I was a fan up until I learned about the wage dispute with the employees that dragged on for years…read more The workers did finally "win," and good for them, but I haven't been back and just don't feel comfortable patronizing this business given how this was handled. https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/better-read-dead-workers-win-landmark-agreement-after-dedicated-industrial-action https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/28/unprecedented-the-fight-for-sydney-independent-bookstore-better-read-than-dead

This is one of the reasons that I love Newtown, it is just so retro, and you can find some pretty…read morecool shops along the strip, such as this one. In fact there wasn't one, but two, decent bookshops within a short distance from each other. This one was pretty cool, and that usually comes down to me being able to find a book within a couple of minutes browsing the shelves, and this place certainly hit the mark. The staff are pretty awesome as well, and there is a really good selection of secondhand books.

There are always interesting books displayed in the window of Books on King. Interesting cover work…read moreand obscure titles; books about science, music, fiction; books that bring back nostalgic memories from days spent on busses, in parks, beneath trees. Books endorsed by celebrities and books that strive to teach us something. Record sleeves are stuck to the wall and familiar faces etched on vinyl welcome me into the small second hand book shop, Books on King. The narrow aisles make browsing difficult when there are too many people walking back and forth, scanning titles and reading blurbs. I wander up and down the aisle, I'm looking for a small book, one that could be read in a summers afternoon, one that I could flick through while the storm clouds rumble in the distance but the sun still shines down from above. Books for when the last remaining heat before the storm breaks and soft gentle rain shadowed by their father's, the clouds, comes down and refreshes us all and washes the sticky humidity from off our skins. I wanted that kind of book. I find a H.G. Wells book on the shelf, it's thin and has a tacky painting drawn on the cover, this small yellow paperback beckons for me to pick it up and read. It's the Island of Dr Moreau. I know little about the saga, but I know it holds a place in Science Fiction history, a thought provoking story, well imagined and shot to death by the silver screen as Val Kilmer just stood there and watched and never even said a thing.

Books on King is a reasonably priced second hand bookshop in Newtown, Their range within the shop…read moreis not as extensive or interesting as you may find in other second hands book shops, but it is worth a look as you might find that difficult to locate treasure for your collection. The best books in Books on King tend to be on display in the shop window and they always have some interesting choices, I often saw J.G Ballard, William S Burroughs and Peter Carey titles there, the prices are reasonable too, with most titles being around the $8 mark. Worth a look.

Step aside Kindle and iPad, there is absolutely no replacing the feel and smell of an actual book…read more That woody, inky aroma is in full effect inside Brays Books. In fact, it kind of comes over you like a cloud when you waltz through the shop's doors. I found Brays to be a very curious little bookshop indeed. From what I could tell, they have three sections in their bag. If you're looking for a cookbook, any kind of culinary almanac at all, you can likely find it here. And what about travel books? With atlases, travel guides and travel related fiction and non-fiction at your fingertips, I recommend you pop in here before you next step on an airplane. And if you happen to be under the age of 10, or know someone who is, Brays delivers in the children's department as well. They have picture book classics and fiction for those readers who are stepping into the land of more words than pics. But, wait a second, what if I am looking for some good old fashioned adult fiction? With a rinky dink little case along one side of Brays, I had a hard time believing their selection was anywhere near complete. But I guess I can't be too hard on an independent bookshop. As they die out like orchids in the garden of retail, I'm sure Brays can use all the support it can get.

A boutique bookstore on Darling street, Balmain. I love these places. Each one has its own feel and…read morevibe, and there's no place like a good bookstore. Theres some good variety among the shelves, so you know theres no hidden agenda behind the store, just a bunch of popular books for sale. The place is colourful and inviting, the staff are great, and helpful when you're trying to find something, although if you're on a mission, I guess a boutique bookstore isn't where you'd go. But still, a great place to browse and get into the reading zone.

Abbey's is a great bookshop with a culty edge, they used to own Galaxy Bookshop on the same street…read morewhich is now closed and some of the sci-fi stock has been incorporated into Abbey's, check the window display for the very cute Star Wars soft toys (I want a Yoda, he is so cute). Being one of Sydney's larger bookshops Abbey's has a very large range, but the reason I like it is not so much for their books but the DVDs. Abbey's offers possibly the most extensive foreign film DVD selection in Sydney, they have many deleted titles and many imports. If you are looking for films by the greats of foreign cinema such as Bergman, Ozon, Haneke, Fellini, Antonioni, Abbey's is the place to find them. Oh and grab me a Yoda on the way out.

I was, for a time, what can only be described as a Frankophile. That's someone who is obsessed with…read morethings a la Francois. I got heavily into the music of Raphael, Camille, Serge Gainsbourg and even Vanessa Paradis. I was watching French Films like a maniac, and I even endeavoured to take up the ancient art of speaking the language. I decided the best way to do this (Well, not the best way, but the most accessible, the cheapest and the most likely that I would follow it through.) would be to purchase some French Speaking CD's and utilise the lessons therein. With a reputation for language books and media, I journeyed to Abbey Books just behind the QVB. Which has now taken into its premises the science fiction bookshop, Galaxy. I had no idea which one would be the ideal course for me so I got some advice from the staff there, he asked me questions about outcomes and reasons to learn and such and then pointed me in the right direction. I purchased my audio lessons and thanked the man. And after many a jog around the bay with my headphones in, repeating french phrases as I jogged. Probably looking like a looney from Paris talking to himself, I learnt the ancient art of Conversational French. Though I still can't have a conversation in it, unless that conversation is asking how you are, you say fine and then I buy something from you.

