published.
If you’re the type that enjoys fresh novels from unknown aspiring authors with a raw, young voice, Epigram has a steady supply. They host their very own Fiction Prize annually for hopeful writers in Singapore and Southeast Asia with the finalists being rewarded a publishing contract.
And if you’ve been wanting to release your inner Shakespeare, there’s your shot.
Book genres: Singapore fiction & non-fiction, Singapore literature
Delivery fee: Starts from $1.15 (depends on weight of order) | Free for orders $35 and above
Delivery time: 3-5 working days
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: n/a
Website
Image credit: Robert Couse-Baker on Flickr
One of the biggest online bookstores with delivery to Singapore, if there’s any place that might have that obscure title you’re looking for, it’s probably going to be Amazon. Jamie Oliver’s cookbooks are just a click away from Jane Austen’s classics. With a credible reputation, user reviews and parcel tracking, shopping will be a breeze.
Plus, if you already have Amazon Prime, might as well put it to good use.
Book genres: All
Delivery fee: $4.99 USD per shipment + $4.99 USD per item (standard) | Free for orders $40 and above of eligible items
Delivery time: 9-12 business days (standard)
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $13.12
Website
Image credit: @johanbey78
You probably know about Times Bookstore, the one-stop store supplying everything you need from fiction to children’s books, from assessment books to stationeries. Times’ GoGuru is essentially the same thing – but online.
Image credit: @timesbookstoresg
With the same myriad of items, you can find almost anything you would need on their website. Getting a new copy of that O-Level Biology ten year series that you lost or Rick Riordian’s latest in The Trials of Apollo is as easy as the click of a button.
Book genres: Fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, textbooks & assessment books
Delivery fee: $5 (<4kg, <80cm) | $8 (<10kg, <120cm) | $18 (<30kg, <160cm)
Delivery time: Within 5 working days upon stock availability confirmation
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $18.90
Website
Image credit: @marlusha_zinger
Multitudes of books and free worldwide delivery are the perfect combination for any book-lover out there. UK-based Wordery is relatively new, having been founded in 2012, but is already serving over 5 million happy customers in more than 100 countries.
The humble online bookstore has a large diversity of books with fiction, non-fiction, children’s, young adult and academic that can arrive at your doorstep within 2 weeks. Just take it from the thousands of five-star reviews and cart out with confidence.
Book genres: All
Delivery fee: Free
Delivery time: 7-14 working days
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $18 USD (~S$24.95)
Website
A book-shopping trip at Bras Basah Complex isn’t complete without visiting Basheer Graphic Books, the niche and artsy bookstore. If you need something from their unique selection of art, design and architecture books and magazines, you can skip the journey downtown as the books are also available online and easily accessible for browsing.
Book genres: Art, design and architecture books & magazines
Delivery fee: $4 (standard mail) | $5 (speed post, up to 2kg)
Delivery time: 2-4 working days (standard mail) | Next working day (speed post)
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: n/a
Website
Image credit: @thrfyt.sg
Locally based, Thryft has a commitment to sustainability, sourcing its entire collection of books from trade-ins and non-profit partners. The pre-loved books won’t leave any dent in your wallet either, with entire categories being dedicated to titles under $5 and under $10 that include non-fiction and bestsellers like Artemis Fowl and Crazy Rich Asians.
Better yet, you can trade-in your old books for in-store credits as well and support the sustainability efforts. Either drop them off at the NUS Central Library, NUS Memorial Library or National Youth Council, or arrange for a free pick-up service if you have over 20 books. You know what they say, a book for a book.
Book genres: All (used)
Delivery fee: $4 | Free local delivery for orders above $15
Delivery time: 5-7 working days
How much a paperback The Hunger Games costs without discounts: $4.94
Website
Trips to physical bookstores are a fun-filled activity. But when we need to stock-up our bookshelves, these online bookstores with delivery to Singapore will be our best friends. As Dr. Seuss said, “Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks”.
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