Podcasts & Books

Readings Carlton always felt a little bookish (in every sense of the word). It was never flash or ‘cool’ exactly—it just had a quiet, tweedy, folded-page dignity. Like a lot of its authors, I guess.  

Affectionately know as PA's, Prince Alfred Hotel is a Richmond local's dream.

While a small in size, Coventry Bookstore deliver the goods on content and service. Whether looking for yourself, a friend or a loved one, owner Stephen Hepburn is always willing to talk tastes and offer recommendations. Although stocking a reasonable selection per genre, Coventry is a must for cooking and design-lovers. 

Avenue is located right in the heart of Albert Park Village and has become a local love for book fiends. Focusing on new title releases across all categories you can bet you’ll be able to get your hands on the best fresh reads from both Australian and international authors. Boasting an extensive selection of children's books and gifts, Avenue is also delight for the little ones.

Independent publishing love is what it's all about at Perimeter Books. The store focuses on small press titles, art and design books and zines. Boasting clean lines and loads of natural light, Perimeter is a dream for the book-lover meets minimalist meets design-enthusiast. 

A bookshop that combines a love for the written word and a penchant for sharp design and beautiful homewares - there's nothing to be grumpy about here. Despite its small size, The Grumpy Swimmer customers return time and time again for the carefully curated range of titles and friendly staff. Having built a warm community of book-lovers through their book club, poetry readings and storytelling nights, the store is a delight for regulars and newcomers alike. 

Opened in the 1920s, Hill of Content is Melbourne’s oldest bookstore. The ground floor is largely filled with new releases and fiction titles while upstairs delves into classic literature, art, philosophy and travel. Stocking a range of gifts and reading accessories, Hill of Content boasts as much charm as it does quality reads and is a Melbourne-must for book lovers. 

You'll fall in love with the selection of homewares, jewellery, skin care and many, many other types of knick-knacks that are available at Klopper. Situated inside the South Melbourne Market, there is a beautifully curated selection of goods. Klopper is the perfect place to head if you're after gifts for that hard-to-buy-for female in your life!

Alice's Bookshop on Rathdowne Street is a treasure trove of novels, art books, children's books, poetry, periodicals and rarities. It's the perfect Melbourne bookshop for picking up something special, whether for yourself or as a gift, and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable. A true northside gem! 

A veritable treasure trove of wonderment and delight, The SuperCool is the ultimate gift and homewares store in Fitzroy. Sitting pretty on Nicholson Street, The SuperCool is chock-a-block with linens, artwork, gifts, candles, stuff for kids and basically every single thing we want to have in our homes right now. All of the beautiful things in one store. 

For Melbourne art, design and fashion lovers, Happy Valley’s Collingwood store is your new happy place. Conveniently bringing together the type of items you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in Melbourne, this Smith Street design hub has enough stock to ensure you leave with a pretty light purse. This is a must for book lovers, with a range of unconventional texts littered throughout the store.   

Nothing beats spending a Saturday afternoon leafing through books and vinyl, especially if it's at Melbourne record store The Searchers, Fitzroy. Specialising in second-hand gems, The Searchers stocks a wide variety of genres and styles including everything from jazz standards to hip-hop classics, soul divas to heavy metal. It's the perfect record store in Melbourne for picking up a gift for a music fan, or for treating yourself to a new discovery. 

Located on High Street in Kew, Tim's Bookshop is a neighbourhood stalwart offering everything from fun children's tales and young adult fiction, to historical tomes and foodie cookbooks. With friendly staff on hand to help you find that perfect book, Tim's Bookshop is one of our favourite places to buy books in Melbourne.

Having moved from Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Books for Cooks in Queen Victoria Market is one of Melbourne's best book shops, and a treasure trove for the cooking inclined. Proudly selling Australia’s largest collection of new and old culinary cookbooks, brush up on your knowledge with some new techniques, some international flavours or some celeb chef advice! 

Melbourne bookshop, Brunswick Bound on Sydney Road, specialises in books, gifts, crafting materials and all sorts of small oddities. The Brunswick bookshop is a treasure trove for you Listers who love to dig through paperbacks and stationery—a great bookstore if you are looking to pick up gifts or are after the latest published works by local and international authors. 

