Book shopping in Canada
-
A
Duthie Books
Once a citywide chain, this independent homegrown bookseller retreated to this single outlet a few years back, but has retained a loyal following. It’s a nice place to browse for an hour or two, there’s a good selection of Canadiana, and the staff know a thing or two about what to recommend – unlike some ubiquitous chains we could mention.
reviewed
-
B
Magpie Magazine Gallery
Regularly voted among Vancouver’s best magazine stores, Magpie’s 2000 titles certainly represent the city’s largest and most varied selection. Prepare for a squeeze while perusing the narrow aisles, and make sure you hit the back of the store where a small selection of discount art, philosophy and fiction books waits to lure you further.
reviewed
-
C
Cheap Thrills
Montréal's oldest used CD and cassette shop is so full you can hardly swing a cat. The selection covers everything from electronica, noise and indie-rock to jazz, blues and R&B, including hard-to-find imports. Upstairs you can snap up new recordings usually several dollars below prices elsewhere, and there's a decent collection of paperbacks.
reviewed
-
D
Librissime
It bills itself as more than just a bookstore, and it’s right, there really is no other place like this in the city. Gorgeous books here are imported from all over the world including Italy and India and white gloves are laid on the displays for you to don before touching the tomes, including giant-sized books that cost upwards of $1000.
reviewed
-
E
David Mirvish Books
The only bookstore specializing in new art books in the country, this former gallery is a calm, spacious atmosphere for browsing through books on architecture, photography, cooking, design, graphic arts, film and more. Those in the know come just to view the renowned Frank Stella painting, which adorns the back wall.
reviewed
-
F
International Travel
For maps, atlases, globes and guides covering nearly every region of the world, drop by this travel-lovers' favorite. It publishes 200 titles of its own and distributes 23,000 titles by other manufacturers. Ask the staff any geographic question from Andorra to Zambia, and they'll be able to find the map to answer it.
reviewed
-
G
Sophia Books
This multilingual bookstore serves ESL students, homesick francophones and Japanese manga fans, as well as just about everyone else interested in reading in another language. Shelves devoted to comics, anime, foreign magazines, language-learning tapes and Japanese origami fill the cramped aisles.
reviewed
-
H
Biz Books
This is the city’s best source for books on film, theater and the TV industry – collectively known as ‘the biz.’ Actors, writers and directors studying the craft will find plays, directories, monologue books, scene books, accent tapes and screenwriting software.
reviewed
-
I
Seekers Books
With a fair-trade shop in the back selling food, T-shirts, and books and DVDs on global issues, this subterranean independent bookstore is one-stop-shopping for the social-justice and politically minded in a relaxed atmosphere. New and used books on every subject are also available.
reviewed
-
J
Librairie Olivieri
A splendid place to while away a few hours is the indie bookstore Librairie Olivieri at the Universite Harvard de Montréal, which also has an excellent bistro serving poached salmon, magret de canard (duck breast) and changing daily specials.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Odyssey Books
Odyssey has soft- and hardcover books as well as a good classical and jazz CD selection. Strong in mystery, literature, jazz, philosophy, history, art and cookbooks, and recent arrivals have a special section so you can check out the latest gems.
reviewed
-
L
Librairie Astro
Rollicking wit and helpful service are as ubiquitous as the collectible comics, books, cards and CDs stocked at this little family-run shop. They know their customers by name and will email you if they come across something you might like.
reviewed
-
M
1.000.000 Comix
This living archive could document the history of the comic book. Marvel and DC of course but also left-field titles like Crumb and Tom of Finland. It also does a sideline in toys, T-shirts and cards.
reviewed
-
N
A Different Booklist
Caribbean and African literature lines the shelves of this cheerful bookstore, as well as a line of dual-language books for children (in English and Urdu/Portuguese/Swahili/Serbian, and many others). Course textbooks are available too.
reviewed
-
O
The Cookbook Store
You won't see a selection of Canadian-authored cookbooks like this elsewhere, and will probably find yourself among chefs who peruse them on their lunch breaks, along with European cookbooks and magazines from the UK and Australia.
reviewed
-
P
Parentbooks
With reading material on everything from autism to sexuality, this is the place for parents and parents-to-be to find resources and information in a welcoming atmosphere. There are also books and language CDs for kids themselves.
reviewed
-
Q
Drawn & Quarterly
The flagship store of this cult independent comic-book and graphic-novel publisher has become somewhat of a local literary haven. Cool book launches take place here, and the quaint little shop sells all sorts of reading matter.
reviewed
-
R
Glad Day
As Canada's oldest queer bookstore, Glad Day's been importing lesbigay material since 1970. Central to Toronto's colorful gay village, it is now proud to stock over 11,000 book, DVD and periodical titles.
reviewed
-
S
Librairie Michel Fortin
A mecca for every foreign-language student and linguist freak in town. You can find books, cassettes or novels on just about every language in the world from Thai to Basque to Georgian.
reviewed
-
T
Anne of Green Gables Store
It's likely that the name of the Anne of Green Gables Store gives its purpose away, but in case you haven't guessed, it's for those who haven't yet had their fill of LM Montgomery.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Banff Book & Art Den
Banff Books & Art Den is a lovely store with a wide selection; a wall full of books on the area's mountains and environment, history and outdoor activities.
reviewed
-
V
Librarie Champlain
It's the largest French-language bookstore in Toronto, selling magazines, language-learning materials, videos and Montréal Jazz Festival recordings.
reviewed
-
Pikto
In the Distillery District, Pikto is a unique professional photo lab and bookstore, with a great gallery.
reviewed
-
W
Sleuth of Baker Street
Mystery, thriller, out-of-print and first edition books are all here – as well as a good dose of Sherlockiana.
reviewed
-
X
Pages Books & Magazines
Toronto’s finest independent bookstore with magazines, small-press editions, nonfiction and new literature.
reviewed
