The Best Used Bookstores in Toronto

Review by DEREK FLACK MARCH 26, 2009
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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
THE BEST USED BOOKSTORES IN TORONTO
1. BMV BOOKS
2. MONKEY'S PAW
3. BALFOUR BOOKS
4. ELIOT'S BOOKSHOP
5. SHE SAID BOOM
6. SEEKERS
7. THE BOOK EXCHANGE
8. DENCAN BOOKS
9. PANDEMONIUM
10. CIRCUS BOOKS AND MUSIC
11. A GOOD READ
12. ZOINKS!




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COMMENTS
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bart this is more like a list of the last remaining used bookstores in toronto ;) 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.
26/03/2009 09:34 am
Torontonian The Bloor St. BMV bookstore is fairly noisy,particularly 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.
26/03/2009 09:48 am
Rosalin Krieger Seekers has a wide range of gems (and great prices) that nobody else seems to carry in Toronto. I got an early Nelson Mandela biography, an old Ralph Ellison essay collection, The Joy of Sex and books on Jewish popular culture. This store has such character and warmth, I can't imagine buying books anywhere else.
26/03/2009 09:48 am
Rosalin Are you serious? This is a great bookstore. People yapping on the bus are much more annoying. In fact, it is very quiet and spacious and not stuffy like most old book stores. BMV and Seekers are the best used book stores -- both are very different but very good.
26/03/2009 09:55 am
Eric S. Smith If e-books published for devices like the Kindle remain DRM-encumbered, users will find themselves shut out of the secondary market in two ways. First, of course, they'll have no real book to sell. Second, even if they can find someone with a theoretically compatible device who would be willing to pay for a "used" e-book, they'll probably discover that the DRM prevents the transaction.
26/03/2009 10:12 am
matts It's a bit unfair to put the BMV behemot against some other stores in this list; after all, BMV deals mostly with remainder books - brand new books sold by publishers at discounts. I frequent the store and absolutely love the bargains, but it is not a "used" book store by a long shot.
26/03/2009 11:08 am
Jenn There is nothing like the smell of a book, and the feel of a book. While I do read some ebooks, I hope that these stores stay open and thriving. Sometimes progress is not a good thing! Hopefully enough book lovers continue to shop at these places to keep them open for good :) Great list!
26/03/2009 11:10 am
laurel love love frantic city! (and doubt i'll ever grow out of loving kerouac, even just a little bit)
26/03/2009 11:27 am
Dudley She Said Boom was literally the first store I ever visited in Toronto, ten minutes after I moved into my first T.O. apartment, which was right across the street. I've loved it ever since.
26/03/2009 11:28 am
Bosephus An awesome list! I'm glad to see that Seekers made it - I can't remember the last time I went in there without buying something. Now, if only they would get rid of that horrible incense...
26/03/2009 12:16 pm
kate I gotta say... as an English student it's impossible to afford 12 books x 5 classes every year. I survive on second hand bookstores, and it's a shame that people would rather spend their money on the same books at corporate stores.
26/03/2009 12:55 pm
khalid if any one ,wants or need books,used books about and from saudi arabia,email me ty star_mans2000@hotmail.com
26/03/2009 14:09 pm
Matt What about Ten Editions on Spadina, just south of Bloor? It has a larger selection than some of the other stores on the list and is fairly cheap. I do like BMV, but it must be remembered that it is really a remainder store.
26/03/2009 21:25 pm
Matthew This list is awesome. I was in Seeker's last night and left with four books instead of the one I'd intended - I promptly forgot them at my friend's house afterwards... Le sigh. Recycled is my favourite, but I can spend hours and hours in Atticus too. I love its disregard for effective classification of its stock.
27/03/2009 07:21 am
rapi can't beleive you don't mention Acadia Art & Rare Books (416) 364-7638. 232 Queen St E...the BEST art bookstore in toronto....
27/03/2009 08:08 am
Corina Does Bakka not count? Or maybe they don't sell any used books anymore... also, RIP Jamie Fraser Books.
27/03/2009 08:18 am
Walter Small in comparison to BMV, but just up the road from ELLIOT's is ABC BOOKS. Its worth a look. They have a good selection of used literature and its not as picked over as some of the larger stores. You can still find Phillip K. Dick, Kerouac etc. and other perennial favourites if you look around. They even have a blog at: www.abcbookstoronto.blogspot.com . Also a nice selection of back issues of comic books and graphic novels AND Dvd's. W.
