I've always wanted to create a Melbourne (Unofficial) Secondhand Book Trail page on my website. It's still a goal of mine. And when I do these will be the first four book stores on that list:
1) Fully Booked, Thornbury
This awesome book store is operated by husband and wife team Tadhg (pronounced "Taig") and Rallou. It contains a wide selection of quality books and is extremely well organised. The prices are very reasonable and the owners both enthusiastic and knowledgeable. As you can see below they always stock plenty of James Bond books with their "SpyFi" and "Bond, James Bond" categories. Definitely has to be the first stop on any secondhand book trail in Melbourne.
2) Allsorts Books, Northcote
An eclectic store, Allsorts Books is just a short drive down the road in Northcote. The owner Paul has been in the book trade for many years and can always be found behind the counter ready for a chat or to give advice on books. This store contains many books however I've always managed to find one or two Bond paperbacks hidden on the shelves so get ready for a little book shifting... it may prove very worthwhile !
3) Brown & Bunting Booksellers, Northcote
Another husband and wife team, Travis and Benita, own and operate this store. Located just steps from Allsorts Books this store couldn't be more of a contrast. Glass cabinets, shelves of first editions and plenty of space to browse, bookphiles could easily enter this store believing it sold brand new books. The store is well organised and maintained. It also often has both Bond hardbacks and paperbacks on the shelves as shown below.
4) Howard Bolton Bookseller, Northcote
Located just a short distance away down the back-streets near the local railway station is Howard Bolton Bookseller. For a relatively small store it packs a big punch. A wall of hardbacks, many first editions, fill the large shelf on the right as you enter. Elsewhere hundreds of quality paperbacks sit neatly on the shelves around the rest of the store. The owner, Howard, is a wealth of knowledge about books and the book trade as he has been dealing with them for many years. He always has a large number of Bond paperback books for sale, and occasionally other Fleming titles such as first edition "Thrilling Cities". Miss this store at your own peril, although be aware it only opens on Saturdays.
Also, don't forget to check out Retro Active and The Book Grocer on High Street in Northcote. You may be surprised and find some book gems there too.
The Melbourne (Unofficial) Secondhand Book Trail continues here with Part 2.
I grew up in Northcote. There wasn't a bookstore to be found there back in the '70s and '80s. Bolton's Books in Charles Street used to be a delicatessen back then. How times do change. May have to pay that store a visit to see how they've rearranged things.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth a visit Teeritz, although the only sandwich in the store now will belong to Howard. Just note the store is only open Saturdays
ReplyDeleteWow. This is an awesome list. Brown and Bunting is one of my faves, but I've somehow missed the other three. That will have to be remedied shortly! Any chance of a Part II?
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. Great to hear from you. I've been planning a Part 2 for a while now so hopefully I can get around to it soon
ReplyDeleteThe last line of the above post has a link to Part 2. However in the years since Parts 1 and 2 were written an update is now required
ReplyDelete