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.

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.

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.

By far the biggest dymocks I've been to and the most expansive in titles of the 2 I was thoroughly…read moreimpressed by the breath of titles over the levels as well as the helpful staff always around periodically. For my preferred subjects: sci-fi, history, media and sports this is a treasure trove of books I've been looking for(some for over 6 years). I appreciated their accommodation of me coming in relatively late and the book they had was in impressive condition compared to bookstores where I'm from. Overall I can't wait to call this shop home and eventually delve deep into their contents. Can't wait to come back again!

Books, games, toys, a café Intensive thousands of books fill the shop. It appeared to be well…read moreorganized and there were some information from him. An author was on hand signing his books and there was a story time in the children's section.This is the largest bookstore in Melbourne and the second largest in Australia.

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 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.

I've been a geek for books since I tried to teach myself how to read Blinky Bill in kinder. I love…read morehow they can transfer you to anywhere in the world right in your very loungeroom and make you feel emotions based on the different characters' experiences. And I'll admit it, I even love the smell of them. Especially old ones with a bit of history. Enter Readings. It's like, my book heaven. It reminds me of the movie, "You've Got Mail", where Meg Ryan's character owns a small book store. She sells all the classics, and she can tell you anything you need to know about any book of any genre. Then she's forced to close by a big chain. Readings is like that little, personalised book store. (I just hope and prey they never close down!!) The staff here actually know about, and care about, books. They're geeks for books, just as I am!! And it's GREAT. It's so nice to be able to walk into a book store and be able to ask questions about what's new, what's good and what do I just need to read. My fave aspect is the wall of staff picks; under pics of staff are listed the best books they've read. It makes it so easy if you're undecided on what to get. Trust me, you'll tell Readings are the real deal as soon as you walk in and catch scent of that all too familiar, and comforting smell.

Readings is a store for book lovers. You can always tell, by the floor to ceilng style book…read moreshelves, and the upper level books that look like they need a ladder to be retrieved. Every book lover would love to have a library in their home,and this is the next best thing. The store often holds events, such as Author signings, book clubs, and group readings, much to my delight. And there is even a significant section of the wall dedicated to recommende books by the stores own staff, with little reviews available for your perusal. Readings is also great at ordering in anything they dont have in stock, so it really is the perfect place to meet all your bookworm needs.

SALE! SALE! So I was strolling past this store and saw a sign saying 'all books $10' and I of…read morecourse was skeptical, so I ventured in. There was a huge range of new books all for $10, it really is unbelievable! My poor friend accompanying me had to spend a whole hour in here while I looked through every genre and every shelf. I have really fallen in love with this place because they had relevant (to me) design books (both graphic and art) on sale as well. I picked up a typography design books for $10 which will teach me everything the $130 degree textbook I bought would. Amazing. They have several genres in the store as well, anything from design to literature to fiction to history. I cannot believe I haven't heard of this place before!

Insaw this shop today and they were on a closing down sale!…read moreIt's sad as they really looked like a good shop. Would have wanted to go back here regularly. The books look like good finds. I will go back tomorrow.