
Gone are the days of browsing Brisbane’s bookshops in hopes of finding a well-fed LGBTQIA+ section. A first of its kind for Queensland’s capital, Shelf Lovers is a queer and romance-focused bookstore that’s recently opened in Wooloowin on the northside.
The store is housed inside a quaint early-1900s building, with walls and tables of books at each glance, each title connected by a message of unconditional love and acceptance.

At Shelf Lovers, you’ll find fiction and non-fiction books for all ages, from children’s titles to YA, to adult romance books both sweet and spicy (I’m looking at you, Teacher of the Year).
The children’s and middle-grade books explore topics such as queer families, social experiences and gender expressions, whereas the books for older readers feature LGBTQIA+ characters and narratives, are written by LGBTQIA+ authors or explore themes that affect the LGBTQIA+ community.
Aside from the paperbacks and hardcovers, there’s also plenty of bookish swag for sale, including lapel pins, earrings, scarves, tote bags, bookmarks, prints, greeting cards, as well as cross-stitched and crocheted items.

Shelf Lovers also hosts a range of events, including story time for children and book circles for teens and adults.
“When establishing the store, it was very important to us that Shelf Lovers be a safe space where everyone is welcome,” says Kat, the owner of Shelf Lovers. “I wanted to be able to offer a place where people could find hard-to-source LGBTQIA+ and romance-themed books in the one spot, as well as create a safe space and sense of community.”

You can find Shelf Lovers at 1 Dickson Street, Wooloowin. Browse the online store and find information about services, events and book circles here.