• Home
  • About
    • About Treefall Writing
    • About Melinda Tognini
    • Comments Policy
  • My Books
    • Many Hearts, One Voice
    • Tales From Our Home
    • Other Publications
  • Writing Comps & Opportunities
    • Opportunities for Young Writers
    • Writing Opportunities for All
  • Work with Me
    • Workshops
    • Mentoring & critiquing
    • Oral history
    • Working in schools
  • Blog
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Family history
    • Young writers
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
    • About Treefall Writing
    • About Melinda Tognini
    • Comments Policy
  • My Books
    • Many Hearts, One Voice
    • Tales From Our Home
    • Other Publications
  • Writing Comps & Opportunities
    • Opportunities for Young Writers
    • Writing Opportunities for All
  • Work with Me
    • Workshops
    • Mentoring & critiquing
    • Oral history
    • Working in schools
  • Blog
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Family history
    • Young writers
  • Contact
scroll down for more
Reading

Five Faves: In Praise of Bookshops

Melinda Tognini November 23, 2014 9 Comments

Last week, I retreated to Denmark, a town in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, with the hope of making progress on my current writing project. While I was there, the local bookshop hosted a wine and cheese night for visiting authors, Deb Fitzpatrick and Brooke Davis. We were enthralled and entertained as they spoke about books, writing and the bond they have with their brothers.

Many bookshops have been doing it tough in recent years, with a number of well-known chains disappearing altogether. With the convenience and cost of on-line shopping, and the impact of e-publishing, some might conclude they are a dying breed. I don’t particularly care about the large chain stores, but I am passionate about the smaller, independent bookshops.

In a retail industry that seems to be increasingly devoid of customer service, the staff of my favourite bookshops still give a damn. They are knowledgeable, engaged and personable. Many of them are involved in their local community and actively support writers, through book launches, signings and author talks.

But mostly, I love bookshops for the kinaesthetic experience of browsing real shelves, of feeling a book’s weight in my hand, of reading its blurb and flicking through the first few pages to gauge whether it’s for me. And for the magical hope that I just might slip into another world.

In light of this, my  Five Faves this month is in praise of bookshops.

 1. Tea House Books (South Coast Highway, Denmark, WA)

Tea House Books
(Photo courtesy of Tea House Books)

Whenever I visit the Great Southern town of Denmark with my kids, the first ports of call are the award-winning bakery and Tea House Books, not necessarily in that order. We love owner/manager Melissa, who is friendly, knowledgeable and an enthusiastic supporter of local and visiting writers. There’s even a comfortably furnished reading room, where you can linger over cake and a cuppa.

2. Beaufort Street Books (Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley, WA)

Beaufort Street Books
(photo courtesy of Beaufort Street Books)

Beaufort Street Books is another shop that supports local and visiting writers, regularly holding author events and reading sessions for children, as well as movie nights, yoga classes and literary speed dating. It’s also where Brooke Davis was working when her novel, Lost and Found, found a publisher. If you’re lucky, she might be standing behind the counter and you can ask her to sign a copy, but otherwise, there are plenty of other friendly staff to assist you.

 3. Oxford Street Books (Oxford Street, Leederville, WA)

Oxford Street Books

 

A friend recently attempted to order a book through a major bookshop chain. They refused to do so unless she bought two copies or spent over $100. No such conditions at Oxford Street Books. If it has an ISBN, they’ll find it for you. Positioned on a fabulous cafe strip and open til late, Oxford Street Books has been my local for almost 20 years (My name is Melinda and I am a bookaholic).

4. Bookcaffe (Claremont Crescent, Swanbourne, WA)

Bookcaffe, Swanbourne

 

Two of my favourite past-times are reading and eating, so what more could I wish for than a bookshop that doubles as a cafe? I’ve spent many hours here, ordering pots of tea or a bite to eat, while I browse books, and attempt to draft my own. Personal menu recommendations include the soup-of-the-day and the Vietnamese Chicken Salad, with plenty of gluten-free options available. The Bookcaffe also hosts visiting author talks, and is a popular meeting place for book clubs.

