Name: Dymocks Melbourne

Location: Lower Ground Floor, 234 Collins St, Melbourne VIC

Size: BIG but not huge (would have loved to explore another level … but maybe there was and I didn’t notice – Melbourne locals please let me know in the comments)

Thoughts: This bookshops fiction section filled my soul 💖 There was such a variety to pick from and I loved the eclectic variety they stocked. I found their crime fiction section exuberant and fantastic! They had all Agatha Christies, all Lee Child, all Michael Robotham, all of my lovely friend Sulari Gentill in stock. There was no designated Literary section which I always gravitate to in a bookstore, however it was pretty clearly all was mixed in fiction and easy enough to find. The cooking section was extensive and gave me a few ideas for my own local. Their non-fiction section was also full and fresh. I found it helpful and effective just seeing a ‘service/enquiries’ desk. The practicality of that service was great in a space of such size. The one section I felt lacked was their Young Adult, there was almost only half a bays worth of books. YA is such a huge market in our bookstore, therefore I was stunned to see its smallness in a nationals capital. All in all, worth the trip! I came out with four books which you will see in my July Wrap Up very soon.

Happy 💖: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

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Name: Harry Hartog Bookseller

Location: Shop 111/112 South Point Shopping Centre, Anketell St & Reed St N., Greenway, ACT 

Size: Average, nice and open

Thoughts: The feeling in a Harry Hartog is moody, mysterious and comforting. I can easily say this chain is kicking goals with its interior design, decor and ascetic. Book wise, I didn’t find much out of the ordinary that our local store doesn’t have. I mostly enjoyed perusing the giftware and book associated items that wrap up and encourage a more calm, enjoyable and relaxed reading experience. For example, there were candles, heat packs, journals and different types of tea which were all available for purchase. I really liked this element of coming away from a bookstore kitted out for your next R&R session. One book was purchased in this visit to Harry Hartog and a lovely print that has made itself onto a wall in my home!

Happy 💖: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

(Note: This picture is not my own)

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Name: Robinsons Bookshop

Location: Canberra Centre, Shop DF24, 148 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 

Size: Small in size, big in feeling

Thoughts: My heart felt immediately happy in this Robinsons Bookshop! I was greeted by the most lovely bookseller, her and I connecting over the usual bookseller things; books (obviously 🤣), unboxing books, enquiries, ordering books, etc. I also learnt that this Canberra Robinsons Bookshop is the only one outside of Victoria, where their brand and first stores originated. The experience was warm and homey. I proceeded to browse the bookstore’s fiction section, classics and cooking. I found a lot of cook books that have inspired a restock in my own local. The dark timber shelves create a moody space yet the store is lit with the most gorgeous periodic light fixtures. For me, it felt like stepping into another time that was generous and captivating. It proved to me even more that the size of a bookstore does not determine the quality of books, service and feeling – as a booksellers, bookstores are what you make them. I left with one new cookbook in hand!

Happy 💖: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

(Note: This picture is of a Melbourne Robinson Bookshop, so imagine Canberra on a smaller scale. This picture is not my own)

Did you enjoy this travelling bookstore blog post? Describe your favourite bookshop to me in the comments 💬🎙