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HomeCalgary5 Best Bookstores in Calgary 🥇

5 Best Bookstores in Calgary 🥇

Below is a list of the top and leading Bookstores in Calgary. To help you find the best Bookstores located near you in Calgary, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

Calgary’s Best Bookstores:

The top rated Bookstores in Calgary are:

  • Shelf Life Books – independent bookshop offering a variety of genres for adults & children, plus literary events
  • Books Between Friends – an organization that takes in donations of used books and allows charitable groups to do the selling and reap the rewards
  • Fair’s Fair (For Book Lovers) Inc. – an organization that takes in donations of used books and allows charitable groups to do the selling and reap the rewards
  • Collectors Books & Cards – helps other collectors find special items and unique finds for their own collections
  • Phoenix Comic Books – carries thousands of graphic novels of all genres, from Sandman and Maus to Spider-man and Batman to Saga and Walking Dead

Shelf Life Books

Shelf Life Books
Shelf Life Books was founded in 2010 by William Lawrence and JoAnn McCaig, two lifelong friends who shared a passion for books and reading.  Will, a history lover, and seasoned bookseller, and JoAnn, a writer, and former English professor, thought that Calgary needed an independent bookshop in the downtown area and set out to fill it. Will Ferguson, Rudy Wiebe, the Minimalists, Jap Blonk, Vivek Shraya, bill Bissett, Malcolm Mooney, Chris Turner, Sharon Butala, Sheri-D Wilson, and chef Matty Matheson are just a few of the notable authors who have visited their store. Several of Calgary’s local writers read and browse here on a daily basis, and Shelf Life Books takes pride in its community involvement and events programming.

Products/Services:

Bookstore

LOCATION:

Address: 1302 4 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0X8
Phone: (403) 265 1033
Website: shelflifebooks.ca

REVIEWS:

“I’ve been to a lot of bookstores in my time (probably more than is good for my wallet) but this one is my all time favourite! The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is cool and relaxed, and the variety of books is unmatched. Their sections include indigenous issues, queer culture, and even a whole section on consent. Definitely a book store for the modern era as well as the future.” – Kai Penner

Books Between Friends

Books Between Friends
Books Between Friends is a humanitarian organization formed by Louise Nesterenko that accepts contributions of secondhand books and distributes the proceeds to charity organizations. Nesterenko’s motivation to make a difference stems from a personal source. She saw her mother struggle with a physical impairment before succumbing to it at an early age. Nesterenko’s mother didn’t have much of an opportunity to socialize because of her disabilities and the fact that she was raising her children as a single parent. With this concept, she has touched with her one modest concept and unwavering persistence, as well as the inspiring stories that have resulted, might fill whole book shelves.

Products/Services:

Bookstore

LOCATION:

Address: 3434 34 Ave NE #14, Calgary, AB T1Y 6X3
Phone: (403) 291 3855
Website: booksbetweenfriends.com

REVIEWS:

“What an incredible gem of a charity bookstore in the city! All the books are in excellent condition and are cheaper than anywhere else I’ve been $2-$6. They do not have books entered in a computer system so you cannot call and ask if they have a title in stock. It is very organized and fairly easy to find titles you want. Friendly chap who greets you at the front!” – Juni Perberry

Fair’s Fair (For Book Lovers) Inc.

Fair's Fair (For Book Lovers) Inc.
Fair’s Fair (For Book Lovers) Inc. is a group of two bookshops in Calgary that employs individuals that are passionate about books and like meeting new people. On October 13, 1988, Fair’s Fair debuted in the basement of 1336 – 9th Avenue SE in Calgary, Alberta. Six family members worked to pack the shelves with almost 7,000 volumes George had acquired from garage sales over the preceding four months when the bookcases arrived three days prior to their launch. While George and his brother Brian were the mainstays in the bookstore’s construction, other friends and family members chipped help when they could.

Products/Services:

Bookstore

LOCATION:

Address: 104 61 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0B2
Phone: (403) 255 4011
Website: fairsfair.com

REVIEWS:

“What a hidden gem this is. So unassuming from the outside a little off the beaten path, I’m so glad we decided to swing by. We were not disappointed with this massive collection of books. Shelf after shelf of times well-organized to make it easy to find something worth reading.” – Jason Perry

Collectors Books & Cards

Collectors Books & Cards
Collectors Books & Cards was launched by Julie Mailly in downtown Calgary in 1977. Julie, a small, independent business owner, works alongside her husband in the shop. Julie, as a collector herself, wanted to turn her hobby into an independent company where she could enable other collectors to discover rare items for their own collections and exclusive discoveries. They offer an array of items such as collectibles, memorabilia, and antiques, as well as baseball cards, supplies for hobbies, figurines from McFarlane, pricing guides, approved products, and more.

Products/Services:

Sports Cards, Books, Memorabilia, Collectibles

LOCATION:

Address: 7220A Fairmount Dr SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0X7
Phone: (403) 265 3455
Website: collectorsbooksandcards.ca

REVIEWS:

“Great place and full of so many neat treasures! You need time to review all of what is available here! Good news is the owner is always willing to chat and help you find what you are looking for.” – Brad Prather

Phoenix Comic Books

Phoenix Comic Books
Phoenix Comic Books is your one-stop shop for all things comics. Thousands of graphic novels from Sandman and Maus to Spider-Man and Batman to Saga and Walking Dead are available. They also specialize in Manga, and there is no one in the city who has a larger assortment. They have hundreds of volumes in store, ranging from new releases to out-of-print titles. Magic the Gathering is also available at the NW shop. From the greatest singles collection in the city to the most recent booster packs and everything in between, they have it all for the Magic player.

Products/Services:

Comic Bookstore

LOCATION:

Address: 2523 A 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3E 0A2
Phone: (403) 246 1706
Website: phoenixcomics.ca

REVIEWS:

“I’ve been coming here for over thirty years. The store has expanded several times over the years and with each expansion, it gets even better. It’s been owned by the same owner for probably four decades. The selection is wonderful and the prices are fair. Highly recommended!” – Nicholas Quintillan

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