BooksActually, located in Singapore's Tiong Bahru estate, "is the model of a fiercely independent neighborhood bookshop," the Malay Mail reported in its profile of owner Kenny Leck, who founded the bookshop in 2005, and also established Math Paper Press to support local writing.
"Running a small business is never easy but Leck is as passionate as ever," the Mail noted, adding: "Omnipresent store manager Renée Ting isn't only responsible for the smooth operations of BooksActually; she is also Kenny Leck's girlfriend." Leck observed that "the bookstore is our life, and this will go on until we eventually pass on. Of course, we have not taken a proper off day for at least four years, and I think it would stay the same until at least 2015."
BooksActually was also highlighted as one of the six "best independent bookstores in Singapore that you ought to be patronizing" by AsiaRooms.com, which described Leck's shop as "an independent bookstore that's been drawing in the cool kids like bees to honey since 2005. Cult status aside, this bookstore truly supports and nurtures local literary talents.... I like its liberal approach to book retail, something made evident through its blatant display and sale of And Tango Makes Three, a children's book that was almost pulped by the National Library Board in Singapore for advocating a gay lifestyle."