27/03/2009 08:57 am
Derek It's great that so many are writing in with suggestions of stores that didn't make the list. I would have personally also added NDJ books on Yonge, which has always had something in stock for me. The fifteen in the original post are, however, a reflection of the voting of our readers. But, if anyone can think of still others not in the original post, it can only help the booksellers and buyers of the city.
27/03/2009 09:42 am
Colleen I too was surprised not to see Ten Editions. I love that place.
27/03/2009 11:55 am
Hayden I'm with rapi on this, Acadia (http://www.arcadiabooks.com) is superb, with a gorgeous black cat called 'Mishu'. All the best book shops have cats (see Balfour Books).
06/04/2009 14:39 pm
justme I love BMV! It's not technically a used book store but they do have a huge selection. It always sucks me in.
14/05/2009 15:45 pm
Rapp A Good Read is huge. Many books. Rare ones too.
23/06/2009 14:33 pm
Rapp She Said Boom sucks. Barely anything in there. Definitely nothing good. And I know why. I went in there once with a bunch of best sellers. They refused to buy though because my books weren't the right "size." They were paperbacks, and the store only wanted trade paperbacks. The person told me to bring in any trade paperback book, by anyone, and they'd buy it. Yeah, your customers really care what the size of a book is.
23/06/2009 14:38 pm
Peter "I went in there once with a bunch of best sellers" 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.
26/08/2009 00:11 am
paco marcial Hey, Is there in Toronto any automotive/motorsport-oriented bookstore? Thanks in advance for any clue! P
30/09/2009 14:15 pm
andrea don't forget the Great Escape on Kingston Road for new, used, rare and kids. Their trading system here might mean you never have to buy again. NO school texts though, just pure enjoyment....losing yourself in the written word.
10/10/2009 10:36 am
kipik You don't have my favorite one, called Tenth edition book store on spadina north of harbour street. It's the best selection of art books, children books, unusual books, she has a sharp eye for great find you'll find there stuff you won't find anywhere else!
17/10/2009 16:17 pm
Michael Why isn't the Paperback Exchange listed? I find it to be one of the best stores in Toronto (Located McCowan/Lawerance. I'd say if you want a great read go there!
22/10/2009 08:49 am
Julia Another great place is Willow Books, on Bathurst just south of Bloor (right behind Honest Ed's). They have more books than they have room for, which tends to equal some great deals. Best of all, it's owned by an elderly gentleman who knows and loves every one of his books. Some amazing conversations, and backstories to the things you're buying!
21/11/2009 00:45 am
Limo4u Helpful information if I need any book I will try some.
21/11/2009 03:20 am
ron Tenth Edition is a marvellous store with the added bonus of a rolling ladder that lets you reach the high shelves!
19/12/2009 09:38 am
George It's great to see how many stores considered "used" books stores are operating in Toronto and the enthusiastic comments are refreshing. 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.
23/12/2009 01:24 am
Diane There's also 're-reading' on the danforth near chester station. They're pretty new, but the owner is really nice, and the space is beautiful. Small, but that's okay. nice big selection of sci-fi. and a good collection of comic books ;D I often go into circus too though... I pass them everyday on my way home.
23/12/2009 11:47 am
Toronto pink</a 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.
18/01/2010 19:11 pm
Gtacarservices 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.
18/01/2010 19:12 pm
James don't forget the Great Escape on Kingston Road for new, used, rare and kids. Their trading system here might mean you never have to buy again. NO school texts though, just pure enjoyment....losing yourself in the written word.
18/01/2010 19:16 pm
BookSmart BMV is a great store, well layed out and a very good selection of books and DVDS however there is a guy who works there that is extremely rude to customers. I purchased some books and asked him for a bag (expecting to pay for the bag) and he ripped into me about how they do not just give bags away for free. He has some sort of psychological problem and needs customer service training.
09/03/2010 18:19 pm
Bally You also forgot Roxanne Reads New and Used Books on Queen Street East (near Broadview) - named Toronto's Best Used Book Store by Now Magazine after only being open a year. A great selection of New and Used Books at great prices. A beautiful and welcoming shop - with something for everyone.
