A super cute rare book store. The selection was limited but well curated and nothing was…read moreoverpriced. The clerk was friendly but in no way intrusive. Try your luck with the random book vending machine!

We found her way to The Monkey's Paw from a list of unique and unusual Toronto sites. That list…read morespecifically mentioned the book vending machine which I had to try, but as an avid reader and book-collector ("antiquarian" if you're fancy) I was equally interested in simply perusing the store as a whole. The book vending machine-- as of March 2025, for a $5 CAD bill (or credit card), you get a token for the machine which randomly drops a vintage book. I received a hard-cover vintage mystery novel nicely wrapped in a mylar book protective jacket (and a price tag indicating this one was $19.99 at one point). Pretty cool book, pretty recommended experience overall. As to the store itself--friendly proprietor and generally nice layout. But try as I might, I could not find a book to spend my money on. I was intent on purchasing something, and open to splurging a bit. But the closest I came was a 3rd or 4th edition hardcover of Daphne De Maurier's "Don't Look Now" novel printed in the 1970s. I love her work and have many of her books, but not this one which may be her most famous due to the Donald Sutherland film adaptation. However, for $35...I just couldn't quite do it. If it were a first edition, most certainly. If it were $20 for a 4th edition, quite possibly. There were some cool vintage sci-fi paperbacks (Heinlein, Herbert, Aasimov, etc.) that were probably priced in line with the market. But much of the stock reminded me of how "curating" a collection can present items as more valuable than they are. Is a gardening book from the 1950s in VF condition worth $40? Or a map cut out of an old National Geographic matted on cardstock worth $20? I really like the idea of this store and wish them the best because book stores are the coolest places on earth. I just felt everything was about 25% higher than it was likely worth. I would have splurged had I come across a great old edition of a favorite novel, though. Sounds like stock changes regularly and they are set up to encourage perusing, finding something you didn't know you were looking for. Wish them continued success and giving them a solid "3" (which in my book is "good"). Definitely recommend the vending machine!

Review is for the online store not the physical location. Olivia, who runs the online store was…read morekind, quick, and responded to all of my inquires in a timely manner! She was able to help me with an inquiry and went above and beyond! Thank you Olivia!!!! Even the staff at the store when I called were friendly and warm! Hope to actually visit in person next time I'm in Canada!

Has such a fantastic selection of books and other things that I feel you wouldn't be able to…read morediscover if you went to a normal book retailer, plus the space is so inviting and makes you want to stay in there forever

This store just seems to be really getting it together lately. The staff are so knowledgeable…read more Plus(!) they carry a lot of the McSweeney's published books, which are sometimes difficult to find unless you buy them online. FIVE STARS!

This is one of the smaller Book City outlets around Toronto, but they still manage to pack a…read moresurprising amount of good books and magazines into their limited space. It has more of a bibliophilic staff and atmosphere than the big chains, since books are their only business. They've got a better loyalty card deal than Chapters/Indigo, and if you sign up they even send you a $5 gift certificate on your birthday. Book City also has good deals on remainders (something which also used to be true of Chapters, but not as much lately).

Discovered this super cute fantasy and sci-fi bookstore on Harbord St. The moment I walked in the…read morestaff were super great and helped me find a book I was looking for. The store itself was just amazing, dorky, magical vibes all around. What I really loved was the fact that one of the store workers or owner would make little mini reviews and stick it on the shelves near the book. They were so enjoyable to read and gave me some good recommendations for books. They also have $5 mystery book bags in the back. I definitely just love the fact that this is a bookstore dedicated to fantasy and sci-fi and you can tell that the owners genuinely love reading these kinds of books. It also looks like they host lots of book related events for the community.

A store? Where you buy books? What a novel concept!…read more If you're a fan of Fantasy and SF, you've probably heard of Bakka. It's the oldest surviving specialty bookstore of its kind in North America, and even though it has moved fairly regularly over the past decade (it's about to move to its fourth location, but hopefully this is for good) it's carried that history with it. You can find a great selection of books there, both prose and graphic novels, as well as a selection of used books and magazines. They carry both origina works as well as large selections of media tie in novels. The staff there are acutely aware of what is published, and if you can tell them what you enjoyed they'll be able to point you at something else that'll be to your liking. Plus, many books have notecards explaining what they're about and what readers will find appealing about them.m If you have any interest in sf books, you owe it to yourself to go here.

