Yep, this place certainly lives up to its name, though I'm not sure if they are just referring to…read morethe Shire, or they are actually referring to all of Sydney. Anyway, this place doubles as a new and a second-hand bookshop, as they should, since the gems are usually found in the second-hand part. In fact they also have a pretty decent collection to explore as well. Oh, and helpful and friendly staff, which is always a good thing.

This is one of those places that Sydney is famous for, at least in my mind - secondhand bookshops…read moreand coffee shops. Honestly, why can't they introduce a concept like this in Melbourne because it will make the secondhand bookshops so much better when you can sit on a comfy chair and drink a coffee (or a tea) while perusing a book. Not only that, but it is just across the road from the railway station, another awesome aspect with Sydney because you honestly don't have such convenience in Melbourne. Okay, I didn't stay for a coffee, but I did browse the books, and even found a couple that caught my attention. We certainly need something like this in Melbourne.

With bookshops continually disappearing, it is sad to think that the bookshop/coffee shop may no…read morelonger be a thing any more. The book station is a lovely little reminder of how nice it is to take yourself away from home, away from work and enjoy a coffee and a book. The book station at Caringbah is essentially a secondhand book shop with a coffee shop which oozes community spirit and a love for books (and coffee). The shop is split level with an array of eclectic furniture, where you are encouraged to browse and read at you leisure. The books are very well organised in sections according to interest, and the people who work there will do what they can to assist you in finding what you need.

This store was one of three book stores in the Westfield Hurstville shopping centre that actually…read morehad the book I needed. Not like finding Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's should have been that hard. Was it too much trouble to want one with a nice front cover instead of getting that ugly orange penguin book? In the end that had to suffice, the book was only available online and had to be shipped in. I couldn't wait that long. The man at the counter was helpful and seemed to know the bookstore inside out - he directed me towards Capote straight away. Shame they didn't stock the book in the store, but the man was helpful enough to look it up for me on the computer anyway.

If you are a book lover like me, then this place is heaven. From Potter to Proust, this second hand…read morebookstore has got you covered. There are piles of books everywhere. There are piles outside the front door, piles on shelves, piles in corners, piles on the service counter, piles on top of piles.... There are so many books that I wouldn't be surprised if the whole place exploded under the pressure, sending millions of white pages, and sweet words spewing out onto Belmore Rd. There's barley enough room to move, and if another game punter dares peruse the same aisle as you, one of you will need to vacate in order to move around comfortably. The owner is so funny, and always helpful (even though he continually tries to steer me towards the Twilight pile). Every time I visit he has tips to offer, and new books to show. Prices are reasonable, but in my opinion, a little too expensive at times. When you finish reading your latest purchase, you can either keep it, or return it for half the price you paid. A great, inexpensive way to encourage reading, and one of my favourite hidden gems in Sydney.