As the days get cooler and darker, there’s no better time to dive into a great new book. Thankfully, Toronto has lots of independent bookstores to help you find your next read.

From stores specializing in unique titles to shops focused on genres like romance or horror, here are five independently-owned booksellers that all bookworms should know about!

A Different Booklist

Location: 779 Bathurst St.

A Different Booklist has been bringing Black excellence to Toronto through literature for over 30 years. Located in the Annex, this Black-owned shop is also a community hub, with panels, author readings and other events throughout the year.

Specializing in books by authors from the Caribbean and African Diasporas and the Global South, A Different Booklist carries titles from all major publishers and small presses.

Little Ghosts Books

Location: 930 Dundas St. W.

If you have a penchant for the peculiar or love all things creepy, head to Little Ghosts Books. This queer-owned business is a bookstore, publisher and cafe all in one, specializing in the horror genre. 

The downtown Toronto shop has a huge selection of different novels, books, and other memorabilia, as well as monthly and quarterly book subscriptions, making it a great place for those who love all things haunted. 

Monkey’s Paw

Location: 1067 Bloor St. W.

If you enjoy vintage books and rare paper goods, this Bloor West spot will not disappoint. Monkey’s Paw is part antique shop, part bookstore, specializing in uncommon books and paper artifacts from the age of print.

If you’re looking for your next read but don’t know where to start, the store also has a book vending machine, aka the Biblio-mat, which will dispense a random title for you to enjoy for only $5.

Hopeless Romantic Bookshop

Location: 1080 Queen St. W.

If you love a romance novel, we’ve got a spot for you! Owned by sister duo Kearston and Serena, Hopeless Romantic Bookshop is your go-to spot for your next sappy love story.

The store features a carefully curated selection of romance novels across all subgenres and tropes, as well as various novelty items and merchandise.

The shop only opened last month, but has plans to host various events throughout the rest of the year, as well as a monthly smutty book club, where participants get to dish on their latest hot and heavy reads among a group of readers with similar interests. 

Ella Minnow Children’s Bookstore

Location: 991 Kingston Rd.

A great space for younger readers, Ella Minnow Children’s Bookstore is a colourful spot in The Beaches offering a good read for all ages. This children’s bookstore has popular titles, well-known classics, books on diversity and inclusion, 2SLGBTQ+ topics, and more!

In addition to their collection of books for readers of all ages and stages, the retailer also offers a variety of puzzles, games, art kits and supplies, stationery and other novelty items.