Polyester Books

This is the kind of shop that’s fun to visit with friends, agree it looks a bit like a porn store. Super funny book titles, weird and whacky subject matter, something for everyone. Certainly gave me food for thought…

Yes! I immediately found a hilarious book that I bought on the spot. It’s super funky inside and their shop logo is sweet! There was a book on one of the shelves named «Ass Dragon.» I think that says it all haha.

Known to my friends and i as the ‘store with the chick touching herself’, Polyester Books, just like it’s counterpart Polyester Records is a store that will keep you inside gawking over the amazing items within.
The store from the outside reminds me of some kind of colourful porno store, the kind people would creep into in the cover of night, however everyone is so intrigued by the store that it’s usually pretty busy.
The books in here are so strange, but oh so intriguing. The books in here are items you will not find in your standard Dymocks or A&R. Even if you’re not looking for some new additions to your bookshelf, this is one place you want to visit!

This place has been shut down twice by the police for stocking banned DVD’s, which I guess goes towards upholding their slogan: «totally weird shit». This is actually a really good place to waste some time if you’re hanging out in the Brusnwick Street area, because there’s so many bizarre books, DVD’s, comics, magazines and zines to flick through. Most of the stock is firmly planted in juvenile territory (such as the ‘Pretending Things Are a Cock’ book), but they also have a really good selection of biographies and more serious countercultural texts. It’s the perfect place to buy gifts for immature boys in their late teens (and me too)!

I think as soon as you see the sign out the front, you know what you’re getting into. Not for the faint of heart, but for the reckless and those who enjoy the anti-​heroes.
It’s an underground bookshop above ground and whacked in the middle of Brunswick Street.
From art to poo, this shop has something for those who like counter-​culture. It’s not for Nan, unless Nan has tatts. This shop isn’t against ‘the man’ either. Come in wearing a suit and they’ll greet you with open arms. It isn’t judgemental.
There’s a great selection of zines and a wide range of books. I like this place because whilst I’m not really into the smutty/​sexy book side of it all, I like the books they present. Like ‘The Art of Faking It: Sounding Smart Without Really Knowing Anything’ by Laurence Whitted-​Fry.
Big fan.

The paper relation to polyester records, this is the bookshop to come to if your looking for an obscure, wild, music related, fetish related, freakish or irregular title.
This place is the home to anything that that exemplifies a heterodox bookstore. There are numerous sub-​cultures represented from S&M to witchcraft, from mind expansion to globalization or pop culture.
There is a fantastic range of books and music to browse and learn a thing or two about unknown stuff, and one of the few places that still sell zines — both local and international.
There is always some interesting music playing in the background and the staff seem very informative and chilled. There are no pushy sales techniques happening in this store. You can feel free to browse any topic you wish and there aren’t judgements made of your purchased selection.
Totally weird shit is the run of the mill here.

This place is as good as it gets if you give a toss about the power of independent voice and/​or free speech.
Polyester Books claim to be the world’s freakiest book store. I dunno if they are, but they’re certainly one of this city’s. They provide a service to those who seek out the underbelly of the arts and literature. They have a strong sense of liberty in the written word and that’s important for us all.
It can be a little weird first setting foot in Polyester, like you’re stepping into a porn shop or some shit, but it need not feel that way at all. Talk to the staff; sure they may be waxing lyrical about the latest bestially porn (though I’m sure they prefer the term inter-​species erotica), or the state of censorship in Burma, but they will be kind to you and allow you a soft entry into a hard world.
It’s the perfect place for stocking fillers at Xmas too. Just don’t buy for grandma.

Totally Weird Shit. At least that’s what it says on the sign out the front, which you will have noticed if you’ve ever walked or driven up Brunswick St, mostly because it’s enormous. And it says shit.
There is some weird shit inside the sister of Polyester Records, but there’s also simply a great range of pop-​culture and gift books that you’re unlikely to find… well, anywhere other than the internet now that so many of the big book stores have closed down. Piled high with titles, wall to wall, you can spend hours browsing tomes on tatts, art, music, crime, film, aliens, sex and any combo of those things.
It’s also a big drop-​off point for band and club flyers, so if you’re hunting for something to do after hours, this is worth a stop-​off.

As the name states — totally weird shit. An independent bookstore located towards the middle of Brunswick street, it’s often found to have tunes blasting, and on the odd occasion is busted by the police because of its sometimes considered illegal content. Here you’ll find your humour, your religion, your self-​published, your music related and more. Good range of product, including several art/​photo/​politics/​street magazines. If you’ve got something worth putting out talk to them about the commission rates too.