DP Tool Club 15/CD_ASCQ_15_070894.iso/vrac/bksno06.zip/BKSNO06.TXT

Text File | 1994-06-07 | 40KB | 732 lines

Archive-name: books/stores/north-american/northern

Last change:
Mon May  2 11:32:28 EDT 1994

Additions:
 Calgary AB
Changes:
 Montreal PQ/QC (Footnotes, Librairie Bertrand)
 Toronto ON (Book City, Glad Day)
Deletions:
 Vancouver BC (Ariel Books, Siliconnections)

Copies of this article may be obtained by anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu
under /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/northern.Z.  Or,
send email to [e-mail] with "send
usenet/news.answers/books/stores/north-american/northern" in the body
of the message.

This FAQ is in digest format.

============================================================================
Cities (listed geographically east-to-west) include:
Montreal QC/PQ
Ottawa ON
Toronto ON
Guelph ON
Windsor ON
Winnipeg MB
Calgary AB
Edmonton AB
Vancouver BC
Victoria BC
Fairbanks AK
Anchorage AK

[Note 1:  This list includes cities in Canada and Alaska, and would include
Greenland if anyone sent me any bookstores there.  Iceland would go into
the European list if anyone sent me any from there.  Lists for other
geographic areas are posted in separate messages at the same time as this
list.]

[Note 2: I collected these comments from a variety of people.  I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy. :-)   Phone numbers and precise addresses can be
gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city.  Call ahead
for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]

[Note 3: If you can add information for any of these, in particular
addresses when they are missing, please send it to me.]

[Note 4: I am cross-posting this to rec.arts.sf.written, but the bookstores
listed include *all* types of bookstores, so please don't tell me that a
particular store has a limited SF section unless I have specifically claimed
otherwise.  All references to science fiction are abbreviated SF for ease in
electronic searching.]

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Montreal QC/PQ

Since in Montreal both English and French are pretty well served in the book
department, this is divided up by language, though there are probably some
French books in some of the stores listed under "English" and vice versa.

Bookstores/Montreal, Quebec (area code 514)

English/New:

Canadian Centre for Architecture Bookshop (1920 Baile, 514-939-7028).
 Recommended for art and design books.  Obviously pricey.  See also
 the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Bookshop.
Double Hook (1235A Greene, Westmount 514-932-5093).  All and only Canadian
 books.  Owner and employees are steeped in info about Canadian
 literature, publishing, etc.
Footnotes (1454 Mackay, Phone: None (!)).  Used books.  Footnotes
 specializes in philosophy, history, and religion, with a good
 selection of quality fiction as well.
McGill University Bookstore (McTavish above Sherbrooke, 514-398-7444).
 Deadly: they've *all* the Penguin Classics on one wall!  Also almost
 the entire catalog of Dover books, plus standard textbooks galore.
 Phone number's probably listed under McGill in the book.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Bookshop (1379 Sherbrooke W).  Recommended for
 art and design books.  Obviously pricey.  See also the Canadian
 Centre for Architecture Bookshop.
Nebula (1452 St-Mathieu, across the street from the GUY Metro, 514-932-3930,
 [e-mail]).  SF, fantasy and crime.  Also underground comics.
 They carry virtually every North American SF book in print,
 including the specialty presses.  They also have a number of UK
 titles and even some stuff from Australia, most periodicals, and
 publications in related areas of interests, including genre,
 classic, and cult film & television; screenplays, director bios, and
 film magazines.  Owner Claude Lalumiere is encyclopedic on these
 genres.  By sending e-mail to [e-mail] with the subject
 "catalog", you can get the mail-order catalog of books and magazines
 sent to your e-mailbox, with reviews from the store's staff and
 ordering information, indexed by categories.  You can also e-mail us
 with comments or questions.  Open 7 days.
Nicholas Hoare (1368 Greene, Westmount, 514-933-4201; also inside Ogilvy,
 Ste-Catherine st Crescent, 514-499-2005).  Probably the best
 selection of new English books in town.  Good sections on travel,
 mystery, biography.  Lots of British imports.  Helpful staff.
Paragraph (2065 Mansfield, 514-845-5811).  Decent all-purpose bookstore near
 McGill University.  Has a cafe.

