A new season calls for a new TBR list, and Calgary has plenty of bookstores to help you build one. With Halloween just around the corner, you might be on the hunt for a creepy thriller, or maybe you’re more in the mood for a romance you’ll end up staying up way too late to finish. Whatever you’re looking to read next, these Calgary bookstores have everything from secondhand finds to shelves dedicated to specific genres.
Here are five Calgary bookstores to check out this fall.
The Next Page is a two-level bookstore in Inglewood, with new books on the main floor and a basement full of used titles. In addition to books, there’s also a coffee bar inside, so you can grab a drink while browsing the shelves. The store also hosts author events and book-related gatherings throughout the year.
Where: 1217A 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
With Halloween just around the corner, Nocturne Books might just be the most fitting stop on this list. The Marda Loop Shop specializes in horror, gothic fiction, and other darker reads, making it a great place to shop if you’re looking for something thrilling to read this autumn.
Where: 1934 34th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Owl’s Nest Books has been part of Calgary’s book scene since 1975, making it the city’s oldest bookstore. Now located in Britannia Shopping Plaza, it carries books for all ages, plus puzzles, games, and gifts. The store also has a dedicated selection of mysteries, historical fiction, and literary fiction, plus a children’s section for younger readers.
Where: 815A 49th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Slow Burn Books is one of Calgary’s newer bookstores, opening its doors in Marda Loop in 2023. Unlike a traditional bookshop, it focuses entirely on romance, with shelves organized into subgenres like contemporary romance, romantasy, and dark romance. You can also find limited-edition specials and try a Blind Date With a Book if you’re up for picking your next read without judging it by the cover.
Where: 1926 34th Ave. SW, Unit 201, Calgary, Alta.
Spread across three floors, Pages on Kensington has thousands of new and used books to browse, with titles covering everything from fiction and fantasy to history and mystery. The store also has plenty of secondhand books to dig through, so you never quite know what you’ll find as you explore the shelves. If you spot the bookstore’s resident cat, say hello!
Where: 1135 Kensington Rd. NW, Calgary, Alta.
So next time you’re looking for a new book, skip shopping online and head to one of Calgary’s local bookstores to see what you can find on the shelves.
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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