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.

Through the Looking Glass is a cosy little store that has a book for just about everyone. The…read moreshelves all tall and crammed with books divided up into sections like Teenage, Crime, and Poetry. There is a section for children's books and even a basket with second hand music books for pianos. Up the front near the window is an old large cushioned chair, which you can sit in while you have a read of some books. It is really comfy too! The shop has books that are quite new as well as some older ones. I actually saw quite a few books in there that I own which was surprising as I normally associate second hand book stores with really old, musty novels. While this store does stock some of those, it has a lot more modern books at really good prices. A relatively new book costs around $5 -$10 with anything older being cheaper. The owner is really nice and was very friendly. The store is generally closed on Sundays but occasionally she opens it up when she feels like it. It is open 10-5 Monday to Friday and 10-4 on Saturdays.

Wonderful selection of expertly-curated books and cards. Like a magician's hat, this…read morepocket-handkerchief space seems to keep on giving, as a source for all worthwhile books. And the staff are welcoming, helpful and resourceful. Without fail.

Some people have suggested that we are going to see the end of the traditional bookshop, but this…read moreplace is still around (though I don't know for how long). Sure, you may be able to pick up books cheaper at Dymoks, but what you don't get is that old bookstore charm that this place offers, and I must say that I prefer to wander around the cramped and crowded shelves browsing at the many books in a place like this any day. While it may not be a second-hand bookshop, you can still find some pretty interesting title here, though expect to spend a lot to time simply browsing the titles. Oh, as the name suggests, they only sell paperback books, which is also pretty cool.

The book grocer is the perfect little book shop. They have getting people back reading strongly on…read morethe agenda. With a good range of books spanning from Penguin classics right the way through to self-help books such as 'Sexercise'. But what makes The Book Grocer truly great is the fact that they serve up coffee and muffins and have plenty of couches and seats for the avid browser to sit upon, sip their coffee and ponder what to buy. And perhaps an even better thing is the fact that (bar a few exceptions) every book in the shop costs under $10. I don't know how they manage to be so cheap, but if you ask me $10 is a perfectly great price to pay for an entertaining book.

A visit to The Book Grocer is like falling down a rabbit hole into a bibliophile's heaven…read more A beautifully airy and modern bookshop replete with lots of seating and even a coffee machine, Northcote's Book Grocer sells an incredible range of books ranging from fiction to biography, art to the social sciences and all for incredible prices. Seemingly every time I visit The Book Grocer there are scores of people engrossed in a selection of this gorgeous little shop's tomes and this behaviour isn't just accepted, it's encouraged. The Book Grocer's staff are friendly and welcoming and there are so many incredible books within this awesome book shop's four walls that you can easily spend a good hour here giving each section no more than a cursory glance. Prices tend to be around $6 for paperback fiction and as little as $15 for a gorgeous hardcover, coffee table type book or cookbook. I was looking for some art and design reference books today and the selection was nothing short of intimidating. As a guide to the kind of discounts on offer, I found a beautifully put together book about legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland for $10 reduced from $40 and all stock is new and in impeccable condition. An incredible shop.

Look, even though I love second-hand bookshops, this place wasn't as good as some that I have…read morevisited. I guess it has something to do with it being more for second-hand books as opposed to antiquarian books as well. I guess it also has something to do with the difficulty I had in finding any really good books that would grab my attention. Still, places like these aren't places where you visit once because they tend to be the type of places where you will always find something new.

I absolutely love this book shop. About every 2 weeks I pop in and there's always new stuff in…read morethere. It's got absolutely great second hand books in there. Lovely service and lovely people.

I'm going to have to suggest that there really wasn't all that much with this bookshop. Basically…read moreit is quite small, and the range is very, very limited. This is probably a bit of a shame because there are things that I really do like about the traditional bookshop. However, this place basically only sold new books, which meant that when it came to finding something that a booknerd like me would want, you will be pretty hard pressed. In the end, this is probably more for somebody with general interests rather than anybody seeking anything specific.

Tim's Bookshop reminds me a bit of a library. Yes, der, it is full of books, but there is an air of…read morerespect for the books and a constant quietness that really gives the library vibe. In a world where bookshops have been transformed in to coffee shops/DVD stores/CD shops, it's always nice to find a classic book store with none of that other nonsense. Tim's stocks all the latest releases and the classics, as well as children's books and travel. I work nearby, so on my lunch break I often sneak in to see what the latest releases are and chat to the friendly, very knowledgeable staff.

Upon entering the store I immediately felt relaxed and at ease, Readings was my quite retreat from…read moreone of those unpredictable grey, gloomy raining Melbourne days. Not only does this bookstore offer a wide variety of books, but its almost a sanctuary and one of the most iconic book stores in Melbourne who gives back to the community. 10% of our profits go to the Readings Foundation, which support individuals and organisations that wish to further the development of literacy, community work and the arts. Readings flagship store is the Carlton store, however they have many locations including Malvern, Port Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda. Readings organizes and holds many events during the years from book launches, signings and other events. Staffs are always friendly and willing to provide sound advice and lend an ear to chat.

Readings Carlton is my favourite book shop in Melbourne. Floor to ceiling, this place is packed…read morewith well-researched, beautiful books and accessories. It's a must-stop for any book lover while in town. It feels good, smells good and just is good. Anybody who reckons the future of the written word is shaky, or even destined for a digital medium, get down to Readings and you'll think again. What they do so well is offer up quality publications in a well ordered and well staffed environment. There are countless little nooks and crannys for readers to settle in a test drive a new work before purchase and the staff have a collective knowledge of books and trends that will blow your mind. Even better still, the Carlton Readings (there are a couple of others about town) also stock a great range of CDs and now vinyl. This place personifies the concept that 'it's not what you do but the way that you do it' and the results speak for themselves.

Quaint little Alice. This gorgeous bookstore fits in perfectly in leafy, terrace-house lined…read moreRathdowne Village. Specialising in second-hand books, the range on non-fiction topics alone is enough to get a nerd of any kind excited. Instead of a 'history' section, for example, you can find the history section split into every country, religion, social movement and period of time. My English-history-obsessed Mum was in heaven. Normally she picks up the biggest book on the shelf, gasps in delight at the contents and then gives out a sigh heavier than the hardback she's holding when she realises the damage she's about to do to her credit card. I think I may have heard a squeak when on this occasion her ritual was met with a $20 price tag. Filled with everything from well-preserved childhood nostalgia to piano sheet music, it's the perfect place for book nerds to come for a long browse to discover some fascinating pre-loved reads.

Okay, while Melboure might not have a bookshop cafe, there are some nice bookshops hidden around…read morethe place, and this would have to be one of them. Okay, it isn't my favourite, namely because it doesn't have a pet cat as the one in Pahran does, but it still has its fair share of books. I discovered it because we happened to be driving along Rathdowne street, namely because it is better to drive down than is Lygon Street, and I saw it out of the corner of my eye. So we immediately pulled over and I went inside and had a look around. Anyway, I had been meaning to come back, and I managed to do so, particularly since I was hunting out a book, which I actually ended up find, which is a huge bonus because I namely go to secondhand book shops simply to see what is available. Anyway, while it isn't one of the best, it still has a bit of charm about it.