Karlie’s Toronto Bookstore Recommendations!
Posted on March 9, 2022
If you’re a book lover like me, I’m sure it’s safe to assume that you’ve been meaning to check out some other bookstores within Toronto that aren’t Indigo. With the return of in person classes, what’s a better way to get to know the city than by just touring around?
Well, you’re in luck! Below, I have listed 5 of my favourite bookstores that are within a decent commuting distance from our school’s campus. These places are great for finding books, both used and new, comics/manga, local works, and more!
The Beguiling: 319 College St
Image Credit: Yelp
The Beguiling is one of my personal favourite comic book stores in the entire city. With its wide variety of comics, ranging from autobiographies, Marvel, DC, manga, local works, zines, and more, it is impossible to leave this place empty-handed. With a main floor and a basement floor, this place has absolutely everything! To top it off, the staff are also friendly and knowledgeable, making The Beguiling a 10/10 experience every time.
BMV Books: 471 Bloor Street W
Image Credit: BMV Books
BMV Books is not just a bookstore-it’s an entire experience. With three floors, it is not difficult to find yourself lost in the aisles, in the best way possible. With new releases, used books and more, this place is any book lover’s dream. BMV has everything you could ever need, with every genre ranging from philosophy to art to a music section in the basement, with records and DVDs. Plus, the prices are absolutely unbeatable! This is a great place to pick up the next book on your syllabus!
(Also, there is a BMV much closer to our school’s campus on 10 Edward Street, just under a three-minute walk from the Student Learning Centre. Although this location isn’t as grand as the one on Bloor Street West, it still offers the same services and has friendly and welcoming staff!)
Thunderstruck Books: 386 Bloor St W
Image Credit: Yelp
Directly across the street from BMV Books is the adorable Thunderstruck Books. Small but mighty, Thunderstruck is a great place to find comics and manga, as well as figures and various other merchandise for anime/manga fans.
ABC Book store: 662 Yonge St
Image Credit: blogTO
What’s better than a good old used bookstore? ABC Books is your quintessential used bookstore, with shelves all the way up to the ceiling which give it a good old vintage feel to it. With books, DVDs, and more, this is a great place to come and browse while looking for your next big read.As well, there are a bunch of great places to get food on this street too!
Glad Day Bookshop: 499 Church St
Image Credit: blogTO
Located right in The Village, Glad Day Bookshop is host to not only a bookstore, but also a cafe and drag brunches-it doesn’t get any better than that. Glad Day prides itself for being the first LGBTQ+-focused bookstore in Canada, having been in operation since 1970. With its extensive collection of new and old LGBTQ+ works to pick from and browse, Glad Day is an absolute gem that I cannot recommend more.
Happy book shopping!
