We Love Perth - Our Favourite Bookshops

Written
by
Jenny Butler
Writer
Jenny Butler
23rd of August 2011

Today Jelena and Claire of We Love Perth take us on a tour of their favorite bookshops with a few nearby cafes for good luck! Remember to leave a comment before 10pm on Thursday to go into the draw to win a gift voucher at Ruck Rover General Store. - Jenny x

Whilst the internet is rife with heavily discounted online book stores, nothing can beat the thrill of taking time out to browse through a marvellous range of books, and buying from people who are passionate about literature. Holding something tangible in your hand, and taking in all of those glossy pictures can be so inspiring. And, more often than not, you’ll be sure to discover a little gem by chance. The New Edition Bookshop first started out in Fremantle, before a sister store sprouted on William Street in Northbridge. The Freo favourite is housed in an old bank building, with soaring ceilings, wooden floorboards and well stocked shelves. The comfy chairs will invite you to sit back and relax as you take your time to flick through their generous range of art and design, fiction and non-fiction books.  They also have a wall of titles from local publisher Fremantle Press. The Northbridge store is more compact but still manages to stock a feast for your eyes and mind.

New Edition, Fremantle, housed in a beautiful old bank building

Just around the corner from the Northbridge New Edition, is Perth’s Cultural Centre, with the State Library, Art Gallery, Museum, the new State Theatre, the Blue Room Theatre and PICA – Perth Institute of Contemporary Art – all within a short hop, skip and jump from one other.

New Edition, Northbridge

Whilst many locals don’t know this, the State Library of WA has it’s own bookstore that resells discarded books from all state libraries at bargain prices. Sure, you might not get the latest releases, but there are loads of novels, kids’ titles and non-fiction books ripe for the picking. Enjoy your new purchase with a coffee at the nearby Polly Café.

Polly Café in the Perth Cultural Centre (left); The State Library of WA (right)

If you head north to the very trendy suburb of Mount Lawley, be sure to stop by Planet Books for another extensive range of art and design related titles, as well as a section on cult classics.

Planet Books in Mount Lawley.

We also like to browse through the great picks at Crow Books in Victoria Park, or sit down for a coffee and a chat along with our new purchase at MillPoint Cafe Bookshop in South Perth.

Happy reading! - Jelena & Claire x

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