Rachel C.
Yelp
Gould's Book Arcade, or 'that huge second-hand book store in Newtown' as it's known in my circles, is a labyrinth of second hand novels, magazines, records, scripts and, I like to imagine, hidden passages to other realms.
Stepping inside the store's gaping entrance for the first time will steal your breath. I remember being taken to Gould's as a teenager, my mouth dropping at the plethora of books that appeared to be falling and popping out of the shelves and collecting in piles higher than my head as if I'd stepped into the magical library at Hogwarts.
Once inside it was as if the entrance closed behind me, ruining any chance of ever finding my way out. The smell of musty books filling my nostrils, I hiked the staircase (also laden with books) to the area labelled 'Plays' that vaguely indicated two or three aisles. I climbed ladders, sat on piles of books, tried to figure out the filing system (there isn't one, it seems) and ended up making my way to the exit hours later, my arms full of books, and still having only made my way through one very small section of the store.
If you're heading to Gould's make sure not to give yourself a time limit. Down any aisle you could lose yourself in a stack of books only to emerge hours later dazed, confused and with a greater knowledge of Australian flora and fauna. If you're a man/woman of order, then perhaps Gould's isn't for you. That is, unless you wish to personally take the time out to alphabetise the store - a task that I'm sure could never be completed. But, if you enjoy getting lost in a book, then I'm certain you'll enjoy getting lost in Gould's. Who knows, you might even find what you're looking for.
