Lockdown may be over, but Perth bookworms know that nothing beats a night at home curled up with a cup of tea and a good book. With so many amazing independent book stores to choose from, there’s bound to be a page turner for everyone! Here is a roundup of some of the leading independent bookstores around Perth.
Crow Books
We’ve all been there, tossing and turning trying to get to sleep, wishing you hadn’t scrolled through tiktok for two hours before getting into bed. But worry not! This Vic Park icon stays open until 9pm most nights, with extended trading hours (until 11pm!) on Thusdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Crow Books boasts a seriously impressive collection of popular paperbacks and classics we all know and love, as well as some niche titles bound to impress anyone who checks out your library. There’s even a sitting area for you to deep dive into your book late into the night. So grab a cookie from Get Chunky next door and feast on some new lit.
Planet Books
Planet Books has stores in Northbridge and Mount Lawley, and has been serving Perth bookworms with the finest the literary world has to offer since 1990. They’ve cemented their status as a one-stop-shop for everything books, stationery, giftware and collectibles. They’ve got just about everything you could want in an independent bookstore, and you can spend hours roaming the aisles admiring the quirky giftware without pressure from pushy sales staff! So if you’re stuck looking for a gift for the person who has everything (or if you just want to add some new titles to your home library) Planet Books is the place for you.
192 William Street, Northbridge
Diabolik Books and Records
An absolute Mecca for the bookish in Perth, Diabolik Books and Records in Mount Hawthorn holds a sweeping collection of new releases and classics, all whilst holding one of Perth’s best record collections. One of the best things about Diabolik is its super unique and groovy atmosphere—perfect for getting you in the mood for some reading! Staff are always friendly and ready to recommend new titles and tracks, so definitely check out Diabolik if you want to expand your reading selection (or make your friends super jealous of your record collection).
Muir Books
Tucked away behind giant red doors in the heart of Perth is a hidden gem for the old at heart. Muir Books is one of Perth’s last Antiquarian bookstores, and is a treasure trove of classic and rare texts that will have you walking amongst the stacks for hours. Muir Books also stocks fabulous vintage map & pieces of art, making it an excellent stop for any history buffs out there. Muir Books is also a great place to appraise, sell, or repair any vintage books you may already have in your collection! Who knows, maybe you’ve got a hidden gem in your collection—and if you don’t, you can certainly pick one up here.
New Edition
Picture this: you’re milling about Freo’s cappuccino strip, a new hardcover book in hand to enjoy once you find a spot at your favourite café. New Edition has been making this dreamy notion a reality for the residents of Fremantle and beyond for over 30 years, and stocks all of the titles you could ever want. Regarded as one of Australia’s best independent bookstores, New Edition also hosts plenty of book launches and author events, so be sure to stay tuned to their website for any updates.
Stefen’s Books
Stefen’s Books is a newcomer to the Perth Indie bookstore scene, and whilst they haven’t got online ordering up and running as of yet they do have a seriously impressive range of fiction in-store. Found on Murray St Stefen’s Books specialises in everything fiction, whether that’s crime, sci-fi, fantasy, speculative, urban, comics…you get the picture. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a coffee down the road at Tiisch and spend your day searching for your next favourite book amongst the stacks of Stefen’s Books.
Boffins Books
We’ve all been there. You’ve just finished a long day at work, you’re heading for the train, dreading the commute home, and your phone dies. Well, no need to despair, you can head straight from the office, down the infamous narrow escalators, and grab your new favourite book from Boffins Books on William Street to keep you entertained the whole way home! Boffins also has a special-order service and super friendly staff, so if for any reason you can’t seem to find the title you’re after on the shelf you can guarantee their hardworking staff will track it down for you.
So there it is bookworms! A roundup of some of the leading independent bookstores that are keeping Perth well-read. The last year has shown us that sometimes it’s necessary to escape into another world, and what better way to do that than with a book? So get out there, support small Perth businesses and expand your literary horizons at the same time!