As far as i'm concerned this place is the ultimately newsagents…read more This is determined by one single factor: range. That is an extensive range of magazines, newspapers, stationary, confectionary, gift wrapping ect. ect. You could spend hours browsing in here, and that is just the way it should be.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Despite THOC's decades of existence, and broad and up-to-date selection of books, I've found that…read morethe customer service ranges from very helpful to completely offhand. While in the store recently, I witnessed a woman approach the staff with an offer of helping to move the books to their new store location. The staff showed no interest in her offer, and declined to provide her with any details of the move. I really felt for her, for her good intentions and that she'd taken the time to call into the shop. I've never witnessed this treatment of people in the little bookshop along the way, whose staff are unfailing warm and customer-focused-- just like meeting old friends.

Hill of Content proved to me that just because you have a beautiful shiny bookstore does not mean…read morethat you're going to get your average Top 10 book range with a box full of last years stuff for half price (A&R etc). There's every genre you could tink of, like everything. I actually get lost in here for hours on end. Their titles can be new or old, normal or strange, it's all in here under one roof. The store glistens to those outside, it's inviting and once you go in you will understand why. The wood floors and old rustic vibe of the shop just adds to my love for it. Most book stores staff squish their face when i ask them for design books, architecture, or fashion but Hill of Content is happy to help.

'The beginning is the most important part of the work.' - Plato…read more The School of Life in Melbourne is a sanctuary for readers, caffeine heads and lovers of philosophy and popular culture. But what the heck is it? Well - think of it as a hybrid cafe meets bookshop meets thinking space. A place of endless discovery, I make sure I stop here on every visit to Melbourne - plus I love the smell of fresh books and fresh beans that hits you when you walk in. Founded by Alain de Botton, you can get all of his pop philosophy books plus a myriad more from century old thinkers like Thoreau and Socrates to modern day books about love, home, career, solitude and life's big questions! The best part is they run evening classes, workshops, day trips and immersive special events where you can have incredibly soul nourishing conversations with "your people". The adjoining cafe space is great for coffee dates and work meetings - the space is not hush hush like a library but also not banging loud like some cafes that feels like a nightclub. I loved the 'Dial a Philosopher' phone booth concept and the World Poetry Day notes wall - and left with Alain de Botton's latest book on my favourite topic: relationships.

Passing by it's adorable white-grey-and-yellow cafe space and promising interesting classes, School…read moreof Life is one of those places that has been sitting on my list for 'I must check that out' since it opened. Having now been inside, I want to make a habit of this. The cafe outfit is open and relaxing, providing a great space to sit with a coffee (Allpress) and breakfast or lunch while you expand your knowledge. There's a retail store, so there's plenty of reading material on hand. Quite a few others had their laptops open, nestled in the window or sitting at the large communal tables. Lunch options are all 5 & Dime Bagels - perfect for a quick and inexpensive bite, or simply eating one handed with a good book. The room to the side is where the classes are held. As the name suggests, classes are focused on real-world knowledge and the kind of subjects they don't teach you in school like confidence, relationships and finding your passions. Definitely keen to check one out soon...but I won't be leaving it much longer now that I've finally got around to getting hooked on this place.

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.