16 September 2010

Best Bookstores in Canberra?

| mesmermojo
Join the conversation
29

I was wondering if anybody can recommend any good bookstores around town?

I have been shopping at the same one for years now and need some variety.

Join the conversation

29
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Alexander Fax is my favourite.

Woody Mann-Caruso9:09 am 18 Sep 10

Kindle + bittorrent

Sshhh – they’ll all want one.

Don’t forget the first rule of IRC Club…

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Kindle + Amazon.

Kindle + bittorrent

there are many excellent libraries in canberra… 🙂

the co-op is usually pretty good (esp anu one), and membership gives you discounts in all uni campuses australia wide… wonder no-one has rated this a mention.

keep hearing about this curtin bookshop – must check out.

Beyond Q has everything. Great, broad selection of books, a cafe…

Canty’s on Molongolo Street in Fyshwick has rather astonishing variety in non-fiction, fantasy and scifi; and an especially large childrens’ section, with both fiction and nonfiction.

Plus, Gaslight (secondhand and also new titles) books, also on Molongolo Street, is a specialist in fantasy/scifi, supernatural (or whatever vampire/werewolf/demon stuff is called) fantasy, and crime.

Both of the above bookshops have pleasant, helpful staff, and I rely on them to keep me reading!

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

Kindle + Amazon.

+1

Smiths Alternative Bookstore in Civic!

Woody Mann-Caruso4:15 pm 16 Sep 10

Kindle + Amazon.

Snarky said :

You can also find a very good range of new but remaindered books at The Book Grocer in Kingston. All new books, but at half or less RRP. Plus, the guy behind the counter knows his stuff and can help point potentials out to you quite quickly – I went in with a brief to find an Australian stage or screen entertainer’s biography for Mum. Spent a pleasant 10 minutes browsing and finding one or two, then asked the owner and had another half a dozen to choose from in a matter of minutes.

🙂

Definite second to that. A very easy place to spend $40 or $50 and come out with 3 or 4 good quality hardcover books. Plus he is open late on Friday nights, so you can bookshop while drunk.

There is also that second hand bookshop out at Bungendore. Huge.

KateKarnell said :

Kate Karnell is back baby!!!

FLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!

++++ Beyond Q in Curtin shops. Downstairs.

and I really like the airport bookshop.

Another vote for Beyond Q.

Holden Caulfield2:03 pm 16 Sep 10

The bookshop at the National Portrait Gallery is not too bad. I guess it depends on the type of book you are looking for.

colourful sydney racing identity2:01 pm 16 Sep 10

KateKarnell said :

Deref said :

Beyond Q in Curtin shops. Downstairs. Not only a brilliant second hand and antiquarian bookshop, but a superb cafe and live music venue.

I second Beyond Q.

Also QBD in Woden Plaza always has some good deals on books.

Borders in Civic for EVERYTHING.

Kate Karnell is back baby!!!

Far Carnell – you haven’t been missed.

Plus another for Booko and another for Depository (as Booko often directs me there).

Beyond Q in Curtin shops. Downstairs.

Canty’s is the best secondhand bookstore IMHO. They know their stock extremely well and are great for recommendations, wishlists, etc.

For anything new booko is great, but let’s face it, it almost always points you to the Book Depository.

Plus one for booko. =)

Most of the second hand bookstores now have a pamphlet floating around which lists the 10-15 second hand bookstores in the district. Some have their specialties (like Alex Fax Books in Mawson which specialises in military history) but most are generalists.
A few people here have mentioned Cantys in Fyshwick. There’s another 3-4 doors up from them in the same court which is worth a look too. There’s some in Civic, Lyneham, Curtin, Belconnen. Not sure about Manuka though? I don’t think there’s any second hand bookstores in Queanbeyan, but there’s a large one in Bungendore – Winch Books – which has just moved. It’s owner is a gruff old bloke but loves his literature.
With new books, there’s a lot of variety too – not every bookstoore is a Borders (thank god!). I like Smiths (is it still run by Andrew?) in the city, but there’s several hidden away stores in Civic with their own market niches.

+1 for all ceges suggestions @#5. And if your a political tragic you’ll often bump into a few pollies at Papercahin too (K. Rudd and N. Minchin on my list so far).

You can also find a very good range of new but remaindered books at The Book Grocer in Kingston. All new books, but at half or less RRP. Plus, the guy behind the counter knows his stuff and can help point potentials out to you quite quickly – I went in with a brief to find an Australian stage or screen entertainer’s biography for Mum. Spent a pleasant 10 minutes browsing and finding one or two, then asked the owner and had another half a dozen to choose from in a matter of minutes.

🙂

Deref said :

Beyond Q in Curtin shops. Downstairs. Not only a brilliant second hand and antiquarian bookshop, but a superb cafe and live music venue.

I second Beyond Q.

Also QBD in Woden Plaza always has some good deals on books.

Borders in Civic for EVERYTHING.

Kate Karnell is back baby!!!

cegee said :

new: paperchain in manuka, Coop bookstores at ANU and UC.
second hand: canty’s bookshop in fyshwick.
internet: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ (free shipping!)

+1 for the Book Depository – best find I ever made! Don’t buy my books from anywhere else now.

Thoroughly Smashed1:17 pm 16 Sep 10

There’s a Lifeline Bookfair next weekend.

new: paperchain in manuka, Coop bookstores at ANU and UC.
second hand: canty’s bookshop in fyshwick.
internet: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ (free shipping!)

Canty’s Bookshop in Fyshwick has a great range of second hand books. There is another next to Tilley’s in Lyneham which is pretty good.

Well, if you want variety, the internet is the place to be…

http://www.booko.com.au

(I’m so thankful to whoever posted that here ages ago, saved me hundreds of dollars on textbooks for uni!)

Beyond Q in Curtin shops. Downstairs. Not only a brilliant second hand and antiquarian bookshop, but a superb cafe and live music venue.

colourful sydney racing identity12:27 pm 16 Sep 10

new or secondhand?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.