Arya News - The days of physical books are far from over for booksellers and readers alike. In Georgetown, Penang, reading communities, independent bookshops, and campus book fairs continue to play an important role in introducing readers to new ideas and authors.
GEORGETOWN – IT MAY seem as though e-books and digital screens have rendered printed copies obsolete, but the days of physical books are far from over.
There are readers who still cherish the experience of holding a book, turning its pages and building a personal collection.
Penang-based secondhand bookseller Chung Chun Chen, 28, believes printed copies provide a more intuitive and engaging reading experience than e-readers.
“With a physical book, you know where you are in the story. You can feel the pages, flip through them and know roughly where a passage appeared.
“That experience is difficult to replicate digitally,” he said.
A chalkboard displays the rental prices for various book genres, next to a dedicated zine corner at Books R&R, a reading space at Lebuh China.
( June 1, 2026 ). CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Books beat screens
Chung runs a self-service bookstore called Loteng Bookstore at No.29, Lebuh Muntri, George Town (open 9.30am to 6.30pm daily, except Mondays).
Here, customers can browse titles and pay for the books via e-wallet or put cash into a box.
Loteng Bookstore has attracted customers from around the world, including the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia.
Chung also has a warehouse at Jalan Helang in Gelugor, and sells books at university book fairs and community events.
“There remains a strong demand for certain categories of physical books, particularly those on Malaysian history, literature and local culture,” he highlighted.
“Out-of-print books and rare Malaysian publications are especially sought-after by collectors.
“Some Malaysian titles can fetch three-figure prices because they are difficult to find.
“If collectors have been searching for a particular book for years, they are willing to pay for it,” he pointed out.
He said one customer from Canada paid RM200 in shipping for a book that cost just RM15.
“He bought The Storytrails Book of Science Fiction by Allen Sharp – a title he had been searching for to complete his collection of this particular author’s work.
“After receiving the book, he sent me a photo and said he had been looking for the missing volume for years before finally finding it at my bookstore. He was thrilled with this find,” said Chung, who mainly relies on online sales.
Customers and book enthusiasts gathering to read and chill out at Books R&R, a cosy, dedicated reading space at Lebuh China in George Town created by Tan (second from right) as part of her mission to cultivate a strong reading culture.
His work involves evaluating hundreds of books each month, giving him what he described as an instinctive understanding of market demand.
“It is almost like muscle memory. After handling so many books, you develop a sense of which titles are likely to sell and which will not,” he said.
Unlike larger secondhand book chains in countries such as Japan, where pricing and inventory decisions would often be driven by databases and algorithms, Chung said Malaysian booksellers operated in a far more diverse market.
“Malaysia’s secondhand book ecosystem includes titles in several languages, including English, Malay and Chinese, and publications from multiple locations such as Malaysia, Singapore, Britain, the US, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“Because the market is so mixed, it is harder to rely entirely on automated systems. A lot still depends on experience and judgement,” he said.
Chung also rejected the notion that young people were no longer interested in reading.
“People who do not read are often more vocal about it, while readers tend not to advertise the fact that they read,” he said.
While lighter genres and self-help books generally attract more attention, many young readers remain interested in serious literature and quality non-fiction, he said.
“We should not underestimate young readers. If a book speaks to their interests and experiences, they are willing to engage with it,” he opined.
He said reading communities, independent bookshops and campus book fairs continued to play an important role in introducing readers to new ideas and authors.
“There are still many people who enjoy reading.
“The challenge is making books visible and accessible in a world full of digital distractions.
“I still prefer printed copies even though I own and regularly use a Kindle e-reader for its portability and ability to store hundreds of books.
“Although Kindle’s e-ink display can be comfortable, features such as highlighting and note-taking are slower and less intuitive,” said Chung.
He also noted the widespread availability of pirated books on e-commerce platforms.
He recalled accidentally buying a pirated book online several years ago after believing he had found a discounted original edition.
“It arrived looking different from what I expected. I returned it and bought an authentic copy instead.
“Pirated books are very common. Many consumers are price-sensitive and may not realise they are buying unauthorised copies.
“These pirated editions sell for less than half the price of legitimate copies, making them appealing to budget-conscious buyers,” said Chung, who believes that low public awareness of copyright issues continues to fuel the problem.
Anur showing some of the comic books sold at his bookstore located on the first floor of Chowrasta Market in George Town.
( June 03, 2026 )
— LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Sanctuary for readers
Childhood afternoons spent immersed in books inspired wedding photographer Eunice Tan to create a quiet reading sanctuary of her own.
The 28-year-old runs Books R&R, a reading space at No.81, Lebuh China in George Town.
Books R&R houses hundreds of titles, about 90% of them in Chinese and the rest in English.
The collection includes fiction, non-fiction and zines (self-published print works produced for self-expression and artistic experimentation).
While some books are available for rent, most are meant to be read on-site.
Tan said she spent about a month searching for a suitable location and was determined to keep the space as a reading room and community library, rather than turn it into a cafe or bookstore.
“When I was young, my father, who was a lorry driver, would drop me off at a comic book rental shop while he was at work.
“I would spend hours there, reading comics and playing with other children.
“That place gave me a sense of peace and comfort. I wanted to create a similar space where people can rest and read, read and rent, or simply rest and recharge,” she said.
Books, she said, offered her a temporary escape from reality and could provide comfort during difficult times.
“Sometimes, by reading about other people’s lives, I reflect on my own.
“Like films, books offer different perspectives that make me think about life,” she added.
To mark World Book and Copyright Day in April, Tan organised a mobile library at Armenian Park, bringing book lovers together for a communal reading session.
To preserve its tranquil atmosphere, visits to Books R&R are by appointment only, with bookings required at least two days in advance.
It is closed on weekends and public holidays.
“I want this space to remain quiet and peaceful, just as I first imagined it,” said Tan.
Those interested in visiting can contact Books R&R through its social media pages.
Another seller of pre-loved books, Jimmy Ooi, 65, said many customers still preferred physical books despite the growing popularity of e-books.
( June 03, 2026 )
— LIM BENG TATT/The Star
History still sells
Historical books remain among the best-selling titles at many secondhand bookstores in Chowrasta Market.
A veteran used-book trader who wished to be known only as Anur, 61, said history titles were particularly popular among customers from Penang, other parts of Malaysia and occasionally Singapore.
He does not sell books through social media platforms but regularly sends photographs of available titles to loyal customers, many of whom make bulk purchases.
“Historical books are among our bestsellers,” he said.
Another seller of pre-loved books, Jimmy Ooi, 65, said many customers still preferred physical books despite the growing popularity of e-books.
“Customers tell me that holding a physical book and reading it feels much better than reading on an electronic device,” he said.
Ooi feels that reading a printed copy offers a more immersive experience, while mobile devices often come with distractions that can interrupt concentration.
“When people read on their phones or tablets, there are always notifications and other distractions. With a book, readers can focus entirely on the story or content,” he said.