Best of Toronto
The Best Used Bookstores in Toronto
Despite the rise of web-based giants like Chapters/Indigo and Amazon, the used bookseller remains alive, if not altogether well. Like a character from a William Faulkner novel, they endure despite the forces of change that surround them. No doubt technology like the Kindle - the so-called ipod of books - will make the going even tougher in the years to come. But, for those Torontonians who still value the experience of cradling and collecting books, and who don't want to pay an arm and a leg for the pleasure, there remain a number of well-stocked used bookstores scattered across the city.
These places are, for the most part, operated by lovers of literature and music who believe in the community importance of bookstores, who love to discuss books with their customers, and who generally provide far more reliable purchasing suggestions than an algorithm based on one's past purchases. Here's a list of Toronto's best as voted by our readers.
See also: The Best Bookstores in Toronto
BMV Books
This multimedia retailer reigns as the biggest of the city’s used and remaindered booksellers. Their warehouse-style flagship Annex location sees heavy traffic from U of T students looking to save on textbooks for Humanities courses and bibliophiles who enjoy large-sized art and culinary books. Other well-stocked items include travel guides and reference books, as well as CDs and DVDs of various genres. More »
Monkey's Paw
Named after the famous (or perhaps notorious) horror story by W. W. Jacobs, Monkey’s Paw is adored by both the residents of Dundas West and those who treasure intriguing and oddball books. Specializing in what could be called the anti-classic, browsing the shelves is an adventure in the world of rare, obscure, and even absurd texts. Passersby’s enjoy the window display, which is regularly updated with notably peculiar additions to the store’s stock. More »
Balfour Books
Awash in floor-to-ceiling pine shelves, Balfour Books exudes the type of charm one might idealistically expect of bookstores. Combine this with a selection of titles 20000 strong and a closing time of 11pm, and it’s easy to understand why this Little Italy fixture is consistently considered one of the city’s best. Their annual half-price sale in March is the stuff of book buyers’ dreams. More »
Eliot's Bookshop
Located just north of Wellesley on Yonge, Eliot’s sold me a significant chunk of my fiction collection when I used to work around the corner. With three creaky floors of packed shelves, it’s best described as a general-interest bookstore. One finds few remaindered books here, but the selection of secondhand titles is impressive. The prices aren’t too bad, either. More »
She Said Boom
Originally under the same ownership, the College Street and Roncesvalles Avenue locations are now separate entities. Both, however, have long-served the used books and music buyers of the city. While the literary tends to dominate – with a focus on the Humanities – careful selections of CDs and vinyl also attract those who resist the pull of iTunes and the complete digitization of their music collections. More »
Seekers
Although its location under Kilgour’s Bar can make Seekers tough to spot, it remains one of the best places to find books that focus on New Age philosophy, mysticism and Eastern religion. The general interest fiction is also well stocked, with particularly thorough holdings in the Canadian classics. Those interested in Native Studies and Canadian History will also find one of the better collections in the city. More »
The Book Exchange
Located beside Dencan Books in the Junction, The Book Exchange stocks a very well organized general-interest list of fiction and non-fiction. As is the case with many stores throughout the city, the fiction section is well stocked with classics and contemporary offerings. Astute digging reveals some rare gems. More »
Dencan Books
With an owner that’s been in the business for over forty years, Dencan Books has a loyal following with local residents. Along with The Book Exchange and Pandemonium, it is part of a trio of stores that reward book-buying visits to the Junction. Always campaigning to purchase more stock, the store offers home pick up to aid, amongst others, those who have converted to Amazon’s Kindle. More »
Pandemonium
Selling both books and music, Pandemonium is ideal for those who love fine literature and scratched vinyl. While one may come across a dearth of 60’s and 70’s rock records, the CD’s have a decidedly indie character. Look for Danielle Steele elsewhere - the fiction section eschews the pulp for novels by the canonical heavyweights. More »
Circus Books and Music
About a year into its move from Cabbagetown to the Danforth, the store’s owner, Ron Duffy, reports that the new digs are treating him and his business well. Although not quite in the heavily trafficked area of the Danforth, being at Jones Avenue allows the folks from Leslieville to pop up the street for visits as well. Well-stocked fiction and art sections are supplemented by CDs and vinyl. Lovers of the Blue Note label should take time to peruse the collection. More »
A Good Read
Looking for first editions and signed copies? This Parkdale bookseller stocks a wide selection of hard-to-get editions at the back of the store, many of which are lovingly kept in glass display cases purchased from the ROM. For those not interested in rarities, the store also stocks a general-interest list made up of both remaindered and good-condition used offerings. If I wasn’t poor, I would have left with the signed first edition of Mordecai Richler’s St. Urbain’s Horseman the last time I stopped by. More »
Zoinks!
