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.

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.

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.

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.

Crikey! This haunted bookshop is a fright! It's located in…read morea back alley off another back alley, up a flight of stairs in a creepy space. The bookstore has every kind of book you'd ever need for a spell, incantation, or hex. They've got copies of the Necronomicon, however theirs aren't bound in human flesh. If you need an amulet, ring or other jewelry that'll conjure up the dark forces, this is the place. The owner has searched the world for the most powerful charms and designs to get you whatever your dark heart desires. Around the shop are various machines that test your prowess as a lover, the quality of your character, and strength of grip for a mere coin. Be sure to get your results here for the most accurate readings. The shop is cramped with tight rows of lots and lots of books that I'd only ever heard of. They've got some deep, dark stuff here that'd make even the most macabre souls blush. The owner is clearly into the dark arts, and does a great job of curating such an amazing selection of old tomes and books to outfit any coven. You can just feel how haunted this store is, as even in the back of the stacks, you feel a mysterious, ghastly presence around you. The owner also apparently does tours of the ghosts around Melbourne, which I was a bit intimidated to try.

I visited the Haunted Bookshop while I was on vacation in Melbourne and was really impressed with…read morethe selection of paranormal, supernatural, UFO, cryptozoology and other books of the weird it had available and the care taken to preserve them. Not only does the owner manage this business, but he also guides ghost walking tours of old Melbourne. This is a definite must-see for all paranormal buffs regardless of whether they're visiting or residing in Melbourne.

I admit I'm a sucker for bookshops in a non ironic way. Hey I do run a book club. This cute little…read morestore in Bentleigh has been here for years and continues to delight. Come in and ask the staff for their recommendations - they're all well read.

From the owner: Known for our friendly service and quality range of titles Benn's Books is a family run business…read morethat has been a part of the Bentleigh community for more than 30 years. We take pride in offering personal advice and recommendations to all our customers. Our fiction section offers best sellers, crime, fantasy, vintage classics, as well as all the latest new titles. There are literally thousands of good reads to choose from. Add to this an impressive collection of cook books, art, design and lifestyle publications, as well as a large range of children's titles - picture books, early readers and middle readers, Benn's aims to have something for everyone.

I generally don't go into bookshops very often nowadays. I tend to download my books from kindle…read more Having said that, Berkelouw Books is an awesome place to browse. They have a huge varitey of books, and if they don't have what you are looking for, chances are they can get it in. The store itself is lovely, big and light, and the staff are super friendly and obviously love their books. This place makes you want to put in the effort and go in to a bookstore.