Greville Records is more than a Melbourne record store, it's an institution that has been around for 30 years, supplying Prahran locals with all their entertainment needs. Stocking the newest and oldest of Australian and International music, check it out for your next music purchase. 

Our favourite homewares and accessories store has revamped itself with the re-launch of its store across the road from its old premises in Greville Street - basically at our doorstep! The new space has been thoughtfully designed with the help of Like Butter, Billie Justie and Weekday Designs and is more charming than ever before. Expect loads of new brands, as well as the old staples including Bridget Bodenham’s ceramic vessels, oil burners from Page Thirty Three and Emily Green’s colourful jewellery.

Once you're done marvelling at all the ACMI has to offer you cinephiles, indulge a little longer with the ACMI Store. Located in the plaza at Federation Square, the ACMI Store has an amazing range of coffee table books, quirky little gifts, DVDs, toys and magazines. If you're interested in ACMI as an organisation, there's heaps of stuff about the Melbourne icon including ACMI publications, study guides, exhibition catalogues and merch. A must if you're interested in taking your ACMI experience home with you.

Located in Curtin House, on Swanston Street, Metropolis Bookshop is something of a Melbourne institution. Carrying a large variety of specialist books covering art, architecture, fashion, graphic design, photography, film, music and drama, Melbourne's creatives can often be seen leaving the store, arms laden with material for information, entertainment, inspiration, or just a little bedtime reading.

Housing an eclectic range of books and gifts, Eltham Bookshop is said to be one of the best independent bookstores Melbourne has to offer. Having nurtured hundreds of writers, poets and illustrators throughout the years, this store's popularity is largely due to its community involvement; its weekly author events, three annual literary festivals, and book clubs drawing a large crowd of locals and visitors alike. A must-go for all bookworms.   

Whoever said the bookshop was dead certainly hasn't been to Embiggen Books. Located on Little Lonsdale Street, this independent bookshop boasts the largest collection of popular science titles under the sun, as well as a huge selection of literature, art and design, poetry, DVD documentaries and fun science gifts. Also hosting lectures and signings from visiting and local stars of literature, science and the arts, there's no logical reason why you wouldn't want to head to Embiggen Books. 

In an era where everyone is buying a kindle, the Brunswick Street Bookstore continues to provide the best of the printed matter. Established 25 years ago, the traditional bookstore upgraded their premises as Brunswick Street got busier and now services the locals with new and past fiction, an extensive non fiction section and a completely stress free browsing environment. 

Right up the top end of Bourke street, The Paperback Bookshop has been trading since the early 1960s. Originally specialising in rare paperbacks, today the still-independent bookshop carries hardbacks, paperbacks, speciality topics and journals, both Australian and International. Stocking books on all manner of subjects, the staff will be more than happy to help you track down hard to find titles at this Melbourne instituton. 

Opening in October 1960, The Little Bookroom lays claim to being the world's oldest children's bookstore, and is still regarded as the best in Melbourne. The Nicholson Street store in Carlton North houses the original shelves and all manner of literary wonders. Both grown ups and littlies will lose track of time in this perfect little store. The collection is clever, innovative and educational, and caters for children of all ages, from picture books for babies, through to young adult fiction. Bookish heaven.

The CBD outpost of the world's oldest children's bookstore, The Little Bookroom, is full to the rafters with literary loveliness for babies, through to young adults. Peruse the pop-up books, gawk at the picture books and sniff the novels; you'll love it just as much as your kids will. The perfect place to watch your little one's imagination come to life, or to buy a gift that will make a lifelong impression.

A bakery, cafe and grocery store in one, Oasis Bakery in Murrumbeena is a must for all Melbourne food lovers. Originally a Middle Eastern bakery, Oasis has now transformed into a mecca for groceries and all things food thanks to the cafe and grocery store that's also located on site. While the breakfast options are drool worthy, it's the Lebanese sausage roll (lamb kafta mixed with haloumi, nuts and berries, wrapped in wholemeal pastry) and homemade baklava with Nutella and chia that really gets us excited…don't be surprised if you become addicted!

Located on Coventry Street in South Melbourne, Little Darcy is one of Melbourne's best kid's shops, catering to newborns through to eight-year-olds. Here you'll find everything from quality clothing and footwear, to furniture and classic toys. Drop by Little Darcy and pick up a little something for the little one in your life.