December’s bookstore of the month - Imprints Booksellers

Jostled between end of year shoppers, head spinning with last-minute plans and uncertain resolutions, my feet trek a familiar path.

In search of the quiet comfort of new books, I escape the bustle of Rundle Mall and hurry through the heat until I find myself standing before a dark-timbered, bright-windowed shopfront.

Entering, I walk amongst the tall shelves, the art, and the quiet music, tracing my finger along the spines of intriguing books. Japanese death poems … Tasmanian architecture … library murder mysteries…

If only for a moment, my end of year panic fades. I breathe deeper. Looking around, I decide this place has to be my bookstore of the month.

Allow me to introduce you to Imprints Booksellers.

Vibes

Adorned with tasteful architectural features and decor, Imprints Booksellers emanates an air of old, bookish elegance.

Well-trodden carpet runners line gorgeous hardwood floors, which creak softly underfoot.

Teal blue walls are bound by timber bookshelves stretching at least two metres tall, above which various vintage art pieces are hung.

The tinkle of soft, classical music throughout the store ties its elegance and charm together, inviting you to slip into another world.

Range of books

If this bookstore’s range is one thing, it’s unique.

Imprints Booksellers certainly features the classic range of books - I located a long-desired copy of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar with ease - but they also house many books one wouldn’t encounter at a chain bookstore.

In the poetry section, I came across a collection of poems by Buddhist women. In the art section, I came across a hefty volume on 1920s fashion. In the young adult section, I came across a collection of Australian-authored horror tales.

The variety of countries, topics, and voices contained within this relatively small store is astounding. It’s also a friendly (and, on my part, insistent) reminder that independent bookstores are just better.

There’s also a shelf of secondhand books at the back of the store, just to the right of the stairs … which is lovely, because who isn’t intrigued by books that have two stories to tell?

Location

Imprints Booksellers is nestled along Hindley Street in Adelaide’s west end - just a five-minute walk from Rundle Mall.

It’s far enough from the hustle and bustle of the mall to allow you some peaceful book shopping (which is much needed this time of year), while still being walking distance from all the best city destinations and food stores.

I’d recommend following up your book buying with a trip to Leigh Street Bakehouse, which is a 2-minute, highly worthwhile walk away.

Events/initiatives

After leaving Imprints Booksellers last time I visited, as I rifled through my paper bag of new purchases, I found a summer reading guide. The lovely staff must have slipped it in there for me!

It’s a very comprehensive guide, with a page or two dedicated to each book genre - an aid for indecisive bookworms.

Each book featured has an accompanying description, unlike some of those pesky reading guides that show the covers of certain books without any further context (which is entirely unhelpful). Thank you, Imprints Booksellers, for being helpful.

They also feature new releases for each month on their website, for those wanting to keep up with the latest.

Another great initiative is their online shopping site. If you’re too busy this December to visit Imprints Booksellers in all its elegance, you at least have the alternative of shopping online and still buying local.

Thank you for accompanying me through this celebration of Imprints Booksellers, my bookstore of the month for December!

From its gorgeous decor to its unique range of books, I trust you will find something to love at Imprints should you choose to pay it a visit.

And, with it located so close to the heart of the city, how could you not?