Brisbane/Meanjin might not be known as a beacon of literary culture, but our fair ol’ city has more than a few independent bookstore gems if you know where to look for them—and here at Urban List, we do.
Tucked into heritage-listed buildings, hiding in plain sight on main roads and combining books with the life-giving essence that is coffee, these Brisbane bookstores far outshine your local QBD or Borders (may it rest in peace). We dare you to leave even one of them without buying more than three new bookish faves (did anyone say challenge accepted?). Here are Brisbane's best independent book shops.
Jump to:
- Brisbane Bookstores For New Books
- Brisbane Bookstores For Secondhand Books
- Brisbane Bookstores For Kids' Books
Brisbane Bookstores For New Books
Avid Reader
193 Boundary Street, West End
If wandering around a bookstore, grabbing a coffee and reading in a plant-filled alcove sounds like a good day, then swing by Avid Reader for your chance to relax, and get a look at one of Brisbane's best book stores. Browse through the racks of quality new fiction and non-fiction, and lose yourself to the quiet atmosphere and muted murmurs of fellow book lovers finding a rare gem. Avid also opened Where The Wild Things Are next door, a specialty book and gift store for young readers, but they still have a range of quirky gifts and journals on their counter. Hosting local and international writers in in-store events, Avid Reader is an epicentre for the Brisbane writing scene.
Books@Stones
360 Logan Road, Stones Corner
Patrons of Books @ Stones often revel in the joy that comes from chatting with fellow bibliophile staff about personalised recco’s as opposed to a student just trying to make some pocket money at larger chain bookshops, and after popping in, we agree. They also proactively support local authors as well as the standard international ones, of which they are happy to order in for you. We love that Books@Stones also offers curated book subscriptions for both the discerning reader and as the perfect gift for the bibliophile in your life. The subscriptions are offered for either a three or six-month period, or you can customise your order with the team. In the ultimate gift to yourself, your monthly book comes gift-wrapped on the first of each month.
Shelf Lovers
1 Dickson Street, Wooloowin
Shelf Lovers is a small independent bookshop in Wooloowin specialising in LGBTQIA+ and romance books, as well as literary-themed gifts. This is more than just a bookshop though—they also offer a safe space for book lovers to connect and engage as part of the inclusive Shelf Lovers community. With drag storytime events for children, as well as book circles, Shelf Lovers is a rainbow literary dream. Customers can also join their loyalty program to earn rewards against future purchases.
The Really Good Book Shop
4/1-3 Central Court, Hillcrest
The stacks on stacks of books at The Really Good Book Shop in Hillcrest may give you a first impression of disorganisation—maybe even chaos. You’d be wrong though. Any bibliophile knows that searching through the shelves for the perfect read is half the fun of visiting bookshops. The whole collection at The Really Good Book Shop is meticulously catalogued, and a quick ask of anyone who works there will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. In the bonus of the century, you can trade in any book that's in good shape, and The Really Good Book Shop will hook you up with store credit. If you can’t make it to the shop, no worries, you can grab your favourites anytime on their website.
Pulp Fiction
144 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD
Sci-fi and fantasy booklovers, this one’s for you. Pulp Fiction, which first opened in 1995, is an old-school bricks-and-mortar-only store that specialises in science fiction, fantasy, mystery and crime with a healthy spattering of horror, true crime and popular science books thrown in for good measure. So basically its nerd heaven and it’s located in a handy location only a hop skip and a jump away from Central Station. The staff are also huge book geeks themselves and are just as happy chatting about the latest Brandon Sanderson bestseller as they are picking out their personal recommendations from rising new authors.
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Mary Ryan’s Books, Music & Coffee
85 Merthyr Road, New Farm
If there’s one thing better than a bookstore, it’s a café and bookstore combined. Enter Mary Ryan’s Books, Music & Coffee. Combining all the good parts of an independent bookstore, including reader groups and expert staff advice, with delicious Merlo coffee and café fare, Mary Ryan’s was built for lazy Sunday mornings. Not to mention they also have a gourmet chocolate counter? Be still our beating heart.
Scrumptious Reads
92A Arthur Terrace, Red Hill
Scrumptious Reads on Arthur Terrace combines the best of both worlds: gorgeous books and foodie culture. Boasting a proud love for all things culinary, Scrumptious Reads comprises a bookstore focusing on every food-related book your literary-loving heart could ever desire, an event space plus a private dining room for those special occasions. Don’t forget to pick up the latest bestselling cookbook while you’re there in preparation for the epic dinner Scrumptious Reads is sure to inspire you to make. Your stomach will thank us later.
State Library of Queensland Bookshop
Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Situated in Brisbane’s cultural precinct, the SLQ Bookshop invites you to immerse yourself in all things Queensland. You can pick up titles by local authors, books about Queensland’s history, and even works exploring Indigenous culture. As a two-time winner of Queensland’s Specialist Bookseller of the Year, the bookstore takes pride in providing quality service to every reader who walks through their doors, so you know you’re in good hands. For the history buffs hiding among us, the store has a range of vintage maps handpicked from SLQ’s archives that will take you down a rabbit hole of Brisbane’s history.