English/Used:

Bibliomanie (4872 av du Parc, 514-278-6401).  Has its moments--worth
 checking out if you're on the Plateau, but not worth a special trip
 to the neighborhood.
Cheap Thrills (1433 Bishop, 514-844-7604; 2044 Metcalfe, 514-844-8988).
 Books, also records and CDs.  Rated best second-hand bookshop in
 recent local survey, but I think Welch's and the Word are better.
 Not bad, though.
Russell Books (275 St-Antoine West, 514-866-0564).  Big sprawling
 disorganized bookshop, remainders, shelves of abandoned books.  Not
 for the five-minute sprint--takes an hour or so to be browsed
 through--and not for those with allergies to dust.
S. Welch Bookseller (3878 St-Laurent, 514-848-9358).  Located between a good
 cafe and an excellent ice-cream store.  Has a nice black-and-white
 cat called Rosie.  Books interesting, cheap, plentiful.
Westmount Phoenix (320 Victoria, 514-484-4428).  A nice tiny bookshop up a
 winding staircase, but has limited opening hours so best to phone.
The Word (469 Milton, 514-845-5640).  In the McGill Ghetto.  Adrian's been
 running this tiny store for more than ten years.  I never visit
 without finding something I want.  A landmark.

English/French:

L'Androgyne (3636 St-Laurent, 514-842-4765).  Gay/lesbian/bisexual books.
Boule de Neige (4433 St-Denis, 514-849-0959).  New Age, esoterica, magic,
 Eastern religion.
Le Camelot Info (1191 Phillips Square, 514-861-5019).  Computer books,
 English and French.  Pretty exhaustive.

French/New:

Librairie Bertrand (705 Sainte-Catherine ouest #2-134, 514-849-4533).
 "Depuis plus de trente ans, la librairie Bertrand offre ses services
 aux lecteurs de Montreal en offrant une grande selection de livres
 francais; le personnel competent fait la reputation de cette
 boutique qui a reouvert ses portes dans de nouveaux locaux depuis
 peu, au Centre Eaton de Montreal.  Le service des commandes
 speciales accepte de poster outre-mer et se fait un plaisir de vous
 servir." [And now, for your amusement, my feeble attempt to
 translate this, given that I never actually studied French--can
 someone who actually knows French supply a better?:  "For more than
 thirty years, La Librairie Bertrand has offered its services to the
 readers of Montreal by offering a great selection of French books;
 its knowledgeable staff gives it the reputation of a boutique that
 has opened its doors in this new location in the Eaton Centre of
 Montreal.  They accept overseas orders and are pleased to be at your
 service."]
Champigny (4380 St-Denis, 514-844-2587).  Huge sprawling beautiful bookshop,
 divided in that curious French method into separate sections by
 publisher.  Also has magazines and CDs on ground floor--literature's
 upstairs.  Big section of bandes dessinees.  Beware the bank
 machine!
Librairie Gallimard (3700 St-Laurent, 514-499-2012).  Quiet, classy,
 well-stocked.  Offers a computer terminal so you can access their
 database and see what's in stock by title or author.
Librairie du Square (3453 St-Denis, 514-845-7617).  Nice little place in the
 Quartier Latin.  This is where you buy a copy of LES FLEURS DU MAL
 before drinking aperitifs on a terrasse.

French/Used:

Caron Libraire (1246 St-Denis, 514-845-7307).  A standard place to find
 French classics.
Librairie Henri-Julien (4800 Henri-Julien, 514-844-7576).  Tiny but
 well-organized, run by one guy who knows where everything is.  Not
 easy to find.

"I haven't listed the big dull chain stores,which folks can find for
themselves on main drags and in malls.  There are also many little corner
shops of no special interest - not worth sending people there to look."

