Deborah is the most professional book store owner that I know. Her staff are so informative and…read morehelpful. I have always used Book Garden as a teacher and as a librarian. Woohoo! As good as it gets!

Scenario: You've discovered the calming and relaxation benefits of adult colouring in. You wander…read morepast Books@Stones before they open and see an entire window display dedicated to this new "trend" and you make a mental note to stop back in before you leave. Of course, there's something hush hush about admitting you are an adult who colours in but after recently discovering how relaxing it can be, I'm hooked. Thankfully, this book shop has quite a good collection of these books. But that's not all. While the front portion of the store is dedicated to adult books, the back half of the store is a wonderland for the young readers. There's a great selection of kids books (excellent for the Savvy Aunty who is eager to build her niece a well rounded library) and space for them to sit and read. In fact, as I was browsing the shelves an author was about to do a book reading for kids. Prices are reasonable and honestly no more than some online sites. Plus you get to take it home with you - what's not to love? If you're local this is one worth bookmarking!

This cute little bookstore on Logan Rd at Stones Corner specializes in Australian books & authors…read more Grab a coffee next door at the Green Door Gallery & Cafe and then go in and browse through their extensive range of fiction, non-fiction & kids books.

There are quite a few good secondhand bookstores in Brisbane, but this one, this one's something…read morespecial. Boswell's has an extraordinary wealth of books on seemingly endless subjects. They have most categories covered, from the Classics to English Literature, to Australiana, to Fantasy, spanning into all assortments of DIY manuals. The pricing is a little unpredictable, but generally agreeable. I went in there to find picture books, and came across this very old, worn, hard cover book on wildflowers. Every page was filled with beautiful, intricate illustrations and poetic little descriptions. It was a mere 75c. There were other books, newer books, of which they had several copies which would all have been around the $15- $30 price range. Who knows how that works, but it just does. I love the atmosphere. It's half chaotic bookstore/ half family lounge room. I had to happily negotiate footsteps with a few children tummy side down, lounging in between the corridors today. The shelves just ask to be rummaged through. The owner, a lovely older gentlemen, who for some reason reminds me something of David Attenborough completes the scene. I find it hard to leave this place empty handed. It's perfect for finding that great little book treasure you'd never even thought of before. Today I walked out with an illustrated dictionary of Birds of Paradise. Hooray!

I am a fan of bookshops, I even quite like chain bookshops, but most of all I love old bookshops…read more Bookshops like Boswell's that feel like they've grown organically over the years, where the comforting smell of old books has soaked into the walls, where you'll find odd stacks and get lost in strange turns in the shelves and where you know that your best friend is the person behind the counter as without them you may never find what you're looking for. Boswell's does a great line in second hand books, particularly hard to find titles, and they also have a sideline going in coins and other collectables. I must admit that coins don't really rock me, but I do enjoy peering through dusty glass display cases and there are often lovely little pieces of jewellery and curious trinkets to find and lust over. Boswell's will also buy boxes of your old books from you, at a lower rate of course however it's better than giving them away (or, horror of horrors, throwing them out). It also means that you will feel a little bit more justified when you buy that limited edition boxed set....

As I grow older and wiser, I'm finding that the ABC Shop and I have more in common. For instance,…read morewe both agree that documentary DVDs make a great present for the older branch of my family tree. Natural history DVDs such as March of the Dinosaurs and Living Planet. Not to mention all the lifestyle shows on DVDs like Grand Design or French Food Safari. I'd probably be able to find the same DVDs at JB HI Fi or online but committed shoppers like me enjoy browsing DVD covers, finding interesting shows that I've missed on tv or never knew existed. This place is also great scouring grounds for kids presents. On my last visit, I found a gorgeous Giggle and Hoot stuffed owl plushie. It was originally intended as a gift for my young nephew but I've since claimed it as my own. So the next time you get stuck on a gift idea, check out the ABC Shop.