I came across Seekers Books by chance, and it feels like one of those hidden spots only true book…read morelovers appreciate. The space is a bit packed and unpolished, but that's exactly what makes it interesting--you never know what you'll find tucked between the shelves. It has a quiet, slightly nostalgic vibe, perfect for slowing down and browsing. Not a place for quick visits, but definitely worth it if you enjoy the hunt.

The workers here maintain such a high level of cleanliness I could tell they cleaned regularly,…read moreeven during the day. I asked one staff member for a book recommendation and they were so enthusiastic. Clean, helpful, and peaceful that's what this place is.

Indigo is the biggest book store chain in Canada and even though I do prefer a small book store,…read moreI've always been quite the fan of Indigo. This massive location on Bloor is two stories and full of absolutely anything a book store could and should have. Books, magazines, clothing, pens, home goods, plushies, and did I mention the books part? This store is very clean, very well organized, and makes it very well known when a book is put out by a Canadian author with a big sticker right on the cover to let you know, and I sure do love supporting other Canadians. Overall, this location is amazing and probably my favourite one. I ended up leaving with a sweatshirt, a poetry book for a friend, and two books my wife picked out. I very much look forward to coming back on my next trip back home!

This is a lovely large bookstore with a back entrance to a mall. It has tiered floors of books,…read moregames, mugs, some decor among other items. I loved the big open feel and that there were employees around to ask questions. I had researched options for checking out a local bookstore and landed on this one as it was close to our hotel. I could have been in here for hours exploring but luckily brought my husband which saved us lots of money. I thought the variety was good and liked that books by both local and Canadian authors were marked.

An excellent used bookshop. A regular cycling of offerings, you can find real bargains and rarities…read morehere. It's in my work neighbourhood so it's always worth a stroll over. As with most shops, it's staffed by a single cashier, so you might have to wait a minute OSR the shop is busy. If you're looking for a piece of physical media, though, this place is a gem.

The staff here are both friendly and knowledgeable. Often can be seen rocking out to music. Very…read moreupbeat atmosphere and VERY broad range of genres in terms of books, many of them covering subject matter you may have a hard time locating in retail chains such as Indigo and even other popular second hand stores. Many titles are remainders and come in near mint condition - some of the art books are still mint, still wrapped. Sells 1st editions - vinyl, books, has a decently sized rare book section.

I'm pretty well-versed in Toronto's used bookstores from Spadina westward, and I got to tell you,…read moreif you're looking for a operated by two grumpy old white men who feel at ease with making inappropriate judgements about your book selection, then this is the place for you. I was looking for Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" and the stockier gentleman responded "they run out quickly, guess suicidal and mediocre has become in fashion again." This wasn't the only thing I noticed. I was curious about the name "Balfour," and it only occurred to me from the various Israel-themed content in the bookstore that it's most likely commemorative of Arthur Balfour, the British administrator of post-Ottoman Palestine who promised a Jewish state for Zionist Jews in the UK (see "Balfour Declaration, 1917). For a used bookstore that I've been frequenting for at least 8 years now since I've moved to this city, their selection has been consistently in desperate need for non-white authors, especially in their social sciences, religious studies, philosophy, plays, and art sections. The prices, sure, can be low, sometimes lower than other bookstores (especially the smaller, vintage-looking paperbacks at the front), but they've increased over time. $25 dollars for a Foucault book? Come on now! Moral of the story is: if you're a bookworm with a shred of an ethical compass, I implore you to avoid this bookstore at any costs. Don't let the price or the antiquarian section deceive you, Toronto is a reader-heavy city with many competing bookstores that you can visit and indulge your imagination in!

Super warm and wonderful staff! Love this place, will definitely be coming back again many times!read more