You don't have to be a nerd to enjoy browsing through a good bookstore.
Bookstores have something for everyone whether it be art, fashion, photography, travel, cooking, history, fantasy or science that you're interested in.
There are a number of places across Sydney you could spend a good amount of time browsing through books. Fortunately, unlike with magazines in newsagents, bookstore owners don't mind so much if you take your time flipping through the pages.
Here are some bookstores you could lose yourself for hours in:
Kinokuniya
Don't be fooled by its bland website. Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore situated in the Galeries Victoria, has everything. Literally everything. In Kinokuniya you'll find everything from comics and graphic novels to self-help titles. You'll find cook books, travel books, graphic design and advertising books, fun books of completely random content, children's books and novels of all eras. Given that Kinokuniya is part of a Japanese chain, there is also a section dedicated to Asian books. If there is a book you are looking for which the bookstore at your local shopping centre doesn't have, give Kinokuniya a call - chances are they have it.
Berkelouw
Berkelouw Books is an independent Australian company doing well for itself. It has a range of stores across NSW including my favourite in Leichhardt. The Leichhardt store is a quiet store of perfect browsing conditions a short walk from the Italian forum. Berkelouw also has a broad range of books, and via their
website you can contact them for assistance finding rare books.
Ariel Books
Also worth a visit is Ariel Books on Oxford Street in Paddington. Ariel is an airy, open plan bookstore also perfect for browsing through. You'll come across so many quirky, interesting and beautiful books you'll wish you had more people to buy gifts for this Christmas.
Gleebooks
If its that old book smell and lower price tags you're after, Gleebooks has a store in Glebe dedicated to antiquarian and secondhand books. Here you can browse through books that have been loved before. Like any good secondhand store, you have no idea what treasures you might stumble across.
