For over two decades Better Read Than Dead bookshop has thrived in the heart of Newtown's King Street, which houses a vibrant community and offers one of the most eclectic shopping experiences in Sydney. Our shop is a literary landmark that nourishes the neighbourhood's intellectual dynamics with a specially curated collection of books and regular author and community events. Better Read Than Dead's impressive contemporary space, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and sky-lit mezzanine level create an inviting respite from the busy street and we welcome browsers, advice-seekers and anyone who values a good old-fashioned book chat. We pride ourselves on the quality and specialised knowledge of our booksellers. Our staff's collective decades of bookselling experience, diverse tastes and deep love of reading means that we are able to provide our customers with individualised service and a unique range of titles. Lonely Planet has acknowledged our commitment to readers, writers and the local community by naming us their "favourite Sydney Bookshop." Pop by the store next time you're in Newtown and find out why. | |
Club Read
We reward our regular customers via our Club Read Reward Program. Club Read Member Cards can be scanned each time you make a purchase, or you can simply tell us your name when you are at the register and we can look you up.
To be eligible for the reward all you need to do is spend $150.
We also have a School Community Reward Scheme which allows for eligible schools to benefit from each purchase a school family member makes from BRTD by rebating 10% of any School Community sales to their school library account each month.
To join Club Read, just come into the store and we'll take your details and give you your membership card. Alternatively, if you are not yet a member and are making an online purchase, simply write in the order comments field that you'd like to join Club Read and we'll sign you up and mail your membership card to you.
Book Clubs
We have a number of exciting book clubs every month at Better Read Than Dead. There’s something for everyone!
All of our book clubs meet once a month upstairs at Better Read Than Dead, unless otherwise stated. Please RSVP via our events page.
Other Worlds Book Club
Named after Margaret Atwood's essay collection, which maps the richly fertile crosscurrents of speculative and science fiction, slipstream, utopias and dystopias, and fantasy, and muses on their roots in the age-old human impulse to imagine new worlds.
First Tuesday of each Month at 6.30pm
Translated Tales
Our Shrinking Globe Book Club is a celebration of translated works and collaboration between authors and translators on different sides of the world.
First Wednesday of each month at 6.30pm
Jane Austen Book Club
An ode to Austen and other timeless authors. Starting with renowned favourite Pride and Prejudice, each month we will discuss a different classic novel and what it is about them that makes us swoon!
Second Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm
Better Reader Book Club
This club reads a little bit of everything, from new releases to lesser-known classics, from contemporary fiction to short story collections to crime and science fiction.
Third Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm.
Bad Women Book Club
Female characters are often labelled "unlikable" or "problematic" - purely for being three-dimensional. The Bad Women Book Club meets once a month to dissect a different book with a female character deemed difficult at the centre.
Third Wednesday of each month at 6.30pm
Inqueering Minds Book Club
Exploring the beauty and complexity of LGBTQI+ literature through time. The books each provide but a small glimpse into a rich world of queer perspectives; perspectives that have continually pushed boundaries, imagined new futures, and insisted on the potentiality and concrete possibility of another world.
Fourth Wednesday of each Month at 6.30pm
The Fine Print
Search and Order
Searching is easy. Simply browse the categories on the left, or type in the title or keywords in the search window at the top of any page. To order books simply choose to ADD TO CART. If you cannot find what you want then you can ask our staff to track it down for you, from a new release title to the rare and obscure. With our extensive knowledge, plus the resources of our suppliers in the US and UK, there's very little we can't find. Email us at books@betterread.com.au
Prices and Availability
All prices are quoted in Australian dollars and are Goods and Services Tax (GST) inclusive. Occasionally prices may change for reasons beyond our control and in this case we reserve the right to vary advertised prices. We will contact you to confirm delivery and pricing details before processing your order. Email us at books@betterread.com.au to make an enquiry and our staff will get back to you promptly.
Your Privacy
Better Read Than Dead undertakes to comply with the Privacy Act (1988) of the Commonwealth of Australia and relevant amendments. We guard the information you entrust us with and will not release your information to any third party without your permission, except where required to by law.
Packing and Post
Better Read Than Dead uses Australia Post for all deliveries within Australia. For a small extra cost we can dispatch in trackable Australia Post bags. Local customers may choose to save the cost of packing and post and collect the book from our store. Our delivery fee within Australia is $6.95 for regular post, $12.00 for Express Post up to 3kg and $20 for any Express Post item up to 5kg.
Returns
If a book is faulty in any way, e.g. if it is misbound or the printing is illegible, Better Read Than Dead will replace the item at our cost provided it is returned within 30 days of placing the order. Return the order to our address below in the original packing and we will replace the book and refund your postage. Should you change your mind once you have received the order, Better Read Than Dead will exchange or offer a credit note only if the order is returned to the address below in a mint, unread condition together with proof-of-purchase within 14 days of the goods being posted from us to you.
Better Read Than Dead Bookstore
265 King Street
Newtown NSW 2042
Australia
Club Read
Club Read is our frequent shopper program which rewards customers who regularly shop with Better Read Than Dead. When a Club Read member spends more than $150.00 we rebate 10% of the total purchases by gift voucher.
Note: the rebates are processed at the end of every month. Purchases both online and in-store accrue to your Club Read total. For any online orders please make a note that you are a Club Read Member.
Contact Us
Better Read Than Dead Bookstore
265 King Street
Newtown NSW 2042
Australia
Tel: (+ 61 2) 9557 8700
Fax: (+ 61 2) 9557 8560
