GLEEBOOKS in Glebe is a family favourite—it’s been a mainstay of our trips to Sydney for over 30 years. I always have a hard time choosing but usually come away with something from their history section.

HILL OF CONTENT in Balmain have a really great picture book selection—it’s at the back of the shop which is very helpful if you have young ones with you.

KINOKUNIYA is a monolith of a bookshop with thousands of books covering pretty much everything you could want to read about. It’s not a boutique shopping experience—you’re really left to your own devices to hunt through the stacks, which is a great way to spend an hour or two. Also it’s right across the road from Haigh's Chocolates, so there’s that!

Jesse, Louisa and I visited all three earlier this week and, in a monumental display of self control, bought only these books: (We flew with just carry-on luggage so didn’t really have any weight to spare.)