Macleay Bookshop

You know all those wanky sayings about smaller being better and that ‘it’s not size of the ship’ mumbo jumbo? Well they’re actually true here. This tiny bookstore manages to have everything I need every time I pop by. Tough to find travel guides, wrapping paper, cards that don’t reek of corporate normalsy, new books, used books, rare finds — this tiny shop seems to have it all and then some.
Turns out there’s been a bookshop on this site since the early ‘50s with a heartwarming story that anyone in the shop is willing to tell. Here’s hoping they’re around for many years to come!

Macleay Bookshop is a cute little bookstore where I bought my not-​so-​cute graphic non-​fiction book about Kafka. That should be enough to encourage you but there are other things that take my fancy here like really helpful and friendly store assistants (it’s a small store so usually there will be only one person working but sometimes two).
The store is also across the road from the Kings Cross markets so it would be a good thing to try and time your visit for a Saturday chiefly because there is nothing like walking around a charming and slightly chaotic little bookstore holding freshly baked bread or a croissant in search of a good book in anticipation of a quiet night at home (on that note, I should also add that there’s a wine store just a few stores down).
A tip: also check out the books around the service desk area before you leave.

If you are in Potts Point try and call in to Macleay Bookshop. Being in operation since the 1950’s Macleay Bookshop is a bit of a landmark of Sydney, but apart from the historical value they really have an edge as they have a modern art collection used to decorate the walls and they also sell
Indigenous Aboriginal art.
Macleay Bookshop is a small shop, but I like it, the selection of books is good and it is great that they have a well-​stocked Australian literature section making it easier to source and support our local authors. They do have a weird layout for their books though, rather than the books placed upright on the shelves, they are stacked flat, I presume due to the shop being so old and them trying to maintain its’ heritage it was probably the original shelving which they have kept.
Also should be noted, the staff are knowledgeable, attentive and helpful.

«Old, new, beautiful books». This is a pretty nifty little book store, tight and cluttered, as a book store should be really. Book lining the walls up to your eyes, and interesting stuff to find everywhere. For some reason, the English Black Comedy «Black Books» jumped into my mind when I entered, although I cant really explain why: there’s no fidgety anxious man at the counter of Mcleay.
Nor are the books necessarily funny. The impression I got from the place is that the books hold a certain genre, though I struggle to name what that genre is. Spiritual, maybe. In depth; I think so. Put it this way; the first book I picked up was written by Germaine Greer.
But not all the books are controversial, but I should think that they are all interesting, and none too light as to not hold some meaning.
In short, a cool little genre book store. Call ahead if looking for something in particular, or come and brows.