QAGOMA Bookshop
Stanley Place, South Brisbane
For the best books on art and culture, look no further than QAGOMA’s bookshop. The store is a treasure trove of publications showcasing the world’s most exciting contemporary artists, including those from the land Down Under. You’ll feel oh-so-cultured as you browse the aisles, reading the backs of books that will no doubt pile up on your bedside table, patiently awaiting their time in the sun (or the reading light). Better still, all profits from the store go towards expanding the gallery’s collection and presenting new and exciting exhibits, so you know your dollars are going towards a good cause.
Riverbend Books
4/77 Oxford Street, Bulimba
Nestled away on Bulimba’s Oxford Street, Riverbend Books is every book-lover's dream. Just a gentle stroll away from the river, Riverbend has an energy that draws readers in, and keeps them wandering the store for hours. Get lost amongst the shelves of the latest literary hits, or delve deeper into the store to find something new. The store isn’t exactly a hidden gem—it’s been named Queensland’s Independent Bookshop of the Year eight times—but once you step inside, it’s easy to convince yourself you’ve discovered your own secret haven. With book clubs to suit every reader, Riverbend brings people together, and even offers light meals on their beautiful front deck. Their friendly staff are happy to help with any enquiries, and have a tonne of brilliant recommendations up their sleeve—all you have to do is ask.
Little Gnome Bookshop
5/66 Florence Street, Wynnum
Little Gnome Bookshop in Wynnum is your perfect Sunday morning thing to do. Grab a Montville coffee and work your way through the shelves full of reads, from timeless classics to the latest and greatest new works. Little Gnome is all about supporting Australian works, with some of the stocked authors even residing bayside. They also host self-publishing and social media workshops, monthly book clubs and book signings.
Brisbane Bookstores For Secondhand Books
Bent Books
205A Boundary Street, West End
With its neon blue, yellow and orange façade, Bent Books has been a staple for West End-based bibliophiles for years. With a collection of secondhand books spanning literally every topic you can think of—we’re talking witchcraft to art to literary fiction—Bent Books is pretty much book-lovers heaven. Squeaky floorboards, wooden shelves sagging under the weight of your next great read and a backyard terrace all serve to keep the Bent Books atmosphere going strong. Plus, they will totally buy some of those old books you were looking to get rid of, if you make an appointment, so you can buy new literary gems without dipping into the savings fund. It’s basically the circle of life. Now that sounds like a win-win to us!
Archives Fine Books
40 Charlotte Street, Brisbane CBD
Located in the heritage-listed John Mills Himself building, Archives Fine Books more than lives up to its tagline of “one million books on every topic”. While its main purpose is selling rare and collectible books, and trust us there are a few jewels among the collection if you have the funds for them, Archives can more than serve the needs of the average secondhand book hunter. The shop spans the majority of the second floor of the building and positively glows with an aura of old-timey literary fun. Seriously guys, stepping into Archives is like stepping into the library at Hogwarts—magic and all. If you visit, just be prepared to lose a whole day inside its hallowed walls. So worth it.
The Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Bookshop
3/160 Ryans Road, Nundah
Ever wondered where all the extra books from the Brisbane libraries go? Well, they go here—the Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Bookshop. Tucked away in Nundah, you'll find what is essentially a small warehouse filled to the brim with hundreds of ex-library books, as well as tomes donated by fellow booklovers in need of more space on their bookshelves. There's plenty of relatively new books, as well as older works, so your guaranteed to walk out with a fresh a stack of reading material for your bedside table.
Brisbane Bookstores For Kids' Books
Quick Brown Fox Bookshop
5/33 Carberry Street, Grange
Quick Brown Fox Bookshop specialises in children’s to young adult books, with a curated selection for adults, along with toys, gifts, and games. This indie bookshop hosts a heap of book clubs like ones for Juniors, Young Adults, the Cookbook Club, and a regular monthly book club. They also have a selection of books dedicated to Indigenous Australian themes, which we love to see. You’ll always receive a warm welcome and helpful advice, and they are happily situated next to Mr. T’s bakery, so you can fulfil your needs for both food and books at the same time, with ultra-easy parking on site.
The Mad Hatters Bookshop
50 Cambridge Parade, Manly
Located smack bang in the middle of Manly, The Mad Hatters Bookshop has been a cozy haven for book lovers of all ages since it opened in early 2015. This small independent bookshop is like a mini-wonderland, capturing the magic of storytelling and fostering a strong sense of community. Mad Hatters focuses on kid's literature but regularly hosts events, storytimes and signings for grown-ups too. Plus, they have a whole Harry Potter room for all the Potter stans out there.
New Farm Editions
85 Merthyr Road, New Farm
When you’re stumped on what to gift someone, be it a co-worker, friend or inlaw, New Farm Editions is the perfect place to visit. Their eclectic collection of fragrant candles, distinctive vases, ceramics, thought-provoking novels, and stylish accessories make it clear that someone at the helm of the shop not only has an exceptional eye, but a passion for gifting. The star of the show though, is the huge collection of beautiful boutique children's books. These gorgeous books serve as magical go-to-sleep tools and room decor with their beautiful illustrations and covers.
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Image credit: Urban List Brisbane
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