KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Philosophy books, biographies, and novels published by Inisiatif Buku Darul Ehsan (IBDE) have emerged as some of the most popular genres among young readers during the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) 2026.
The publishing house said the strong response reflects its growing interest in reading materials that broaden knowledge and enrich intellectual thought.
“Biography, novel and philosophy titles have been very well received by readers, particularly young people.
“We are seeing readers become increasingly eager to acquire new knowledge, and they frequently ask us which books they should read and for recommendations on suitable reading materials,” said IDBE's sales, marketing, and development senior manager Ainunl Muaiyanah, 42, during the event on Saturday (May 30).
Among the best-selling titles during the first three days of the book fair were Sejarah Ringkas Falsafah, Misteri Mayat Gadis Desa, Al Farabi – Pemikir Sanjungan Timur dan Barat, Pemburu Pantai Timur: Penjelajahan ke Kelantan dan Terengganu, and Ibnu Khaldun: Riwayat Hidup dan Suri Hati Nabi.
She added that the six titles collectively recorded sales of more than 500 copies, demonstrating readers’ interest in works that combine elements of history, intellectual thought, exploration, and notable personalities.
IBDE is offering more than 142 book titles, including nearly 20 new releases published specially for this year’s book fair.
These new titles have also received positive feedback from readers and are expected to continue attracting interest throughout the event.
“Many young readers are fond of our books because they come in hardback editions, feature attractive designs, and are lightweight enough to carry anywhere,” Ainunl said, noting the encouraging response during the school holiday period.
KLIBF 2026 is being held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from May 29 to June 7, bringing together hundreds of publishers, distributors, and book industry players from Malaysia and abroad.
The annual event features a variety of activities, including book launches, meet-the-author sessions, and promotional sales aimed at encouraging a reading culture among the public.
In a related development, she said that digital platforms are now viewed as a complement to printed reading materials, particularly in making information more accessible and providing readers with a wider range of content choices.
However, technological developments have not diminished interest in physical books. Instead, both formats complement one another in meeting the needs of today’s readers.
IBDE’s publishing theme for this year focuses on works related to the Malay world and the Malay language, with the aim of encouraging more readers to deepen their knowledge, appreciate intellectual heritage, and strengthen the culture of reading within society.
