This quaint little bookshop selling pre-loved books for a good cause is definitely worth a visit!
We've been meaning to visit Books Beyond Borders since coming across it on Instagram a while back. We finally had the chance during the Good Friday weekend and it was also when they were having a children's book sale!
If you hadn't heard of it before, Books Beyond Borders is a local social enterprise that sells second-hand books, in which 100% of its net profits are used to fund education programs in Nepal.
Located at an industrial building at Singapore's Jalan Pemimpin, the bookshop is quaint and charming with a cosy reading nook. The bookshop is not huge but you're bound to find some treasures in its variety of adult and children fiction and non-fiction books. We went home with a middle-grade book from its $1 children book sale table and another at $5 from its children's book section.
If you're planning to visit Book Beyond Borders, here are 5 visiting tips:
1) The bookshop is open on weekends
The bookshop is currently open on Saturday and Sunday 12-630pm. During long weekends and special sale events, it might open on Fridays at the same timing. Follow its Instagram account or Facebook page for updates on extended operating hours.
2) It holds sale events every now and then
The bookshop holds sale events like $1 adult books and $1 children's books sale events every now and then. We went during its children's book sales where some children's books were going at $1-3.
The non-sale middle grade and young adult books are priced at 1 for $5 and 5 for $20. Other books are priced at 1 for $7, 3 for $18 and 5 for $25. Bestselling books with green stickers are at 1 for $10 and 3 for $25.
Same thing - check its Instagram account or Facebook page for updates on sale events!
3) Donate 5 books or more for a $5 voucher you can use on your purchases
If you bring five books or more to donate to the bookshop, you'll be given a $5 voucher to use on your purchases (this is not stated on its website but I'd check with a staff there). But do note that the bookshop has a giving guide - it does not take anything and everything - as they do want to be able to sell the books.
Some of the books they do not take include magazines, technical guides, cookbooks and dictionaries. Donated books should also be in good condition without brown spots, loose pages or have dog-eared covers. Do see their giving guide on their website before heading down with your books!
4) Book Beyond Borders is located at 41 Jalan Pemimpin, Kong Beng Industrial Building, #03-01E
Enter via Lobby A at the building. If you're driving, hourly parking available at the building though not many lots were available when we were there on a public holiday.
If you are going by public transport, the nearest MRT is Marymount MRT. It is a five-minute walk to the bookshop.
5) It also has an online store
You can also purchase books from its online store. There's free delivery with purchase of at least $25!
Disclaimer: We paid for our books, and my opinions and reviews here are strictly my and my family’s own.
©Vivian Teo. All content and photos are copyrighted to Vivian Teo unless otherwise specified.