A giant secondhand book sale is coming to Calgary

Book lovers, rejoice! There’s a huge secondhand book sale coming to Calgary next month, and it’s the best place to stock up for your home library.

The Calgary Reads Big Book Sale returns this May with over 200,000 gently used books for sale. Browse rows upon rows of wonderfully organized titles from every genre imaginable. Whether you’re partial to sci-fi, detective novels, or fantasy epics, we bet you’ll find something.

The only problem might be having too many books to carry.

What to expect

In case we didn’t already have you at “book sale,” here’s the skinny on the big event.

There are three ways to shop at this massive, 10-day event. Get first dibs on all the shiny titles you could want by booking an appointment on the first three days, quiet weekends, or special event days.

Book tables will be refreshed daily, and most adult books are only $4, with children’s books priced at $2. And yes, you can come back to shop as many times as you like. Methods of payment accepted include cash, debit, and credit.

The Calgary Reads Big Book Sale also helps support a good cause. Proceeds from the event go towards partner non-profits working to support and encourage children’s literacy in Calgary. The event is stewarded by the Rotary Club of Calgary, a proud partner of Left Unread, which is a movement that champions each child’s right to read.

What could be better than scoring a bunch of books and sharing your love of reading at the same time?

Calgary Reads Big Book Sale schedule

• Friday, May 9, Saturday, May 10, 2025: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. by appointment only
• Sunday, May 11, 2025: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only
• Monday, May 12 to Thursday, May 15, 2025: Noon to 8 p.m.

Special days

• BOGO Friday, May 16, 2025: Noon to 8 p.m.
• BOGO Saturday, May 17, 2025: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Fill-a-box for $20 Sunday, May 18, 2025: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Free Book Day: Every Book is Free! on Monday, May 19, 2025: Noon to 6 p.m.

Mark this big book sale on your calendars, Calgary, and find your next read.

Calgary Reads Big Book Sale

When: Friday, May 9 to Monday, May 19, 2025
Where: Calgary Curling Club — 720 3rd St. NW, Calgary
Cost: $3 to $5 event fee per adult added to purchase on exit

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