There are some bookshops that will forever stay in my heart. The one from my childhood was Pete’s Paperbacks where you could buy secondhand fantasy and sci fi for 20c each. The shop sat under the railway line in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. It is no longer there, I look every single time I visit. The other shop is Benn’s Books in Bentleigh. I’ve spent a lot of time there, probably more than in Pete’s Paperbacks. I’ve definitely spent way more money in Benn’s Books. The most recent time there we bought a number of books to take to my nephews and their family overseas. I was so grateful to have help from a lovely staff member, it’s been a long time since my kids were that young and I had little idea. She was able to recommend some great Australian authors for them.
I’m grateful to the staff at Benn’s Books for giving me all these photos. It’s taken a while as they’re so busy at the moment. With so few shops busy, this is a good thing.
Benn’s is on a corner so they get two frontages. You can see how they’ve made the most of that. I had no choice but to put in both external photos they’ve given me. I want those books they have above the windows, I’m so jealous of them. Someone has done a great job making them and putting them up there. They look much better in person.
I have spent a lot of time browsing these shelves. This is where I bought my first lot of Terry Pratchett books. It led me on the way to music and mayhem and a whole lot more books after that.
This large nook at the back of the shop is where we bought all the kids books to take to my nephews. I remember happily looking at the young adult books you can see at the back and wishing I could buy them all.
They have extremely good service during lockdown. The shop is closed, but they deliver very quickly. I ordered a book one day and it was hand delivered later that day…with a smile! When things open up you can visit them at 437 Centre Road, Bentleigh 3204 or use their website for ordering. I can’t guarantee the smile, but I’m sure they’ll try.
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