17/03/2010 15:09 pm
kipik The best of those would be Eliot on Yonge. But the best one of all has to be !0th Edition Bookstore on Spadina just north of Harbour. She's great, prices are great, huge selection of art books, children books, nature, poetry, 1st nation history... You ar garanteed to find a rare treasure and pay 10$ for it!!!
06/05/2010 13:22 pm
Ihor Prociuk Atticus Books on Harbord (just west of the University of Toronto) closed about a year ago (I think). I don't think they've moved: they've closed permanently.
01/06/2010 10:59 am
Loma thanks for the list i havent been do any of them but will try atleast one of them.. right now i use cheapest textbooks try them at http://www.cheapesttextbooks.com
14/07/2010 09:39 am
Captmondo Just wanted to recommend The Great Escape bookstore on Kingston Road. I know it has already been mentioned here by someone else already, but it is a real little gem of a used book store. A great selection of books for kids, excellent genre (SciFi, Horror, Murder Mysteries etc) plus history and so on (no textbooks). It may be small, but the staff are excellent (it's run by a couple of retired teachers if I remember right) and extremely helpful. If I am ever in need of a cheap read, I start with this store and only then head downtown (usually to by more. ;-)
15/07/2010 15:43 pm
mellon Roxanne reads is gone already. Too bad.
30/07/2010 14:04 pm
Sydney Don't forget about the College bookstores at U of T! University College has an awesome used bookstore with a lot more variety than most. Plus they have a gigantic sale in October that is mind blowing! Check out their website and be sure to drop by! http://www.uc.utoronto.ca/content/view/172/817/
30/07/2010 14:18 pm
Alissa Acutally, I buy and sell my books at http://www.UsedBookBuySell.com. This is a great site where you do not need to register or sign up for an account. No need to login. You just post the book and buyers contact you through emails. They even keep your email address hidden. The best thing is it's completely Free. no listing fee, no transaction fees. I would strongly recommend it to anyone.
11/09/2010 21:59 pm
Dave Hosei Good Day, I have hundreds of ESL books. Would you by chance be interested. Email: Faizul@rogers. Cell 416-966-7373 Thanks, Dave
18/11/2010 14:01 pm
athena Eliot's is one of my favorites! Not just in Toronto, but worldwide... it's got that used bookstore smell that just feels like heaven.
20/12/2010 06:41 am
Ginni Hi, 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
13/01/2011 10:16 am
rapi you forgot acadia bookstore at queen and sherbourne...THE BEST for used and rare edition art books...just another east-ender...i see the list lacks in that direction
11/02/2011 06:37 am
MJ How could you possibly forget the Pleasant Bookstore at Bayview and Eglinton!? By far the nicest, best stocked, book store in all of Toronto. You should check it out some time.
14/03/2011 16:53 pm
MJ I can't believe there is no listing for the Pleasant Bookstore at Bayview & Eglinton. It's awsome. Albeit small, it always has a title I'm looking for. Check it out.
16/04/2011 16:02 pm
Brad Ford Another store you have left off and the only used bookstore in all of North Toronto is Handy Book Exchange at 1762 Avenue Riad (north of Lawrence). It's been there forever and they have a blend of mass market and trade paperbacks as well as hardcovers. The books in their window always changes and both Al and Carole are very knowledgeable and friendly and if you buy a nice little stack of stuff, Al will even give you a break on the price. While they concentrate on Fiction, History, Military and Kid's books, there are also some neat cookbooks, true crime and some modern first editions at great prices. Other North Toronto stores have come and gone but Handy Book is still chugging along. I remember my mom taking me there when I was a young kid so the store is now generational!
03/05/2011 10:52 am
MM Why in the world do used bookstores NOT have their books on a database? I just called three better known ones in Toronto who told me that they have no database. 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.
30/06/2011 19:54 pm
Morgan This covers where to buy but what about the best places to sell?
05/07/2011 08:49 am
Darcy McGee It's a two way street: used bookstores that sell good books buy good 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.)
