In a world where bookstores are disappearing at an alarming rate, Albert Park's Avenue Bookstore…read morestands strong. A haven for those resisting the onslaught of the e-book and all that comes with it, Avenue has been extremely clever in ensuring that it remains current. From author visits to a complementary reading guide, this is worlds away from the soulless department stores that masquerade as bookshops. Most importantly there is an absolutely amazing selection on offer. Whether you're looking for Dostoevsky or Warnie's latest memoir, no stone is left unturned and the staff really know their stuff. Ask them even the most obscure of questions, and chances are they'll know exactly what it is that you're looking for. They carry an extensive range of select local and imported books as well as air-freighted magazine and specialist children's books. And on the off chance that you can't find what you're looking for they offer special orders, with regular air-freights from US and UK suppliers. Especially beautiful is the art and design mezzanine that shelves works on art, architecture, design, photography and fashion. Long considered to be one of Australia's leading independent bookstores, Avenue is celebrating its 25th birthday this year.

I sometimes wonder if the Avenue typifies the bookstore of the future. Not because they're…read moreparticularly sci-fi, but because it's focused more on the boutique experience than on efficient shopping. If the collapse of Borders signifies the downfall of mass retail bookselling and the rise of digital publishing, then I feel that stores like the Avenue are much better positioned to survive in a post-digital world. And it is very much a boutique. Of books. A booktique, if you will. You won't? I understand completely. But they've got a frequently changing window display, where the books seem to be selected on aesthetics (colour, design, etc) rather than market position or content. Their shelves are well-stocked and sorted alphabetically, but there's no signage to indicate which section is which genre. If you want to find, say, a crime novel or an art book, then you'll need to search for it. Given how far back the store stretches, it might take you a little longer than you'd have thought standing outside. Ultimately, I'm not so sure that I like the boutique experience. Browsing's fine on a Sunday afternoon, but there's something to be said for going straight to the right book, paying, and leaving. It's a good-looking store, though, and I'm shallow enought that that's enough for me to ovelook some of the other flaws.

I'm going to have to suggest that there really wasn't all that much with this bookshop. Basically…read moreit is quite small, and the range is very, very limited. This is probably a bit of a shame because there are things that I really do like about the traditional bookshop. However, this place basically only sold new books, which meant that when it came to finding something that a booknerd like me would want, you will be pretty hard pressed. In the end, this is probably more for somebody with general interests rather than anybody seeking anything specific.

Tim's Bookshop reminds me a bit of a library. Yes, der, it is full of books, but there is an air of…read morerespect for the books and a constant quietness that really gives the library vibe. In a world where bookshops have been transformed in to coffee shops/DVD stores/CD shops, it's always nice to find a classic book store with none of that other nonsense. Tim's stocks all the latest releases and the classics, as well as children's books and travel. I work nearby, so on my lunch break I often sneak in to see what the latest releases are and chat to the friendly, very knowledgeable staff.

Look, even though I love second-hand bookshops, this place wasn't as good as some that I have…read morevisited. I guess it has something to do with it being more for second-hand books as opposed to antiquarian books as well. I guess it also has something to do with the difficulty I had in finding any really good books that would grab my attention. Still, places like these aren't places where you visit once because they tend to be the type of places where you will always find something new.

I absolutely love this book shop. About every 2 weeks I pop in and there's always new stuff in…read morethere. It's got absolutely great second hand books in there. Lovely service and lovely people.

Upon entering the store I immediately felt relaxed and at ease, Readings was my quite retreat from…read moreone of those unpredictable grey, gloomy raining Melbourne days. Not only does this bookstore offer a wide variety of books, but its almost a sanctuary and one of the most iconic book stores in Melbourne who gives back to the community. 10% of our profits go to the Readings Foundation, which support individuals and organisations that wish to further the development of literacy, community work and the arts. Readings flagship store is the Carlton store, however they have many locations including Malvern, Port Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda. Readings organizes and holds many events during the years from book launches, signings and other events. Staffs are always friendly and willing to provide sound advice and lend an ear to chat.

Readings Carlton is my favourite book shop in Melbourne. Floor to ceiling, this place is packed…read morewith well-researched, beautiful books and accessories. It's a must-stop for any book lover while in town. It feels good, smells good and just is good. Anybody who reckons the future of the written word is shaky, or even destined for a digital medium, get down to Readings and you'll think again. What they do so well is offer up quality publications in a well ordered and well staffed environment. There are countless little nooks and crannys for readers to settle in a test drive a new work before purchase and the staff have a collective knowledge of books and trends that will blow your mind. Even better still, the Carlton Readings (there are a couple of others about town) also stock a great range of CDs and now vinyl. This place personifies the concept that 'it's not what you do but the way that you do it' and the results speak for themselves.

