Atavist Books

I love browsing through Atavist books, but as soon as there’s more than 2 people in the store it gets a little cramped. I love the idea of this tiny bookstore and have found a good nice buys here, but have also just walked past it several times because I didn’t feel like waiting for others to browse before I could. The content of the store can be touch and go, as with most second hand book stores though.
One of my favourite things about Atavist though is that there’s always a fresh pile of free zines on the steps out the front! One of the few places in Brisbane that regularly has zines, particularly a bunch of free ones!

Imagine owning a bookstore no bigger than a walk-​in wardrobe stacked wall to ceiling with a hand-​picked, carefully curated collection of second hand books? Atavist Books, the latest member of the growing Winn Lane family is such a place thanks to freelance writer Sian William’s book collection being turned into this cosy, almost pop-​up feeling book cove. They stock classics, cult and underground fiction, non-​fiction and popular titles. And as you’d expect from any respectable independent book store they happily support and specialise in artists books, zines and local publications.
On the morning I visit Atavist there are three other people in the store (including the store owner) and it is starting to get a little cosy for my liking but the beauty of it’s location is that you can easily pop into one of the other equally niche boutiques surrounding Atavist until ‘rush hour’ has passed.
A brave and bold move in an increasingly digital and impatient world.