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10 Best Bookstores in Canada Where Stories and Adventures Await
There’s nothing more enticing than to browse rows and rows of bookshelves and pick the most interesting reads to add to your TBR. If you’re like me, then you’ll enjoy cosying up next to a fireplace while reading your newly purchased title.
You know, for book lovers like me, stepping into a bookstore is exciting— but honestly, some are more enjoyable because of the vibe and unique collections. Sometimes, you just need to visit new places for exciting experiences.
That’s why I’m sharing with you my favourite bookstores in Canada! Time to add more to your already piling up TBR!
Indigo Books & Music
Media credit: indigo
Location: Nationwide – Link to the Store Directory
Contact: 1-833-463-4461, help.indigo.ca
Business Hours: Depending on the location
You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Indigo Books & Music. As the largest bookstore chain in Canada, you’ll most likely find a store near you even if you don’t live in a major city— the ultimate stop where you can buy books in Canada!
Once you enter, you’ll be surrounded by tonnes of books, including bestsellers and signed editions. There’s a wide range of genres (basically every genre you can think of!), such as young adult, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books.
And if you’re looking for some bits and bobs, Indigo has stationery, tote bags, board games, hobby kits, and seasonal items. You can also find Kobo e-readers here if you want to read lots without lugging around heavy books.
With cosy nooks, you can have a quiet space for a quick read. Selected stores also have cafes inside, where you can enjoy a warm cup of coffee while browsing or reading your new book!
Pro Tip:
Many authors promote their books at Indigo, so keep an eye out for signings! Famous and up-and-coming authors do this frequently.
Type Books
Media credit: typebooks
Location:
Contact: 416-366-8973, [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 10 am – 6 pm
- Thursday – Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
Type Books is a beloved indie bookstore in Toronto that has three locations in total: Queen West, Forest Hill, and Junction. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a unique experience because of its local vibe— like your neighbourhood bookstore!
It has a collection of books for adults and children, including bestsellers, special publications, and zines. Enjoy every genre with every shelf, such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels.
You can browse from their Staff Picks, a curated list of their favourite books— you get recommendations from true bookworms! There’s a bunch of knick-knacks too, if you’re searching for something cute to add to your book purchases.
Pro Tip:
Visit Type Books for community events to get a taste of the local experience, such as author meet and greets, book launches, readings, and fun conversations.
Munro’s Books
Media credit: munrobooks
Location: 1108 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia
Contact: 250-382-2464, 888-243-2464 (Toll-Free), [email protected]
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:30 am – 6 pm
Situated in a heritage building in Victoria, Munro’s Books is an independent bookstore co-founded in 1963 by Jim and his then-wife, Alice Munro, a writer and a Nobel Prize in Literature winner. That info alone makes this a historic place in Canada!
One of the highlights of this large bookshop is its stunning architecture, as it used to be a Royal Bank building. The wood bookshelves, high ceiling, and intricate wall accents will make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time while searching for your next read!
Take a peek at the bargain tables for special offers and discounts. Aside from purchasing your next read, why not check out some merchandise to remember your visit to this beautiful store?
Pro Tip:
During December, they have a holiday tradition of playing live Christmas music— talented performers will serenade you atop the entrance door! It’s only for a couple of hours for one or two days in December, right before Christmas.
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly
Media credit: librairiedrawnandquarterly
Location: 211 Rue Bernard O, Montréal, Quebec
Contact: 514-279-2224, [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 10 am – 7 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly is an indie bookshop in Montreal that’s located just 11 minutes from downtown. It specialises in graphic novels and comic books, where you can find bestsellers and not-so-easy-to-find titles from international independent press.
This Montreal staple has an unpretentious, cosy, artistic atmosphere where you can experience the local vibe. Enjoy some unique reads to add to your TBR, such as literary fiction, manga, and zines.
Kids and adults can join the book club, where you can read and discuss the book with like-minded individuals. Don’t worry if you don’t speak French— there’s an English book club too because this welcomes everyone!
Pro Tip:
Check their Events page because there are many happenings at Librairie Drawn & Quarterly, where you can meet authors and artists. Some events are held outside the bookstore to accommodate a larger audience.
Ben McNally Books
Media credit: benmcnallybooks
Location: 108 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario
Contact: 416-361-0032, [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
- Sunday: Closed
A charming Toronto bookstore, Ben McNally Books has a charming vibe that will bring out the true bibliophile in you! The interior has sort of a timeless vibe due to the dark bookshelves and ambient lighting, but it’s beautiful in every corner.
There’s a wide collection of books that include literary nonfiction, art, nature and environment, philosophy, psychology, and general fiction. It’s the ultimate haven for serious readers and book collectors.
You can even check out some author-recommended titles. Writers visit this bookshop frequently, and sometimes, they share their current reads and favourites!
Pro Tip:
Check out their curated collection and themed display tables, where you can find several books that focus on a specific topic. A seasonal collection is also available, perfect for those who want to get in the spirit!