[Most of this section contributed by Kate McDonnell,
[e-mail].]

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Ottawa ON

Argosy Books (216 Dalhousie at Guigues (Market area), 613-230-1319).  Used
 books.  Often treasures in the $1 bin outside.  Good collection of
 Penguins.  Specializes in natural history, gardening, technology,
 Arctica, and children's books.  A very comfortable shop with
 friendly staff.  "The owner is friendly, knowledgeable and
 widely-read; lots of stools around for you to sit and browse."
Arlington Books (21 Arlington at Bank (Downtown), 613-232-6975).  Used
 books.  Specializes in armchair travel, nautical, voyaging and
 fiction. Located in a cosy old brick house.  The proprietor, Otto
 Graser, is worth a visit in his own right.  He runs a small printing
 press out of the back as well, and sell off-prints of his own poems.
 In the summer months, the store closes while Otto lives in his 15th
 Century "chateau" in Southern France.
The Astrolabe Gallery (91 Sparks at Metcalfe (Downtown), 613-234-2348).  Not
 strictly a book store, but does carry some antiquarian books in
 addition to its primary line of rare maps and prints.
Barclay's Books (98 Hawthorne at Main (east of Pretoria Bridge),
 613-238-7509).  Used books.  Specialized in Canadiana and militaria
 before a recent change in ownership (9/93).  The new owner is trying
 to move this stock and specialize more in Canadian fiction.  A large
 selection, and a nice musky atmosphere.
Bay Used Books (1181 B Richmond Road, 613-596-1966).
Benjamin Books (122 Osgoode at King Edward (east of Ottawa University),
 613-232-7495).  New and used books.  Large selection.  The new books
 are primarily standard literature texts on the University curricula.
 There is a wide selection of Canadiana, religion, and travel, and
 scholarly and classical works generally.
The Bibliothecary at Bentley's (145 Bentley Ave., Nepean, 613-225-5613).
The Book Bazaar (755 Bank at 2nd Avenue (The Glebe), 613-233-4380).  Used
 books.  Well-known for its wheel barrow of books for $1 (or free).
 Large fiction section (especially paperbacks).  The best selection
 of music books, especially scores, in town.  Also covers Canadiana,
 art, literature, and children's.
The Book Den (263 McLaren at Metcalfe (Downtown), 613-236-3142).  Used
 books.  A small store on the first floor of an apartment building
 (a block away from where Canada's current Prime Minister lived).
 Small selection, but fairly high quality.  General, literature, art,
 Canadiana, history, Catholica, cookbooks and children's.
Book Heaven (2297 St-Joseph Boulevard, Orleans, Ontario, 613-830-3365).  New
 and used books.  Large selection.
The Book Mark I (163 Laurier Avenue East at King Edward (south of Ottawa
 University), 613-563-8798).  Used books.  Intriguing walk-down store
 specializing in Academic and alternative books, philosophy,
 religion, and history.  Popular with the University crowd.
The Book Mark II (on Rideau just east of King Edward (next to the By-Towne
 Cinema)).  Used books.  The Book Mark has just recently set up
 this satellite branch beside Ottawa's most popular and trendy
 repertory theatre, and established long opening hours
 seven-days-a-week.  To please the cinema-going crowd, the Book Mark
 II specializes in history, occult, and fiction.
The Book Market (374 Dalhousie between George and Rideau (Market area),
 613-234-1753; branches at 1534 Merrivale Road in Nepean, the Alta
 Bank Shopping Plaza, and 1675 Tenth Line Road).  Used books.  Not an
 antiquarian store, but good if you're looking for a particular
 recent title, because of their sheer volume.  Friendly staff does
 searches of their and other branches.  The one on Dalhousie is two
 stories with a good SF selection and does searches.
David Dorken Books (207 Dalhousie at Guigues (Market area), 613-232-3101).
 Used books.  A professional, yet still welcoming store with stock
 well displayed.  The old, rare, and unusual, with a lot of
 reasonably priced Canadiana, literature, and art.  Also French
 books: literature and history.
David Ewen Books (P.O. Box 4808, Stn. E., Ottawa, K1S 5H9, 613-725-3103).
 Used books.  Canadiana, Americana, as well as Canadian prints.
