Road Trip To Dubbo (Part 1 of 3) - Wagga Wagga

In early September my wife and I drove to Dubbo, New South Wales for her work.  We could have flown but a road trip, of almost two thousand kilometres return, was much more of an adventure.

The trip from Melbourne to Dubbo could be done in a day.  Truckies constantly do it.  However to utilise daylight hours we wouldn't be able to stop for long, and we certainly couldn't stop for bookshops.

So we decided stop for one night in Wagga Wagga as it's about half way and also it's a fairly major town.  Apart from Op Shops, Wagga Wagga has no second hand book shops, but they do have two retailers selling new books.

Collins Booksellers Wagga Wagga has two fantastic murals promoting well known literary characters on one side of the building frontage. While inside the store there's high ceilings and generous space between its shelving to walk amongst the many books on them.  

The store was busy with browsing customers when I visited and I overheard one of the friendly staff saying to one of them "We run a homeless book shelter.  Every book in here is waiting for a good home".  I'd never heard this phrase before but it seemed quite apt as I looked around.  Here's a link to their website.

Gateway Bookshop was the second book store, just a short walk from Collins.  Situated at the "railway end" of town, it adjoins Piazza Arcade where a small collection of retro and vintage businesses are starting to grow.  

Louise, the owner, was lovely.  Obviously an independant book store, she wanted to promote not only her store but Wagga Wagga in general.  And the "gate" in "Gateway"... well at the back of store there's an almost secret sliding door and on the other side a huge virtual escape room that suits 2 to 6 players.  Here's the link to her website including Gateway VR Escape which is just $39pp.

Detective Major Boothroyd Returns

Major Boothroyd, aka "Q", returns in the latest "Q Mysteries" installment from author Vassem Khan.  A new addition to the James Bond brand, "The Man With The Golden Compass" was released just a few days ago in the UK.

Following the success of "Quantum Of Menace", published last year by Zaffre (an imprint of Bonnier Books), this sequel promises more adventures by the man responsible for creating Bond’s ingenious gadgets.

There are several different hardbacks available too.  Here's a copy I received today from Goldsboro Books which features a limited edition blue dustjacket, with sprayed book edges and signed by the author.  There is also a regular white dust jacket version which I don't own yet.

Shown also is an "uncorrected proof copy" of the novel in trade paperback size.

And here's some photos including the first title in the series.

I see these books as stepping stones for readers to Ian Fleming's original novels so I'm always very excited when a new title is released.  Here's hoping that Mr Khan releases a third novel to complete the trilogy.

ps. "TMWTGC" from Goldsboro Books before it's unboxing

Benn's Books, Bentleigh

Benn's Books is an independant book store established in Bentleigh, Victoria almost five decades ago.  They are general book sellers, stocking a wide variety of quality books covering a large number of categories.  They also have a huge selection of kids books at the rear of the store.

On the day I visited they had two James Bond related novels, one was a copy of Vaseem Khan's "Quantum Of Menace", the other the newly published "King Zero" from Charlie Higson.

I purchased a copy of "King Zero", the first paperback edition to add to my collection, and I've already added cover images to my website.  (Don't forget to click the image for a 3D view if you do click this link).

If you're ever near Bentleigh, don't forget to visit Benn's Books.  It's a really interesting book store and the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about books.  I've purchased several books from them in the past too.  Here's a link to their website.

Adelaide Getaway - Part 1 of 4 (Monday)

My wife and I are currently in Adelaide after driving the long trek from Melbourne last Sunday.

1) O'Connell's Bookshop, Adelaide

On our first day in Adelaide I walked up Rundle Mall, and then a little further, to O'Connell's Bookshop.  On entry, Ben (and Oscar the dog) greeted me, and after mentioning I was hunting for James Bond books he explained by strange coincidence he was just in the process of setting up a display of Bond paperbacks in his front cabinet.

A lone Pan Books “Casino Royale” movie tie-in from 1967 was already sitting on the glass shelf awaiting more books to accompany it.  Ben also said he’d just sold a Jonathan Cape “Dr. No” first edition, with others still on display in a standing glass cabinet close by.

As always, O’Connell’s Bookshop had a pile of James Bond books available.  There was also this Len Deighton “Action Cookbook” with a cover designed by Raymond Hawkey which I’d never seen in the wild before.

O’Connell’s Bookshop celebrates 70 years of business next year with Ben, a third generation of O’Connell, currently managing the store.  They have thousands of second hand titles for sale catering for many different tastes, and is a must visit if you're ever in Adelaide.

2) QBD Books

Next stop was QBD Books on Rundle Mall which only sells new titles.  They had lots of great books including “Quantum Of Menace” by Vaseem Khan.

3) Dymocks Bookstore, Glenelg

Later that morning we drove to Glenelg, a short drive from the City centre.  First we visited the Dymocks Bookstore which was full of potential customers.  Like QBD Books, they only sell new titles, and also had copies of Vaseem Khan’s novel. 

4) Mockingbird Lounge, Glenelg

A short drive from Glenelg is the Mockingbird Lounge.  I normally don’t like mixing food with books but this cafe is definitely an exception.  Every room has shelves of second hand books on the walls.  And one room is set up specifically for book club patrons who’s taste (sadly) appeared to not extend to Ian Fleming as I couldn’t see any Bond novels among the piles of same titles on the shelves.

5) Rotary Bookmart, Woodville West

On our return to Adelaide we passed this Rotary Bookmart in Woodville West.  So many second hand books for sale at bargain prices, and all really well organised by the volunteers.  No luck for me but my wife picked up a few bargains.

On our way back to the hotel we passed New Morning Books on Frome Street, however we’ll have to return as it was closed on the day we visited. 

Here's some additional photos.  Firstly a mural down a lane way near our hotel in central Adelaide

And some photos from Glenelg.

Stay tuned for Part 2...