The 8 Best Bookshops in Calgary That Can Help You Grow Your Personal Library
Back when I was a kid, my parents were always amazed that I begged for books more than I asked for toys. In fact, books were my go-to gift requests for the holidays or my birthday.
When I moved out, I chose to leave most of my books behind since I couldn’t figure out how to transport them. Although this was a practical choice, I couldn’t help but feel sad whenever I looked at the bare and empty bookshelves in my apartment.
Eventually, I decided to go around the city and look for some great titles that I could fill my shelves. I wanted to have a well-rounded collection, which is why I dropped by a variety of stores with their own specialties.
Below, you’ll find the bookshops in Calgary that would make any bookworm’s heart soar.
1. Fair’s Fair Books
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Address: 907 9 Ave SW & 104 61 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 237 8156
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Local readers have been going to Fair’s Fair Books since 1988. It’s the number one source in the city for second-hand books.
They’ve actually become so popular that they were able to open two locations: one in Inglewood and the other in Chinook. Both have a huge collection of international bestsellers.
If you’re anything like me, you can spend hours browsing their store. They’ve got everything organized by genre and author. So, whether you have a particular book in mind or are just looking for something new, you’ll still have a good time scanning.
One of the biggest reasons why people love them is their trade options. Once you finish a book, you can just bring it back. Afterwards, they’ll give you store credit, and you can use that to jump into another title.
Pro tip: Entering might look daunting at first since they’ve got such a huge collection of books. You can just approach one of their staff members, and they’ll help you look for the specific book you’re after. |
2. Phoenix Comics NW
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Address: 1010 16 Ave NW
Contact details: +1 403 220 1399
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Phoenix Comics is heaven on earth for comic fans and game enthusiasts. This is where locals get the latest comics, manga, and trading cards.
It’s a huge shop that’s divided into levels. The ground floor has all the DC and Marvel comics that you could ever want. They also sell a few hero figurines in case you want to display your favorite character at home.
Down in the basement, you’ll find their anime and manga stock. They’re one of the few Calgary shops that constantly update this selection with new manga volumes.
Meanwhile, the second floor is where I’ve met some of my closest friends. Here, the shop regularly hosts tournaments for the local community. There’s no need to be shy. The crowd is always friendly, and everyone is welcome to play.
Pro tip: Phoenix Comics can help you stay updated with all the comic series that you want to follow. They have an excellent comic subscription service that’ll send you the newest releases as soon as they’re out. |
3. Pages Books On Kensington
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Address: 1135 Kensington Rd NW
Contact details:
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pages Books perfectly matches the neighborhood that it’s in. The bookshop has a lively and vibrant atmosphere, just like the rest of Kensington is known for.
Believe me when I say that you’ll want to have a cute outfit when you go here. So many corners of this bookshop are Instagram-worthy that it’s hard not to have an impromptu photoshoot. They’ve got tons of displays across all three floors.
As for books, they have an impressive selection of brand-new fiction and non-fiction titles, as well as a small section of used books. They even sell books from both up-and-coming and well-known Alberta authors.
Oh, and don’t forget to say hi to Kilgore Trout before you leave. This is their cute and fluffy resident cat who you’ll either find patrolling between the bookshelves or sleeping on one of the shop’s cozy armchairs.
Pro tip: Pages Books is a great source of gifts for book lovers. We don’t just mean novels; they also sell bookmarks, tote bags, cards, pins, and stickers that are all book-related. |
4. Shelf Life Books
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Address: 1302 4 St SW #100
Contact details: +1 403 265 1033
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday to Monday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Shelf Life Books is an independent bookstore that’s been around since 2010. Apart from providing good books, the shop is dedicated to fostering a sense of community.
They frequently hold events that are meant to bring book lovers together. They host book launches, pop-up events, open mic nights for writers, and the occasional local book club meeting.
But whenever nothing is happening in the store, you’ll often see the place full of happy readers. They carry a wide range of brand-new literary fiction and non-fiction books.
What’s even more amazing is that they stock books from self-published local authors. I’ve personally picked up a few and gotten pleasantly surprised at the number of new, talented writers in the area.
