The proprietors of Book Island Indie Bookstore, Chng Kar Guan and Chong Lee Choo, were originally media professionals. In 2014, they founded the bimonthly magazine "Penang City Eyes," which is freely available to the public. The magazine focuses on Penang, exploring local people, cultures, and events from the perspective of its locals. Given their love for books, transitioning from publishing to establishing Book Island Indie Bookstore was a natural progression.
The bookstore offers more than just books; it's a treasure trove of surprises around every corner, featuring a wide array of books, predominantly in Chinese. Books are displayed at the entrance, and the walls are adorned with beautiful promotional posters for new book releases and local community networking and sharing events.
According to Lee Choo, Book Island has become a landmark for locals and a must-visit for book lovers from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Many independent authors bring their self-published works to the bookstore for exposure to different parts of the Chinese-speaking world.
As an independent bookstore, it may not be large in size, but its "largeness" in terms of variety and selection is evident. In addition to a comprehensive collection of Singaporean and Malaysian publications, Book Island also offers a wide selection of books from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with many titles not widely available elsewhere, such as those on Chinese culture, movies, and entertainment.
The bookstore is curated by people passionate about the written word, aiming to leave an impact on both current and future generations. Lee Choo is definetly one of the "human books" you would want to converse with, adding a personal touch to this literary haven that underscores the enduring power of words and books.
Book Island specializes in history, culture, and local revitalization content. In addition to local Chinese and English publications, it offers exclusive cultural, artistic, and lifestyle magazines imported from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Walking tour discovering Hainan’s roots, with a Hainanese guide by your side, make hands-on Hainan treats, where food and culture collide.
Walk through a village full of heart, where inclusion plays a part.
Narrated by Charmaine Leung, this tour explores her childhood in Singapore's red-light district and her mother’s brothel, shedding light on the lives of marginalized women.
Candles bloom, hearts make room, lenses zoom — illuminating lives, one candle at a time.
