about farrells
We are a proudly independent general bookshop located in Mornington Victoria, about an hour south-east of Melbourne on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
We have been part of our community for more than 40 years, sharing our passion for books and reading and providing our customers with quality service and specialised knowledge. Farrells is a welcoming and inclusive space to connect with other book lovers.
At Farrells we strongly believe in the relevance and importance of independent bricks and mortar bookshops in the 21st century – the desire is greater than ever for people to connect within their communities and enjoy face to face relationships with those who can provide them with passionate service and advice.
our philosophy
We believe that books matter. Reading and books have so many benefits – improving your mood, reducing stress, learning new skills or ways of thinking, understanding others and the world around us, and finding connection – to an idea, a feeling, a community. And, of course, entertaining us or giving us a form of escape – without travelling anywhere except the inside of our own heads.
In Farrells we strive to create a place of community, understanding and acceptance, through a shared love of books and everything they can bring us. Matching a reader with a book that will change them, nurture them, reveal a truth they have been searching for or simply bring them pleasure, is what we love to do most. Books can change the world, one reader at a time.
our history
Farrells was established in the late 1970s by Roy and Liz Farrell, who nurtured the business for its first 20 years, before handing the reigns over to Ian and Meredith Horton, formerly of Pages Bookshop in Kew. Both the Farrells and the Hortons were passionately involved in leadership within the book industry in both Victoria and at a national level. They remain active and committed members of the Peninsula community and very regular Farrells customers!
Today Ian and Meredith have passed the mantle to their daughter, Kate. Together with our amazing and passionate staff, Kate works to ensure Farrells continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community. We are constantly humbled by the love our community shows for our little bookshop and the importance it has held in the lives of multiple generations.
Whistler by Ann Patchett
PUBLICATION DATE - 2ND JUNE 2026 - PREORDER NOW!
Order online www.farrells.com.au or pop in store to secure your copy now.
@bloomsburypublishing
#annpatchett #bookish #ordernow
If The Resilience Project resonated with you, we think you’ll love Childhood by Brendan James Murray. Thoughtful, compassionate and deeply community-minded, it opens up important conversations about connection, resilience and what kids really need to thrive.
This is going to be such a rich book club discussion, especially for parents, teachers and anyone interested in raising happier, healthier humans. Plus, it’s written by a local, so you’ll recognise many of the places and moments throughout the book. Don’t leave it too late to book your spot!
Pop in store or online www.farrells.com.au/whats-on to book your seat
#BookClub #NonFictionBooks #TheResilienceProject #BrendanJamesMurray #morningtonpeninsulamums #mainstmornington
Your Next Read
Chapter books designed to keep kids reading, balancing child enjoyment with parent peace of mind, and supporting a science-based approach to reading development.
Engaging, inclusive, and made for every stage of the reading journey. Rec ages 5-9
Come in store and explore the series
@simonschusterau
#YourNextRead #KidsBooks #ChildrensBooks #ReadingJourney #BookstagramKids
Thanks for popping in Emma!
Time to go to the Park by @emma.bowd.au
A fun, feel-good book for preschoolers that captures the everyday joys of childhood and family life.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, breakfast is done.
Time to go out. Let`s have some fun!
And what could be more fun than a day at the park? Playing with friends, exploring the outdoors and having adventures.
Created by the award-winning duo, Emma Bowd and Leila Rudge, this is a book that`s sure to inspire many happy trips to the park.
June’s Non-Fiction Book Club pick is perfect for everyone — especially teachers, parents and community-minded people
Tuesday 9th June |10:30 - 11:30am
If you loved The Resilience Project, we think you’ll love this one too. Written by a local author, you’ll recognise so many of the places and moments woven through the book, with plenty to discuss on the night. Don’t wait too long to book your spot, we don’t expect tickets to last long.
From the master of flavour, @ottolenghi returns with Simple Too. A brand-new collection of 135 easy, joy-filled recipes designed for real life cooking.
Think big flavour, minimal fuss, and dishes that bring colour, comfort and creativity back to your kitchen.
Pre-order now in store
@penguinkidsaustralia
#Ottolenghi #SimpleToo #Cookbook #FoodLovers #PreOrderNow
Congrats to our Global Book Crawl Farrells prize pack winner, Kate! Thanks for taking part and supporting our bookshop. Enjoy your goodies!
@global.bookcrawl.australia
#globalbookcrawl #mainstmornington
Bookface Friday
Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger @sambeckbessinger
A deeply gratifying, highly addictive and provocative read, Femme Feral is an exhilarating expression of feminine rage, with a warning- If you swallow your anger, it`s sure to come back with a bite.
#horror #bookface #bookshoplife
community
We are committed to promoting the importance of books and literacy within our community. For several years we have run a Children’s Book Week Story Writing Competition for kids from Prep through to Year 12, which now attracts hundreds of entries annually. We work closely with many local schools to develop their school libraries and reading initiatives, and run pre-school storytimes in store to foster a love of books in our youngest community members. We regularly run events including book clubs and author talks to extend our customer experience and create opportunities to bring the community together to celebrate books.
We also partner regularly with local not-for-profit groups, including Rotary and Lions Clubs, on projects that aim to add value to our community.
We feel lucky to be a part of a regional community that values us and continues to nurture and inspire us in our business and look for every opportunity to give back and nurture that most important of relationships.
In the broader book community we are a proud member of the national industry association known as BookPeople (formerly the Australian Booksellers Association).