There’s an air of curiosity in a good book store. You can wander through the stacks and still not pass by every book in a store, or happen upon a treasure read you weren’t looking for but it found you. Plus, it’s always nice to take time for yourself.
Whether you’re after a literary canon classic or a new release, Sydney’s best bookstores offer that and more. Some even have a coffee shop and bar attached to it.
Better Read Than Dead
Newtown
The name says it all. This Newtown favourite often attracts Australia’s best writers, looking to host an author event, or just wandering through the aisles looking for a good read. You will also find an impressive range of genres in the towering bookshelves. Be sure to read the recommendation tags, especially if you’re looking aimlessly.
Books Kinokuniya
CBD
This one is for the art-lovers, design geeks, and anyone who appreciates photography. Nestled in The Galeries, Kinokuniya leans toward a Japanese influence, with a collection of manga comics and Japanese authors, but you will also find a large range of stories from around the globe. Find everything from cookbooks to self-help, colouring books, and the latest sellers.
Title Store
Surry Hills and Barangaroo
The Title Store is part bookshop and part record store, slinging vinyl and paperbacks. They have a great selection of international artists, and a massive collection of art books, the kind you want to put on your coffee table. Enjoy sifting through the genres, of books, films, music, DVDs, and more.
Constant Reader
Crows Nest
This village bookshop stacks the shelves with beautiful coffee table books, new sellers, best sellers, and old classics. You might just find a gem here, or an old edition of a Fitzgerald novel. They also have a selection of gifts for the book-lovers in your life. It’s a great independent bookseller if you’re looking for something unique. Some months, they host author events, so you can meet your favourite writers.
Berkelouw
Paddington
This book store has been around since 1994 and has become a local staple. Peruse three floors of books stacked to the ceiling—both new and secondhand. Don’t worry, if you’re struggling to decide on something, the staff are certified bookworms and more than happy to recommend some great reads. The cafe on level two is a great place to sip and leaf through your new book.
Love Vintage Books
Willoughby
This shop has all the charm of a London bookseller and is hiding a few ultra-rare vintage first editions. You just might need to do some digging to find them. Most books here are pre-loved, from forgotten authors, and famous ones.
Sappho Books, Cafe and Bar
Glebe
Sappho is a bookstore, cafe, and bar, so you can pick up a new read, and a caffeine fix, or stay for the live performances and fairy-lit courtyard. The books here are second-hand, and known to treat visitors to a few rare and vintage finds. This is more than a bookstore, but a destination.
Gertrude and Alice Cafe Bookstore
Bondi
This much-loved Bondi institution has a rich literary history that spans twenty years. Stop by for a quality cup of caffeine and rare books to add to your collection. It’s a great place to spend the weekend aimlessly wandering through the stacks, also known as “me time.”
Hordern House Rare Books
Surry Hills
Not all bookstores sell books, some invite you to sit and read. The Hordern House spans two floors and holds a collection of Australia’s pre-federation history. Book an appointment to sit in the grand reading room, and treat yourself to mint condition books predating Sydney.
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