Earthwise Books (216 Bank (Downtown), 613-238-8363).  New books on
 environmental and planet-friendly themes.
Food for Thought (Byward Market area).  Eclectic is the word.
House of Speculative Fiction (105 4th Ave at Bank (The Glebe),
 613-235-6517).  SF, horror, and fantasy.  It takes special orders
 and offers friendly service out of an old (100 yrs?) house.
 "They're looking to expand and the staff is friendly and
 knowledgeable and do refer you to other places if they haven't got
 what you want."  "You might spy Charles de Lint hanging out."
Librarie de la Capitale (171 Rideau at Dalhousie (Market area),
 613-236-7287).  New books.  French.  Large collection of French
 literature, dictionaries, essays, etc.
Librarie Trillium (321 Dalhousie at York (Market area), 613-236-2331).
 New books.  French.  Large collection of French books, magazines and
 newspapers.
Loisir des Usagers (321 Boulevard St-Joseph, Hull (across the river from
 Ottawa), 819-778-0341).  Used books.  French.  Good selection of
 paperback fiction.  Cheap, as French paperbacks go.
McGahern (J. Patrick) Books Inc. (783 Bank, 613-230-2275).  Used and
 antiquarian and rare books; Canadiana.
Neil Cournoyer Books (1194 Bank Street at Ossington, 613-237-0500).  Used
 books.  Located a bit south of the Glebe, but still in the heart of
 the action with many antique stores in the neighbourhood.  Neil
 specializes in literature, especially first editions and cheap
 copies of the classic required by the curriculum at nearby Carleton
 University.  One of the newer book-shops, but a very nice one.  Neil
 is now beginning new specialities in Medieval Studies, and Myths and
 Legends.
The Old Book Cellar (238 Dalhousie (Market area), 613-232-2121).  Quality
 used books.  Art book specialists.
Octopus Books (798 Bank at 3rd Avenue (The Glebe), 613-236-2589).  New books
 on socialist and internationalist themes.  Run on a non-profit basis
 (intentionally!) by a socialist collective.  They often host
 socialist talks or films in the store in the evenings.
Ottawa Women's Bookstore (Elgin Street).
Patrick McGahern Books Inc. (783 Bank at 3rd Avenue (The Glebe),
 613-230-2275).  New and used books.  A good collection of paperback
 fiction upstairs.  But downstairs the layout is that of a true
 antiquarian book-store, with high shelves and tall ladders.
 Specializes in used and rare books, Canadiana, Arctica, voyages and
 travels, medicine, and Irish history and literature.  Recently
 (9/93), Patrick has acquired a considerable stock of remaindered new
 books from the University of Toronto Press.  The front part of the
 store is now full of these new scholarly works at a fraction of
 their original prices.  A very knowledgeable book-seller.
R.R. Knott, Bookseller (3 Roberta Cres., Nepean, Ontario, K2J 1G5,
 613-825-0537).  Used books.  Rare and interesting books.  Canadian
 literature and modern firsts.  Ancient and medieval studies.
Richard Fitzpatrick Books (242 1/2 Dalhousie at St. Patrick (Market area),
 613-562-1088).  Used books.  Overflowing stock cramped into what
 seems like a fairly tiny place.  Still, an eclectic mix of used and
 rare books, Canadiana, religions, myths and general stock.   Richard
 Fitzpatrick, with his near-waist-length hair, can usually be seen
 transacting business on the steps outside the store, where there is
 more room!
Renouf Books (61 Sparks at Elgin (Downtown), 613-238-8995.  Good selection
 of new books.  Federal and Ontario Government publications.
 International Reports and Documents.  General business and current
 affairs.
Sapre Aude Books (4th Ave at Bank (The Glebe)).  Native Studies, Eastern
 religions, women's studies.
Sunnyside Bookshop (113 Murray at Sussex (Market area), 613-236-0943).
 Consciousness through holistic health, psychology, spirituality,
 astrology, occult.
Thorne and Co. (803 Bank at 3rd Ave (The Glebe), 613-232-6565). Gardening
 books (exotic and practical), including gardening books for
 children.
Traveller's Tales Books (20 Powell Hill Avenue, Ottawa, K1S 2A1,
 613-236-6650).  Used books.  By appointment or mail order.  Fine and
 interesting books in many fields, especially travel, cookery,
 literature, Jane Austen, decorative arts, and children's.

