The Library of Unread Books

12 February 2023 in ARTS & CULTURE, BOOKS, FUN, SINGAPORE

Hello 2023! May this year be kind to us – we’ve all been through a lot in the last few, so it’s my prayer that 2023 will be good, in the ways we need it to be. :)

Other than planning a potential trip to Hong Kong this year (!!), I haven’t made any particular big plans for the year ahead and would like to take it as it comes. There’s just one thing I would like to incorporate more of and that’s making reading a daily habit and hopefully fitting in reading a Chinese book too! I have not picked up a Chinese book in some time, so I’d like to challenge myself to read in my second language again.

Speaking of reading, I do it pretty regularly and by that, I mean that I try to finish one book a month, which I know isn’t much (I’m a slow reader and busy schedule etc). In an increasingly digital world though, I thought it’ll be nice to attempt to read a little bit every day. :)

Speaking of reading books, I have to tell you about this wonderful place called The Library of Unread Books, which I discovered via Instagram and I am truly surprised that I didn’t know about this library till a few months back!

I had to pick up The Library of Unread Book’s own book to read of course! :)

Founded and run by Heman Chong and Renée Staal since 2016, it’s a library with a collection of unread books donated by readers who simply never got round to reading them! The idea is that everyone is welcome to visit this library and read these unread books and/or donate an unread book of your own.

The name alone captured my interest right away and when I learned about its concept, I told my sister we had to check out this place! It was a very fun and pretty fascinating experience, discovering what other readers left unread. I saw some really obscure titles and a whole lot of mainstream bestsellers too (like Crazy Rich Asians hahaha, I picked up this book some years back and couldn’t get past Chapter 3 myself but I absolutely enjoyed the movie!). There was a selection of art books, classic literature, children books, a couple of foreign language titles, some really strange books and some really funny ones!

I came back to revisit this library and donated an unread book of my own, so if you visit and come across mine, maybe you can read it for me! :)

I read this children’s book “The Gift of Nothing”. Sweet message in the story. :)

For everyone who loves books, libraries, bookstores or just anything book related, do check out this library. I think it’s perfect for a little winding down, finding some balance from all the digital scrolling or just for a fun activity during your next day off from work. :)

Note: The Library of Unread Books changes locations, but I have listed its current address below. It will be here till 19 March 2023.

The Library of Unread Books
Unit #01-22, International Plaza
(next to Tanjong Pagar MRT station)

Hours: 10am – 7pm daily
Free entry for all!
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