Shelf-Discovery: Stores Worth Bookmarking

Shelf-Discovery: Stores Worth Bookmarking

My Favourite Used Book Stores in Toronto

Carina Mercado, Opinions Editor

Toronto is abundant in used bookstores. It is very rare now that I purchase a book new. Used books hold stories outside of the actual text: handwritten notes in pages, insightful annotations from previous readers, and rare and beautiful covers rarely seen in your big-chain bookstore. Visiting used bookstores is a great way to expand your collection and see a new perspective of books.   

Seekers Books – 509 Bloor Street West 

  • The best store for new age and occult literature. Plenty of fantasy/sci-fi books and piles upon piles of classic literature. I imagine Smaug’s library would feel insulated with history and intrigue.  
  • Kind and vastly knowledgeable co-owner/Churchill handler who knows his inventory like the sky is up. Always a fun and/or thought-provoking conversation to be had. He will always wish you luck on your quests.  
  • Books are managed by a ginger cat named Churchill. He is also the store’s overnight security guard. 
  • Best find – Tarot Reversed by Mary Greer for $11 (worth it for 3 years of searching!) 

ABC books – 662 Yonge Street 

  • Most budget friendly collection of books on Yonge. The Value bin out front is pure kryptonite for book worms. Holds titles for $1-$2 spanning all genres before you even enter the store. 
  • Large Historical text section at the back of the store along  
  • Best Finds – Swamp Thing Saga box set for $60. Hardcover Special Edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula for $7. The DaVinci Code, the illustrated edition, by Dan Brown for $1. 

Doug Miller Books – 650 Bloor Street West 

  • Tight and bountiful collections of classic literature and modern bestsellers. Lots of original prints and leather-bound hardcovers for special edition and vintage collectors. 
  • The front of the store has a large double sided book wall display holding new arrivals, best sellers, and staff recommendations. 
  • Best Finds – Soul Music by Terry Pratchett for $9 and The Alchemist by Paul Coelho for $7 

BMV – 650 Bloor Street West 

  • Best value sections at the front of the store and at the BMV cafe next door every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you can pick any 3 items in the store for $10. The store includes novels, biographies, literary journals, graphic novels, pocketbooks, international titles, encyclopedias, atlases, tarot cards, and more.  
  • The main store is also the largest and most dense book catalogue in the city. Housing four floors spanning genres well known and some yet undiscovered by you. Closest thing the city has to the classic Sam the Record Man on Yonge Street for book and pop culture lovers. 
  • Best Find – Leonardo Davinci Calendar for $10

Photo Credit: Aiden Fung