[Most of this section contributed by Paul Shuttle,
[e-mail].]

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Toronto ON

Atticus Books (84 Harbord just west of Spadina).  Used books.  "Atticus is
 probably the finest used bookstore for scholarly books in Toronto.
 It has an excellent philosophy/social-sciences section, books are in
 excellent shape.  Two floors; basement is softcover only.  Also good
 selection of art books, some rare."
Bakka Books (Queen W near Spadina).  The SF bookstore in Toronto.  "They
 have an e-mail newsletter-cum-catalogue, annotated by their
 knowledgeable staff who seem to read everything in print."
 "This is *the* SF bookstore in Toronto, a must-visit for any SF fan.
 Right across from Bakka is Silver Snail, the best comic bookstore in
 Toronto."
Book City (501 Bloor W, 348 Danforth Ave, and other locations).  Good
 selection of small press as well as everything else.  Good newstand.
 No place to sit.  Helpful staff.  Cat-free, but famous people wander
 through: Barbara Gowdy, Sheilagh Rogers, Ralph Benmergui, and more.
 (Canuck alert: above named are Canadians, you might not have heard
 of them.)  Mentioned by posters as one of Canada's best bookstores.
 "All hardcovers are sold with a discount (I think 10%) price."  Open
 till midnight.
Britnell's Bookstore (Yonge Street north of Bloor).  One of the best and
 most popular bookstore in Toronto and is a must for any book buyer!
Coles (see World's Biggest Bookstore).
College Bookshop (College and Major).  A really fine small bookstore, heavy
 on non-fiction, light on fiction.  "Has the distinction of ordering
 more copies of CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS  ANSWERS ALL CHARGES than any
 other bookstore in the world."  No GST (Good and Services Tax) at
 this bookstore.   Also a discount card--buy 10, get one (1/10 the
 price of the total spending) free."
David Mirvish's Bookstore.
DEC.  Radical bookstore.
Edward's Books and Art.  Small chain.  "Always have a large selection of
 interesting coffee table art books on sale, 50-60% off." Late
 evening hours.
Glad Day (598-A Yonge north of Wellesley).  Gay/lesbian/bisexual books.
 It's on the second floor, but there is a large pink neon sign at
 street level.  The store has an excellent selection of
 gay/lesbian/bisexual literature (fiction and non-fiction), AIDS
 information, and an international assortment of magazines and
 journals.  Unfortunately, it's also one of the bookstores targeted
 for arbitrary censorship by Canada Customs.
Lichtman's.  Small chain with an impressive selection of newspapers and
 magazines.  Late evening hours.
Monroe's.  The highest ceilings in a bookstore in Canada.
Pages (Queen St E near John St).
This Ain't the Rosedale Library (Church St near Wellesley).
Unknown Worlds (Danforth just east of Pape; Pape subway stop).  Small,
 sometimes smoky.  Good selection of SF, horror, magazines (back
 issues especially) and comics.
World's Biggest Bookstore (WBB) (Edward Street between Yonge and Bay).  Part
 of the Coles bookstore chain (one of the two surviving large
 chains--the other is Smithbooks, formerly W. H. Smith).  Claims to
 be the largest bookstore in the world (or did at one time).  One
 poster qualifies this with, "But it isn't a great bookstore.  For
 one thing, it's really just a Coles on growth hormones.  (What do I
 mean by that?  I guess I mean that the selection is wide, but not
 deep.  For example, there are a lot of books about the Napoleanic
 wars, but they seem to have been chosen at random and with little
 thought.  There might be several biographies of Henry VIII and
 Cromwell but none of More.)  I've spent many a spare moment on the
 TTC pondering the question of exactly how they select their books.
 I can't decide if they make a list of every book which is currently
 on the shelves or in a box in *any* Coles in Canada and get a copy
 of it, or if the way Coles deals with its remainders is to have all
 the stores ship them to this one (in which case, they augment the
 selection with a lot of copies of "current" stuff)."  (Another
 poster says, "I like that summary.  I also like to shop there.")
 Late evening hours.
several used book stores along Queen St E between John and Bathurst, along
 Bloor Street west of Spadina, and Harbord Street east of Spadina.
a few good used bookstores on Yonge between Bloor and College.

