It wasn’t that long ago, that we sadly watched bookshops around the country closing their doors, with consumers turning away from printed books to download their latest eBooks, online.

With the community encouraged to self-isolate and stay at home due to COVID – 19 restrictions, book sales at Grafton’s Book Warehouse have taken off with keen readers heading back into the store, to grab a good read.

Store manager Angela Clarke said that in general, people are still buying books.

“Initially customers were interested in purchasing educational books around the time that students started home schooling, before the online learning had commenced,” Angela said.

“We have sold out of puzzles twice over and have had more puzzles on order for a few weeks now.

“The suppliers have had delays, with being able to supply.

“There is a mixture of people looking for their favourite author as well as looking for staff recommendations.

“Malcolm Turnbull’s book sold out in three days last week and we received more stock this week,” she said.

Angela said that ‘Phosperence’ by Julia Baird and ‘Fourteen’ by Shannon Molloy are also getting interest.

Book Warehouse retail assistant Ange Bolger said that she has seen a fair bit of interest in Hilary Mante’s – The Mirror and the light.

“This book is the last in the trilogy and we have had people coming in to get the whole series,” Ange said.

Scott Pope’s ‘The barefoot Investor’ has also been a good seller over the last three years.

Children’s books have been very popular too with the major best seller at the moment for younger readers (2-5 years and 6-7 years), being the Bluey series.

David Walliams – books, have been popular for the 8 -13-year-old readers.

Ange said that out of our local authors, Peter Watt of Maclean, would have to be tops.

“Peter’s latest book ‘Queens Tiger’ was released in December, with people always coming in to get his books,” she said.

“We always try and have at least one of each of his books in stock.

“Peter usually comes in to autograph his books around the time of their release,” she said.

The Book Warehouse carry a huge number of educational books from pre-school age right through to high school.

There are also a wide range of books by popular authors Andy Griffiths, Anh Do and Dav Pilkey, available.

Check out the massive selection available at the Book Warehouse in Prince Street, Grafton, as there is something for everyone.