Introduction
Australia is a big country with a relatively small population but Australia does have a busy and widespread literary scene.
New Australian books, fiction and non-fiction, appear every year and there are numerous outlets of all shapes and sizes for buying books in Australia. This article looks at venues for buying books under the following headings:
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1. Major chains
- 2. Department stores
- 3. Specialist book shops
- 4. Online purchases
The following list of places to buy books in Australia is not an exhaustive list of Australian booksellers, but it does give you an overview of where to find books in Australia, both generally and even for a particular book.
The adage "let your fingers do the walking" applies; contact the Australian book outlet before visiting the book store.
The cost of a book is usually printed on the back cover but there are many times when a retailer will have a special or sale or offer a discount for some particular reason. It is usually the big Australian book chains that buy in bulk who are able to offer a lower retail price or Australian online book sells that have lower overheads.
But many customers frequent a smaller outlet because they trust the owner who is possibly more likely to know the contents of their wares than, say, an assistant in an outlet holding thousands of titles. Service can vary and this may also be a factor when choosing your shopping venue. The advice is simple: shop around.
1. Major chains
In capital cities and many suburban malls and regional cities, you will find a branch of one or more of the major book chains. The major Australian book chains stock a wide range of fiction and non-fiction new books. They often provide a print catalogue and have a website that show their titles, including new books. Here are some of the more popular Australian book chains and their webpage links.
(a) Dymocks
http://www.dymocks.com.au/
Dymocks stores are located in all states and territories and overseas in New Zealand and Hong Kong. Dymocks sponsor and host literary awards, have in-store appearances from authors, and offer monthly specials, especially with multiple book purchases. From the Dymocks website, and in store, you can find a list of their current best sellers, new releases, and recommended books for children. By purchasing at Dymocks, you will also be contributing to some well-known charities. Dymocks stocks more than 1000 titles on the subject of ‘Learning English’.
(b) Collins Books
http://www.collinsbooks.com.au/
Collins book sellers are located around Australia and new stores are being opened regularly. Collins book sellers have a monthly literary event, provide authors' profiles, stock a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, and provide a service where they will look for a book you cannot find. Collins currently list some 40 titles under the heading ‘Learning English’.
(c) Angus & Robertson
http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/
With stores in all states and territories, Angus & Robertson offers a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books. The Angus & Robertson website offers interactive programs, with readers voting for favourite stories, and with gift card purchasers being entered in a prize draw. Angus & Robertson provides lists of new books and have more than 200 titles on the subject "Learning English".
(d) Borders
http://www.borders.com.au/
With some 25 stores across Australia, Borders is a more recent operator in Australia. Borders have coffee facilities for those who wish to sip and browse. Borders offer a free download of an eReader and promote eBooks as well as the traditional fiction and non-fiction paper and hardbacks. They stock more than 300 titles on the subject "Learning English".
2. Department stores
(a) Myer
http://gifts.myer.com.au/search.aspx?SearchTerm=books&store=au
(b) David Jones
http://www.davidjones.com.au/
(c) Target
http://www.target.com.au
(d) Kmart
http://www.kmart.com.au/
These are some of the larger department stores in Australia. Each has a book department, although the size may vary with smaller branches. They are not specialist bookshops and while they do offer a wide range of popular titles, often at discounted prices, those seeking specialist books such as on the learning of English may have more success elsewhere.
3. Specialist book shops
http://danny.oz.au/books/shops/type/specialist/
There are many book shops that specialize in different topics, from boat building to children’s books to educational needs and much more. Click the link above for a list of specialist book shops in Australia. The list of specialist Australian book shops, while detailed, is not exhaustive; you may have to do an online search yourself.
To find a specialist book shop in Australia that collects books on your topic, try a general search engine such as Google. Combine the words “book shops” or “book stores” with the subject of your choice. For example, try typing “Learning English” and “bookshops” to narrow your search.
For a list of Australian book shops specializing in Education Books, visit Bookshops.com.au.
You can also try a Co-op Bookshop. Co-op Bookshops are located across Australia and are a great source for textbooks, study guides, course notes, educational books, software, and more
4. Online purchases
(a) Online catalogues
It is becoming far more popular today for customers to shop online and books are one of the most purchased items. It is possible to buy a book from almost anywhere in the world and have it delivered to your home or office without ever leaving home.
Major book chains in Australia and specialist Australian bookstores all have online catalogues that you can search.
(b) Online book stores
(i) International
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com
Abe Books
http://www.abebooks.com/
Alternatively, you can visit an online bookstore such as Amazon and Abe Books, which are sorting houses for book shops around the world. When using online book shops, it helps if you know the title and author of the book you want, but this is not essential.
(ii) Australian
Boomerang Books
http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au
Boomerang Books is one of Australia's most popular online bookstores. Boomerang Book’s mission is to "become Australia's leading online destination for book lovers".
Boomerang Books sell books to consumers and businesses at discounted prices, with a particular emphasis on Australian books, Australian authors, and Australian publishers. Boomerang Books have more than 1.5 million titles available online and provide discounts of up to 20% off the recommended retail price.
Emporium
http://www.emporiumbooks.com.au
Emporium claims to be "Australia’s No 1 Books Superstore". Emporium has a collection of millions of books across a range of subjects. Emporium provides genuine discounts. Emporium has more than 20,000 titles in the category “English Language Teaching”. From Emporium, you can buy books that are coming soon and have them dispatched to you before they are available in bookstores, including our own book, Funny English Errors and Insights: Illustrated.
National Library Online Bookshop
http://www.nla.gov.au/nlashop.html
The National Library Bookshop has biographies, histories, fiction, cookbooks, and children's books on its shelves, and all National Library of Australia publications, including Funny English Errors and Insights: Illustrated.
National Library publications and merchandise can also be ordered from the National Library’s Sales and Distribution team and orders can be placed online through the National Library's Online Shop.