Just over a year ago my wife and I returned from a trip to Europe. After a few weeks recovering from jet-lag and settling back into the real world, I went on a book hunt.
Sadly it didn't start well. My first stop was Syber's Books in Caulfield South, and it was closed... permanently. I beleve Penny is still selling books online but her (and David's) bricks and mortar store front was no more.
Next stop was Avenue Bookstore in Elsternwick. Unlike Syber's Books this store sells new titles... and more importantly, was open.
I found the news of this store's closure quite sad, especially after visiting so many secondhand and new bookstores in Europe where every book store owner I spoke to told me sales were doing well and they were optimistic that the youth would continue abandoning their electronic devices to return to physical media like vinyl, CD's and books.
Almost directly opposite Thesaurus Books in Brighton is Top Titles Books. This store also sells new books, and for a little shop it certainly covers a wide gamet of interesting books, both fact and fiction. The staff behind the counter are also very helpful and knowledgeable.
Next stop was the largest bookstore to be found in Victoria - Dymocks. I love visiting this book store, it contains thousands of new titles and I've been shopping here for many years. Also, they often have author readings and signings. One year it was Jeffery Deaver promoting the Bond continuation novel "Carte Blanche" which I attended with my wife.
Kay Craddock Antiquarian Books was next on the list. This store has shelves of first editions, although unusually on this visit no Ian Fleming titles. But I'm sure today, over a year later, a Fleming or two sits on their shelves again.
Second last visit on my hunt was the Paperback Bookshop. This bookstore sells hundreds of new... paperbacks (what a surprise!) and was established in the mid-1960's. If you're searching for a modern paperback release it's probably on one of these shelves.
Last stop was Hill Of Content Bookstore. The first photo below is the original premises from where all the books were transported via a human chain of volunteers to their new premises (second photo) a few hundred metres up the road. This book store is definitely well loved after existing in their original premises for more than 103 years.
And finally, here's some random photos I took while in the City. Often as a tourist in other countries around the world I take many photos, yet neglect my own backyard. Today I decided to change that:
Flinders Street Station from a different angle
