You seriously got to love a shop with it's own pet cat, especially when the cat is really, really…read morefriendly (such as this one). Okay, I don't get to go down to Prahran a huge amount, and it had been a while since I stepped in here (especially since I have way too many books to read anyway), but I decided that when I was here I would duck in and look around. I also remembered that there was a cat here, and I wanted to say hello. Well, like any good second-hand bookshop there are plenty of books to browse through, including my favourites - old and dusty hardcovers. However it is the cat (and the fact that the owner is lovely and more than happy to help you out) that makes me want to give it five stars.

Kindles and Ipads kind of scare me, im what a marketing lecturer would call a "slow technological…read moreadopter". Im not anti technology just happy knowing I can throw a book in my bag and not stress about recharging or breaking it. Sybers Secondhand books has an extensive 'Bernard Black' like collection. There is a large science fiction/fantasy selection as well as general non/fiction. Prices are above op shop prices and vary depending upon the quality/antiquity/rarity of the book. The average price for a book is around $7 though you can pick up some cheaper generic novels. I went through an illustrated bird book phase and Sybers stocked a nice range of old "Australiana" books. If you are wandering along the Windsor end of Chapel and appreciate a pre read book drop in and pat one of the store owners cats while you browse.

Avenue bookstore is my go to place for books. They always have what I'm looking for and if I don't…read morethey order the book that I need and it's there within a week. On top of that the place is always very clean and well organized and they always have cool new books coming in for me to check out. Staff have always been extremely helpful and excepting when you ask him for any kind of book. I recommend Avenue bookstore to any of my friends that asked me about book recommendations.

I must warn you. You should not come here if you are saving money. You should not come here if you…read moreare trying to live light. You should not come here if you're about to go overseas, or if you're about to move house. Because as soon as you step through the doors, you will fall into a hypnotic book-trance as over 8000 titles try to lure you over to them, all words and tongues, and you won't leave until you have a brown-paper lunch-bag full of the most delicious literary treats you could hope for! Warren and Kirsty have created the most beautiful inner-city shrine to literature, a land of teak and glass artifacts, tempting sit-spots and a plenty titles that are guaranteed to fill you with a sense of wonderment and inspiration! They also have an array of in-store events and appearances, and are just some of the most lovely people you'll meet! Moving to Melbourne from a small country town, I was warned you'd be hard pressed to come by a sense of community and caring in the big, cold city. But spending a little time in the store you'll see there's a heartbeat and lifeblood flowing though our beautiful Melbourne - and the soulful brain is at Embiggen. Go get lost there for a little while - you'll likely end up finding yourself on the shelves there somewhere!

I LOVE this swanky little book shop. There's a sweet open window front display of the whole store…read morewhich really feasts the eyes. When en-route to a meeting a friend for coffee i received a text that said she was going to be running late and lucky enough i was walking past Embiggen when this happened. Embiggen was actually closed up until mid October due to flooding (I'm sure it had something to do with that massive storm in August), now open Embiggen is a book store to be reckoned with. They have a large range of titles all spread across a wooden interior (both floor and shelving), genres range from anything Art & Design, Sciences, Fiction, Economics, Politics, Poetry, Travel and more, there's a epic range for you to procrastinate through.

I should really spend more time here sitting in their replica Eames chair with a magazine in one…read morehand and a coffee in the other. If you don't think you're a fan of magazines and wondering what all the fuss is about then you are just like I was before I was taken into this so called newsagency for the first time. I can assure you that you will find something other than their coffee menu that you will want to read here. I would have to say that every genre is covered and you will be tempted to buy something. Better still the location is right next to the train station so you will never be bored on the train again if Prahran is your station.