"My usual route is:  From Queen's Park TTC (subway) station W along College
St to the University of Toronto bookstore at College & St George (1/4 mile).
W along College, N on Spadina to Harbord St (1/2 mile); watch for Atticus
Books and About Books.  S on Spadina to Queen St -- W on Queen to Abelard
Books (about 1 mile from Harbord).  E on Queen to pick up the rest (about
3/4 mile to the Osgoode TTC station).  (Keep your eyes open along Queen;
there are a number of used bookstores on the second floor.)"

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------------------------------

Subject: Guelph, ON

The Book Shelf (41 Quebec Street).  A diverse selection of magazines and
 books for all interests.  "Some of my friends in Toronto said The
 Book Shelf rivals some of the better bookstores in Toronto.  They
 deal in new books and their magazine selection is better than some
 good newsstands in Canada.  Anything you cannot find on their
 shelves can be ordered through them.  This is their 20th year and
 according to a local newspaper, they are currently computerizing
 their shop.  However, the uniqueness of the Book Shelf is not only
 in their books, but they also have (1) a cafe, (2) a cinema (for
 foreign films) and (3) a patio (summer only, this is Canada after
 all!) all under the same roof."  This place is highly recommended.

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Windsor, Ontario

Starting from the south and working north towards the river:

Bookmark Book Exchange (537 Ouelette, 519-253-8231).  New and used
 paperbacks.  It's a small store but absolutely crammed with books.
 This place also carries Dover editions including children's books
 and coloring books.
Borderline Books (39 Park W, 519-256-9042).  Eclectic selection of art
 books, political science, psychology, and literature.
Coles (255 Ouelette, 519-253-8144).  This is a chain store with the usual
 selection of best sellers, paperbacks, how-to books, and the like.
South Shore Books (164 Pitt St W, 519-253-9102).  Literature, history,
 children's books.  It's not huge, but it's a pleasant place to
 browse.
University of Windsor Bookstore (just off the bridge).  It has some great
 little things.

[Most of this section contributed by Sandra Loosemore,
[e-mail].]

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Winnipeg, MB

Bold Print (about a block down from Osborne on River).  Women's bookstore.
 "It doesn't have the greatest selection but it's our only woman's
 bookstore.  The women who work there are amazingly helpful!"
McNally Robertson (Osborne Village at River and Osborne).  Great selection!!
University of Manitoba Bookstore.  Amazing classical literature selection.