Apart from selling books, which it does and does quite well, Gleebooks also plays host to various…read moretalks and events which take place in the upstairs room of the Glebe Point Road shop. They hold book launches, established authors in conversation and every Sunday they host a book club, as well as, on the first Saturday of every month, a stand up comedy show. Wit Large, a stand up evening billed as "Smart Comedy for Smart People" is a night that has come out of a desire for comedians to longer have to tell jokes over the uproar of a drunken conversation, the clatter of cutlery or the various "witty" repartee of an inebriated audience member on their bucks party. The show also aims to keep its humour either brow or higher, and their website claims that each act is screened first to avoid sexism, homophobia and lazy or energetic racism. Each show comes equipped with a theme, such as, "Medicine", "Music" and "New Arrivals" and various professional comedians, some local, and seem even on the International level. The night was engineered by stand up comedian Dave Bloustein, who hosts each performance, and Carrie Hardie, the shows producer. Tickets are $15 each, and the night utilises the book shop well, as during the intermission, you're free to browse the paperbacks and hard covers that paint the walls surrounding the stage. Wine and beer is available.

I had seem this place out of the corner of my eye as I was wandering arouind Glebe previously, and…read moreI decided to come back and check it out a bit later on that day. I was lucky because I get inside about five minutes before he closed, so I got a good opportunity to look around. I have to be honest and say that as bookshop it wasn't one of the best that I have been to, and the stock didn't really impress me as much as it could have impressed me. Mind you, it stocks new as opposed to second-hand books, which is probably why it didn't grab my attention as much as a second-hand bookshop does (namely because secondhand bookshops always have something interesting inside, and tend to have that musty, used book, feel about it). Mind you, I did find a couple of interesting books, but still, with what is next door, it doesn't really jump out at me.

Bookshops are my weakness in general. I should just put that out there…read more So when the newest owners took over the Wahroonga bookstore (there's been one in this location since 1917) and added all sorts of gorgeous gift items to grace the shelves alongside my beloved books, I redoubled my love. Novella (I adore the name!) is the perfect one-stop-shop for pretty much every occasion. If you can't find the right book to gift (yes, I still give books as gifts - is that old-fashioned yet?), then you'll be sure to find a cute piece of jewellery, some lovely crockery or even some particularly gorgeous leather-goods. And of course you can buy a cards to cap things off. So much for attempting to spend less time in bookstores!

Novella stocks a variety of quality books. The store has charm and ambiance unlike chain stores…read moresuch as Borders (now closed) and Dymocks. The customer service is more personable and the shopping experience more enjoyable. The staff are very knowledgeable about their products (books and gifts) and are very efficient. Evidently the stock has been carefully selected with a great amount of consideration. The store is conveniently located in among Wahroonga shops and is easily accessible in comparison to supercentres.

I'm fond of bookshops, and I'm particularly fond of this little one. Not a book shop in the…read moretraditional conception, but a book exchange, the tiny premises are often packed. Probably because it's a brilliant idea - instead of letting your old stories gather dust on your shelves (or, in the case of Manly's huge transient population, occupy valuable space in the backpack), why not pass it on and grab another? It's not a completely free swap, but you either trade in a few books and get a new one, or pay much less than a premium on that new romance you spy in the window. In an age of mindless consumerism, Andy's Book Shop is a timely reminder of the value in being thrifty, reusing, reducing and recycling!

When in Manly you're mind can't help but linger on all things leisure, and for me that includes…read morewolfing down books (if you can wolf down a book...) so I was thrilled to come across Andy's Book Exchange. This wee corner shop is an Aladdins cave of books, stacked floor to ceiling with them. For the casual browser they're helpfully arranged by genre so I was able to swoop in on the pink corner dedicated to chic-lit. What? Can't a girl indulge in some trash on the beach?! It's run by a couple of hobbit lookalikes which may or may not be off-putting for you, but they're friendly and helpful enough, if a little judgmental over your choice in books! The best thing about this shop is that it buys and sells so you can bring in old copies and get a good price, pick up used ones for a good price or even bring back one that you've bought there and get a few dollars back. It gives incentive to recycling! All the prices are clearly marked on the back including how much you'd get if you brought the book back, so it's as simple as can be (AND gives you an excuse to go back to Manly).

Any book lover is in heaven right here. Despite the number of books for sale being way greater than…read morethe number of space available to store these books for sale; the owners have done extremely well and have made a great art out of this. The books are extremely neat and well stocked: this definitely defies the trend of used book stores. Usually they are messy and the walking space is cramped and limited: not so much at this establishment. Spacious and well inviting shop front with friendly staff manning the counter all the time with great service to boot which is a beautiful thing. Vinnies will pass on this occasion as well. And the flea markets too. This establishment is well set up and designed to give any of those nearby second hand book stores in Glebe a good run for their money. Books almost falling apart almost sell like hotcakes here, and at great prices too. My foster mum is really in heaven here as well. She loves books and always ends up with half a plastic bag full of them after her experiences book shopping here. And with a village atmosphere; what is there to not love here?