Is there any better way to spend a rainy afternoon than aimlessly wandering a bookstore? We don’t think so. And lucky for us, the Vancouver area has some amazing bookstores that have amazing selections. Whether you’re looking for something new or used, we’ve put together a list of 10 of our favourite bookstores in Vancouver.
Massy Books
Massy Books is a fully Indigenous-owned bookstore located right in Chinatown. Not only do they have an amazing selection of a variety of types of books, but they also especially focused on the community with lots of books by local writers.
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
Where: 229 East Georgia Street
Kestrel Books
Since 1985, Kestrel Books has been the passion of its owner and operator Ron Fryer. There is a carefully curated selection at Kestrel. You’ll find fun children’s books, medieval literature, and some esoteric, Aleister Crowley-type stuff. Definitely worth a visit
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Where: 3642 West 2nd Avenue
Macleod’s Books
If you’re in the mood for the type of bookstore you’d see in the movies, Macleod’s Books is your place. Located downtown, Macleods has books upon books piled high and spilling out onto the floor. If you can’t find what you’re after, we’re sure you’ll still find something amazing.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: 415 West Pender Street
Banyen Books & Sound
Want to feel transported back to the late-1960s? Or maybe you want to read up on crystals, astral-projection, and other hippie-dippie goodness? Either way, Banyen Books and Sound is a great place to smell the incense and browse the many, esoteric books.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day
Where: 3608 West 4th Avenue
White Dwarf Books
If, like us, real-life is bringing you down, then jump into the world of fantasy and sci-fi at White Dwarf books! They boast one of the biggest specialty store selections of new fantasy and sci-fi in Western Canada, so jump in your space-pod and travel to different worlds!
Where: 3715 West 10th Avenue
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Paper Hound
This is a classic, highly-curated book store. From amazing literature to strange non-fiction and manuals, there is a reason Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos recently gave it a shout-out. Definitely near the top of the list for best bookstores in Vancouver.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
Where: 344 West Pender
Pulp Fiction Books
With three locations around Vancouver, we’re partial to their main street location. With walls and walls of amazing books from used literary classics to brand new bestsellers, Pulp Fiction is a one-stop, book shop.
Hours: Vary per location
Where: 2422 Main Street, 2754 West Broadway, and 1830 Commercial Drive
Spartacus Books
If you’re in the mood for something a little more confrontational, Spartacus Books is the place to check out. This volunteer-run nonprofit books store has been selling political books and literature since 1973. And are the place to check out if you’re looking to read some unique perspectives
Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 3378 Findlay Street
Carson Books & Records
A great place for rare and used books as well as used records. That’s all we need for hours of browsing fun. Carson Books and Records does cheap, interesting books and they do it really well.
Hours: Depends on the day!
Where: 4340 Mainstreet
Tanglewood Books
This classic Kitsilano bookstore is the perfect place to pop into after grabbing a coffee at Platform 7. While relatively small, Tanglewood is perfect for just starring at the tall shelves for as long as you can. They even got those big shelf, rolling ladders you see in movies, which, hey, is worth checking out on its own.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 2306 West Broadway
And keep in mind that a lot of these spots will offer curbside pickup if you already know what you want. Now that you got this amazing list, go read! Go out, take a look, in a book.