Magazine lovers know this shop well. It's a trendy little destination for all your reading…read morepleasure. Check out the huge range of local and overseas magazines (they have over 4000 titles), glossy and matte coffee table books and quirky gifts from the likes of Italian designer - Alessi and other design gurus. Mag Nation also stocks a good range of quirky journals, notebooks and diaries. Better still the store is equipped with barista-equipped staff who will whip you up a latte while you browse. Spot one of the comfy armchairs, buy a magazine and indulge your passion with a good cuppa. When I'm craving magazines and I'm in the area (wait, I'm always in the area) the first place I head to is Mag Nation. Not just because Borders closed down but for some reason being amid the glossy covers and squeaky clean new editions of creative type publications just gives me a sense of calm and makes me feel more creative! Perhaps the interior-nut/ ex-magazine editor/ stylist in me just needs to breathe every so often.

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.

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.

A great place for all kinds of readership, and reading materials…read more On par with Avenue bookstore, but slightly smaller, Coventry bookstore holds a range of printed materials from Economics, Philosphy, Photo- graphic, cook books, and of course novels. If you're after something in particular, staff can quite often order it in for you. Packed full of books, travelguides, and factual based literatures. It makes for a great gift stop or personal shopping.

I walked in a bookworm and fluttered out as a happy Bookerfly (like a butterfly but way smarter)…read more A small action packed space offering a wide variety of beautiful books, cards and gift wrapping. The staff here really know their literature and were exceptionally helpful. It was so enjoyable to watch the staff help an older single man pick out books for his nieces birthday. Beautiful, delicate girly books. I have to admit I was jealous that I don't have an uncle like this. The store itself is so clean and orderly. It was hard to choose only 1 book to come home with. No doubt I'll be back again.

You'd think being an independent shop there would be better customer service! So rude therefore…read moreNEVER going back there again! Several of us were outside the bookstore recently an hour before closing time and there are 2 sales people in the shop purposefully ignoring us all. 2 people had walked 45 mins to visit your shop and even checked the closing time before making that trek to you, only to be completely ignored.

Excellent place! Unlike the name suggest, I highly doubt you'll find such a person in there as…read morethere is 'bound' to be something for everyone. Haha the pun was indeed intended! Offering a wide genre of publications you'll find a great selection of the non- mainstream authors and publications that only the hippest of hipsters will read amongst the many top ten or twenty paperbacks trending at the moment as well as garden, architecture, design and cookery books. But speak to the owners as their passion is about books and they can recommend or source for you. Brilliant! The mood is perfect inside and you'll while away hours and forget your worries inside. Jazz plays in the background, the lighting is perfect for reading as browsing and there's a children's section at the back of the shop that's obviously there to engrain in little ones what a joy reading can be. There's also a nice selection of great gifting items from quirky gifts like time robots to some alchemy and of course cards. Nice, arty, humourous cards that will make you lol. I did. 10/10. And the prices ain't bad. I am in love with this shop as I'm a non reader but this definitely makes me want to.

I hate going to the doctor. But I have to admit, when I'm really ill, the first place I think of is…read moreSouth Yarra Medical. After I've convinced myself that self-medication is not working, I resign to my fate and make an appointment to see one of the doctors at this busy little clinic, just off Toorak Road. You normally do not have to wait long when you have an appointment and the doctors are friendly, offer great advice and are generally concerned about your health (as opposed to some who really can't be bothered). Believe me, I've been to some doctors where I felt like I was talking to myself or had some form of leprosy since the doctor wouldn't even come close to me or look me in the eye. I once went to South Yarra Medical with what I thought was a bad cold and the doctor told me to stay home for 4 days. I was at first shocked by the length of time but soon realised that she has been spot on with her diagnosis. I was knocked out for 4 days and was glad to be covered (from work) so I could just rest and get the infection out of my system.

It's rare that I refer to a trip to the GP as any combination of "pleasant," "efficient" or…read moresometimes, sadly, "helpful." I've seen three different doctors at South Yarra Medical - Tania Nishimura, Melisa Hudson, Elaine Sung - all of whom were thorough (even in the 15-minute appointment frame), compassionate and, dare I say it, actually listened to my concerns. They were also personal and conversational, which always makes a trip to the doc a bit less painful. Even when they had to refer me to a specialist (orthopedics/MRI), they sent me to equally fantastic doctors, and I never felt like I was being handed off and shoved out the door. If you have a more in-depth concern that you want to talk about, request at double (30-minute) appointment over the phone.