Elizabeth's Bookshop – Newtown

morgan wise★★★★★April 2026Report

Okay, so don't take this as purely negative, it's not 5/5 but there are some really fantastic things about it. Vibes; Cosy. Warm. Old book smell. Excellent opening hours. Very limited options to sit or even stand for more than a minute and read to see if you want to buy a book 5/5 Range; Interesting. Attention grabbing titles. Classics. Also a bit of a feeling of unsorted chaos ~ with books not being categorised or listed by alphabetical order even within their own sections. I found many copies of the same book will be in multiple areas within the same category but different shelves. 4/5 Prices; Some good, some absurd. While a good amount were reasonably priced, in some cases they were charging more for some still-in-print titles than they sell for when new, even when clearly decades old and yellowed. At the bare minimum they need to use due diligence and compare their prices to online bookstores so as not charge more than their book would sell for if new. IDK maybe I’m out of touch and it’s a reasonable price for the people who live and work in Newtown, it’s an expensive place to exist. Maybe they’re charging more for ‘vintage’ books or something 2.5/5 Suggestions: I don't know what is and isn't possible, i'm not a bookstore owner. In my opinion the shop would be much nicer to visit if you could: Sort the shelves into alphabetical order by name of author, have some step stools to reach the high shelves that double as seats, and some way for older or special needs people to reach/see books on lower shelves, have deals convincing people to buy more books by doing bundle deals, and removing books that don’t sell over long periods of time as well as reducing costs to at least below what new books cost. I think increased turnover of what is on shelves as well as lower prices, would have people coming in more often, and buying more books, which would make up for lost potential profits of a higher mark up on each book. Love the creativity, the hosted events ~ it's all very community minded. Support local businesses, and always shop here over online book sellers if that is an option. while it can be said that the store is a victim of having to gentrify itself to survive, there is still a lot to love. Come here for the vibes, the community, the location and if you have a hankering for something strange, stimulating or that might be out of print.

Vladimir Ilyash★★★★★March 2026Report

It is a treasure chest of good vibes and stories in the middle of Newtown. Worth spending time and money. There's something for everyone in this large and varied collection of books from the past and the present. Plus some unexpected findings (maybe something from the future?).

Anky P★★★★★February 2026Report

This bookshop in Newtown is really good. The store has a huge range of books, from classics to rare finds, and you can easily spend hours browsing the shelves. It has that cozy, old-school bookshop feel that makes exploring even more enjoyable. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to help if you’re looking for something specific. Prices are reasonable, especially for second-hand books, and there’s always something interesting to discover. A must-visit for any book lover.

Mariachi out of the Jar★★★★★December 2025Report

The best book store in town for new & old books! There are piles and piles of books stuffing all book shelfs and covering all vertical surfaces! (Except for the ceilings. But I bet she has enough to cover them, it's just the gravity) Elizabeth's place is cosy and homey. Also well ventilated, which is a great plus for a book store full of old books. It's a fascinating place with quotes here and there that give you a nudge to read. Swing by and explore what Elizabeth has to offer. You may be surprised by all the good fun you can have here! 😁