A front view of Books Kinokuniya Malaysia’s second outlet, now open at Pavilion Damansara Heights in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
Hundreds of book lovers queued eagerly this morning for the grand opening of Books Kinokuniya’s second outlet at Level 4 of Pavilion Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. The buzz was palpable, with readers excited to explore a fresh chapter in the city’s literary scene.
The new outlet spans two adjoining lots (1,300sq m), offering a bright, spacious feel despite being relatively smaller than the flagship KLCC store. Alongside bestsellers, children’s books, travel and stationery, the store highlights pop culture, the arts, and comics. It also has a cafe where customers can relax with their latest finds.
“What we aim for here is something closer to the community, especially for those who don’t want to head into the city centre,” says Arni Harlina, Books Kinokuniya store manager at Pavilion Damansara Heights.
This focus on curation and community made Kinokuniya’s collaboration with indie bookstore Tintabudi a natural fit. The Kuala Lumpur-based shop has a dedicated shelf at this new outlet for its “books of the month.”
Tintabudi’s Ainil (left) and Nazir carry their indie bookstore’s fiercely curated shelves into Kinokuniya’s brand-new Pavilion Damansara Heights outlet. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
“We’re excited about this collaboration. Tintabudi already has a strong presence in the local book community, so working together helps us expand what we offer and keep things fresh,” says Arni.
Tintabudi, long admired for its carefully chosen titles and loyal following of serious readers, welcomed the partnership.
Owner Nazir Harith Fadzilah and executive director Ainil Norazman spoke about the idea behind the collaboration.
“As the demand for books continues to grow, it’s important to have more spaces where readers feel welcome. It’s equally encouraging to see Kinokuniya take these steps to nurture its own community of book lovers,” says Nazir.
The new bookstore also encourages families to explore and read with a colourful children's section. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
Kinokuniya’s first collaboration with Tintabudi features the theme "The Simulation Is Glitching, When Reality Stops Making Sense."
"It's a series exploring criticisms of the current state of the world. Each month we aim to introduce a new theme, encouraging readers to engage with different ideas and discover titles that reflect wider conversations in society,” says Nazir.
The Tintabudi shelf gives the indie bookstore visibility with mainstream readers, while Kinokuniya gains a literary edge.
“Right now there are about 30 titles on the shelf, but readers who develop an interest in our kind of books can then head to our TTDI store for more. It’s a great way to introduce people to Tintabudi while also connecting with the Pavilion community,” says Ainil.
The bookstore also houses a cafe where readers can linger with their new finds. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
Late last year, indie bookshop Lit Books (in Petaling Jaya) teamed up with stationery brand CzipLee on a "shop-in-shop" concept, bringing curated books into the store in Kuala Lumpur.
“The CzipLee-Lit Books collaboration may have taken a different form, but Kinokuniya’s partnership with Tintabudi shows a similar spirit. Independent bookshops, often running on passion more than resources, have long been community builders - creating spaces where readers feel seen and ideas can take root," says Mursh Matsom, a PR consultant, who was at the Books Kinokuniya launch.
"It’s inspiring to see them step into the spotlight and have their moment in Malaysia’s literary landscape,” she adds.
Books Kinokuniya at Pavilion Damansara Heights will share launch promotions and activities via social media. The mall is easily accessible, with a direct walkway to the Pusat Bandar Damansara MRT station.
