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.

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).

At Newtown's Modern Times bookshop, you can purchase an interesting range of books with particular…read morefocus on art, their have a selection of Art books you may not find in other book shops, the pop culture focus really appeals to me. Also on offer is an extensive collection of cult comics and graphic novels (I saw a Tank Girl art book there) they also have really odd toys for sale and they have wrapping paper, which has a fun pop culture style, they had Thunder Birds paper! Also they have a Doctor Who section with all kinds of books DVDs and a great collection of collectibles for sale. I must resist. If you are looking for children's books or a gift for kids, their children's section is truly excellent. The shop has an excellent set up as it is directly connected to Art on King (there is no diving wall) although they are two lots of businesses, so it is an artist's dream shop.

This Newtown store is actually two stores in one, the arts craft supply store, Art on King and the…read moreBookshop/stationary store. They don't have a large stock and mostly carry new and popular titles, but their comic book and graphic novel section is quite nice. They also offer 15% discount off new releases. Since the shop isn't too large it is easy to browse quickly through the titles. I bought The Decision Book by Mikael Krogerus on a whim since it was displayed ever so valiantly next to the cashier (I used the Swiss Cheese model and SWOT to make this decision). The stationary portion of the shop is well stocked with all sorts of creative tools and Art on King is one of the best art supply shops in Sydney.

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.

Amazing experience at Kings Comics during a work trip in November. I called to check on in stock…read morecomics and they nicely put them aside for me to come pick up. I also did a second visit on my return to Sydney and got some recommendations on new releases for my travels! Perfection!

Super helpful and very friendly! 10/10 would suggest! I…read moreasked for any comics by Liana Kangas and they rounded up 3 covers she did with no problem at all!

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.

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.

If you're a brick-and-mortar bookstore and you're still alive I take my hat off to you. Its…read moreimmediate respect, in fact - given the swift move to e-books and online purchasing all around the world. I really enjoyed my experience at Dymocks in the Junction. It is situated just below the cinemas and I popped in to find some childrens books for my nieces birthday. Not only did I find what I was looking for - books written by the one and only Enid Blyton, my idol as a child, but they beautifully gift wrapped it for me too! I'm not sure how they do survive and remain competitive, but it will be a sad day if a place like this does close down one day. There are some that say book stores are a dying breed. I'm not one of them.