Although the prices may not be this shops forte, you can always find your ABC show here…read more For example, my kids love the Wot Wots. For those of you who don't watch enough ABC2 or have kids, the Wot Wots are Wotty Wotting and they are blue and purple and learn about funny animals, they draw them, play with them and show live video clips of specific animals in general. Very educational, just trust me on this one. No where else will sell you a Wot Wot dvd in Brisbane except the ABC Shops. Or if you go to the ABC Shops online, you can probably broker a better deal than inside the shop itself. Something else the ABC shop sells that others done... the Justine Clarke CD series. With songs like Watermelon, I Like to Sing and Part of the Gumtree Family (going over and over in my head), you might want your kids to entertain themselves in the car when their feeling sad. Justine is always the answer. If you're looking for that special gift, they have cute girl and boy Giggle and Hoot PJs for summer here as well, we have the winter ones. ABC yay! Love this shop, ever since I had kids, I tend to gravitate to the kids sections, but i'm sure you can find some killer dvd's here and books as well too.

I was hesitant at first since I am in the US and Terra Australis Books is in Australia. I…read morecontacted John who spent the time to confirm the book listed was the correct book I wanted. John Field even sent a picture. Fast forward to today where I received the book in fantastic shape. It was packaged to survive anything. Wrapped in bubble wrap, wrapped in cardboard, wrapped in heavy paper, wrapped in tape. It could have floated across the ocean and still been ok. Thank you!

WORD is a bookstore, specializing in Christian books, CD's, gifts, cards and stationery. Plenty of…read morethings there make great gifts. The staff are really kind, polite and helpful. All things there are reasonably priced. When you go there, there is always lots of parking and is usually not busy. You can't really miss it. It's near Garden City and has a huge blue WORD sign in front of it.

A stones throw from the ferry at Dunwich, the Fruit Barn didn't look like much from the road. A…read moreplace to stop and wait for the rest of our party at most. Well, dear readers, let this be a lesson on judging a book by it's cover. What I'm assuming was a front yard and garage of a private residence has been turned into a space of several different retail avenues - small grocer, nursery and cafe. We took a seat in the shady courtyard and ordered lunch from items in the cabinet. I went with vege kofta balls with beetroot relish and yoghurt, with a side serving of tofu rice noodle salad. My hopes for the dish weren't high yet I found myself diving into a plate of fresh and plentiful veges. The kofta balls were an unexpected delight amongst the sausage rolls and pies, and with a hint of cinnamon were the comfort eats I needed after a few hiccups en route to Stradbroke. For less than $20 between two we left very satisfied customers.

Sonia's Fruit Barn in Dunwich adds an amazing and welcome addition to the range and quality of food…read moreavailable on Straddie. Her little shop is so much more than a fruit barn and it's a pleasure to relax in the garden and feast on top quality smoothies, juices, tea and coffee, along with cakes and the specialty salads, pastas and other dishes of the day. Sonia, a chef by trade, also offers a good range of fruit and veg and delicious deli lines so you can pick up a few choice items and do it yourself.

Clicking "Buy Now" on Amazon or Book Depository seems like the easiest way to have the latest best…read moreseller, adult colouring in book or animals giving high five thank you cards (yes, these are a thing and you can buy them at Mary Ryan's) in your hot little hands, but really, who wants to wait for them to arrive. We live in an age of instant gratification. And that, my friends, is what you get walking into Mary Ryan's in New Farm Village. Instant gratification from the well thought out books that line the shelves. Just the right mix of new, niche and even a grand selection for kids. As other Yelpers have noted, they know their target audience well with a brilliant range of travel, fashion, fiction and gift-items. Instant gratification that you can take your book home with you then and there. If you've timed your visit right you can then proceed to spend the afternoon, with a cup of tea, devouring your new book. Instant gratification that you've helped a local businesses. If we live in an era of instant gratification then this is the kind I want. Not the momentary rush of hitting "buy now" and waiting for it to arrive. Damon and his team have kept this little book shop humming when many haven't survived and I hope it stays that way.

It's pretty telling when a wee little chain like Mary Ryan's is still going strong when mega stores…read moresuch as Borders have closed. Mary Ryan's is really good at knowing their market. For instance the New Farm store is a great mix of food, travel, fiction and fantasy and I've ALWAYS found what I needed (or didn't quite know I needed but now need DESPERATELY) when I've visited. The staff are cool and very helpful, there's no judgement if you ask for the latest fantasy novel (we all have guilty secrets OK) and they now sell gourmet chocolates in store. Yes, gourmet chocolates. Way to buy my vote guys!