Logical Unsanity Book Shed

LOGICAL UNSANITY BOOKSHOP HAS CLOSED.

In a leafy backstreet of Bardon, Logical Unsanity Book Shed is a quirky, cool and unexpected treasure trove for bookworms on the lookout for a bargain.

Using an eclectic mix of furniture (including an old bank vault) and styrofoam packing boxes, an impressive range of books awaits those who still enjoy their books in hard copy format. With genres ranging from politics to kids books and everything in between, it'd be hard to walk away without a good read or two tucked under your arm. Books are categorized, making it easy to find books of specific interest.

Shelving at the back of the store holds books that have been donated but not yet sorted and it's worth having a look through these before reaching for your cash.

Here's the point of difference at Logical Unsanity: this business is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it accessible to everyone - regardless of working hours. Don't expect to find anyone offering you service, however as the book shed is unmanned much of the time. An honesty system is in place here, with payment for books being dropped into "the box next to the back gate". On the first page of each book, the suggested price to be paid can be found.  However, signage states that you are free to "pay what you want or what you can".

Proprietor of Logical Unsanity, Yarran Jenkins says that this business is an ongoing social experiment, with several feel-good moments in its opening months. Yarran has roughly nine years of experience in book selling - in Brisbane, online and touring with festivals. Selling "books and miscellaneous phantasmagoria", Logical Unsanity is definitely worth paying a visit. 

What exactly is phantasmagoria?  Yarran explains that the term refers to things that are contemporary, out of reality or surreal. The business's motto states that it sells "curious and collectable books and strange and beautiful art". There's certainly a great range of books to be found here but as yet no art is on display. In the near future, however, an extra room will be opened up and will be home to a range of artwork.

So if television offerings are looking bleak, why not take a drive to Bardon and check out what's on the shelves at this unique book selling venue - literally anytime. It's doubtful that there's another 24 hour book shed to be found in Brisbane, so enjoy the freedom to browse at your leisure.

Nice to know - Logical Unsanity is a sibling to the second-hand bookstore, The Book Merchant Jenkins, housed in an historic church in West End. 

Need to know - The book shed at Bardon happily accepts donations of books - place these in the black shelves at the rear of the shed.

By Sandy Ludinski