Gleebooks

Oh Gleebooks, how you’re always there to shelter me from the rain is amazing. For years now, when the heavens open and the rain gods try to drown me I race into your doorway and through into the open area that smells of warmth and books.
It means that I am a wee bit in love with your shop. Not only because you keep me dry but you give me a joy that I usually get from star gazing, or seeing a giraffe try to eat a branch accidentally.
That inner warmth that makes one glow… talking about glowing, your books also make me glow. I get the whole e-​book thing, I really do. However nothing beats actually holding a book you’re in love with and sitting down with a cuppa to read it.
And there’s all kinds of books in here. So go in and have a look at some point.

Well, this just has to be the cutest shopfront I’ve ever seen. Looking more like a Federation cottage than a store, Gleebooks is homely and welcoming before you’ve even set foot in the door. Step under the pastel awning and into the store, which houses a huge collection of fiction and non-​fiction. Well-​regarded for being one of the best independent book shops in Sydney, Gleebooks also plays host to many author and poet talks. There’s also a good range of DVDs and audio books.

Glebe’s bookstore institution Gleebooks plays host to a terrific monthly comedy/​improv show called Wit Large, as well as frequent launches, talks, readings and signings. PLUS, it sells books. The store stocks a wide array of awesome books-​some rarities, some rock’n’roll, as well as children’s and classics.
Events are held in the spacious top-​level room, where you can browse amazing pop culture books while enjoying (if you’re lucky) a glass of wine and a canapé or slice of cheese darling. Events in bookstores are the best because you can be alcoholic and educated silultaneously. Very tolerant staff!

It’s true. Gleebooks is THE place for book launches, talks and comedy, but let’s get back to the heart and soul of the actual store: the books. The selection is wide, genres encyclopaedic and layout simple to understand. Spread over two levels you will find anything from fiction, autobiography, poetry, cookbooks and books suitable for children. But the most exciting thing for me is the range of books on art and design. Located on the upper level, the creative-​at-​heart will find themselves in amongst the greatest artists and photographers. There are books on design, photography, fashion history and art, as well as shelves of magazines on graffiti and design. I could get lost up here. I often find that I do. It is quite likely you will find me here spending a good part of the afternoon flicking through delicious books of imagery set to inspire.
So if you have even the slightest creative bone in your body, or know of someone who does, definitely get yourself up to the second floor of Gleebooks and be ready to spend some quality time.
My only regret is that my Grandma’s favourite chair isn’t anywhere to be found.

Don’t get hung up on the fact that there isn’t a café attached to this book store — although it would be pumping if there was — hint hint.
This is an actual book store which looks like it was built by people who love books — let me explain. The majority of book stores have university students working in them, they’re controlled by a board of directors, and undoubtably loose out big time when it comes to providing a decent level of customer service — Mainly due to their soaked lamb approach to a lamb stew — you need to love it, want to serve, and have a level of knowledge that exceeds customers!
Hide away, it’s one of those days, get a large hard over book, sit in the back corner, crouch until you’re comfortably crossing your legs like a high school assembly, and read. Just read.
This is unpretentious, and you’ll love it, you may not get asked if you need help for hours on end, but trust me, that experience of indulging yourself until your imagination puts you in a different place, and you loose all recognition of time — that is what will bring you back, time after time.

Apart from selling books, which it does and does quite well, Gleebooks also plays host to various talks and events which take place in the upstairs room of the Glebe Point Road shop.
They hold book launches, established authors in conversation and every Sunday they host a book club, as well as, on the first Saturday of every month, a stand up comedy show.
Wit Large, a stand up evening billed as «Smart Comedy for Smart People» is a night that has come out of a desire for comedians to longer have to tell jokes over the uproar of a drunken conversation, the clatter of cutlery or the various «witty» repartee of an inebriated audience member on their bucks party.
The show also aims to keep its humour either brow or higher, and their website claims that each act is screened first to avoid sexism, homophobia and lazy or energetic racism. Each show comes equipped with a theme, such as, «Medicine», «Music» and «New Arrivals» and various professional comedians, some local, and seem even on the International level.
The night was engineered by stand up comedian Dave Bloustein, who hosts each performance, and Carrie Hardie, the shows producer. Tickets are $ 15 each, and the night utilises the book shop well, as during the intermission, you’re free to browse the paperbacks and hard covers that paint the walls surrounding the stage. Wine and beer is available.

Some friends were getting together recently and suggested checking out a comedy show at Gleebooks. But wait, isn’t that just a tiny bookstore? No, no… I soon learned that the upstairs is also an awesome venue. $ 12 bought me a ticket to Wit Large. «Smart Comedy for Smart People.» Ticket price also included (seemingly) unlimited beer and wine throughout the event. There were three acts and through not each of them hit it out of the park, at least 63.3% of the performers had us rolling. If I were to toss up one criticism, it’s that the venue was a wee bit too intimate for comedy. I mean, there was no real «safe spot» where you could ensure the comedian wouldn’t pick you apart. However, in the vein of self-​proclaimed «smart comedy,» the evening was pretty void of ‘Yo mama’s so fat…” jokes, which was a relief.