If you are a book lover like me, then this place is heaven. From Potter to Proust, this second hand…read morebookstore has got you covered. There are piles of books everywhere. There are piles outside the front door, piles on shelves, piles in corners, piles on the service counter, piles on top of piles.... There are so many books that I wouldn't be surprised if the whole place exploded under the pressure, sending millions of white pages, and sweet words spewing out onto Belmore Rd. There's barley enough room to move, and if another game punter dares peruse the same aisle as you, one of you will need to vacate in order to move around comfortably. The owner is so funny, and always helpful (even though he continually tries to steer me towards the Twilight pile). Every time I visit he has tips to offer, and new books to show. Prices are reasonable, but in my opinion, a little too expensive at times. When you finish reading your latest purchase, you can either keep it, or return it for half the price you paid. A great, inexpensive way to encourage reading, and one of my favourite hidden gems in Sydney.

A nice range of very intellectual books, if you buy a book from Gleebooks, you know you won't be…read morelet down. It does have an air of austerity and prize winning grace. There was a good selection of philosphy, spirituality and film books, but the range is of an academic demeanour. It is for those that know and want to extend on their technical reading without fading out into light fiction. There was not much in the way of fiction, there were some Penguin Classics, but everything else was modern and non-fiction - biographies on interesting people like Steve Jobs and Joanna Lumley and there was a discount table out the front to try your luck with.

If you're a bookworm or just need a good pressie idea, drop in to Glee Books on Marrickville Road…read more The shop is crammed with all kinds of papery delights, plus an assorted collection of knick-knacks and a bunch of DVDs and audio books by the register. Spanning all topics from politics to sport to biographies to travel, there's something for everyone here. The staff are also willing to help you search for whatever you're after. There's a great kids' book section up the back and a wide range of cookbooks down the front. All the usual celeb chef titles are here, like the Bill Grangers, Matt Morans, etc, but also some unique international cuisine recipe collections that will have your belly rumbling before you even leave the store. You'll find a small range of gift cards and wrapping paper on the left as you walk in, so you can pretty much walk out with an entire gift ready to go! Easy!

A trendy, chic and sophisticated book store at the Qantas Domestic Terminal at Sydney airport…read more Great for checking in here before boarding my flight back home to Melbourne from any of my Sydney business trips and time out with family. There is something unique (albeit interesting) maybe some captivating aura that makes you want to open up sesame and come inside here; especially if you love to bury your head in a book; and perhaps you have oodles of time (although rare) before you have to board your flight to wherever you are going. The space is open and inviting and airy; almost as if you are a guest at someone's house. Great hang out space with well presented books; and a great spot to also buy those spirituality books: think Eckhart Tolle in particular. Just terrific customer service as well, and it is kind of clever how there are two different 'vantage points' of getting in and out of this establishment with a quality cafe society within your grasp; almost at arms reach. If you are flying Qantas from Sydney airport; whenever you are and you love books: then you are in book heaven here. You will appreciate this space.

This is where you would go if you had to start from scratch…read more The shop occupies an enviable corner location and is as big as three regular shops. It is also right at the top of the shopping strip. In a lower room (just a couple of steps down) is furniture. Good quality lounges, wardrobes, shelves and desks for example. In an ante room was men's and kids clothing, and also women's sleep attire and dresses. Toys were in there as well. A good number of tracks contained the men gear. Denim, trousers, jackets, shirts, tees, ties, belts... There must have been about 100 women's shoes. Half of the main room was also women's shirts only. More space was then dedicated to jackets, costs, tips, belts, scarves, bags and even wedding dresses. Books galore, DVDs, CDs, even Vhs. Vinyl. A back wall houses the house hold items. Everything from dinner sets to decorations. Then there were buckets of bits. For example, one bucket contained button sets (the ones you'd buy at the supermarket). Jewellery as well. I got op shop fatigue in there. Prices were extremely good. I picked up two fashion dresses for $8 a piece.