SINGAPORE -- Bookworms rejoice! BooksActually, a local independent bookstore known for its fiction and literature curations, has unveiled book vending machines at high traffic spots in Singapore.

Currently, two of the vending machines are located at at the National Museum of Singapore and Singapore Visitor Centre on shopping street, Orchard Road. A third machine will be installed later this month at the Goodman Arts Centre, which is also the headquarters for the National Arts Council.

Each of these machines carry up to 150 books, with a focus on titles by local publishers and authors.

Some of the titles include Ministry of Moral Panicby Amanda Lee Koe and Sonnets from the Singlishby Joshua Ip.

BooksActually owner Kenny Leck told Channel News Asia that he was inspired by original Penguin Books' Penguincubator to set up the book vending machines in Singapore.

Other countries with book vending machines include Japan, which is known for its pocket-sized books and manga comics, and most of Europe such as Spain, Germany and Sweden.

Leck also said that sales wasn't a driving force, and he ultimately wanted a way to promote Singapore literature and encourage Singaporeans to pick up books again.

At the moment, BooksActually's book vending machines are cash-only, but a cashless payment option is in its foreseeable future.

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