The lone books and music seller in Bloorcourt, Zoinks has but one rule when stocking items - they’ve got to be interesting. It sounds basic, but if all retailers held true to such a strategy, the world – and certainly our personal libraries – would be better for it. Not only is the store well organized, but owner, Philippa Pires, is unusually helpful and enthusiastic in her various suggestions. More »
Discussion
74 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
they're all great places, but living close to zoinks makes it one of my favourites. even though their stock is smaller than the other stores on the list, i always seem to find the books i'm looking for.
if one compares it to the Edward St. location.
The background music is high, people talk on their cell
phones and couples talk across distances rather than approach
one another to converse more quietly.
It's all quite distracting, really.
(and doubt i'll ever grow out of loving kerouac, even just a little bit)
Now, if only they would get rid of that horrible incense...
star_mans2000@hotmail.com
Recycled is my favourite, but I can spend hours and hours in Atticus too. I love its disregard for effective classification of its stock.
www.abcbookstoronto.blogspot.com . Also a nice selection of back issues of comic books and graphic novels AND Dvd's.
W.
There is a difference between the best-sellers you brought, and the trade paperbacks that they are after. A best-seller like Dan Brown, Michael Creighton etc. is a different animal than a trade paperback. Trade paperbacks are works of literary fiction - Kerouac, Bukowski, Camus, etc. are examples of trade paperbacks.
The best-sellers you brought in can be found for sale in any airport or supermarket. Trade paperbacks can only be found in dedicated booksellers.
Is there in Toronto any automotive/motorsport-oriented bookstore?
Thanks in advance for any clue!
P
There are many ways to operate a used books store business so it is impressive not to see 31 comments without there being a clear cut favourite.
Count yourselves among the blessed cities but also know it is only by continuing shopping at your local stores you can keep an important part of your city's culture alive.
Another thing customers can do to improve the stores they prefer is to keep after them to improve - tell them what you are looking for everytime you go into their store - let them know what you like about what they are doing and what you wish they could start doing better.
Even though few merchants don't seem to realize it - their customers and their staff are the most vital ingredients contributing to their longevity. Customers know the books they really want and generally staff are in the best position to keep in touch with what is currently in demand. Knowledgable staff takes longer to develop and can be extremely valuable, if they can retain their enthusiasm, remember all the inventory that is still relevant even though it is no longer in fashion and possess a willingness to share their hard-earned experience.
Used books stores can be among the jewels in a city's treasures - but only with the help and support of their customers.
May God bless you every one.
Used books stores can be among the jewels in a city's treasures - but only with the help and support of their customers.
Check out their website and be sure to drop by!
http://www.uc.utoronto.ca/content/view/172/817/
I have hundreds of ESL books. Would you by
chance be interested. Email: Faizul@rogers. Cell 416-966-7373
Thanks,
Dave
I am in the process of opening a used book store/ cafe in the North york area.
If you have any used books that you would like to consign and/or sell, please contact me. They must be in reasonably good condition and any age, topic will be accepted.
Paperbacks are welcome!
Tel: 647 774 8836
or email - melodycafe at ymail dot com
There is a popular out-of-print book that I am interested in purchasing. I would be happy to pop by a used book store to pick one up, if they had a copy. Since they do not have a database of their books, they are unable to tell me whether they have a copy -- I have to go there and browse there shelves (I could easily spend 3 hours visiting various shops, in areas where parking is a challenge). I have decided instead to order the book online (Chapters and Amazon have ample copies).
A database seems like a no-brainer to me. Used book stores would sell more books.
As for that collection of Tom Clancy and Twilight novels you have, good luck.
(Seriously: why *hasn't* Tom Clancy written a Twilight novel yet.)
Do any of the used book stores stock kids books.?
Ten Editions is also a pretty sweet place.