Qld’s only dedicated LGBTQ+ Bookstore
Welcome to Shelf Lovers
Shelf Lovers is an independent bookstore offering a unique and carefully curated collection of LGBTQ+ books and gifts, with lots of pride and no prejudice.
Shop onlineAbout us ➜New Arrivals
Pre-Orders
All the Things
Books, Gifts, Geekery
At Shelf Lovers, you’ll find a great range of queer-inclusive books across all genres and for all ages — including hard-to-find titles often missing from mainstream bookstores. Alongside our book range, we also offer LGBTQ+ themed gifts, greeting cards and other geekery perfect for readers and book lovers.
Shelf Lovers makes it easy to find and revel in queer stories, as well as access creditable and valuable resources all in one place.
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Forthcoming Titles
Audiobooks
Special Orders
Shelf Lovers Merch
Gift Cards
Community + professional support
More than just a shop
Shelf Lovers is more than just a bookstore.
shop onlineAbout us ➜
Reading Lists
Pop-Ups
For Authors
In-person events
What's On
In addition to our unique collection of books and gifts, we are also proud to host a range of in-person events including our popular Drag Storytime, book circles, launches, author chats and more.
event detailsSpecial storytime videos ➜
Shelf Lovers Fan Club
Love Us Loudly
The Shelf Lovers Fan Club is for all those wonderful people that want to love us loudly - those that shop with us a lot and frequently attend our events, or those that simply want to support us (bless your beautiful hearts).
If you become a member of the Shelf Lovers Fan Club not only will you help ensure that your favourite bookstore is around for years to come, but you will also get lots of benefits:
- Exclusive Shelf Lovers Fan Club keyring gift on joining;
- 10% off most purchases (some exclusions apply);
- Free and guaranteed entry to monthly Shelf Lovers Book Circle meetings;
- Invites to members-only events and sales;
- Early invites to Shelf Lovers events and workshops;
- $10 flat-rate postage on small and medium postal orders;
- 50% off membership to Shelf Lovers’ Queerly Beloved Online Book Club [coming soon];
- Access to members-only online portal [still under construction].
Presented in collaboration with Queer and Here, our popular Drag Storytime is held every month. Featuring brilliant Queens, great stories, music and joy, our drag storytime events are a fun way to get kids (and families) to engage with reading and the community. The events are open to all ages and promote inclusivity, helping to build greater acceptance. Above all, they are a great afternoon of books and celebration!
The featured Shelf Lovers’ Storytime Series was produced by Hugh Whitehouse and Hayden Jones.
The shelf lovers story
About Us
Shelf Lovers was established in 2023 by me – Kat – a neurospicy former librarian, passionate reader and book lover, proud geek, recovering perfectionist, devoted wife and fierce, but sometimes embarrassing, mother.
The store was born out of a personal journey to find and share inclusive stories and my unerring belief that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in a book. Shelf Lovers was the first and is still the only dedicated queer bookshop in Queensland. Here, we believe that everyone deserves a happy ending.
In the three years it has been operating, Shelf Lovers has built a reputation as a safe and welcoming space for the local community, offering not only books and gifts, but also a place for people to meet like-minded readers and revel in their love of books. We host events, facilitate community connections and support local and indie authors and artists. We support and promote local LGBTQ+ services and programs and are a place where book lovers and members of the LGBTQIA+ community can find a sense of belonging.
Our first store was based in Wooloowin (Brisbane), however we have just begun a new chapter with the opening of a brand new pocket-sized store in Holland Park in April 2026.
Get in touch
Contact Us
Have a burning question or something we can help you with? Get in touch with us using our easy online form.
You can request reading lists and special orders, or let us know if there's an event or festival you think would be perfect for a Shelf Lovers pop-up.
You can also send us an email or follow us online to stay up to date with everything that's happening in the Shelf Lovers world.
