Last updated on December 4th, 2018

I spend a lot of time staring at screens, so when I get the opportunity to read, I’d rather do it with a good old fashion book made of paper and ink.

There are a few bookstores in Siem Reap where you will be able to get international and national papers as well as books written in English. Most bookstores in Cambodia double as stationary shops, and most stationary shops sell a few books and newspapers as well.

 

Monument Books

Pokambor Avenue (100 metres south of the Old Market along the river)
Siem Reap
Tel: 063 966 450

Monument books, a national bookstore chain, has an outlet at the Airport, in a few hotels and on the river front south from the Old Market. The main store is located not far from the Monument of Indenpendence in Phnom Penh (hence the name). Monument books has a good selection of international press, toys for kiddies, academic manuscripts and mainstream bestsellers. Whether you need a copy of the Guardian, le Monde or the New York Times, you will find it at Monument. Cosmo, Elle, gossip magazines, IT magazines, lads’ magazines will also satisfy the casual reader.

 

International Book Centre

Lucky Mall Complex
Sivatha Boulevard
Siem Reap
Tel: 063 768 868

The International Book Centre on the top floor of Lucky Mall specializes in stationary, school manuals and Cambodian publications. The IBC’s main branch is also located in Phnom Penh, but the Siem Reap branch is well stocked. It’s one of our favourite destinations for notebooks, pens, highlighters, rulers, and most of your school and office supplies. Their children section offers plenty of affordable materials (posters, cardboards, flashcards etc.) for budding readers. You should be able to pick up a Khmer language textbook as well if you’re interested in talking to the locals. IBC also has a small odds and ends section with sports equipment such as tennis rackets, running shoes and the occasional yoga mat.

 

Siem Reap Book Center

699 Pithnou Street (Provincial Hospital Road, opposite the Old Market)
Siem Reap
Tel: 063 965 132

The Siem Reap Book Center on Pithnou Street, opposite the Old Market, has newspapers, souvenirs, post cards, t-shirts and a diverse collection of old and new tomes.

 

Blue Apsara

Street 9 (Old Market area)
Siem Reap
Tel: 012 601 483

The Blue Apsara in the Old Market Area, has second-hand books in every possible language left by the millions who have visited Siem Reap over the years. It’s a bit like a treasure hunt here, with a mix bag of classics and trash novels. There’s a comfortable sofa in this airy bright little bookstore. It’s always interesting to see what books visitors to Cambodia have brought and left here.

 

New Leaf Eatery

306 Street 9
Siem Reap
Tel: 063 766 016

New Leaf is mainly a not for profit café, but also sells books. It’s strange that Cambodian stationary shops don’t offer food and drinks, since we eat nonstop (actually maybe not so much when we read). New Leaf is located just a short walk from the Old Market, not far from Wat Preah Prom Rat. Get your fix of Rattanakiri or Mondolkiri (Cambodia’s Highlands) cup of coffee here. There’s breakfast, and lunch, and dinner as well! Even if you can’t find your book in the dollar bin, you will surely grab a bite or drink a fresh smoothie. Very reasonable prices, 30% of profits to charity, 20% to (smiling) staff.

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