A new destination for serious readers and book collectors has emerged inside BookXcess’ The Sunway Library at Sunway Square Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor: the Goldsboro Room, dedicated to rare and collectible books.
Launched in late August, the 13sq m space is the first international outpost of renowned British bookseller Goldsboro Books. It houses a 2,500 book collection, derived mostly from 150 signed and collectible titles.
Known for distinctive signed first editions, special bindings and exclusive designs, Goldsboro’s collection is now directly accessible to Malaysian readers, eliminating the high shipping costs previously required to bring these books to the country.
Goldsboro Books’ co-founders David Headley and Daniel Gedeon flew in from London for the recent launch in Malaysia, bringing with them a haul of rare books to mark the occasion, including a signed copy of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, first editions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings, signed Cormoran Strike novels by Robert Galbraith, the pseudonym of J.K. Rowling, a first edition of an Ian Fleming James Bond novel and a first edition of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
First impressions
Author Janet Tay, who attended the launch, said she was delighted to see a Goldsboro Books outpost open in Malaysia.
“It’s a wonderful addition to the many beautiful bookstores that we already have here in the Klang Valley. I’m definitely going to be visiting The Sunway Library more often now, thanks to the Goldsboro Room,” she said.
Ivan Ling, 26, said he had not heard of Goldsboro Books before the announcement of its Malaysian outpost.
“When the news first started circulating, I looked them up and was wondering how BookXcess managed to bring such a big name here. I’m not much of a book collector, but I do like aesthetically-pretty books, so the ones they have here are quite tempting,” he said.
Avid readers and book collectors Anis Diana and Tushaara Kannan, both 30, were excitedly exploring the collection.
“Being in Malaysia, it’s often difficult to get a hold of special limited editions and signed books, but now at the Goldsboro Room, you can get them here. I was expecting the books to be much more expensive, so when I actually saw the prices, I find them pretty reasonable,” said Anis, who runs a BookTok account.
While the Goldsboro Room carries premium collectible editions, most titles are priced between RM150 and RM450.
“When it comes to numbered editions, there’s only a limited amount out there in the world – either you have one, or you don’t. So when you buy one, there’s that special feeling of owning something rare that not many other people will have. It’s like being part of a special club,” added Tushaara.
The Goldsboro Room’s selection also spans crime thrillers, fantasy, historical fiction, literary fiction and standout debuts, including BookTok favourites, emerging authors and award-winning names, alongside exclusive editions of titles such as Broken Country, The Bewitching, Six Wild Crowns, Nesting and Death Of The Author.
On the same page
For BookXcess co-founder Andrew Yap, the Goldsboro Room extends his longstanding goal of making books more accessible to Malaysian readers, including the collecting community.
Putting signed and limited first editions within reach of readers is central to that vision.
“This partnership began just six months ago when we were introduced by a mutual friend at the London Book Fair and we got into conversation about what a bookshop can be. We’re from very different ends of the industry, but we share the same passion for wanting to get people to fall in love with books,” said Yap at the launch event.
Headley said Goldsboro had received partnership proposals before, but none felt like the right fit until they met with Yap.
“Andrew and I both believe that bookshops are more than just places to sell books. They’re a community centre – they are a focal point for friends to meet, they are spaces where people learn and also where one can relax and read. There is an extraordinary enthusiasm for books here, so Malaysia felt like the natural place for Goldsboro’s first permanent home outside the UK,” said Headley.
While first-edition collecting is well established in Britain, the idea of buying books as collectible objects remains a growing niche in Malaysia.
But things are set to change with the Goldsboro Room, making collectible books more accessible to local and regional readers.
“Through Goldsboro, Daniel and I have always wanted to offer books that people not only want to read, but also ones they want to keep. I hope the Goldsboro Room introduces that feeling to a whole new community of readers and collectors in Malaysia, and from here, across South-East Asia,” he concluded.