5. TBA

I don’t need to venture far to visit my favourite bookshops, which is why number 5 belongs to you. What is your favourite local bookshop? Or perhaps you’ve traveled and discovered a gem in a historic city or small village somewhere. I’d love to plan an interstate or overseas trip guided by your recommendations, so please let me know!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Previous 6 Degrees of Separation: We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
Next 6 Degrees of Separation: The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Melinda Tognini

story-gatherer & mentor

Related Posts
The Distance Between Dreams: In Conversation with Emily Paull March 31, 2025
6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect January 4, 2025
Reflect. Simplify. Create: In Conversation with Amanda Viviers December 31, 2024

9 Comments

  1. annabelsmith says:
    November 24, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    Lovely post Melinda. I’m a huge fan of beaufort Street Books. I also love Crow Books in East Vic Park. The owner – Alan – used to be the manager at Planet and has curated such a wonderful collection of books there.

    Reply
    1. melindatognini says:
      November 24, 2014 at 6:03 pm

      Thanks, Annabel. I have also heard lovely things about Crow Books, although I have not yet been there – perhaps that’s something I need to change.

      Reply
  2. Jane Bryony Rawson says:
    November 26, 2014 at 11:37 am

    For me, it has to be the Sun bookshop in Yarraville, in Melbourne – my local, and it’s tucked away in an art deco theatre. (But I do also spend a ridiculous amount of money at Readings’ online bookshop…)

    Reply
    1. melindatognini says:
      November 26, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      Sounds wonderful! My husband keeps promising to take me to Melbourne (he’s there now), so when he does, I will have to head to Yarraville.

      Reply
  3. Rhian says:
    November 27, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Stefen’s Books in Shafto Lane is one of my favourites. Stefen always has time for a chat and by now he knows me (and a lot of other regulars I bet) well enough to make recommendations that suit my preferences. He has a couple of monthly bookclubs running (held at the pub!) and has organised a number of author events. I believe he has built a bit of a community around his store and it is due mostly to his superb customer service.

    Reply
    1. melindatognini says:
      November 28, 2014 at 5:05 am

      I didn’t know about Stefen’s Books, so thanks so much for letting me know. I love it when you can walk into a shop and they know you. Sounds like Stefen has something very special happening there.

      Reply
  4. elimy293 says:
    November 28, 2014 at 10:35 am

    Hi Melinda,

    Thanks so much for this post… I actually do the book buying at Bookcaffe and I am there a lot, so I have probably seen you. Very humbled to have made this list. Next time you’re in, please introduce yourself so I can thank you in person.

    Emily

    Reply
    1. melindatognini says:
      November 28, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Emily, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment! I will certainly introduce myself next time I’m at Bookcaffe. I was there last week, although I don’t get there as often as I’d like these days. But for a couple of years I was in there at least once a week, as my son was at school just around the corner.

      Reply
  5. 5 Writing Prompts for National Bookshop Day | Treefall Writing says:
    August 1, 2015 at 8:12 am

    […] National Bookshop Day (Saturday 8 August 2015) aims to celebrate all that’s great about bookshops. I’m a big fan of local, independent bookshops and have been for a long time. If at all possible, I’ll order my books through one of these rather than a chain store or on-line, for reasons I’ve explained in an earlier post. […]

    Reply

Your comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter Signup

Sign up here to receive regular writing resources, research tips and creative prompts, as well as reading recommendations and MAD links.

 

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Privacy

Read my full privacy policy here , but essentially I promise to keep your information confidential and not pass on your details to any 3rd parties. Ever.

Blog Categories

  • Reading
    • Reading recommendations
    • 6 Degrees of Separation
    • Stories that matter
    • My story
    • Five Faves
    • Reading
  • Writing
    • Writing
    • Writing prompts
    • Writing quotes
    • Writing resources
    • Creating space for your story
    • Family History
    • Young Writers

What I’m Reading

goodreads

Australian Society of Authors

asa_logo_col

Latest Comments

Apologies for the late reply! I shall go check out your post - even the title is intriguing!
In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
I haven't read any of the books on your chain (though am reading Orbital currently) but love the clever links... And now adding Writer Laid Bare to my TBR.. my post is here - https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/two-roads-diverged-in-the-words-with-trivia-twists-too/
In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
You're welcome! Thank you for being so generous with your time in answering my questions as well as all the incredible work encouraging creatives everywhere!
In Reflect. Simplify. Create: In Conversation with Amanda Viviers

Recent Posts

  • The Distance Between Dreams: In Conversation with Emily Paull
  • Creative Writing Prompts: April
  • Creative Writing Prompts: February
  • 6 Degrees of Separation: From Dangerous Liaisons to My Place
  • Creative Writing Prompts: January
  • 6 Degrees of Separation: From Orbital to Imperfect
Melinda Tognini (c) 2023 | Site by ICTECH