Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur — Local services in Kuala Lumpur

A well designed bookstore with a lot of potential. I would like to see them have a more diverse fiction collection, but that is just my own preference. It was great to see a selection of Southeast Asian authors available, but in terms of general fiction from the rest of the world they hold main titles you can find at any bookstore, so it is not standout in that regard. The same is the case for their non-fiction titles - nothing particularly specialized that you cannot find elsewhere. I am sure that, like most bookstores however you could place an order. In terms of selection, Kinokuniya KLCC is still the better bookstore.

I mentioned that the interior is well designed. In this regard, it is better than other bookstores that are too cramped. However, to truly live up to its potential and offer the large variety it wishes to offer, Eslite would need more floors. They also need to improve the ventilation of their spaces. Occasionally, while browsing books and stationary, I became dizzy and lightheaded from the lack of oxygen and air movement. This is especially the case in the smaller alcoves.

The gift and stationary section is varied and interesting. It has a nice collection of good quality notebooks and puzzles, but unfortunately, again, with pens and other actual notetaking goods...a quite average selection that can be found anywhere. For the items that are slightly standout, they are sadly overpriced even for the Starhill.

I was very excited to visit this bookstore as many have been down on their luck lately, but in terms of substance the offering doesnt make it stand out from other specialty and stationary stores or bookstores (I suppose it is nice for Cath Kidson fans, especially since this company has otherwise gone online only even in its UK home).

I was looking forward to the cafe and its offering of a local roaster that can finally provide appreciation for Malaysian coffee and cocoa. Unfortunately, although the cafe gives the appearance of a serious coffee joint, the coffee itself is again...average, bland, and not even 100% coffee as advertised (look closely and you will find petals, leaves and other botanics that were likely used to try to create a unique flavor but do not quite mesh well with the coffee). I also tried the matcha, excited by the offering of ceremony grade matcha...only to be horrified when the staff asked me if I wanted sugar in it. No. I tried the open faced sandwich, and I know there is inflation, but a single medium slice of sourdough bread that is not even toasted with an admittedly interesting topping is not worth RM25. Interestingly, unlike the rest of the bookstore, the cafe does try to be unique but falls short on delivery.

Although lacking in substance, eslite excels in surface appearance, which is not to be dismissed or underestimated. It is designed as a community space, and there are few community space bookstores left in the city. There are reading corners and workdesks, which is nice. The only problem in that regard is that the air ventilation is poor in all of these work spaces besides the cafe, which sits open above the Starhill's atrium. Of course, another important aspect is that it is Instagrammable. But this benefit is a short-term benefit, and if eslite hopes to attract a long-term crowd, it can not rely on its Instagrammability alone.

Overall, 2 stars. I desperately wanted to like it more than I did but with the physical discomfort (dizziness due to poor ventilation) the lack of interesting offerings to set it apart from other bookstores, and the overpriced cafe, I cannot mark it higher. However, I did not give it 1 star because it has the potential to improve. I will give this place a break for a few years and then visit again. Hopefully, it will be better once it is more...

The bookstore business is a hardy specie. It refuses to go away despite the relentless onslaught of digital distribution and consumption of content. I am surprised my kids are reading books but this is thanks to the reading habits instilled by my wife when they were just toddlers.

eslite, a Taiwanese brand concept, is more than just books although I only managed to sample their 'bookstore' experience this visit. As already mentioned by other enthusiastic reviewers, physically the eslite bookstore is more akin to a gallery of sorts owing to its open concept that allows f&b, clothing, event spaces and arts & crafts curiosities to blend seamlessly like different exhibit areas in a museum. The curated books on offer are interesting but by no means the widest selection of it's kind in town, which is not its aim anyway.

I suspect eslite has struck a daring and unique experience by not wrapping a significant majority of their books. In fact, it has created some reading zones for us to really delve into the books on offer, assuming you don't feel guilty consuming content without due rewards to the author, publisher, eslite bookstore etc. I so thoroughly enjoyed myself that you can bet I will return and purchase more books (or other offerings) in the future.

I really hope the eslite's business model and whatever arrangements with Starhill is feasible in this digital age, and will stay...

I've been frequenting Eslite since their opening day and I still get the same sense of wonder as if I'm exploring another world everytime I enter the bookstore. The store is not very huge but cosy enough to spend an afternoon in just for browsing the titles.

Even though some of the books I was aiming to get were not available here, I was pleased to see many more options that aren't familiar but relevant to the genres featured, and frankly they seem to deserve the highlights too.

What I love about the store is, even though in terms of selection, it's not the best, the store itself has the kind of atmosphere that simply appeals to readers like me. The arrangement of the books, availability of local books as well as international ones, the frequent bookish and lifestyle events held here are some of the things that make Eslite much more than just a bookstore.

If you're looking for bargains, though, Eslite is not the place. They frequently update the titles on offer but they never go beyond 20% off.

All in all, I'd still recommend people to drop by the place especially if you're in town for...