Kelly’s Discount Books

I really don’t know who shops here. That is to say, I have been in here plenty of times… but I don’t recall buying anything. And it’s not for a lack of choices or a paucity of stock. It’s just that this particular book store (and others of the ilk) are so expensive! Really quite aggressively expensive, to be honest. Don’t be surprised to pick up a paperback and see $ 15 or $ 20 as the price point. I realise that part of this comes with the comparatively exorbitant pricing of books in this country, but this is a little bit ludicrous.
And for the ladies who have expressed concern, there is indeed a ‘gentleman’ section up the back of the store with a bevvy of sealed magazines. So take that as either a selling point or an area of discomfort, depending on your particular peccadilloes.

You’ve probably walked past this shop a dozen times down George street without realising. This great little business is crammed to the ceiling with books on everything imaginable but they specialise in fiction. Problem is, once you find one, good luck getting it out! Of course it’s only a little bit of bother, but makes it difficult to browse at will. Trying to put it back is the same matter. But anyway… they have a really good fantasy section out in the back corner which is much better than some other book stores I’ve been to. The reason for this is they stock series, so you can actually start reading one that looks decent, instead of scouring the planet for book three of the something-​something series. Kelly’s seems to understand that it’s common sense to want to read a series in order. Also, although they have books piled miles high (a peek into the back room shows another whole room full of them), they are organized — which is a godsend when you’re looking for one in particular.
For used books, expect to pay around $ 10-​$ 12 for a paperback, a little higher for a hardback and around double that for a decent coffee table book. The books aren’t brand new but they are in really, really good condition. So if you sorta like that old-​book smell, then this is the place for you.

There’s an ‘adult’ store a few doors up and I always panic for a second that I’ve walked in the wrong shop. Kelly’s has a somewhat seedy vibe.
Jam-​packed and ferociously ordered shelves of new releases, all at a general $ 5-​$ 10 off the normal RRP’s surround a couple of racks of secondhand cd’s. Everything is categorised within an inch of its life — no generic ‘pet’ section here — ‘dog’ and ‘bird’. This makes it easy to find whatever you want and run. The vibe creeps me out. Kinda sordid. I can’t say I’ve explored the entire range of the shop, the staff tend to glower and I lose my nerve. Perhaps if you mutter a code word a secret doorway opens up and you’re ushered into the ‘gentlemen’s’ section. I think I need a shower…