Bent Books

If you’re after a book in great condition at a fraction of the cost you’d usually pay, AND you want to support a fantastic local bookseller, Bent Books is for you. Bent Books buys and sells a wide range of quality second-​hand books. I’ve sold a stack of old novels (around 10 for $ 30) and bagged myself my fair share of bargains from this store. The staff here are incredible familiar with their stock, and carry a selection of books that many other commercial bookstores are lacking. When I was after a copy of Lockie Leonard by Tim Winton, for university, Bent Books was the only book store in Brisbane that stocked it, and at a reasonable price.

What I love about places like Bent Books is that in a society surrounded with technology– it reminds us how there is nothing quite like sitting down with a good book and letting the time pass buy. Bent Books go even further with this thought by adding the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ element to it. It is a bright and welcoming store that is always worth a visit if you are in the area.
The range of books at Bent Books is pretty impressive, and can be a little overwhelming when you first step into the store. The books are categorised but do not expect it to be as organised as Dymocks, you do have to do a bit of rummaging. This is the beauty of this place though. Since all the books are second hand, you may not always find the particular book you are looking for but may end up find something equally captivating.
Any bookworm would love a store like Bent Books, it is supporting second-​hand shopping and encouraging us to keep the charisma of books alive.

Bent Books is what every bookstore should aspire to be, second-​hand or otherwise. The brightly painted exterior is quite different from what you find inside; no room for any sort of decoration because every inch of the place is filled with books of every genre and era. It’s quite possible to be lost in here for hours.
I’m a huge fan of classics such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, and there’s something even more wonderful about reading a used copy you know someone else fell in love with before you. Surprisingly, many second-​hand bookstores don’t have an extensive range of these gems, but Bent Books does. In fact they have a whole floor to ceiling bookshelf full of them, all tucked away in a little nook in one corner of the shop. I discovered copies of books I’ve been after for a while, many of which were clearly quite old (think back to those material coverings with embossed gold or silver writing) but still in impeccable condition.

Second hand books are given a new lease on life at Bent Books. This place is more unusual than most bookshops simply because its exterior is so colourful and unique. That’s not to say that other bookshops aren’t inviting or aesthetically pleasing, but there’s something wonderful to be said about the way Bent Books has utilised its special West End space. A brightly blue, yellow, and orange façade greets you and the place is brimming with books ready to be loved all over again.
The great thing about Bent Books is that, yes it sells second hand books, but their books are in really remarkable condition for books that own the status of ‘used’. Some of them you’d even think are brand new. I love this little place and its creaky floorboards that act as a shop bell to alert when customers are present; I love its passion for reselling books and I love its quirky appearance. Bent Books is a really cute and fun treasure of West End, and adds such character to an already colourful area.

Bent Books is a delightful used bookstore in West End. One of its many little quirks is it bright inviting exterior which just begs you to come in and take a browse. For me at least it is virtually an impossibility to walk past Bent Books and not have a look around.
Unlike most used bookstores, the range at Bent Books is quite extensive. This being said, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to purchase an obscure volume of novellas written by Fjorka Ngork however if you’re looking for nothing in particular to read on your holidays, then Bent Books is just for you. In addition, all their books are sorted in a range of categories from fiction to theatre or lifestyle to sailing. There really is something for everyone.
Probably the greatest facet of Bent Books is the relaxed atmosphere of the store. The employees are helpful but are also quite content to just let you browse for 45 minutes and not buy a thing. This being said, if you feel like discussing the gothic influences in Wuthering Heights or something to that manner, some of the staff may oblige you with a haughty discussion.
I have to admit, I am a little concerned about the life of the humble bookstore with the rise of online sales. So, I encourage all of you to pop into Bent Books, have a look around and buy something on a whim. After all, you can’t get the feeling of shopping in a gorgeous store online.