Somebody once told me you can tell how cultured a city is by the quantity, quality and diversity of its independent bookstores. I am sure there is some truth in this.

I was surprised when visiting Mexico City to learn it is the world headquarters for the Spanish publication industry - not Madrid or Barcelona as one might think. And indeed, there were bookstores and street book vendors everywhere. Unfortunately, I don’t speak or read Spanish, so I couldn’t really participate or appreciate the scope its literary scene.

No visit to Portland is complete without a pilgrimage to Powell’s Books, reputed to be the world’s largest bookstore occupying an entire block and housing approximately one million books. The same could be said for San Francisco’s City Lights Booksellers & Publishers. Not only was it co-founded by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the famous Beat poet but it was the first all-paperback bookstore in the United States when it opened in 1953.

One of the things I love to do when visiting a new city is to seek off-the-beaten path used bookstores. Recently I discovered Book Bazaar in Ottawa and Mcleod Books in Vancouver – both were a fun rabbit warren of books. Yes, I found several treasures in each.

What about Calgary?

Inside this humble building on the Trans Canada Highway aka 16th Ave N Calgary is one of the world’s best rare book bookstores.

Probably Calgary’s biggest claim to fame in the bibliophile world is Aquila Books. Bet you didn’t know Calgary is home to one of the world’s most reputable antiquarian bookstores. Owner Cameron Treleavan, the Connor McDavid (maybe the Leon Draisaitl for his tenacity) of Canadian bibliophiles, is known for curating unique book collections on various subjects e.g., Alaska, Antarctic, Arctic Exploration, Art and Architecture and Hudson Bay Company Calendars.

Aquila Books specializes in Polar Exploration, Western Canadiana, Mountaineering, the Canadian Pacific Railway and early North American voyages.

It is also home to antique maps and prints, historic photos, autographed letters, postcards, antique scientific instruments and antique bookcases. It even has an Inuit kayak hanging from the ceiling.

Best to plan ahead as the store is only open on Saturdays from 10:30am to 4pm. If you want to visit from Monday to Friday, there is usually staff in the store, but best to call and make an appointment (403-282-5832). Address is: 826 - 16th Ave N.W.

Calgary has numerous other independent bookstores like Owl’s Nest (815a - 49th Ave SW) in Britannia Plaza a quirky outdoor one block main street. It is Calgary’s oldest bookstore featuring not only a curated selection of books for all ages but also three in-house book clubs. They also offer a consignment service for local authors.

Treleaven has a fun collection of bookends. There are 100s of them on the top of the book shelves.

Pages Books in Kensington (1135 Kensington Road NW) and its sister bookstore The Next Page (1217a 9th Ave SE) in Inglewood are definitely worth a visit too. The latter is not housed in a quaint heritage building, it also serves coffee while you browse and has one of the best retail windows in the city.

Fair’s Fair Books, established in 1998, has two locations - Inglewood (907 - 9th Ave SE) and Chinook Warehouse (104 - 61 Ave SW), both are huge and worth a visit. The Inglewood location has lots of vintage artifacts that make for a unique experience.

Shelf Life Books - located near the beautiful Memorial Park at 1302 4th St SW not only offers a carefully curated selection of books but hosts interesting readings.

Siga Books is not only the most off-the-beaten-path Calgary bookstore (1040 - 8th Ave SW) but also has the most odd and obscure collection of books. It shares its intimate space with Loophole café creating a pleasurable experience for the discriminating bibliophile.

The Camera Store (802 11th Ave SW) has a book nook that specializes in photography books, including some amazing coffee table books by local and international photographers.

May is “Mega Books Sale” Month in Calgary

I don’t know about other cities, but Calgary is home to several long-standing annual mega community book sale with proceeds going to charity. May seems to be the “Mega Book Sale Month.”.

Crossroads Market Book Sale, May 3 to 7 and May 12 to 14, 2023

The Crossroads Market Spring Book Sale attracts over 4,000 bibliophiles over two weekends to browse its huge special event tent. Proceeds from the sale go to RESET a society that helps women come back from the trauma of being trafficked and exploited. RESET has developed a complete wrap-around life skills recovery program unlike any other in Canada. Now in its 19th year, the volunteers will sort and sell over 100,000 books - raising an expected $175,000. Link: RESET Book Sale

CalgaryReads “Big Book Sale” May 12 to 22, 2023.

It doesn’t get more Canadian then converting a curling rink into a huge bookstore for 10 days in May. Also in its 19th year, the CalgaryReads Big Book Sale, offers an estimated 150,000 gently used books of every genre imaginable. Link: Big Book Sale

Briar Hill School Book Sale

Just up the hill from me the Briar Hill elementary school has been organizing an annual book sale fundraiser in the school gym each March. As you can imagine it is a great place to recycle children’s books from one family to another.

No doubt there are several other community used book sale events in Calgary.

The Crossroads Market Book Sale is expected to raise almost $200,000 for RESET this year.

Used Book Give-aways: Little Free Libraries

Surely one of the signs of a healthy city is the number of “Little Fee Libraries (LFL)” that populate front lawns throughout the city. While Calgary may not have the most LFL per capita in the world, it does have a healthy number (250+ I believe) and is growing every year. There is even “Little Free Library Calgary” Facebook Page with almost 2,000 members. That must count for something.

Link Little Free Library Calgary Facebook

Wordfest / Imaginairium

Another element of Calgary’s diverse literary scene is Wordfest, established in 1996 - yes Cowtown is home to one of Canada’s leading literary festivals. Each year, the Wordfest team presents 100+ events including a major festival each fall – Imaginairium (Oct 11 to 15, 2023) that brings 60+ authors to Calgary from around the world and enjoyed by thousands of Calgarians.

Link: Wordfest

Everyday Tourist Hot Tip

If you are a dedicated book collector/hunter and live/or visit Calgary you should venture out to the Okotoks Salvage Centre’s thrift store. It not only has a great selection of used books but also the best prices. All books$1.00, children’s books, pocket books, cookbooks and magazines 5 for $2.00.

Okotoks Salvage Centre’s thrift store / bookstore. And yes they are all nicely organized by subject matter.

Last Word

Can you judge Calgary (or any city’s) by its bookstores and other literary attractions? I think you can!

Further Fun Bookstore Reading:

Victoria: Canada’s Independent Bookstore Capital

The Booksellers: A Hidden Gem

COVID: Importance of book collecting

Can you judge a city’s by its bookstores? I think you can!