The summer holidays are here and it’s time for some fun! Exciting outdoor adventures, memorable nights with family and friends, and – of course – the perfect book. We all need a bit of relaxation and enjoyment at the end of a stressful year, and what’s more relaxing than a lazy day of summer reading?
You’ll find plenty to see and do in Balmain and nearby suburbs, including a variety of libraries and bookshops to visit. Next time you need some new reading material, take a stroll to one of our favourite Balmain bookshops and pick out a book that will transport you to a wonderful new world.
1. Roaring Stories Bookshop
Formerly known as Brays Books, Roaring Stories has been operating as Balmain’s only independent bookstore for over 50 years, providing residents with some of the best bargain books in Australia. Booklovers will find a range of new Australian fiction, backlist titles, children’s books, biographies, histories and many more titles handpicked by the bookstore’s friendly team.
Roaring Stories also offers an itinerary of exciting author events to look forward to in the new year, so be sure to keep an eye out!
Find them at 268 Darling Street, call on 02 9810 5613, or visit the Roaring Stories website.
2. Ambrosia Books
At Ambrosia Books, you’ll find a unique mixture of out-of-print and antiquarian books from literature to non-fiction and everything in between. With over 10,000 books in stock, there’s sure to be something that matches your taste.
With a mail-order business model, Ambrosia Books makes it easy to order your next title without even leaving the house. Want to browse in person? Be sure to call ahead as visits are by appointment only, though they are definitely worth it!
Find them at 457 Darling Street, call on 02 9810 1862, or visit the Ambrosia Books website.
3. Hill of Content Balmain
Truly a booklover’s paradise, Hill of Content Balmain offers a broad range of books, both local and international, located in a convenient online catalogue. Browse their extensive selection of reading material, from baby board books and children’s classics to classic literature, science fiction, true crime, biographies, histories, poetry and so much more – even the most discerning reader will find something to love!
Take advantage of their convenient click and collect function to make ordering your books easier. Have extra time on your hands? Stop by their physical shop to enjoy the browsing environment – and maybe even meet an author who’s dropped by for a quick book signing!
Find them at 245 Darling Street, call on 02 9555 6055, or visit the Hill of Content Balmain website.
Reading list must-haves
Want to know what Australia is reading? We’ve selected some of Australia’s must-have books over the summer.
- All Our Shimmering Skies, Trent Dalton’s second novel after his highly acclaimed Boy Swallows Universe
- The Dressmaker’s Secret by Rosalie Ham, the sequel to The Dressmaker
- Snow by John Banville, a whodunnit set in Ireland in the 1950s
- Loving Country: A guide to sacred Australia by Bruce Pascoe and Vicky Shukurogiou
- A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Want some more suggestions. Check out the summer reading lists from The Sydney Morning Herald, Readings or ABC News for more ideas, and be sure to ask the staff at your local bookstore for further recommendations.
This summer, enjoy a travel experience that takes you around the world without ever leaving your favourite chair. Make a visit to one (or more) of Balmain’s unique bookstores to pick out your next read today.
Looking for help selling your home or renting your investment property? Our team at Belle Property Balmain support homeowners across Balmain, Balmain East, Birchgrove, Rozelle and Lilyfield. Feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation discussion or property appraisal.