Kidsbooks
Media credit: vankidsbooks
Location:
Contact: 604-738-5335 (West Broadway), 604-986-6190 (Edgemont) [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 5:30 pm
Start ‘em young and bring the little ones to Kidsbooks in Vancouver! This children’s bookstore in Canada specialises in kids and young adult literature, available in different topics.
It’s a book haven for parents and kids, where bookshelves are homes to colourful spines that are filled with stories, fairy tales, and modern challenges. Children can also enjoy picture books that tell incredible stories and life lessons.
Keep an eye out for signed copies because authors visit this Vancouver bookshop for meet and greets. Look for a hodgepodge of things you might be interested in, like puzzles to do with the kids and Jellycat stuffies!
Pro Tip:
Visit for engaging storytime sessions with children’s book authors, as well as exclusive events for games, giveaways, and treats!
The Word Bookstore
Media credit: wordbookstore
Location: 469 Rue Milton, Montréal, Quebec
Contact: 514-845-5640
Business Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 10 am – 6 pm
- Thursday – Friday: 10 am – 9 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Montreal has a rich history, and that also rings true for its bookshops. The Word Bookstore hosts fine secondhand books, including course selections for Concordia University and McGill University students.
But the spotlight is on its rare books collection. You can discover tough-to-find hardbacks, with some dating back to the 1700s! Stumble upon old stories written by famed authors, as well as textbooks filled with historical accounts.
This secondhand bookstore in Montreal doesn’t only sell French books— yes, you can find a variety of English books, so locals and tourists are welcome to visit! And you don’t have to spend loads on old books because some are under $10!
Pro Tip:
Bring your books and see if you can trade or sell them here. This used bookstore in Canada is known for buying academic titles, perfect for graduates of Concordia and McGill! It’s actually a great spot for students to save some money!
McNally Robinson Booksellers
Media credit: mcnallyrobinson
Location:
- Floor 1, Grant Park Shopping Centre – 4000-1120 Grant Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Winnipeg and Saskatoon (Store locations)
Contact: 1-800-561-1833 (Winnipeg Toll-Free), 1-877-506-7456 (SK Toll-Free)
Business Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
With locations in Winnipeg and Saskatoon, McNally Robinson Booksellers is a large indie bookstore in Canada that sells a wide variety of books with a major focus on the local community. There are lots of local and international volumes for kids and adults.
The one in Grant Park in Winnipeg was the largest indie bookstore in Canada at the time of its unveiling. It’s still massive, covering 24,000 sq ft, with cool features like a separate children’s bookstore and a restaurant.
Check out Canadian and Indigenous books, as well as award-winning titles, bestsellers, graphic novels, science fiction, and indestructible books for babies (these are made from non-toxic paper that’s chew- and drool-proof!).
Pro Tips:
Read your new book at Prairie Ink Restaurant, available in Winnipeg and Saskatoon. You can enjoy your breakfast here or take a quick coffee and cake break!
Check out the Community Classroom, a learning space for various topics like art, culture, history, and travel. This is physically held at the Grant Park bookshop, but virtual classes are available for those who cannot attend.
Russell Books
Media credit: russellbooksvictoria
Location: 747 Fort St #100, Victoria, British Columbia
Contact: 250-361-4447, [email protected]
Business Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:30 am – 6 pm
Head over to BC for a family-run secondhand bookstore in Victoria. Russell Books has something for everyone, a place where you can see an interesting bunch, such as new titles, rare books in Canada, vintage sets, and collectable classics.
This is a true heaven for bookworms! The floor-to-ceiling shelves are filled with new and old stocks and rare titles you’ll be surprised to see—the bookshelves sometimes cannot house the large selection, so check the ones on the floor for some unique finds.
Fun fact: this bookshop is a world record holder. It earned the 6m tallest tower of Guinness World Records books in 2019.
And may we add the smell of books will envelop you as you enter. It’s like an old-school bookstore, so get ready to tilt your head up and crouch down, searching for your next read in front of every shelf!
Pro Tip:
If you have books you want to trade in, book an appointment so the staff can assess the condition, and you just might earn a couple of dollars. If you have good quality books for school, drop them off anytime for the Books for Schools Donation Program.
Owl’s Nest Books
Media credit: owlsnestbooks
Location: Britannia Plaza Shopping Centre, 815A 49 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta
Contact: 403-287-9557, [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm
This Calgary indie bookstore is the ultimate destination for carefully curated selections. At Owl’s Nest Books, there’s something for everyone and for every topic you’re looking for.
Everything is neatly arranged, including the children’s books so the kids can find exactly what they need. Choose from the monthly staff picks, Owl’s Nest bestsellers (the bookshop’s weekly top sellers), quick reads, and holiday titles!
It’s a little bookstore that has a local community vibe. There’s always something new, so you won’t get tired of visiting every week because of the wide range of titles, even though it’s not the biggest bookstore in Calgary!
Pro Tips:
All events at Owl’s Nest Books are free to attend. Keep an eye out for visiting authors for book discussions, meet and greets, and readings!
Check out their Hootdunnit Book Club, a space for mystery lovers! You don’t have to pay for a membership and you can even drop in if you’ve read the current title. It’s for those who want a discussion because there’s a meeting every month.
