Readings

I’m a self-​confessed book nerd. I love nothing more than curling up in my local cafes with some delicious cake, a high quality single-​origin coffee and a good read. It sounds corny but Readings is more than a book shop. They are locally owned and go above and beyond in their support of Australian authors and local publishers.
Each time I go into Readings I love to check out the staff reviews of the month. They are usually quite broad in the types of books that are recommended so I can head about books I would not necessarily pick-​up. The staff are lovely fellow book nerds and while they sometimes come off as a little shy you can hardly blame them (they do work in a quiet bookshop after all). There are weekly free book events with visiting author talks, writing workshops or the occasional book launch party! The community that revolves around these stores is wonderful.
My favourite section in the Carlton branch of Readings is the travel and food section (of course). They have a great collection of unusual cook books, delicious coffee table books with great photography and a interesting section on music too. There is a collection of CD’s and records though I would recommend going elsewhere for music — the prices are a little high here. All in all I love bookshops and this is one of the best in Melbourne.

one of the best book stores in Melbourne! great range, super friendly and informative staff, and a brilliant place to lose an hour or 2 browsing all the great new releases!
also a fabulous place to advertise or search for like minded people to live — and it only costs a gold coin donation that goes to helping eradicate illiteracy. ;)

Sometimes it’s nice just to wonder around here people watching. But if you’re actually in the market for a book, this is the place to go. They’ve always had what I’ve been looking for. The staff are really helpful. Since most of all the big name bookstores have closed around Melbourne, you really can’t go past this place for your reading needs!

The original and the best Readings in Melbourne. Grab a coffee and spend hours in here browsing the wide range of books. Sometimes a Kindle does not cut it.

(Note: the four stars are an average… I wanted to give 2.5, but decided to be a little nice about it all and I only swear a little in the following entry.)
Readings bookstore itself: I give you four stars. Your selection is pretty good, although not inclusive of the items I need and your staff is pretty friendly and quite helpful. Hooray there.
Readings bookstore online: I give you one star. And may god have mercy on your soul. Let me tell you why, everyone. I had heaps of books that I had to order for school. So, one week ago, as a little experiment, I ordered books from three different continents (I’m global like that.) My books from the US: Here! My books from the UK: Here! My book from Readings in Sydney: NOT here and NOT happy.
What the hell, Readings? Seriously, you are the shortest distance from Melbourne compared to those other two places and you don’t even need to go through the hassle of international customs and my books still haven’t shown up? To top it off, you give me no indication as to when I can expect them at all. That’s so irritating. You suck and I’ll never order online from you again.
So, my advice to you, gentle readers is this: Pop into Readings and buy what you need if it is available in the immediate present. Forget about ordering online though. Order from just about anywhere else in the world and your books will get to you faster. Trust me on this one.

Melbourne’s best bookstore, hands down. I wish they had less space dedicated to music and DVDs, as the crowds always seem to be in the book areas, but the selection is great and the staff are friendly.

Upon entering the store I immediately felt relaxed and at ease, Readings was my quite retreat from one of those unpredictable grey, gloomy raining Melbourne days.
Not only does this bookstore offer a wide variety of books, but its almost a sanctuary and one of the most iconic book stores in Melbourne who gives back to the community. 10% of our profits go to the Readings Foundation, which support individuals and organisations that wish to further the development of literacy, community work and the arts. Readings flagship store is the Carlton store, however they have many locations including Malvern, Port Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda.
Readings organizes and holds many events during the years from book launches, signings and other events. Staffs are always friendly and willing to provide sound advice and lend an ear to chat.

This bookstore is fantastic. There’s so much to look at and all the prices are generally on the ball.
The staff are a big highlight too. Always friendly and happy to help you find something. The downside of that is that they’re usually busy helping someone so you might need to wait a few minutes. No biggie though, there’s so much to look at you can distract yourself for a small while.
They also have a pretty substantial music section and they usually have CD’s on sale at around $ 12.
I’ve bought multiple presents here and ordered things in which they haven’t had — another lovely aspect of the store; they offer to do it without sounding like it’s a chore!
I love it. It’s always busy and I know why. There’s also a good community board here so if you’re looking for a new house to live in it’s a good place to find one.

I don’t need to go on about Readings, but this particular store on Lygon St has a great feature for anyone looking for a sharehouse or any house looking for a housemate. The window facing the laneway on the side of the building acts as a notice board for sharhouse rentals on the northside. The notices must be handed into the front desk inside and are put up every week on a Monday morning. There can be quite a few people there waiting to see the newest ads, so take your phone and be prepared to call right then and there if you see a house you like the sound of.

I rarely go into bookstores anymore. It’s a sad fact that there just aren’t that many around, and it is a real shame because there is nothing better than that feeling of timelessness you get when you step into a bookstore and come across books you never knew existed and certainly never would have crossed paths with on Amazon.
I think it makes Readings all the more special that it has been around for so long and survived the onslaught from Borders opening (and then closing) directly across the road.
Anyway, Readings is just a good old fashioned bookstore without too many bells and whistles. The stock is extensive and you will always find something interesting. It has a selection of CDs and DVDs too. The staff are always arty, Melbourne Uni types who are generally helpful.
Visit if only to keep the tradition of bookstores alive in the twenty-​first century.

Readings Carlton is my favourite book shop in Melbourne. Floor to ceiling, this place is packed with well-​researched, beautiful books and accessories. It’s a must-​stop for any book lover while in town. It feels good, smells good and just is good.
Anybody who reckons the future of the written word is shaky, or even destined for a digital medium, get down to Readings and you’ll think again. What they do so well is offer up quality publications in a well ordered and well staffed environment. There are countless little nooks and crannys for readers to settle in a test drive a new work before purchase and the staff have a collective knowledge of books and trends that will blow your mind.
Even better still, the Carlton Readings (there are a couple of others about town) also stock a great range of CDs and now vinyl. This place personifies the concept that ‘it’s not what you do but the way that you do it’ and the results speak for themselves.