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Top Up Your TBR Stack at the Best Bookshops in Brisbane
In a reading rut? Visit one of the best bookshops in Brisbane to find your next literary adventure.
Brisbane’s best bookshops are a special lot, with dedicated romance bookshop Romancing The Novel in New Farm, LGBTQIA+ specialists Shelf Lovers in Holland Park and CBD store Pulp Fiction sorting out mystery, crime and sci-fi fans. Riverbend Books in Bulimba and Avid Reader in West End are all over new releases, Australian fiction and literary fiction, whilst Archives Fine Books and Bent Books West End are sorting out second-hand enthusiasts. A little something for everyone!
Best Bookshops in Brisbane for New Releases and Literary Fiction
Avid Reader
If you’re not uncovering treasures in some of the op shops or secondhand book stores, visit Avid Reader to pore over their beautifully curated collection of new books.
You’ll find books in every genre on the shelf here, with colourful and varied staff recommendations peppered through the store on little flags. From cookbooks to travel to politics and literary fiction, Avid Reader promises a broad scope, a beautiful store and friendly advice to readers of all types.
Sitchu Tip: Keep an eye on their events and collabs as there is always something a little fun going on, from author talks to bookish flash tattoo sessions.
Suburb: West End
Best For: Books, Shopping, Solo treat
Riverbend Books
A long-time favourite amongst book lovers, Riverbend Books is an essential shopping destination for any bibliophile.
This community hub has a packed calendar, on which you’ll discover a delightfully extensive program of author events, poetry evenings, children’s workshops and book chats — where staff will give their reading recommendations to groups.
Riverbend also works to give back to the community. After launching a program in 2004 to fund literacy programs in remote Indigenous communities, it grew exponentially to become a Foundation. The Indigenous Literacy Program continues to be an intrinsic element of the bookstore’s operations and efforts to this day, not only by supplying culturally appropriate books to communities but also by publishing over 80 books written by the community, some in their first language.
Sitchu Tip: Never quite sure where to start? Riverbend Books offers a subscription service that sends a book straight to your doorstep once a month.
Suburb: Bulimba
Best For: Books, Shopping, Girls’ day
Specialist Bookshops in Brisbane
Romancing The Novel
Romantic girlies, gird your loins — this entire bookshop is dedicated to romance and decked out in pink. The brainchild of romance writer Scarlett Hopper, Romancing The Novel is more than just a store. It has become a hub for readers, writers and authors, with a slew of events on the calendar each month. Think book clubs, crafternoons, author talks and signings and even a spot of book bedazzling. Pop-in for one of the country’s best ranges of romance novels, all in one space, alongside special editions and plenty of cute merch.
Suburb: New Farm
Best For: Books, Shopping, Girls’ day
Shelf Lovers
Specialising in LGBTQIA+ and romance books, the team at Shelf Lovers are happy to share advice, anecdotes or recommendations for something new to read, or a gift for someone special.
They also stock cute and geeky gifts for any occasion. Think mugs, pins, bookmarks, and crocheted goodies — all with bookish puns and references that will make someone’s day!
Shelf Lovers also hosts author readings, drag storytime, book club and fun release events. Fostering an inclusive and welcoming community is just part of the team’s DNA, so if you’re looking for more book-loving friends, you’ve found it.
Suburb: Holland Park
Best For: Books, Self-care, Weekend plans
Pulp Fiction
A stalwart of the independent bookstore scene in Brisbane, Pulp Fiction has called the Brisbane CBD home since 1995. They may have moved around a few times since then, but you’ll now find them on Adelaide Street — serendipitously close to the Noosa Chocolate Factory.
Within the four walls of this bookstore in Brisbane city, you’ll discover a mix of science fiction, fantasy, crime and mystery reads, along with friendly service and plentiful recommendations for a new world to lose yourself in.
Suburb: CBD
Best For: Books, Shopping, Weekend plans
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Archives Fine Books
The Brisbane CBD is home to Queensland’s second-largest used bookstore: Archives Fine Books. Archives boasts an inventory of over one million books, covering every topic within its walls… and when you step inside, you’ll believe this claim to be the pure and unadulterated truth.
With high shelves stacked full-to-bursting with books, and so many nooks and crannies to tuck yourself into, you can easily lose an hour or two inside Archives and leave with many treasures to call your own.
Suburb: CBD
Best For: Books, Shopping, Vintage
Bent Books West End
Bent Books is one of Brisbane’s most beloved bookstores. This cosy little store is stacked high with shelves full of secondhand reads, ready to find their way into your heart (and your bookshelf).
Not only can you add to your TBR stack here, but you can also ease the burden on your bookshelves by selling some of your books back to the store. They’re open seven days a week, so make a morning out of it and visit one of the best restaurants in West End for lunch, then take a stroll to Bent Books.
Suburb: West End
Best For: Books, Vintage, Shopping
FAQs About the Best Bookshops in Brisbane
The best bookshops in Brisbane include Avid Reader in West End, Riverbend Books in Bulimba, Romancing The Novel in New Farm, Shelf Lovers in Holland Park, Pulp Fiction and Archives Fine Books in the CBD, and Bent Books in West End. Each has its own speciality, from new releases and literary fiction to romance, LGBTQIA+ titles, genre fiction and second-hand finds. Between them, they cover almost every kind of reader, whether you’re after a carefully curated new release, a well-loved used copy or simply a cosy shop to browse on a weekend afternoon.
Archives Fine Books in the CBD and Bent Books in West End are the go-to spots for second-hand books in Brisbane. Archives is one of Queensland’s largest used bookstores, with an inventory of more than one million books spread across towering shelves and plenty of quiet nooks. Bent Books is a smaller, cosier store packed with second-hand reads, and it also buys books, so you can clear space on your own shelves while you browse. Bent Books opens seven days a week, making it easy to pair with brunch or lunch in West End.
Yes. Romancing The Novel in New Farm is a bookshop dedicated entirely to romance. Founded by romance writer Scarlett Hopper and decked out in pink, it stocks one of Australia’s best ranges of romance novels alongside special editions and bookish merch. The shop doubles as a community hub, running monthly events such as book clubs, crafternoons, author talks, signings and book bedazzling. For romance readers who also want LGBTQIA+ titles, Shelf Lovers in Holland Park specialises in both, with staff happy to recommend your next read.
The best bookshops in the Brisbane CBD are Pulp Fiction and Archives Fine Books. Pulp Fiction, on Adelaide Street, has been part of the city’s independent bookstore scene since 1995 and specialises in science fiction, fantasy, crime and mystery, with friendly staff always ready with a recommendation. Archives Fine Books is one of Queensland’s largest second-hand bookstores, holding more than one million books across towering shelves and cosy nooks. Both are easy to reach on foot, so you can combine them into a bookish afternoon in the city.
Brisbane has a thriving independent bookshop scene, with standouts including Avid Reader in West End and Riverbend Books in Bulimba for new releases, Australian fiction and literary fiction. Specialist independents include Romancing The Novel in New Farm for romance, Shelf Lovers in Holland Park for LGBTQIA+ titles, and Pulp Fiction in the CBD for sci-fi, fantasy and crime. For second-hand finds, head to Archives Fine Books in the CBD or Bent Books in West End. Many of these stores also host author talks, book clubs and community events throughout the year.
Now that you’ve discovered the best bookstores in Brisbane, what’s next on your TBR list? Check out our guide to the Australian books you should read in your lifetime. Looking for somewhere nice to relax with your newest read? Spread out a picnic blanket in one of these parks in Brisbane.
