If you are a book lover, you would already know the two main book shops that I'm referring to. The older one is the Big Bookshop Warehouse that is located on the 1st Floor of Atria shopping mall in Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya, above the Giant Supermarket. This started off as a warehouse sale and somehow it became permanent. Not sure how long it has been there but probably about two years. Well, the place is not exactly a place to admire and part of it is rather depressing because of the poor lighting. Who cares if you can get cheap books here. It is very strong in Penguin Classics, travel books (DK series, Rough Guides, some Fodor's and TimeOut). There are plenty of paperback fiction and non-fiction but they are not properly arranged but laid out on tables, warehouse sale style. So be prepared to spend some time to browse through each table. For a while there were few new titles and it became stale when you find the same stuff in the same place that puts off repeat visitors but for this Christmas season, there are a number of new titles and is worth a visit.
The other one is the Book Xcess located on the 3rd Floor of Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya. This is small (area-wise when compared to Big bookshop) but books are generally shelved, better arranged in genre that makes it easier to browse. There are plenty of new titles for Christmas and some very good bargains. too They stated off selling back issues of magazines (all new but slightly behind those currently available in newsstands) and has now branched into books which is good for the consumers.
Which shop offer cheaper books? It depends on the titles and what you want since they don't stock common items except for some popular fiction. At times, you may find some titles even cheaper at the other major bookstore when they are on special offer. So it pays to look around and compare prices, if you have the time.
Since we are on this topic, I should inform the reader that Popular are currently having some stock clearance at 50% off at their stores. Titles are limited but you may find something you want. There are also some odd bargains e.g. the DK visual guide on Humans at RM49.90 where the same title goes for RM59.90 at Book Xcess. (Original price must be more than RM100.) The problem with Popular is that they do not put all the bargain books at one spot (except for those on clearance mentioned earlier) but they are placed together with the normal priced books so you need to go through the shelves or you may miss some bargains. I suppose that's one way to make you stay longer in their shops.
Another of my popular haunt is the bargain books sections at Borders. There are some very good bargains if you look around. At one time, the selection has also stagnated but now it's on the move again, probably because of the festive season. I picked up this volume on World War 2 for RM23.90 (dirt cheap at 1,000+ pages) and being an Oxford hardback publication, it would have cost more than RM200 normally.
So it's a good time now to visit a bookstore near you to pick up a useful Chrismas gift. As for Big Bookshop Warehouse and Book Xcess, anytime is a good time. Their discounted prices are always on and is store wide. Happy book hunting.
Ronald Kwok
http://ronaldkwok.atomicblog.hop.clickbank.net/
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