Planet Books is one of the most popular bookstores in Perth, having two locations in Mt Lawley and Northbridge. The Mt Lawley location is a bigger store and thus has a wider collection, but both locations have a good overall selection of merchandise.

Other than books, they also sell magazines, stationery, games, cards, and puzzles. You can find other knickknacks too that don’t fit into these categories, and we won’t be surprised if you come home with something other than a book.

Customers appreciate the ambience inside Planet Books, and the bookstore has a vintage feel and vibe inside. It’s also quiet enough for you to read a few pages of a book before you decide to buy it.

However, this isn’t always the case during the weekends, as some customers can be loud after a night out. Thus, if silence is important to your book-shopping experience, we recommend coming during the weekdays.

The staff is also helpful in assisting customers with their concerns and can help locate a book for you, which is important because their displays can be overwhelming, and it may be difficult for you to locate what you need.

There were some minor complaints about some damaged books they had on display, and if you encounter this, we encourage you to talk to the staff, as you may be given a discount should you purchase the book.

Boffins Books is one of the largest bookstores on this list, and they’re our choice if you’re looking for a book that’s hard to find. In the unlikely case that they don’t have it, they can place a special order for you.

One suggestion we have for you before you visit Boffins Books is to ensure you allocate enough time for you to explore the whole place. You may only be coming in to buy one book, but we are sure you’ll be enticed by what they have available.

Not only do they have popular titles, but they also have specialty books for hobbies or niche topics. These books often come with a high price tag of over $100, so it’s best to skim them before buying them.

Given the size of the place, it can be difficult to locate a book, but their staff know the ins and outs of the place and can find the book you’re looking for in no time. 

If you’re the kind who prefers to look for an item on your own, their displays are well-organised into different genres and niche topics. It may take some time to locate a book on your own, but it’s not impossible. 

Boffins Books focuses on selling books, so it’s rare to find other merchandise like stationery or other knickknacks. But they are a bookstore, so we can’t fault them for this.

White Dwarf Books may only sell science fiction and fantasy books, but they have a wide variety of each of these genres and cater well to a niche market of readers.

If you’re a science fiction or fantasy fan, we highly recommend that you give them a visit. They have books that are not carried by most bookstores due to the lack of popularity or demand, and they even sell some books that are out of print!

Their staff is familiar with all of the titles they have on display and are knowledgeable on the genres too. So if you’re in need of any kind of assistance from them, we are sure that they can deliver.

They don’t have an online shopping option and there’s no way for you to browse their collections online, but if you want to check whether they have a certain book available, you can give them a call.

Despite their limited variety of books, they do have a solid following and customer base. They build on their customer loyalty by hosting regular game nights on weekends.

Clients appreciate the activities they host such as this one, and given how science fiction and fantasy is a niche interest, joining in one of their game nights may be a good way for you to meet new friends and learn about new books.

Stefen’s Books is owned and run by passionate bookworm Stefen. His bookstore mostly carries fiction, but don’t be deceived—he has a large collection of the fiction subgenres he carries.

What we—and likewise his customers—like best is the quality of customer service you’ll receive in his store. Stefen is present most days to attend to his store and will happily assist you with whatever concern you may have.

Some customers have noted that they feel Stefen has read every book he has on display, as he has a skill in recommending the right book he thinks you should read next.

You are still more than welcome to browse the store on your own, and while there aren’t labels for the displays, the books are arranged in a way that makes it easy for you to identify the subgenre of the specific shelf.

Their website only has limited information on it, and there’s no option to shop or browse through their collection online. However, you can make a call to enquire and reserve a certain title for pickup.

Should you visit Stefen’s Books, we suggest you have a chat with Stefen himself, as he may find you a book you would have never thought of reading but will end up enjoying.

Muir Books is another specialty bookstore, and they carry rare and out-of-print books. They can sell a book that’s still in print but will sell one of its early editions.

Given this niche, they do have a wide variety of genres available. If you look at their website, you’ll find that they have over 100 categories of books!

Each category may not have lots of books under it, but it is a pretty generous selection. If you’re looking for a book that has gone out of print or are interested in historical topics, you will most likely find what you’re looking for in Muir.

They carry books of multiple languages, and since they’re vintage, it does mean some damage from time and being passed down by multiple owners is to be expected.

We appreciate how their website has an extensive list of the books they have available with the prices. You can shop online, but we suggest that you do it in person for you to see the actual condition of the book.

This is important because their books do not come cheap. Most of their books are priced in the $100 range, and at that price, we think you need to be aware of all the wear and tear of the book you’re buying.

That said, we also encourage you to be careful if you’re in their store because you certainly don’t want to end up damaging one of their books!

London Court Books carries on a rich tradition, with a history dating back to the opening of the London Court arcade in 1937.

Its presence adds a historical and cultural layer to the State Heritage-Listed arcade, contributing to the preservation of Perth’s heritage.

We like the fact that London Court Books is operated entirely by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis suggests a genuine passion for books and literature.

This can create a unique atmosphere and a sense of community within the bookstore.

We like to highlight the bookstore’s collection of amazing books, suggesting a unique and curated selection.

Descriptions of the shop as “beautiful” and “quaint” in a lovely old-world Elizabethan arcade indicate a charming and inviting atmosphere. These are the adjectives we hear most about them!

The ambiance enhances the overall experience of browsing and shopping for books.

They also have a friendly and knowledgeable staff that create a welcoming environment.

We can’t recommend enough!