There are a couple of things that I have noticed about 2nd Hand bookshops. Firstly if we are…read moredealing with popular books (or authors) then the chances of you finding any of their works in a second hand book shop are going to be slim at best. On the other hand they can be pretty hit or miss, depending one when you go, and also depending on the tastes of the owner - they don't necessarily buy every book that comes their way, not are they prescient enough to know that you want a particular book. This particular one was okay, and as I have mentioned before, there is always something hidden away that is going to catch my attention. While not huge as some are, it still is rather quaint.

This little bookstore is a fantastic place to waste time and pick up a bargain…read more Almost like stepping into a fairy tale the small space is exaggerated by the piles and shelves packed full with books. As you walk between the valleys of winding piles of paperbacks keep your eyes out for some bargains or collectables. Sections have been roughly organised, but the store plan is a bit hard to decipher. Just ask the owner or one of the members of staff to point you in the right direction. They are always friendly and up for a chat. The Merchant of Fairness can also help you track down a book that you haven't been able to locate. This is a service that is free of charge, and that the owner Rod is particularly proud of. The only section that is clearly separated from the rest is the children's. This is a brilliant little corner out the back where you can reminisce and look at copies of books that you may not have seen for 20 or so years. Stocking second hand books and rare first additions from various warehouses there is always a chance to find a copy of a childhood novel you treasured, or to purchase some large anthologies at a fraction of the price as new.

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.

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.

I remember coming to this bookshop years ago when it was on Elizabeth Street, but then it…read moremysteriously vanished. Well, it turned out that it had moved to Elizabeth Street, but it was still exceedingly difficult to find namely because it happens to be in a basement, and it still is. Yeah, I love this bookshop because the collection is nothing short of huge. I could literally spend hours down here looking at the books, and there is always something here that catches my interest. Oh, and the books are pretty cheap as well. It is certainly one of those places that bibliophiles like myself should be checking out.

I can remember this second hand bookshop from various basement locations around Elizabeth Street…read moreand Flinders Street. I thought that it had vanished along with so many other bookshops. So I was relieved to find it had simply moved further down Flinders Street. It is still in a basement and the pine shelves are still full of the same selection of stock. I descend to Basement Books and locate the art books and start to peruse the shelves. I work around the sections that I'm interested in art, philosophy, mythology and history. There are plenty more areas that I'm not interested in - military history, esoteric, self help. I should be looking for some holiday reading and so I start to look in their large fiction section. The fiction section is all arranged by authors A-Z - so it is easy to see what Burroughs, Ivine Welsh or Will Self that they have in stock. Will Self "Grey Area" a book of short stories will be an interesting read. Basement Books also stocks some interesting items of ephemera, programmes and pamphlets, displayed in plastic sleeves at the end of shelves. I then take a quick look at their antique books - I keep my eyes open for interesting old books and I've found a couple here.

Great book store just a few minutes from Alburn station in Hawthorn. Can Do stock a great range of…read moretitles from sewing, knitting, papercraft and cooking to name a few. Staff are knowledgeable and lovely to chatter to. Perfect place to track down a crafty book! P.S ask about their meet up groups :-)

I guess the problem facing me at this stage when it comes to checking out bookshops is actually…read moretrying to find a book that I am interested it - it takes a lot longer than it used to, probably because I have so many books that it is quite hard trying to find something that I haven't got. Still, this is still a pretty good bookshop with a huge selection of books, particularly science-fiction books. The other thing is that they were in a pretty decent order as well, which is also a huge bonus, namely because it can take ages trying to find books that are in a somewhat unsorted condition. As I said though, it certainly is a pretty good bookshop.

This bookshop caught my eye solely because I saw a BuzzFeed post on "17 Spectacular Bookshops In…read moreAustralia To See Before You Die." There were only two in Melbourne, and I sought out to find them. Kay Craddock is like stepping into an elegant library, I'd imagine it to be like the Restricted section in Harry Potter. As you gaze through the different titles and sections, your mind is put at ease with the classical sounds playing softly in the background. You can find all sorts of old books here, vintage and original copies. They have a beautiful collection of Jane Austen in complete leather binding. In the far back room, they have owls aligning the bookcases, it adds to the feeling here. All in all, I found it a very soothing place to be. And, there is even a one room gallery for your eyes to feast upon. It's like a museum for books, protected in their precious glass cases and the only disturbance is the noise from the outdoor city with cars rumbling on by.

If I had to choose a bookstore to save in the CBD, it may well be this antiquarian bookseller. An…read moreiconic place where an appreciation of history and literature is a must, Kay Craddock's store is simply legendary. First editions and rare collectables, beautiful prints and a calm atmosphere are what is on offer. Upon entering and walking down the steps past beautiful artwork and cabinets of old editions from another time, you will start to appreciate the attention to detail and enthusiasm that the owner Kay, husband Jonathan and her staff have used to put together a true treasure in the city. The appropriate mix of gallery, museum, and bookstore, there is so much to take in that to do the collection justice, you'll have to set aside several hours and make your way slowly around the space. Kay and Allison are attentive and helpful. They are there if you need assistance, but in such a calm and respectful atmosphere, they are also more than happy to see people simply look around, and enjoy their place of work. Since I first discovered this magical store, I can't go into the city without stopping by and having a browse and saying hello to the wonderful people that make the store so special.

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.