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.

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.

I'm not sure what the bookstore situation is in Australia, but back home (in Canada) smaller…read morebookstores are becoming increasingly rare. Ones this size are no longer guaranteed to be a staple found in most shopping malls, and even more rare to find one simply off the street. In any case, it was nice to find this as we were walking along Cronulla st. as we were looking for some gifts for the kids. I'm not sure how they decide to 'curate' their selection of books, but they're doing a good job since, in spite of the smaller size, there seemed to be a book you would be interested in at every turn. For the kids books, there was still a good supply with all sorts of variety and lots of unique ones too. Very good attentive service, and we even found some niche things such as maps which my sons enjoys. Worth popping into if you're in the area for sure.

In our times of ibooks and Kindles its nice to find a real bookshop with real books that you take…read morehome and they have that new book smell. The first time you fold the corner of the page .. I ordered a book that didnt arrive in time and the staff rang me to let me know why it wasnt in yet and again when it was . (obviously) . The customer service is above and beyond , Old School like books. Its a big modern store with gifts and cards too . A Great business . Save our books and shop here.

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.

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.

A nice range of very intellectual books, if you buy a book from Gleebooks, you know you won't be…read morelet down. It does have an air of austerity and prize winning grace. There was a good selection of philosphy, spirituality and film books, but the range is of an academic demeanour. It is for those that know and want to extend on their technical reading without fading out into light fiction. There was not much in the way of fiction, there were some Penguin Classics, but everything else was modern and non-fiction - biographies on interesting people like Steve Jobs and Joanna Lumley and there was a discount table out the front to try your luck with.

If you're a bookworm or just need a good pressie idea, drop in to Glee Books on Marrickville Road…read more The shop is crammed with all kinds of papery delights, plus an assorted collection of knick-knacks and a bunch of DVDs and audio books by the register. Spanning all topics from politics to sport to biographies to travel, there's something for everyone here. The staff are also willing to help you search for whatever you're after. There's a great kids' book section up the back and a wide range of cookbooks down the front. All the usual celeb chef titles are here, like the Bill Grangers, Matt Morans, etc, but also some unique international cuisine recipe collections that will have your belly rumbling before you even leave the store. You'll find a small range of gift cards and wrapping paper on the left as you walk in, so you can pretty much walk out with an entire gift ready to go! Easy!

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.