Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookstore at URA Centre

Much has already been said about the new Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookstore. But I liked it so much when I visited that I thought I’d blog about it anyway!

The 11 metre long book wall is a total work of art. So wonderful to just stare and gawk at it.

All the books sold here (around 400) are by Singaporean authors too. So that’s an entire wall of SingLit. So much win.

As its name suggests, the Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookstore is both a cafe (Huggs Coffee was started by a Singaporean, and serves espresso coffee and cafe latte as well as Masala Tea, Kopi / Teh Si Siu Dai) and a bookstore. Such a great idea, cos you can get your favourite beverage whilst browsing.

Which is exactly what I did. Local books paired with a local brew.

Epigram Books is an independent publisher (founded by Edmund Wee) that started in 2011 to champion Singaporean literature. It famously published The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (winner of three Eisner Awards), which I bought before the whole NAC hoo-ha resulted in its second print run.

Epigram also runs the annual Epigram Books Fiction Prize, which offers S$25,000 and a publishing contract to one winning manuscript every year. So it is fitting that this ode-to-SingLit of a bookstore was opened by Epigram.

I think it’s a brilliant idea that this bookstore is located opposite Maxwell Food Centre, with its high tourist footfall. What better souvenir to bring home from a country than a book about the country or one by a local author?

Glad to see that some of my favourite SingLit books were prominently displayed.

There is also an extensive section of children’s books and chapter books for primary school kids (also known as Middle Grade Fiction).

I really liked this “Asian Scientist Junior” series by Wildtype Books. Informative and inspiring, it profiles six Asian scientists with easy to read text and cute illustrations.

I never knew about Singaporean scientist Dr Chou Loke Ming till I read this either! Each book ends with an interesting write-up with actual photographs, a section that I particularly enjoy.

They carry a number of books by You Jin too. I’ve read a few of her works translated to English, but still prefer reading her writing in the original Mandarin. The only thing I find lacking about this bookstore is that it doesn’t carry books in other languages!

Yet another gratuitous shot of the photo wall, this time with a focus on the expansive selection of KidLit.

These little notebooks are on sale for $2 a piece, instead of the original $10.60, so we got three.

Managed to get a #SingLit tote too! Bought these books, including “What Gives Us Our Names” by Alvin Pang which I had been searching for. Had read a borrowed copy previously, and decided that this was an important piece of Singaporean literature that I wanted to own. For myself and for my children.

Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop

45 Maxwell Road #01-01
Singapore 069118

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri coffee (7am to 5pm); books (10am to 7pm)
Sat coffee (8am to noon); books (10am to 2pm)
Closed on Sun

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