I remember coming to this bookshop years ago when it was on Elizabeth Street, but then it…read moremysteriously vanished. Well, it turned out that it had moved to Elizabeth Street, but it was still exceedingly difficult to find namely because it happens to be in a basement, and it still is. Yeah, I love this bookshop because the collection is nothing short of huge. I could literally spend hours down here looking at the books, and there is always something here that catches my interest. Oh, and the books are pretty cheap as well. It is certainly one of those places that bibliophiles like myself should be checking out.

I can remember this second hand bookshop from various basement locations around Elizabeth Street…read moreand Flinders Street. I thought that it had vanished along with so many other bookshops. So I was relieved to find it had simply moved further down Flinders Street. It is still in a basement and the pine shelves are still full of the same selection of stock. I descend to Basement Books and locate the art books and start to peruse the shelves. I work around the sections that I'm interested in art, philosophy, mythology and history. There are plenty more areas that I'm not interested in - military history, esoteric, self help. I should be looking for some holiday reading and so I start to look in their large fiction section. The fiction section is all arranged by authors A-Z - so it is easy to see what Burroughs, Ivine Welsh or Will Self that they have in stock. Will Self "Grey Area" a book of short stories will be an interesting read. Basement Books also stocks some interesting items of ephemera, programmes and pamphlets, displayed in plastic sleeves at the end of shelves. I then take a quick look at their antique books - I keep my eyes open for interesting old books and I've found a couple here.

I generally don't go into bookshops very often nowadays. I tend to download my books from kindle…read more Having said that, Berkelouw Books is an awesome place to browse. They have a huge varitey of books, and if they don't have what you are looking for, chances are they can get it in. The store itself is lovely, big and light, and the staff are super friendly and obviously love their books. This place makes you want to put in the effort and go in to a bookstore.

Wonderful selection of expertly-curated books and cards. Like a magician's hat, this…read morepocket-handkerchief space seems to keep on giving, as a source for all worthwhile books. And the staff are welcoming, helpful and resourceful. Without fail.

Some people have suggested that we are going to see the end of the traditional bookshop, but this…read moreplace is still around (though I don't know for how long). Sure, you may be able to pick up books cheaper at Dymoks, but what you don't get is that old bookstore charm that this place offers, and I must say that I prefer to wander around the cramped and crowded shelves browsing at the many books in a place like this any day. While it may not be a second-hand bookshop, you can still find some pretty interesting title here, though expect to spend a lot to time simply browsing the titles. Oh, as the name suggests, they only sell paperback books, which is also pretty cool.

The book grocer is the perfect little book shop. They have getting people back reading strongly on…read morethe agenda. With a good range of books spanning from Penguin classics right the way through to self-help books such as 'Sexercise'. But what makes The Book Grocer truly great is the fact that they serve up coffee and muffins and have plenty of couches and seats for the avid browser to sit upon, sip their coffee and ponder what to buy. And perhaps an even better thing is the fact that (bar a few exceptions) every book in the shop costs under $10. I don't know how they manage to be so cheap, but if you ask me $10 is a perfectly great price to pay for an entertaining book.

A visit to The Book Grocer is like falling down a rabbit hole into a bibliophile's heaven…read more A beautifully airy and modern bookshop replete with lots of seating and even a coffee machine, Northcote's Book Grocer sells an incredible range of books ranging from fiction to biography, art to the social sciences and all for incredible prices. Seemingly every time I visit The Book Grocer there are scores of people engrossed in a selection of this gorgeous little shop's tomes and this behaviour isn't just accepted, it's encouraged. The Book Grocer's staff are friendly and welcoming and there are so many incredible books within this awesome book shop's four walls that you can easily spend a good hour here giving each section no more than a cursory glance. Prices tend to be around $6 for paperback fiction and as little as $15 for a gorgeous hardcover, coffee table type book or cookbook. I was looking for some art and design reference books today and the selection was nothing short of intimidating. As a guide to the kind of discounts on offer, I found a beautifully put together book about legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland for $10 reduced from $40 and all stock is new and in impeccable condition. An incredible shop.