One of the reasons we are trying to visit every bookshop in Australia is to say thank you to the Australian independent booksellers that fell in love with The Rosie Project and hand sold it to enough people that it eventually sold around half a million copies, changing our lives – and perhaps in small ways also the lives of autistic people and their families who related to it. As a psychiatrist with a passion for helping those with affected by mental illness I have a hope that The Glass House and / or this book tour will do a little of the same for mental health.

In addition, like many booksellers and readers we talk to, we love bookshops, and want to support them as a part of the fabric of our community, a place to connect with people as well as with real (non-digital) books. Research is very clear – we have longer healthier lives the more meaningful connections we have.

As a voracious reader I thought I knew lots about bookshops but after 122 in three weeks I find I’m learning, or at least observing, things that I hadn’t before. In this musing I’m going to reflect on bookshop chains (those with real books and mortar, not digital chains which we definitely can’t visit in person, touch or have a glass of wine with but of course do satisfy our need “for must have a book now at 10pm at night…”)

Firstly a moment of sadness – at least one Dymocks was knocked off our list because it was permanently closed. The others seem to be thriving if number of people in them is anything to go by. As opposed to Angus and Robertson which seems to have changed business models and is now fully online.

I’m not a business expert but being married to someone who ran their own business for a number of years I have a general idea about the basics. There has to be a viable model. So it’s fascinating to see the different approaches. One thing they all have in common other than a passion for books? Happy to see us and have us sign The Glass House (and occasional backlist).

1. Dymocks. Distinctive red sign. Often but not always in a shoping mall, full of extra items loosely associated with books. Maintains a top 101, staff picks section and occasionally identifies location. Seems to be aiming for broad audience from businessmen to teens and romance readers (and always a good crime selection).

2. Collins Booksellers: Service a lot of bigger country towns where they’re often the only bookshop. More likely than not to be in a shopping street rather than mall. A practical comprehensive book range aiming again I’d guess at a wide market. (Colllins Merimbula with manager below in her office!)

3. Harry Hartog : not Australia wide but a solid presence in Canberra and NSW, mostly in shopping malls and sometimes with a cafe. Very distinct look and feel – dark rich ineriors that wouldn’t be out of place in a Harry Potter movie. Feel it is aiming to captivate the young and those who believe in the magic of books. Works for me!

4. Berkelouw: again not Australia wide. Bright modern look, sometimes with a cafe. Not going to put anyone off but just enough visual interest to perhaps spark curiosity. One branch has to win the prize so far for best setting – Berkelouw Book Barn in Berrima, set in a vineyard with cafe and bar, and with a rare books section.

5. Gleebooks and Bookface: Not sure how many shops make a chain but these have more than one and the newest Bookface Northridge opened April 5th. Both these make you feel a little cosier local and maybe they’ll look after you and have a quirky option among the titles.

6. Readings : only in Melbourne but there are three and Readings Carlton is much loved and somewhat iconic and always full of people. Large nonfiction section, music and bookcases than you can disappear behind and make you feel library. The Carlton one is open late and has a kids store next door. Site of many a book launch including ours,

7. QBD : The group on the rise with a new one opening added to our list! Quite different to the others. Pretty much always on the edge of a shopping mall. All labelled QBD National Geographic and no location (real problem when I forget to label my photos…I guess the people visiting know where they are!). Large bins, discounts and child friendly items. Books stacked in same places (though one manager moved ours up…). Feeling of cheap and cheerful but organised. Usually very busy! Takes the prize so far for most staff reaction to our visit – one loud squeal (yep, The Rosie Project), a med student fascinated because she’d just done her psychiatry rotation and somone very pleased to have her mother’s gift (mental health worker with her own personal challenges) personally endorsed.

Conclusion: How fabulous is it to have so much choice (and this is before the indies which I’ll write about separately). A style to appeal to a wide range – what’s your favourite?