Pro tip: Not sure what to get? Their staff provides the best recommendations. You can either find their staff picks section or just approach one of their friendly bookshop clerks. |
5. Books Between Friends
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Address: 3434 34 Ave NE #14
Contact details: +1 403 291 3855
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Did you know that you can buy books and help others in the process? Books Between Friends has been giving all of its profits to local charities like Albert Guide Dogs, Calgary Cerebral Palsy, and Calgary Veterans Food Bank since 2003.
All of the titles they sell were donated as well. But even if these books are pre-loved, you can still expect them to be of good quality. The volunteers at the shop thoroughly assess each book to ensure that there are no rips, tears, or any kind of damage.
As of now, they have over 50,000 books in stock. You can see them in the store, arranged neatly by genre and alphabetized.
Oh, and did I mention that their prices are to die for? There are so many popular books available at an inexpensive price. In fact, one of my proudest moments is leaving the shop with more than 10 books without breaking the bank.
Pro tip: Books Between Friends prices their books based on size. Those who really want to save can focus on the pocket paperbacks, which are usually just worth a dollar or two. |
6. Sigla Books
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Address: 1040 8 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 903 3459
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday, Wednesday, Friday – Closed
Sigla Books may not be as popular or as big as other local bookstores. But any bibliophile would agree that there’s something magical about this shop. Tourists even travel far and wide just to see it.
This store has a great collection of rare, vintage, and niche books. If you ever develop an interest in a very specific subject, there’s a huge chance that you’ll find a book about it here.
It’s also where I buy gifts for hard-to-shop-for friends. This store has an impressive amount of elusive books and unique editions. Anyone who collects books will surely find a good one to add to their collection.
Part of what makes the shop so charming is its knowledgeable owner. He’s the type of person who likes getting to know all of his customers. After a bit of chatting, you can ask him for recommendations, and he’ll be able to pick the perfect books for you.
Pro tip: Sigla Books is conveniently located right next to Loophole Coffee Bar — a lovely place where you can start reading your literary purchases over a cup of coffee and some pastries. |
7. Owl’s Nest Books
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Address: Britannia Plaza Shopping Centre, 815a 49 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 287 9557
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Owl’s Nest Books is the oldest bookstore in the city. It’s been a reliable source of adult fiction and non-fiction novels, cookbooks, and kids’ books since 1975.
It’s not what you’d expect from a long-standing bookstore, though. They provide much more than the usual bestsellers that you’ll see in most bookshops.
Since this charming boutique has limited space, the staff has to prioritize updating their selection regularly. As a result, they’ve got an interesting and carefully curated selection of books. It’s where I usually find lesser-known but guaranteed amazing reads.
In case they don’t have something in stock, you can just let them know you’re looking for it. They’ll be happy to order it and call you when it’s available.
Keep an eye out for any of their online announcements as well. They host plenty of book signings in the store. You never know, your favorite local author might just launch their next book here.
Pro tip: Those who are part of a local book club should register all their members with Owl’s Nest Books. The shop can offer you a 10% discount on all the books in your reading list. |
8. Slow Burn Books
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Address: 1934 34 Ave SW #1155
Contact details: +1 825 994 1653
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Friday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Slow Burn Books might be pretty new, but they already have a very loyal customer base. This is all because they’re a unique kind of specialty bookstore in the city.
Every novel that they stock falls under the romance genre, from contemporary young adult stories to high fantasy novels.
They even have titles that you won’t find in regular bookstores. On their shelves, you’ll see a healthy mix of bestselling authors and indie writers.
All in all, it’s a cute little shop that’ll give you the feels. The owners are always so kind as well. They can even help you determine what your next read should be, depending on what you find romantic.
If you want to further support the store, you can buy some of their merch, such as tote bags, keychains, and stickers. All of the designs are inspired by different romance novels — a subtle way of showcasing what you read.
Pro tip: You and your friends can book a private shopping experience at Slow Burn Books. They’ll let you browse their selection without any other customers inside the store. |