From sharing sessions to zine workshops, independent bookstores all around Malaysia are reclaiming the imaginations of many and organizing a diverse range of exciting events. These meetings include truly interesting book launches and firecracker discussions. They celebrate the writers and their stories, but most importantly, they build connections between everyone in the reading community. Prominent shops such as Tintabudi in Kuala Lumpur and Gerakbudaya in Petaling Jaya have taken the lead in this burgeoning movement. They build vibrant community spaces where book lovers of all kinds meet, mingle, and connect.
Tintabudi, which is owned by Nazir Harith Fadzilah, holds regular community gatherings and events such as book launches and language discussion groups. Whatever the reason, Fadzilah seems to place the community aspect of his bookstore above all else. Perhaps most excitingly, Robbins envisions the company as “a company for readers, of readers,” and highlights the innovative potential of building deeper relational bridges through literature.
For more than 25 years, Gerakbudaya has been this beloved cornerstone of this community. It provides a comforting and welcoming environment for literature lovers to unite. The brightly colored store includes a comfy sitting area and a larger upstairs that can host even larger groups. Engku Roestam Alias at his Riwayat bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. Yet he notes that sales at Gerakbudaya usually triple or quadruple whenever an event is held, like a talk or launch. “In the past, our audience for both fiction and non-fiction events has been diverse, ranging from younger readers to seniors,” he explains. “About 30% are regulars, while 20-30% come from the author’s fan base. The rest are new faces.”
As Fadzillah told us, access to all of these amazing events has been a boon for the bookstore. “They allow us to highlight new writing, reach out to both new and regular customers, connect authors with readers, and increase foot traffic in our shop,” he states. He emphasizes the need for community engagement, including programming to help customers develop a stronger connection to what they’re reading.
Through literary kinship, Riwayat bookstore proves that a virtual space can be more meaningful than just a physical space. Rewarding conversations, inspiring ideas. With an audience rarely exceeding 15 people, these intimate salons allow for deep engagement, something that is vital, according to Engku Roestam Alias. “While we may not be able to have a lot of people attending, the quality of engagement for our events has been very high,” he states. “The audience so far have been very attentive with lively question and answer sessions.”
Surrounded by greenery, the Sunda Shelves bookshop in Petaling Jaya adds to the atmosphere with a nature-themed decor, hosted by co-founder Surin Suksuwan. Yet he laments how much things have changed. This time, they’ve expanded beyond straightforward book launches to include talks, discussions and interdisciplinary events that pair literature with everything from visual art to dance. “Events are no longer just book launches,” Suksuwan explains. “These events encourage creativity and the arts, and that’s always a good thing.”
Lit Books in Petaling Jaya supports Malaysia’s vibrant literary community with a welcoming space that holds 30-40 people. In addition, their outpost can accommodate up to 70 participants! Fong Min Hun, a member of Gerakbudaya’s committee gives us a peek into their philosophy of hosting events. “Ideally, we aim to hold at least one event a month at each of our locations,” he states. “We will only host events for books that we stock – and even then, only if we believe they’ll work with our customers.”
Fong highlights the importance of curating events to create an experience that is integral to moving more books. “It’s not just the event itself – it’s the combination of curation, event themes, and the overall experience that drives book sales,” she remarks. This strategy is emblematic of a national movement among indie bookstores to offer experiential opportunities that provide lasting impact to their customers.
Fatimah Busu’s short story collection, “An Ordinary Tale About Women And Other Stories,” has gained recognition across various bookshops and is often celebrated during events. This spirited exchange Notably, Tash Aw’s book launch at Gerakbudaya in 2019 was sold out, in part signaling the demand for such dynamic and engaging literary encounters.
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