An Utterly Charming Experience at Littered with Books (Duxton Hill)

I had been meaning to visit Littered with Books for the longest time, but I just never got around to it. I am so glad that I finally did. It’s a little bookstore located on Duxton Road, and places like this inspire me.

photo by bookjunkie

I just love the vibe at Duxton Hill. It charmed the socks off me and this is my kind of place. I felt so serene and at peace. The total opposite of the recent visit to JCube (yet another mall). No crowds to leave me in a frenzied state here. No identical stores devoid of any form of imagination or personality.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Here you see lovely low rise shophouses that still retain their original features, just like at Ann Siang Hill. It would be a dream place to have an office or a little boutique store.

photo by bookjunkie

I really do appreciate when a business is not at all like a business. When it’s just so personal and apparent how much the owners just love what they do and would do it even if they didn’t make a cent. Well Littered with Books seems that way to me. Just like Books Actually, but I’ve now fallen for this place, as it occupies two stories and every nook has been so thoughtfully decorated.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

And going upstairs to the second floor.

photo by bookjunkie

I could live here.

Just so cosy and inviting. And the best part is being left alone. Love it.

photo by bookjunkie

Guess what section this is?

photo by bookjunkie

I love how the airwell was painted blue and white.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

The logo is adorable too. To a book lover just the words, ‘Littered with Books’ evokes all kinds of wonderful images.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

I really want this place to succeed as I do all places where the passion is so apparent. The people at the store seemed so nice too, welcoming us and then leaving us to browse uninterrupted – what a complete and utter joy. You see I’m raving because it is just oceans apart from the crappy customer service in most other places in Singapore (every time I get a curt “can I help” while trailing us about I usually leave the shop – it’s such a turn off and when will they ever learn?)

I am so thankful that Guillaume mentioned Littered with Books to me. Sometimes it takes fresh eyes to show us what we’ve been missing and I just love reading blogs by expats and new residents from all over the world in Singapore. Thank you (people on my blogroll) for introducing me to so much that I would have otherwise overlooked.

And I’ll end this post with a few more pictures.

photo by bookjunkie

Happy Easter. And they are open every day. Hardworking folks me thinks. But it’s easy to work hard when you love what you do and it doesn’t feel like work at all.

photo by bookjunkie

I need to come again when we have more time for exploring. This place requires lingering and strolling and sipping coffee at cafes.

photo by bookjunkie

Makes me wish I lived at The Pinnacle at Duxton (the most expensive HDB in Singapore). You can see the tall structure sticking out behind the shophouses.

photo by bookjunkie

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.
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25 Responses to An Utterly Charming Experience at Littered with Books (Duxton Hill)

  1. Rachel, who used to work at Sunny Bookshop, worked at Littered with Books for a while. When she was at LwB, she was really good. But after she left, it seems like the salespeople don’t know what books to recommend. While I appreciate LwB, I think the more important thing is to hire people who know books, who are passionate about books. I always wanted to open a bookshop but I have no funds. I’ll carefully curate the books in my bookshop. My imaginary bookshop is going to be sensational!

    • bookjunkie says:

      I have this imaginary bookstore too….that serves the best coffee and crossaints 😉

      Rachel sounds very dedicated and a girl who loves her books. I didn’t really get a chance to test out the salespersons, but being an introvert I just liked to be left around to browse and linger till I chance upon what I like…usually so many that I can’t afford.

    • Crystal says:

      I have an imaginary bookstore, too!

  2. amy says:

    What a lovely place.. It looks absolutely wonderful.. Will definitely drop by and explore soon…

  3. Lola says:

    Hi Bookjunkie, I totally concur with you. Being an introvert means having time to spent alone without feeling pressured or stressed, I agree with your sentiments about customer service in overt commercialized retail scene here. Sadly, the retail industry here is just too competitive which jeapordizes and condemns every form of creativity and idiosyncrasy 🙁 My only wish is these independent operators would be able to sustain and garner such a strong presence that people like us would be able to retreat into their little space.

    I was at LWB a few months ago and I was really impressed by their replete collection of japanese literature novels, titles which are only retrievable via online! 🙂

    • bookjunkie says:

      I love how I meet like minded people in the blogging world. I think most writers tend to sound extroverted by we are introspective, highly sensitive introverts at heart 🙂

  4. whatsaysyou says:

    I have been AWOL for twoish months and I am back again. Great post about this place and I would definitely explore this place someday

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  6. Guillaume says:

    I really like visiting such places, especially when book lovers like littered with book are ready to take risks by selling paper books when most of the world is turning its eyes toward digital reading.

    Well done littered with books for the magical place you succeed to create

    • bookjunkie says:

      yes I too feel the same way Guillaume. Don’t like overcommercialized places. And I don’t mind paying a bit extra for all the love they put into this store. Feels like an oasis among all the replica souless chain shops/malls. Thanks so much for reminding me to check it out.

  7. katrijn says:

    Just looked up Duxton Hill – it’s located far too close for comfort to my house 😀 Aren’t bookstores just the most amazing thing ever? I used to dream of being locked inside one and just read read read for weeks on end…

  8. Crystal says:

    This place sounds great!

  9. Willyn says:

    Meeting an introvert feels like “finally meeting a man/woman in an isolated island after being stranded for so many years in there”…this world has been crowded with extroverts and an acquaintance with a fellow introvert could really mean so much. Finally knowing that you are not alone in this world is such a relief!!! hehehe…
    By the way, your blog is awesome! I really love all the photos and i wish that one day i could visit one of those’…any place filled with books is just like heaven!!!
    Keep up always:)

    • bookjunkie says:

      I am so relieved to find a like minded introvert out there 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind encouragement…means a lot.

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  12. plumerainbow says:

    Just looked up your posts on Duxton Hill (cos recently went there myself). It’s wonderful to see these little book cafes/book shops. And I love how the commentators here have imaginary bookstores… I have one too! 😀

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  14. Maryanne says:

    oh where did Rachel go?? She is great! I met her at Sunny Bookstore when I was a student and many many years later, she could still remember my name…

    • bookjunkie says:

      was she the owner? Not sure cos I go to places anonymous and being a hermit I don’t talk to the owners either. Just browse. I love places that leave me alone to browse.

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