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Online Bookstores

Websites to get your books and stationery from

BookDepository is closing down!

BookDepository has been one of my first go-to places to get my books from for years, and the news that it’s closing down this month made my little bookworm heart cry a little. After those initial five minutes of panic, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of other places on the big bad interwebs that ship to Malta, since our local bookstores are not as well-equipped as we all wish.

I also frequently used Bookdep to buy beautiful notebooks and journals, so I’m adding a few recommendations for stationery here, as well as a list of actual stores in Malta where I get books and stationary.

 

Books

Awesomebooks.com

Awesomebooks.com carry a huge selection of both brand new and second hand titles and most are quite reasonably priced, especially if you go for used books. Shipping is around €3.50 flat fee to Malta, and then €1 or so for each additional book. They’re not the fastest shippers and books take around 3 weeks to get to you, but I’ve always received mine exactly in the condition described on their website.

Waterstones.com

The home of beautiful book covers. Waterstones’ stores are beautifully curated, and so is their online selection, with prices lower or the same as what you can find locally (plus they do hardcover versions for much less than you’ll find here).

They ship to our little island for €10 flat fee, and an additional €1 per extra item. So far I’ve purchased twice from their online store and have not had to pay extra VAT upon delivery, but they do state on their website that this may be the case and you’ll be responsible for these charges.

Amazon.co.uk… but check the sellers!

Amazon is not my favourite place to buy books because the shipping cost is usually higher than what I’m actually buying, but if I’m desperate for a copy of something, I usually check independent sellers who stock that book through Amazon. A few that I’ve found reliable with reasonable shipping rates are:

  • Librinter UK
  • Books etc
  • Rarewaves

 

 

Abebooks.co.uk

The Abebooks website is a little dated, but they stock a lot of new and second hand books at super cheap prices and shipping to Malta is also quite low priced. I’ve only purchased from here once so far without any issues, although my “looks like new” copy arrived a little more battered than I thought it would.

Notebooks & Journals

ScribbleandDot.com

My place to buy a yearly journal! Scribble&Dot journals are sectioned in a really functional way and have lovely thick paper that’s so nice to write on, plus amazing covers. Their yearly planners come with monthly finance and note sections, a monthly and weekly view, and tons of space for setting down goals. I also have their budget planner and password book which are just as beautiful.

Shipping is a bit expensive, but I still like to treat myself to a new journal from here at the end of each year to make me excited for the new one!

Next.com.mt

Next carry a small but good selection of stationery and it’s updated quite frequently (and I always end up buying more home offices goodies than I officially need because their style is just so pretty).

And some offline places…

Books

My top places to get books in Malta are:

 

  • Merlin Library, who have stores in Sliema and Blata l-Bajda
  • Solo Vinyl & Books in Msida
  • Kixott in Mosta for artsy covers
  • Agenda – not as often, but the Airport shop is a weakness when I’m flying off somewhere

Stationery

I get my fix locally from:

 

  • Flying Tiger
  • Muy Mucho in Valletta for minimal lovely notepads and organizers