The best Vancouver bookstores to explore on a rainy day
As the rain and cold weather descends on the city, Vancouver’s many bookstores provide a welcome escape for book lovers and bookworms alike. With an abundance of bookstores specializing in everything ranging from the latest must-reads to antique and out-of-print books, there will always be somewhere to spend the afternoon browsing the shelves.
To help you in your search for your new favourite hangout spot, we’ve compiled a list of the best bookstores in Vancouver to spend a rainy afternoon indoors.
Indigo Vancouver
The new Indigo Vancouver flagship bookstore at 1033 Robson Street in downtown Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)
After more than a three-year hiatus, Indigo has reopened its flagship bookstore on Robson Street. Take your time exploring the 10,000 square foot space, which contains a wide collection of books and other written works, as well as unique sections such as a stationary department, a home collections department, and even a cookware department. Enjoy your newly purchased books at the Starbucks located within the store, overlooking Robson Street.
Address: 1033 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-979-8899
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Spartacus Books
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Spartacus Books is a non-profit, volunteer-run bookstore that has been run collectively for over 40 years. It is the perfect place to explore on a rainy day, with comfy couches, free internet and computer access, and even complimentary tea and coffee. They welcome anyone to come and hang out for as long as they want — and they are open seven days a week.
Address: 3378 Findlay Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-688-6138
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Kestrel Books
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Kestrel Books is a renowned bookstore for vintage, out-of-print, and antiquarian books, as well as general inventory. If you’re looking for rare books from a reliable and knowledgeable dealer, Kestrel is your place to go. Expect to see Queen Ruby — the bookstore’s ambassador and resident cat — as you enter. She is known to be exceptionally friendly.
Address: 3642 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-872-2939
Macleod’s Books
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With books stacked from floor to ceiling, Macleod’s Books is truly a labyrinth. Located conveniently in downtown Vancouver, you are guaranteed to always find something unique exploring the book selection at Macleod’s. The books range in price from $1 to $40,000 – which is a testament to the wide selection of books they offer.
Address: 455 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-7654
Pulp Fiction Books
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Established nearly 20 years ago and with three locations in Vancouver, Pulp Fiction Books boasts a generous inventory of over 80,000 new and used books. Everyday they add hundreds of new and out-of-print books to their shelves, so there is something new to see every time you decide to pop by one of their locations.
Address: 2422 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-876-4311
Address: 2754 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-873-4311
Address: 1830 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-251-4311
Tanglewood Books
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Tanglewood Books specializes in used, out-of-print, and rare books, and have everything from bestsellers to classics. They are open seven days a week, and you can even sell or trade in your own books to Tanglewood. The staff are very knowledgeable and are able to assist you with anything you may need help with — spend your afternoon perusing the shelves here the next rainy day in Vancouver.
Address: 2306 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-736-8876
The Paper Hound
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One of the more recently opened bookstores in Vancouver, The Paper Hound specializes in new, used, and rare books. The book selection ranges from classic to eccentric, with a focus on literature, poetry, philosophy, and the arts. They are also open seven days a week — so head in to check out their wide selection of titles.
Address: 344 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-428-1344
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Hager Books
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Established in 1974 in Kerrisdale, Hager Books has a wide selection of fiction, biography, travel, psychology, and history books. They also have a great collection of children’s books, so this is a great spot for all ages. Hager Books generally specializes in the latest releases, so if that’s what you’re after, then this is the spot for you.
Address: 2176 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-263-9412
Carson Books & Records
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Carson Books & Records is a reputable location in Vancouver specializing in used books – they carry over 20,000 books, so there are plenty of titles to explore. With friendly staff, as well as a classification system that makes it simple to find what type of books you are seeking, Carson Books & Records is a great choice for a place to spend a rainy afternoon.
Address: 4340 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-222-8787
Canterbury Tales
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On the same corner since 1998, Canterbury Tales on Commercial Drive features new and used books. With staff who clearly love what they do, you can also order any titles that you are seeking that are not in store for 30% off the publisher’s price.
Address: 2010 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-3511
Banyen Books & Sound
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Open since December of 1970, Banyen Books & Sound prides themselves on being Canada’s most comprehensive metaphysical store, offering a broad selection of resources from humanity’s spiritual, healing, and earth wisdom traditions. If you’d like a relaxing afternoon exploring one of Vancouver’s most unique bookstores, head to Banyen Books & Sound.
Address: 3608 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-732-7912
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