Basement Books is a dangerous place on many levels…read more Danger number one: It's in Central. It is right in Central. Central is a place you meet people, so you might say, meet you in central at 4pm and then you get there at 3.30pm and you have to wait. So what do you do? You go to Basement Books and peruse their countless books with bright yellow stickers advertising their low and affordable price. Danger number two: Because these books that you're perusing are cheap, you can justify the price even if you're not sure whether you even need the book. 'Oh, a history of Physics' I've always been interested in Physics, and it's only $9.95 I should probably buy this and learn about Physics. Danger number three: Their range is gigantic! I almost said 'ginormous', but that's not a word. What I meant was Hugantic! There are literally thousands upon thousands of books and they're always receiving new stock. They have art sections, computer sections, history, film, personal growth, science fiction, literature, even books like the dictionary, which, had I purchased a copy last I was in, would have saved me the embarrassment of using a non-word like 'ginormous'. So beware of Basement Books. You have been warned. The bookshop is in a great location, the titles are cheap and the range extraordinary. I have a pile of books in my room almost as tall as I am that I have yet to read, opportune purchases that came at me as I strolled amidst the aisles killing time. A book on deadly diseases for $4.95, I'm not going to find that bargain again. Buy! Buy! Buy!

In this day and age of Kindle and Kobo and Nook, a solid read (and I mean one that you can…read moreliterally hold and turn pages beneath your fingers) comes pretty cheap. You really do need to head in to see what they've got because I find their online catalogue lacking and sometimes the staff don't even know what they're stocking. The outside disguises how big this place really is, as it has sections for anything from classic fiction to travel books and bios. It has a pretty decent selection of art supplies as well (I'm no art student, but it does cater for scrapbooking hobbies or the amateur artist if you're after it). Right in the back corner they have a little children's section which I found perfect for my six year old sister who's going through her first reading phase. I bought her a collection of these tiny Winnie the Pooh classics, and a special anniversary edition of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and Friends stories which averaged around $4 and $12 respectively. They have tons of different hard cover books (some of which are pop up!) which were surprisingly cheap, but more importantly, were invaluable in keeping kids (of all ages) entertained for hours.

I enjoy going to bookshops and often buy many books to support the business rather than shop…read moreonline. However, I will no longer be supporting Berlalouw books at Leichardt. The staff are rude and unfriendly and make you feel unwelcome. Bad service, service with an ATTITUDE.

Berkelouw is a beautiful book shop, worthy of extended browsing and buying. The second hand…read moresection upstairs is easy to loose yourself in and the ground level of the shop pleases with crisp fresh pages of coffee-table books, paperbacks, kids books and an exciting range of stationary and tid-bits. The wine bar upstairs is also quite nice and is a fantastic place to relax with friends or alone, with a good book and a glass of red. Sadly, the downstairs roadside cafe is not as great as Berkelouw's other elements. Despite the perfect location, directly opposite the Norton Plaza and in the heart of Leichhardt, Berkelouw's cafe prices are quite expensive and, what's more, the prices are not indicative of the standard of the meals, with the food and coffee being of poor quality. If you're after a good location in Leichhardt then you've got it here. If you're after a good book or a great gift, then you've got it here too. If you're after a great breakfast with value for money then there are plenty of good options in your surrounding suburbs.

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.

This place is really cute! It's a bit tough to find parking but we got lucky and found a spot right…read morein front of the shop! I came here for the Blind Date With a Book. The books are just over $16 AUD, I can't remember the exact price. I had a lot of fun picking my novel and am excited to unwrap and read it. If you open it to find you've already read it you can bring it back with original packaging and receipt to exchange it. I don't read many books so I wasn't worried and took it home with me to the states. The shop was busy and full of people and the prices seamed reasonable as far as I could tell. I enjoyed seeing a bookshop thriving for once!

