Do you love to visit bookshops to find great books to read? In the selection underneath, we’ve featured 10 of the best bookshops in Alberta for your perusal.
1. Owl’s Nest Books
Evelyn deMille is the founder of Owl’s Nest Books, the oldest bookshop in Calgary, Alberta. Owl’s Nest Books began to serve customers 4+ decades ago and has since become popular amongst readers in Calgary and surrounding areas. Every spring, the store also publishes 50 recommendations of well-written books that promote discussion.
Owl’s Nest Books sells books in categories like fiction, juvenile fiction, juvenile nonfiction, history, social science, young adult fiction, political science, and nature. It also hosts three book clubs in store, including Our Wonderful Literary Society (OWLS), which is a literary fiction book club for adults.
Connect with Owl’s Nest Books.
2. Shelf Life Books
Long-time readers JoAnn McCaig and William Lawrence are the founders of Shelf Life Books, an independent bookstore in Calgary, Alberta. The shop began operations in 2010 and has since become well-known in the Calgary reading community due to its large book collection. Many local and international writers are also known to visit the store to engage with fans.
Shelf Life Books sells biographies, autobiographies, comics, graphic novels, fiction books, juvenile fiction books, and books on poetry, art, history, self-help techniques, and more. Customers can also special order books unavailable in-store and are free to bring their pets while browsing through the shelves.
Check out Shelf Life Books.
3. Glass Bookshop
Open every day for customers is Glass Bookshop, a bookstore in Edmonton, Alberta. Residents of Edmonton, St. Albert, and Sherwood Park can order books online from Glass Bookshop without facing any delivery fees. Moreover, the store also exclusively sells books by the faculty of Pandemic University ‘Pop-up’ School of Writing.
Books on community & activism, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, cooking, and more are available through Glass Bookshop. The store also features many books by local writers, black authors, and Indigenous authors, and customers can even attend book launches and other events in the shop.
Visit Glass Bookshop.
4. Mandolin Books and Coffee Company
2003 saw the establishment of Mandolin Books and Coffee Company, an independent and locally owned bookshop where customers could also sit down and enjoy delicious pastries and drinks. The store is in Edmonton, Alberta, and features original artwork by local artists for customers to enjoy while browsing its high-quality books.
Current owner Lianne Traynor and her staff work diligently to ensure you can purchase all sorts of books in various categories, including history, health, cooking, crafts, art, business, travel, sports, music, gardening, and architecture. The store also serves many hot beverages and personally handcrafted cold drinks for customers.
Reach out to Mandolin Books.
5. Nearly New Books
Gently used books are available to the Red Deer, Alberta, reading community through Nearly New Books. The bookstore began operations in 1996 under the guidance of founders Vic and Jean. Nearly New Books hires knowledgeable and experienced staff members who ensure that all customers have a positive experience in the store.
Nearly New Books stocks many books in categories like travel, humor, cooking, health, religion, fitness, science fiction, business, and gardening. It has a sizable inventory of more than 40000 books, ensuring you’ll be able to find a great book to enjoy reading. Moreover, most books are typically 60% of the Canadian list price bar collectibles.
Learn more about Nearly New Books.
6. Analog Books
Penny and Scott Warris are the owners of Analog Books, a bookstore member of the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association. The store opened in 2020 and has already received an award for being the Best New Business in Lethbridge, Alberta. In addition, Analog Books has beautiful in-store displays that give off a vintage feel for customers to browse through.
Analog Books sells social science books, self-help books, and books on hobbies, education, family, games, history, and medicine. The store also has a unique collection of recommended books for elementary school teachers. For example, it has books on mindfulness, kindness, Indigenous history, and STEM subjects.
Contact Analog Books.
7. Unlimited Characters
Stocking the most extensive collection of used books in medicine Hat, Alberta, is Unlimited Characters, a bookstore that opened for business in the winter of 2019. The shop has an inventory of over 70000 used books and has a mission to help get as many people to read as possible. Unlimited Characters also accepts book drop-offs every day.
Unlimited Characters sells books in categories like science fiction, history, action, adventure, religion, and more. The store also sells other items like games, boxed notecards, and game guidebooks. If there’s a book you need that is not on the shelves, you can contact the helpful staff members directly, and they’ll be able to assist.
Get in touch with Unlimited Characters.
8. The Next Chapter
With a huge inventory of books in numerous categories, The Next Chapter is a highly-rated bookstore in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The store also has a café where customers can purchase refreshing drinks and decadent pastries while enjoying a good book. There are also cakes available by custom order.
The Next Chapter sells children’s books, Christian fiction books, fiction books, young adult books, and books on romance, fantasy, and mystery. You can buy many accessories, including bookmarks, book sleeves, library card ornaments, crystal art notebooks, games, puzzles, and more.
Send a message to a representative of The Next Chapter.
9. Three Hills Books
Bibliophiles in Three Hills, Alberta, can visit Three Hills Books to purchase quality books at reasonable prices. Three Hills Books has been active since 2009 and is an independent, locally-owned bookshop and toy store. It also sells a wide range of art supplies, including paints and canvases.
Three Hills Books has graphic novels, cookbooks, autobiographies, biographies, and books on art, religion, technology, language arts & disciplines, mathematics, and nature. Furthermore, toys, games, and puzzles are available for purchase, including dolls, sensory toys, and wooden toys for toddlers.
Head to the Three Hills Books site.
10. Yooneek Books
Sean and Rae-Lynne Byerleys are the founders of Yooneek Books, an independent Indie bookstore in Okotoks, Alberta. It is a family-owned bookshop that aims to cater to readers of all ages with its large book collection that encompasses a diverse range of categories. Moreover, Yooneek Books also sells gift items in-store and online.
Yooneek Books sells coming-of-age books, biographies, cookbooks, and books on diversity, daily living, crime, friendship, magical realism, foreign language studies, and media. In addition, customers can buy accessories such as branded tote bags, mugs, journals, games ornaments, and coloring books.
Explore Yooneek Books.