Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day with some of the best suburban booksellers

IT’S Love Your Bookshop Day and to celebrate we’ve compiled a list of some of the best suburban booksellers, as well as the author talks, events and discounts you need to know about.

ONCE upon a time it was thought the rise of e-books and online retail would signal a tragic turn for brick and mortar bookstores.

But Melbourne’s booksellers are fighting back by hosting book clubs, author talks and special events, and proving they may just live happily ever after.

Plus they offer friendly, knowledgeable staff who revel in sharing their love of the written word.

FAIRYTALE CONTINUES FOR BOOKS ON THE RAIL DUO

PARIS BOOKSHOP WAS AN OASIS FOR THE LITERATI

INDIE BOOKSELLERS THRIVING IN MELBOURNE

There’s good reason Melbourne was the second city in the world (behind Edinburgh) to be named a UNESCO City of Literature.

Today ravenous readers are celebrating the spots where they get their fiction fix as part of Love Your Bookshop Day 2018.

To get readers in the spirit we’ve compiled a list of some of Melbourne’s favourite suburban bookshops and what they are doing to mark the occasion.

The Sun Bookshop is a favourite for Melbourne booklovers. Picture: Nicki Connolly

AESOP’S ATTIC, KYNETON

Kyneton’s bookshop, Aesop’s Attic has more than 40,000 new, second-hand and collectable reads. But this purveyor of publications also cares about the environment, with a sustainable plantation of more than 60,000 blue gum trees planted as a carbon offset for the paper used to make books and greeting cards. Today the shop is hosting children’s book-based art and craft activities from 10-11am and The Illustrator author Jill Barclay will be in-store at 2pm. As a bonus, there will be 50 per cent off second-hand books.

BENN’S BOOKS, BENTLEIGH

This beloved Bentleigh bookseller celebrates 40 years in the business this year. It’s not hard to see why the Centre Rd store continues to thrive with friendly service and an impressive array of books. Join the party with balloons, bunting and some sweet treats on offer and, as a gift to shoppers today there will be double points for loyalty card members.

The line extended out the door and way down Puckle St when Collins hosted rocker Jimmy Barnes signing copies of his book in November last year. Picture: Ellen Smith

COLLINS BOOKSELLERS, MOONEE PONDS

There aren’t many Collins stores left around metropolitan Melbourne, but this store is a regular haunt for residents of Moonee Ponds and its surrounding suburbs. The Puckle St store is getting into the swing of things today with free face painting, gift bags and lots of prizes to be won. Make a gold coin donation with a gamble on a “Blind Date With a Book” with all proceeds going to the indigenous Literacy Foundation.

FAIRFIELDBOOKS, FAIRFIELD

While a general bookshop, this Station St gem prides itself on its range of children’s books, toys and puzzles. The store also publishes a blog and regular email newsletters to keep literary lovers in the loop. It is authors galore in store today from quirky writer/illustrator Lucinda Gifford to award-winning crime chroniclers Emma Viskic and Cath Ferla. Chat with local ladies Fran Cusworth and Kylie Ladd about women’s fiction, delve into international espionage with Mike McCoy or explore Victoria’s past with Mira Robertson. For the kids, chat with marvellous Matt Larkin, awesome Adrian Beck and magical Michael Pryor. For times see the website.

Leesa Lambert from Neighbourhood Books in Northcote, the “big sister” store to The Little Bookroom in Carlton North. Picture: James Ross.

FARRELLS BOOKSHOP, MORNINGTON

This Main St retailer marks 40 years in the trade this year and is a much-loved part of the Mornington community. It’s going all out today with author talks from ABC sports guru Paul Kennedy, whose book Fifteen Young Men sheds light on the 1892 Mornington Football Club tragedy, in at 1pm and children’s writer and illustrator Anna Pignataro in at 11am. There will also be face-painting for the kids, double points for loyalty club members and 10 per cent of sales going to the indigenous Literacy Foundation.

JEFFREYS BOOKS, MALVERN

They say they’ve been on Glenferrie Rd in Malvern “since grandma was a girl”. We’re not sure whose grandma they’re talking about (and, by virtue of that, how old she is) but there’s no denying that Jeffreys is a local institution. It’s known for its range of titles, its book clubs and greeting cards plus its “diary season” when the store is overrun with an enviable array of day planners for any taste. In-store today will be local writers Helen Brown (Cleo and After Cleo), Digby Stevens (A Murder of Crows), Rod Giblett (Tale of Two Dragons) and Justine Roach (Start Being Happy).

Robinsons owner Susanne Horman at the flagship Frankston store. From humble beginnings the store now has outlets throughout Melbourne. Picture: Jason Sammon.

THE LITTLE BOOKROOM, CARLTON NORTH

At almost 60 this store says it’s the oldest children’s bookstore in the world, but it will always be young at heart. Founder Albert Ullin opened the store in 1960 in a ten by twenty foot space in the old Metropole Arcade on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets. After a series of moves it has found its home in Nicholson St and has become a much-loved addition to the area. Today kids can embrace the fantastical and learn how to draw unicorns with illustrator Adele K Thomas from 3pm. Don’t forget to check out The Little Bookroom’s “big sister” store Neighbourhood Books in Northcote. From 10am-noon today to have your dog photographed by Meghan Lawson of Angelo Piccolo Photography.

PICKWICK & SPROUT, HURSTBRIDGE

This family-owned indie bookshop is nestled away in Hurstbridge and specialises in children’s books. The store also stocks locally-sourced and ethically made toys and accessories for babies and children. Today Pickwick & Sprout is hosting free craft activities and story time with local author Penny Harrison, reading her latest book The Art Garden.

ROBINSONS

For decades local readers were drawn to Robinsons, first in Frankston “Central Carpark” and then the Station Street Mall for their fictional fix. Under new owner Susanne Horman the store is now expanding faster than the Giant Peach with stores opening in Greensborough, Chadstone, Melbourne Emporium, Highpoint, Northland, Eastland, Werribee and Fountain Gate. Robinsons stores will be celebrating today with free activities, competitions, staff dress ups and more.

The Younger Sun staff got into the spirit at Love Your Bookshop Day last year.

THE SUN BOOKSHOP and THE YOUNGER SUN, YARRAVILLE

Nestled in the art deco Sun Theatre building, the quirky Sun Bookshop has been keeping Yarraville residents and visitors well-read for 20 years. Its offspring The Younger Sun is just down the road and is a haven for little readers. Pop in to The Sun today for fancy dress, lucky dips and a “very special prize”. At The Younger Sun, kids can hear from Squishy Taylor series author Ailsa Wild and create their own stories about the loveable mystery character. Award-winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke will drop by for a special afternoon story time, reading from her acclaimed picture book The Patchwork Bike and the yet-to-be-released Wide Big World.

Don’t forget to show some love to your local Dymocks and Readings as well.

For more great bookshops and events happening today visit loveyourbookshopday.com.au

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