Ever since we were born, I think, my siblings and I have received a book for every occasion: birthdays, Easter, and Christmas. The written (and printed) word is one of the most important things in my life, and bookstores (and comic book stores) are my happy place. If you’re looking for new releases, new copies of old favourites, magazines, comics and zines…Brisbane has an awesome range of independent stockists and sellers who are really knowledgeable and can provide great recommendations if you’re looking for the perfect gift.
Avid Reader & Where the Wild Things Are
191 & 193 Boundary Street, West End
One of the first Brisbane businesses I fell in love with, Avid Reader is still a firm favourite. A great range, good prices and super lovely staff. They’ve always got a great selection of literary, lifestyle, and other magazines as well, plus stationery of all kinds. Their lovely notebooks would make a great gift for any writer and they stock local cards and wrapping paper as well as lots of other gifts (mugs, shirts, bags) for the literature lover.
The children’s section of Avid Reader splintered off in early 2015 and has become a beloved bookstore in its own right. They host frequent events including book signings and launches, and also run several different book clubs for all ages and interests. The staff are amazing, and their books range from gorgeous picture books to YA novels. You’ll absolutely find something for your young avid readers.
Shop 4, Level 1, Blocksidge & Ferguson Arcade, Brisbane City
Purveyors of all things sci-fi, fantasy, crime, and mystery, Pulp Fiction is a genre fiction dream, upstairs in an arcade on Adelaide Street. Open since 1995, they also stock a selection of horror, true crime, popular science and media (film/TV/gaming) books, graphic novels, and art books. The staff are great – they really know their stuff, and will be honest with you about whether they liked a certain book (although they only stock what they know and love, and I’ve never had a bad recommendation).
193 Oxford Street, Bulimba
Riverbend Books is an award-winning general bookshop in Bulimba, which opened in 1998. If you’re looking for a special gift for a booklover they also offer book hampers, vouchers, and Book of the Month subscriptions, with one new book delivered to you each month if you want to give a gift that goes all year long.
360 Logan Road, Stones Corner
Books@Stones has been in business for over 40 years and are passionate about promoting Australian authors and stories. They have an extensive range of Australian fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
The business has been family owned since 2003 by Karen and Michael Weibler and also encompasses Allmedic Book Supplies, which specialises in providing new Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Textbooks including Anatomical Charts & Models and Medical Equipment.
92A Arthur Terrace, Red Hill
A culinary specialty bookstore in Red Hill with a wide range of cookbooks and culinary books, as well as memoir, fiction, business, design and travel books. They also stock culinary, design, lifestyle and travel magazines from around the world and have a curated collection of local art, homewares, games, puzzles and children’s toys. Scrumptious Reads runs monthly events including artist workshops, kid’s drawing workshops, Cook Book Club, and other food & drink seasonal events, and also stocks a range of local produce including chocolates, condiments, ice cream, honey, tea and take-home meals.
608 Brunswick Street, New Farm
Iwan Bookshop in New Farm is the only multilingual children’s bookshop in Queensland, with books in Persian, French, Italiano, Deutsch, Espanol, and English.
81 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
Selling Queenslanders comic books for over 25 years, Comics Etc have a huge range of new release comics, trade paperbacks, graphic novels, and manga as well as statues and collectables. They’ve always got a few nifty little things you could use as stocking stuffers, too. Online orders and gift cards are also available.
Annerley Arcade, 18/478 Ipswich Rd, Annerley
Ace is a Brisbane-based retailer of comics, graphic novels, roleplaying and board games and related merchandise.
Backstreet Brisbane 
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