Imagine my surprise, after visiting one awesome bookshop as I was wandering along King Street that…read moreI suddenly came across a second one. Well, it didn't take me much persuasion to step inside and have a look around, and I certainly was impressed. As mentioned, if I can find something of interest within a few minutes of browsing the shelves then it is a good bookshop, and sure enough, after a few minutes, I found a book (in fact I believe it was two), so sure enough this place gets the thumbs up. Actually, this could be the same shop that I visited previously, though the previous one happened to be in the city.

Best book shop in Sydney! Very well read and friendly staff, impressive range of stock, and great…read moreservice too!

In the heart of Marrickville, community bookstore Urchin Books has a terrific range of all sorts of…read moresecond-hand and antique books with great sections. They do a lot of stuff with Skid Row Radio (community radio station) and Marrickville Street Festival etc but don't assume this is your average political book store. There are sections on Sci-Fi, crime, music etc and really pretty bookmarks designed by a local artist. I'd love to see them install a little café in here, it's the kind of shop that would make a great café/bookshop/arts hub- it has that kind of vibe anyway. They frequently do events here so all the bookshelves are on wheels. They just roll them to the side and voila, performance space for slam poetry nights and the like! Check out Urchin if you like your bookshops friendly and artsy.

There is nothing better than a good second-hand bookshop, other than a second-hand bookshop where…read morethe owner will talk to you for ages about second-hand books, and this is certainly one of those places. If there is one thing I love to talk about and that is books, expecially old books, and she certainly has a decent collection of them. There are some pretty good titles in here, but the best part about this place, as with most shops of a similar nature, is the ability to simply pour through the volumes looking for something that catches your attention, and also getting a nice, dusty old hardcover book.

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?

I love the cards, the books, the gift wrapping paper, the jewelry, the soaps... pretty much…read moreeverything they stock in here. If you are looking for something unique and quirky, this is a wonderful shop to visit. They'll even gift wrap your items for you. Another Newtown gem. A must visit anytime I'm in the neighborhood.

Where else can you find quirky book titles…read more(http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/qUwMo_ehjAcq3QRu58nfAQ?select=3BfrHgYU-JPUd8VE63urDQ), a stack of journals (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/qUwMo_ehjAcq3QRu58nfAQ?select=hq1Rm0TOTs-eUpeU3_Du_Q) and colourful homewares by Mud (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/qUwMo_ehjAcq3QRu58nfAQ?select=RpBmC-yA9LUS7TJBS2zYlQ) all under one roof? As far as I'm concerned, nowhere else. Pentimento in Newtown has got it all. Pentimento is one of those places I go when I need to buy a gift of some description for that friend who already-has-everything-and-is-so-darn-hard-to-buy-for. Unique and eccentric, you can guarantee to find a present that no one else has thought of - 'The Moustache Grower's Guide', anyone? There are things that will make your friend laugh, inspire them to create, give hints on their travel destination or provide them with something beautiful to display in their home. Whatever the case, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you don't know what to buy someone (or perhaps you would like a self present), wander through Pentimento, it is sure to stimulate some original ideas.

A trendy, chic and sophisticated book store at the Qantas Domestic Terminal at Sydney airport…read more Great for checking in here before boarding my flight back home to Melbourne from any of my Sydney business trips and time out with family. There is something unique (albeit interesting) maybe some captivating aura that makes you want to open up sesame and come inside here; especially if you love to bury your head in a book; and perhaps you have oodles of time (although rare) before you have to board your flight to wherever you are going. The space is open and inviting and airy; almost as if you are a guest at someone's house. Great hang out space with well presented books; and a great spot to also buy those spirituality books: think Eckhart Tolle in particular. Just terrific customer service as well, and it is kind of clever how there are two different 'vantage points' of getting in and out of this establishment with a quality cafe society within your grasp; almost at arms reach. If you are flying Qantas from Sydney airport; whenever you are and you love books: then you are in book heaven here. You will appreciate this space.