This South Melbourne market stall is actually only an outlet of a far bigger second hand book…read moredealer in Balwyn. It's staffed by the owners, who are both very friendly, chatty and keen to help you find the book that you're after. In fact, if you tell them what it is that you're into, chances are they'll track them down and bring them to the stall for you to buy. These guys are obsessed, and we're definitely reaping the benefits (my sister more than me, as she is now the owner of several obscure Ancient Greek plays, much to the jealousy of her Classics classmates). The books are arranged by topic and include both fiction and non-fiction. Even in a small stall, there are some real gems to be found and some real hours to be whiled away.

This salubrious strip of Clifton Hill would not be complete without an independent book store for…read morethe cyclists to flick through after their coffee's. Clifton Hill Books stocks a mix of local/national authors as well as an international selection. No airport filler here, just the literary top shelf. There is a range of the cheap Penguin classics, best gift idea ever. Clifton Hill Books also holds readings from local authors, previous guests include local upstart Catherine Deveny who has read from one of her books here. Prices range from $10 to $60 for the more eclectic selection, not my regular bookstore but worth a look if you're after a tricky title.

A quaint little shop with a broad take on its theme, Alice & Co is a self-proclaimed "purveyor of…read morelanguage and other wonders". Locally themed and published books, prints of classical illustrations, postcards, notebooks and other literary themed art are all displayed on dark wood tables and bookshelves. There's a whole shelf of different Alice in Wonderland illustrations on postcards in pigeon holes for $2.50 each, but not everything in the shop is directly associated with Lewis Carrol novel. Small prints of fairy tale stills and tarot deck illustrations go for between $15 and $30 each, it's a good place to stock up on things for your walls that aren't just band posters stripped from poles around Melbourne. Alice & Co also plays host to exhibits from illustrators, readings and book launches, as well as classes in humanities and languages. It's also been known to host puppet theatre. The proprietor is friendly and obliging, and lovers of literature will enjoy the general feel of the place.

As i have said before, i enjoy a colourful window display. Alice & Co is an Art space that focuses…read moreon language arts, book arts. illustration and is the street front for Littlefox Press. The window display right now is quite epic. There's variety of art all themed from Alice in Wonderland (I guess they wanted the window art to match the name of the gallery). The last time i managed to swing past Alice & Co was when they had an exhibition from a much admired photographer Ari Fainchtein. The small space is quaint and cosy but after a while in Alice & Co, it was time to move on, a coffee just around the corner finished off the visual feast. Alice & Co host a range of Book Launches / Openings, Exhibitions and even runs some classes for languages and social sciences.

Well, this is basically just one of your suburban bookshops, but then again I have also discovered…read morethat you do have some pretty cool second-hand bookshops that also happen to be suburban bookshops, so I guess that doesn't really count all that much. Well, I should probably say that this is basically a new bookshops, so they generally just have the standard, run of the mill, new books here - nothing really all that different.

Idyllism is tucked away behind the main strip of shops in Olinda on Parsons Lane. It is a sweet…read morelittle shop that is full of jewellery, crystals, tarot cards, books, aromatherapy and essential oils and unique gift ideas. The layout is a little crammed but it is easy to see everything on display. There were some really interesting gift ideas in here with my favourite being a fairy cave candleholder. It was so beautiful. There were also some star sign book marks that were fun to read although I have seen these around before. There are tarot readings available seven days a week and a little room at the back of the shop is where these are held. They cost $50 for half an hour and there is a booking sheet on the door. Otherwise you can call the shop or drop in to make a booking. The staff member in the shop on the day I visited was especially friendly. She commented on my shoes, which were fluoro orange, and asked about my day and what other shops I had been to. The atmosphere in the shop was light and relaxed and it had a really nice scent. Idyllism is open from 10.30am to 5pm every day so make sure to pay it a visit.

C.Wong Tucked away…read morequietly from the main village shopping strip and nestled on a corner that overlooks the village green Idyllism is one of a select few shops that share this bucolic setting. The Dandenongs is the place to get away from it all and Idyllism in Olinda Village is the perfect place and setting to escape the ordinary and contemplate the esoteric - the mysteries and wonders of life. On a fine day, one can sometimes witness clairvoyant readings outdoors near the village green where the local birds frolic and feed. There is a good range of crystal selections that help fine tune positive energies as well as incense and smudging bundles to dissipate negative ones. The proprietor takes great effort to source and select rare and quality mineral and gem specimens. There are fine displays of stirling silver and crystal jewelry for everyone's tastes and beautifully made healing wands. There are a useful range of aromatherapy products, candles and objet d'art to help create that magical, contemplative atmosphere around one's environment. The staff are always delighted to help and are a font of knowledge and experience. The shop has a pleasant intimacy and a sunny and fresh outlook.

Whilst there are a few stores like this one on the Yarra trail, Endina takes the cake for stocking…read morethe larger items for your home, and also for the larger price tags. With tables, side tables and huge mirrors on display, the furniture is great, however quite expensive. There's always a large amount of people eyeing off the pieces inside, and although some of the smaller items can be picked up for a decent price, the bigger items have you quickly turning the price tag back over and backing away slowly. Love the furniture, not so much the price.

I Love Books has been under new ownership since 2019. I just love the service and the books…read morereceived are excellent according to the condition they were rated. I will keep going back. And I noticed they are renovating with new general books. It looks really lovely and smells nice and new, I am looking forward to having a lovely new updated bookshop near me.

Don't go here. Ever…read more The owner rips off people. She'll put labels on the books but if the price has gone up since the book has been put in the system you won't know until the book has been scanned. That is false advertising and it is ILLEGAL. It also COSTS MONEY to take your books out of the store, which is also ILLEGAL. She charges a $2 'handling fee' which is absolutely ridiculous. She also is very hard to get your money from. It's like getting blood from a stone. 'Pay outs' haven't been paid to many families. The owner is also rude. Stay away. The way things are run are extremely questionable and ILLEGAL.

There are a couple of things that I have noticed about 2nd Hand bookshops. Firstly if we are…read moredealing with popular books (or authors) then the chances of you finding any of their works in a second hand book shop are going to be slim at best. On the other hand they can be pretty hit or miss, depending one when you go, and also depending on the tastes of the owner - they don't necessarily buy every book that comes their way, not are they prescient enough to know that you want a particular book. This particular one was okay, and as I have mentioned before, there is always something hidden away that is going to catch my attention. While not huge as some are, it still is rather quaint.

This little bookstore is a fantastic place to waste time and pick up a bargain…read more Almost like stepping into a fairy tale the small space is exaggerated by the piles and shelves packed full with books. As you walk between the valleys of winding piles of paperbacks keep your eyes out for some bargains or collectables. Sections have been roughly organised, but the store plan is a bit hard to decipher. Just ask the owner or one of the members of staff to point you in the right direction. They are always friendly and up for a chat. The Merchant of Fairness can also help you track down a book that you haven't been able to locate. This is a service that is free of charge, and that the owner Rod is particularly proud of. The only section that is clearly separated from the rest is the children's. This is a brilliant little corner out the back where you can reminisce and look at copies of books that you may not have seen for 20 or so years. Stocking second hand books and rare first additions from various warehouses there is always a chance to find a copy of a childhood novel you treasured, or to purchase some large anthologies at a fraction of the price as new.