Abstract’s guide to Auckland’s best bookstores

Situated beside a barber, a groovy gift shop and a jazzy piano bar called Freida’s, the first impression of Dear Reader is of warm window lighting, courtesy of cowrie shell chandeliers. From the latest bestsellers to hefty design books, an antique cabinet is laden with cookbooks, Lonely Planets and dictionaries, memoirs and biographies, there are also excellent selections for YA and children, cards, gifts and games, with shoppers welcome to rest a while on the comfy sofa.

Dear Reader, 436 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn

Dubbed Auckland’s oldest suburb, Parnell’s central access is the steep street known as Parnell Rise, where clothes, art and food can all be found. And it is there that Lamplight Books provides respite from the hustle and bustle in their tastefully appointed literary haven. Shelves of books are stacked to the ceilings, with fiction and non-fiction given equal weight. From novels to thoughtfully curated volumes about people and culture, the arts and te ao Māori, every interest is catered to. To the rear of the store, picture windows look out onto a pretty peaceful square making this a popular spot for local book launches.

Lamplight Books, 100 Parnell Road, Parnell

The suburb of Mt Eden has a super welcoming vibe, and this award-winning shop is often described as the beating heart of the village. Modest in size, Time Out Bookstore packs a mighty punch, with all the books you could ever want to read, including an impressive New Zealand section, poetry, classics and the very latest bestsellers. They also stock an excellent range of diaries and journals, and the staff are passionate about reading and readers. I may also be biased, as I had my book launch here earlier this year and it was one of the happiest days of my life.

Time Out Bookstore, 432 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden

Everyone loves a day trip to darling Devonport because it means taking the short ferry ride from downtown Auckland to this enchanting heritage suburb. Featuring volcanic cones and sweeping harbour vistas, you can see a movie at The Victoria cinema, linger over a meal at one of the many eateries, then treat yourself to a book or three at Paradox Books where staff can matchmake shoppers with the perfect read. Or stop in at BookMark (15 Victoria Rd), which is packed with pre-loved books, from first editions to recent bestsellers and everything in between.

Paradox Books, 26 Victoria Road, Devonport

Unity Books is an institution in Auckland and Wellington, with the Auckland branch going strong since 1989. The shop also continues to expand, which flies in the face of anyone who says printed books are going out of fashion. It’s such a special place in the central city, Unity Auckland was crowned Best Bookstore in the World at The London Book Fair in 2020. Pop next door to Little Unity to browse their children's and young adult collection.

Unity Books, 19 High Street, Auckland

Also established in 1989, this enclave of books is found on one of Auckland’s liveliest streets for fashion, dining and socialising. The Women’s Bookshop is a haven for all readers, even though there is a special focus on promoting women’s writing and books that reflect the diverse lives and interests of women readers. Of course all genders are welcome, with the store boasting a large section dedicated to LGBTQIA+ authors and readers. Owner/manager Carole Beu has been at the helm since the very beginning – she even mortgaged her house to get the business started! But that gamble paid off and she is now one of the most respected booksellers in the land; she recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Booksellers Aotearoa NZ at their annual Book Industry Awards.

The Women’s Bookshop, 105 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

The Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop was originally opened by Dorothy Butler, a much-loved local children’s writer and literacy advocate. She first established a shop in her home in 1964; when the business outgrew her living room it moved to Glenfield, then shifted to its current site in the 1980s. Like catnip for kids with its charming changing window displays, you can find all the best local and international children’s literature, from classics to new releases and all the latest multi-book series. With an inspiring range of art and craft supplies, board books, toys and jigsaws, as well as cards, bags, tea towels and a small but perfectly curated selection of local adult literature, this is a delightful destination bookshop.

The Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop, 1 Jervois Road, Ponsonby

There isn’t space to list all of Auckland’s great pre-loved bookstores, but here are three worth seeking out.

A few minutes walk from Abstract is a beloved second-hand bookshop called The Green Dolphin. Run by Roy Ward, who is often behind the desk, it’s a doozy in this colourful area of town. Just off K’ Road, it’s filled with classics and books so new it’s a wonder they’re second-hand already. The Green Dolphin also has an enviable comic and graphic novel section, plus a good range of DVDs and children’s books.

The Green Dolphin, 82 Pitt Street, Auckland Central

Located in an elegant character villa midway along Ponsonby Road, book monsters will find six stacked rooms at The Open Book, with a sunny backyard that’s used often for events. Science and art, cookbooks, music, maths and fiction – there are an estimated 6,000 volumes under one roof, with regular sales to keep the stock from stagnating.

The Open Book, 201 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

It would be remiss not to mention Hard to Find Books. Starting out in a Ponsonby garage in 1983, they moved to a proper shop in Onehunga the next year, followed by a stint in a former convent. Today their impressive stock is housed in Eden Terrace – just 10 minutes’ walk from Abstract – with an estimated 90,000 books in-store, and as many again online and in their Dunedin store. They also have close to a million books in storage! With fans all over the globe, this is a booklover’s bookshop, with everything from cheap and cheerful paperbacks to rare collectables.

Hard To Find Books, 4 Glenside Crescent, Eden Terrace