Seemingly infinite genres of literature at cool new bookstore Boundless Books

Oxford Street, Leederville, just a few minutes drive from the Perth CBD, has always been a bustling hub of culture and leisure. It seems that every other month a new venue or store pops up that catches our eye for its splendid offerings and design innovation. One such new store is bookshop Boundless Books, recently opened at the busier end of Oxford, and run by self-admitted bookworm Allyce Cameron.

The store itself is quite minimalist in design, leaving shelf-browsers plenty of room to peruse the many titles available.

From classic to contemporary, sci-fi and fantasy to art tomes and postmodern thrillers, to books of all manner of blended genres, Allyce’s good taste has ensured there’s plenty of reading material available for the discerning and diehard reader.

Cream chats with Allyce about her ardent love of literature.

Interview by Antonino Tati

Hi Allyce. Could you tell Cream’s readers about the very first books you remember reading?

Hello! I have so many books from my childhood still. Some I have a vague memory of, like Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, an absolute classic and one that I gift at every baby shower. The book I remember the most vividly however is The Song of the Lioness, a quartet by Tamora Pierce. I was 12 years old at the time, it was a school night, and I read the entire series in one go. Staying up until five in the morning, watching the sun starting to peek out, just so I could finish it.

What is it about getting lost in a story that appeals to you most?

I love how absorbed you can get with reading, something that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else. Especially with physical books. I enjoy audiobooks for the morning drive – it helps me get even more reading in – but I do find that I end up drifting sometimes. Physical books really make you focus, and I’ll find that somehow, the hours have passed without even noticing. I love getting away from the mundane and exploring new worlds or perspectives.

Were you much of a bookworm in your latter schooling years? Did you find time between study to fit in your own leisurely reading?

I’ve been a bookworm my whole life. At one stage I was trying to work my way through the entire young adult section in my local library from A to Z.

Every time I left there, it was with the maximum allowed 12 books per fortnight.

It’s fair to say that I did not prioritise my study at the time; it’s just lucky that I’m a good crammer.

While you’re busy perusing the shelves of this beautiful bookstore, the kids cn keep busy shopping for their faves.

Could you tell us in a nutshell what led to you opening your own bookstore?

I’ve worked in bookstores for 15 years now. I started out as a casual sales assistant and just worked my way up over the years to being group manager for multiple stores. I always dreamed of owning my own bookstore in a vague kind of way, but in the last couple of years I’ve been more driven to actually make it a reality.

How much better is it being in full control of the book selections for your shelves?

I love being able to order the books that I want for the store. It does mean there’s a certain skew towards genres that I’m interested in, but it also means that I don’t need to order anything just for monthly promotions. The overall control of the store is also a big plus. Colour scheme, design and style, shelving are all things that can be decided on, and to me that’s the fun part!

I notice there is a certain minimalist aesthetic to the Boundless Books store. Was this design element on purpose, so as to keep the books themselves the main attraction of the store?

I wouldn’t say it was on purpose, rather that it’s just my personal aesthetic. I love clean lines and simplicity. I do want to add a few touches to the store with some rugs and chairs, but the overall feel of the shop will remain the same.

What are your three favourite genres in literature?

Fantasy, literary fiction and memoirs I enjoy the most and tend to gravitate towards. I read all sorts, though, from the trashiest romance to high-brow literature, as long as it has either a compelling story, loveable characters or beautiful prose.

What book have you read more times than any other and how many times have you read it?

Hands down it has to be Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. One of my favourite books of all time, it has become such a comfort read for me. I’d say I’ve read it five times now; it never gets old.

If you could be a famous fictional character for a day, who would it be?

This is probably the hardest question! [I’d have] to go with Anne Shirley, one of the best heroines in literature. She is spirited and joyful and a lover of books herself.

Boundless Books is situated at 12 Oxford Street, Leederville.

Enquiries on (08) 6234 8778 or visit the website boundlessbooks.com.au.