05/07/2011 09:16 am
Al Navis I will reply about not having a database. A true used bookstore (in other words NOT a BMV location which are more of a remainder store) will have recent bestsellers turned in by their customers as well as old titles. Perhaps a 1960s paperback of "A Clockwork Orange" or a 1950s paperback of "Gone with the Wind". To properly create a database requires that someone input each book into that database and if you have 35,000 books, doing 100 books a day (which would leave little time for anything else) would require a full year to accomplish. Meanwhile how many of those would have been sold throughout that year and how many new books would have come in and gone out within a week? Finally, while new books all have ISBN bar codes on them so that a bar code reader could be used, anything older than 1967 and many from 1967-1980 had no such thing. A real used bookseller worth his salt KNOWS what he has in his store.
05/07/2011 12:17 pm
Robert Thistle love books...have a small collection of around 800 - no electronics need apply....thanks for the list...I will definitely make plans to spend part of my holidays browsing...question, if I might - I have 24 books by Horatio Alger, Jr - circa 1910 - any thoughts on a possible buyer
29/07/2011 19:14 pm
J ..sweetie, if no one purchased those books before you snatched them up, all second hand, however would you be able to purchase them?
04/01/2012 08:16 am
Sophie Does anyone know which used book stores give a good trade in value?Older mysteries mostly.
10/01/2012 10:29 am
Nate I found very little that appealed to me at ABC Books. It's more of a front/cover for the adult movies in the back.
14/01/2012 04:37 am
Collectible Item - Marvel Comics Marvel Comics has always been great for me. I have been collecting marvel comics through these years. I am a real avid fun of it.
19/01/2012 01:09 am
David What about Willow Books 333 Bloor W. in the old Rochdale building. Great stock, operated by original founder of Seekers, 30 years experience!
04/09/2012 22:21 pm
COSPLAY What about Ten Editions on Spadina, just south of Bloor? It has a larger selection than some of the other stores on the list and is fairly cheap. I do like BMV, but it must be remembered that it is really a remainder store.
26/09/2012 23:52 pm
Beverley Looking for dr. Seuss Do any of the used book stores stock kids books.?
04/11/2012 11:52 am
Rebecca BMV books is not a good place if you are looking for selling old books and or old movies. I speak from knowledge in going there and the guy whom i was speaking to specifically said "We do not sell books" Hello its called "bmv "books" and you do not sell books??. It is basically a "remainder store" this store should not be labeled as a used book store.
23/11/2012 18:35 pm
shanks I am looking to buy the complete hard bound Readers Digest Condensed Books.Live in a suburb of Toronto,Ontario
16/12/2012 09:42 am
Amelia Willow books is a great store - it's not at Bathurst anymore, it's by U of T. I'd never been to the Bathurst location, but I pass the new(ish) location all the time, since I go to school at U of T. It's an awesome place, they have so many different subjects and lots of cool/weird books that I haven't seen anywhere else. Pretty much three stories of new, used, eclectic, textbooks, occult, rare, literature, kids - everything! I'm surprised it didn't make BlogTo's list... Ten Editions is also a pretty sweet place.
15/02/2013 19:54 pm
Amelia Yeah, Willow books does for sure. So does BMV, Doug Miller, and probably most others.
21/02/2013 15:16 pm
Carolina Barfbag yes! I love all of these!
02/03/2013 11:51 am
Carolina Barfbag Yes!
02/03/2013 11:52 am
Smith Smitson (And yes, thats actually my name) Very interesting. Do you know if any of these stores are accepting books for consoignment?
02/03/2013 11:53 am
Magy I am looking for a used book store with a good selection of European history books.
18/03/2013 12:33 pm
Shirley Josephs ATTICUS BOOKS is NOT closed. Atticus Books sold there downtown property on Harbord Street to Bakka Science Fiction Bookstore. Atticus operates a large on-line store . See their website at atticus-books.com. They can arrange for down town delivery of a book to avoid postal charges for local clients. They are also interested in purchasing large or small quantities of suitable books. They even make house calls when appropriate. They continue to offer quality scholarship at reasonable prices!
25/04/2013 08:41 am
D Kenney Shank, just read your comment from Dec 2012.I have a complete set of the Readers Digest condensed stories[10 books] They are hardbound and have leather-like covers in excellent [like new] condition. I would like to sell for $60.I'm flexible on the price if you want to make an offer.I live in south Mississauga....Dan
06/05/2013 23:29 pm