I probably wouldn't say that this is the best bookshop that I've discovered, namely because I much prefer second-hand bookshops to new bookshops, even if they are independent like this one (though there is only one major chain in Australia these days Dymoks). Anyway, I was wandering through Balmain and I came across this place and I decided to stop by and have a look around. I have to say that the selection isn't all that large, but then again the shop is quite small, and as I have suggested the books are all new. However there were some interesting titles that I picked up in the non-fiction section that caught my eye (and the classics section usually is full of books that I already have). The owner was pretty nice as well, though as I have suggested it's not the type of shop that I would regularly visit (particularly since I have way too many books as it is).
If Brays books don't have the book you want in stock they'll order it in for you. Love the staff recommendations, very helpful and they're knowledgeable when you have queries too. This is definitely a Balmain institution. Phillip Bray has been in Balmain since the 60s.
I found the perfect book shop for me in 1969 and it has been my source for books for me and gifts for friends ever since
One that has most new books in stock, which will order any other book which is still in
print for me.
At which, after so many years of custom, I have earned the right to return a book which has not lived up to my expectations and exchange it for another.
Because I sometimes forget if I have read this one or that, I now write a review and a rating out of ten and date it on the title page, a useful reminder!
Books are my joy, to read, to re-read, to share with my friends and family.
Those of us with a visual memory remember the place on a page of some phrase or fact which is important to us as I did with a phrase halfway down the left hand side on page 3 which gave me tremendous comfort after a family tragedy. But I lost the book and years later bought another and there it was - on page 34 half way down the left hand page.
