The Kuwait Bookshop has been around for a pretty long time and although its not a Barnes & Noble it does have a pretty decent collection of books and magazines. If I am not mistaken I think it actually has the largest collection of books and magazines in Kuwait. Because its an old bookshop they have a lot of older books that sometimes can be pretty interesting. The bookshop is located in the basement of Muthana Complex and its a very quiet and cozy place with friendly and informed staff. There is a lot of parking which is a plus. Their phone number is 22423876 in case you need to ask about a book.
32 replies on “The Kuwait Bookshop”
Yeah I been there before. It’s great.
Wont survive long. Amazon does it for me. Book browsing now is available while in bed. However I would preffer it to be in a more accessible area with dining etc.
I disagree, a bookshop is a place of cultural gathering, that can hardly be said to Amazon right know, we need human physical interaction, we cant survive on just the interaction with computer screen.
it used to be good, now its more like a museum with all the old books, prefer virgin store or jareer.
I visit the bookshop quite frequently, though I don’t end up buying much. The problem is that they bring books pretty late after they are published, long after I have ordered and finished reading what I want from Amazon.
Additionally, the selection they have is very biased toward academic and professional books, with a relatively limited space for popular books (fiction, non-fiction, history, science, etc…).
However, I think they have the best magazine section in all of Kuwait.
And what’s the reason to post about it AGAIN mark? 🙂
my first place to check if they got what im looking for or not, if they dont got it, then amazon would be the place, but mostly they do, which is pretty amazing sometimes..
They lean towards academic books more then regular books..
The way the ministry is most of our books get strangled before coming in!
I make it a point to come here once a month to get a dose of web design photoshop and photography magazines. i’m still reluctant in using the web to purchase stuff. I would like to know though are contents from magazines that you bought off amazon gets filtered out too? I really hate the marker ruining the magazines.
It’s annoying to say the least and very disturbing really, All this censorship really does is fuel the *** deprivation here. In turn this deprived individuals look for other (sometimes violent) means to satisfy their needs.
censorship could be a creative tool if done in a critical way, don’t you think ?
I really dig this bookshop. I always find something whenever I go there.
they r one of my best retailers u wont believe how many loyal costumers they have!!
They have an excellent classical books collection! Seriously.
That place is just great they had 2 branches one in Muthana and the other was in Ahmedi’s Old Souk (no more !).
You won’t believe some of the books you’ll find there.
There is also have a branch in AlGhanim Building in AlSoor Street, next to 99 Restuarant.
Archie comics!!!!
I never find what I really want though. They don’t have a huge selection of popular fiction, which sucks because it is one of the biggest bookstores and sometimes much cheaper than Virgin.
It’s like walking into a prehistoric cave. Their books are frustratingly old, I go there and I’m like why don’t you bring this author or that book! I stopped going there. Virgins shrunk their book section and you can hardly find a decent read unless its a bestseller, and Jareer you can find some good books but not all the time. Amazon and B&N are the places I shop from. Yes pricy but at least I get to enjoy up to date books and authors.
q80warlock, the ahmadi branch is still open and very active. has a nice atmosphere to it , and perfect collection especially for children.
yes, they have a vast collection of magazines but they don’t have the Wired mag which I like most… though they have plenty of cooking books… 🙂
Definitely the largest bookstore I’ve seen. Was just there yesterday as a matter of fact.
Ariston – try Sultan Center for wired.
Where would one be able to find graphic novels in Kuwait?
I don’t mean those 15 pages issues you find in magazine sections, but the ones that come in trade paperback or hardcover format.
@ Burhan,
I’ll try to drop by @ Sultan Center – Salmiya this evening and grab a copy. Thanks! =)
Kuwait is in dire need of a first class English bookstore. We need a shake up in the bookstore department. People are tired of the miserable selection of books available in Kuwait. Border’s is now open in the Emirates. I hope they’re planning to come to Kuwait soon.
Yeah! We need Borders, Waterstone and B & N. I say, enough with the malls.
What we need are places with books that are slightly more affordable than those we get at Kuwait Bookstores (which I’m a fan of, but rarely purchase anything from). I suggest Q8books, the country’s only bookstore that carries used books as well. Check them out! https://www.q8books.com/Q8B/eQ8home.asp
informed, yes. friendly, no.
where is this muthana complex ? any clear directions please? thnx
Muthanna complex is next to J.W Mariot hotel, Fahad Salem St.
Heya!! i ordered 8 books from Kuwait bookstore on the 6th of July, one of the books was due to release on the 7th of July, i got all the 8 books by the 25th, they charge a deposit of 5 KD per book, but i paid only 15 KD for the lot (thats the deposit, hardcovers don’t come cheap). had a damn good experience with them…btw i went to the smaller one which is near Sheraton circle, opposite the parking…you can also get some good used books at q8 (www.q8books.com) which is in al salaam complex (between the circle and muthana) I go there quite often and have found loads of good books
It is the OASIS in the middle east. I have been going there for 40 years. Each time is the high light of my trip to Kuwait. Larry
the bookstore will be closing soon due to the court issue, between the partners of the company. it is now controlled by the government until the court issue is through.