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Calgary AB

A & B Sound (140 8th Ave SW, 403-232-1200).  This store has become somewhat
 of a legend for its amazingly low prices since it opened here less
 than two years ago. The first two FLOORS are for CDs (new releases
 for CDN$11.88-12.88--that's less than US$10 for a CD!) and
 audio/video stuff.  The top (third) floor is the bookstore (movies
 are also sold there) and the prices are standard A & B fare: 15-30%
 (or more) below cover price.  Tough to beat!
Apple Books (Brentwood Village Mall, 403-284-1100; D171 Glenmore Landing,
 403-255-3174).  A store that specializes in educational books and
 materials, but also have good selections of history, classics, and
 SF.
Book Company (Banker's Hall, 3rd St at 8th Ave SW, 403-237-8344).  Large
 store with a good, broad selection (lots of Penguins, as well as big
 history and art sections but the SF selection is poor).
Coles, The Book People (14 stores (seems like one in every mall)).  The
 biggest chain in the city.  Standard mall-type bookstore selection,
 but they do have good sales (and they've always got something on
 sale).  CON: They don't usually carry anything outside of the
 mainstream releases (try Sandpiper Books).  PRO: With 14 stores,
 if the local store has sold out of a particular book, you never have
 far to go to check another (and they can bring in other copies
 quickly; they are a national chain).
Map Town (640 6th Ave SW, 403-266-2241).  Map Town sells, well, maps, *but*
 they also have a large and diverse selection of travel books.
Sandpiper Books (1587 7th Ave SW, 403-228-0272; 1145 Kensington Cr NW,
 403-270-2115).  One of the better independent stores in the city;
 they carry some pretty interesting stuff that's not found at other
 more mainstream stores.  A good, reliable order desk and
 well-informed staff.
Sentry Box (2047 34th Ave SW, 403-242-4567).  If you want SF in Calgary,
 this is the place for you, bar none.  They have over 5000 titles
 (only SF), plus art books/prints, and lots of other cool SF stuff.
 (Note: The store is actually a gaming store; the bookstore is in the
 back.)  Some manga and anime as well.

[Most of this section contributed by Mark Stadel, [e-mail].]

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Edmonton AB

Aspen Books (10624 Whyte Ave).  Another independent bookstore.  "A bit
 smaller than the other two (Audrey's and Greenwoods')."  A good one
 to hit on a Whyte Avenue sweep (see below).
Athabasca Books (8228 105 Street, 403-431-1776). This interesting store,
 just around the corner from Bjarne's, is also Bjarne's main
 competition.  Owner Margo has spend several years building up a fine
 stock of antiquarian and out-of-print books.  There are good
 selections in Canadiana, children's books, theology, music, and
 literature.
Audrey's Books  (10702 Jasper Ave).  One of the best independent bookstores
 in Edmonton.  Two floors, friendly staff, and lots of selection.
 Their SF section is a bit small, and in the basement.
Bjarne's Books (10533 82 Ave, 403-439-7133).  Was the other second-floor
 store, but now occupies a new, snazzy location.  One of Edmonton's
 better used bookstores.  A great collection of Canadiana, including
 first-editions of novels and historical works on the Arctic and the
 exploration of Western Canada.  In any case, it's probably the best
 for Antiquarian books Bjarne is a knowledgable and friendly dealer
 and is a member of Antiquarian Booksellers of Canada.
Coles (Bonnie Doon Mall).  Surplus store.
Edmonton Book Store (8530 109 Street, 403-433-1871).  Originally a used book
 store on the university campus, this bookstore now caters to both
 students and the general book-buying public.  Good selections in
 most of the standard areas and an interesting selection of
 antiquarian and Canadiana. Lots of paperbacks in the basement.
Edmonton Computer Books (10265-107 St, 403-429-1077, fax [phone]).  A
 couple of blocks down the street from Audrey's.  "I *love* this
 store, and want everyone to support it so I don't have to go to
 Calgary to get these kind of books like I used to."
Flights of Fantasy Books  (7508 103 St; Best Route--take Calgary Trail North
 or South, turn left on 76th or 75th Ave.  Don't turn too early.
 403-433-0693).  Right next to the Greyhound station.  Edmonton's SF
 bookstore, with a good selection of Canadian SF as well as all other
 kinds.  Prominent authors get their own shelves.  Also features
 horror, mysteries, and thrillers.  Martin, the manager, is
 incredibly knowledgeable and has a great memory.
Greenwoods' Bookshoppe (10355 Whyte Ave).  Another great independent
 bookstore.  Has a large SF section than Audrey's, and stocks more
 Canadian SF.  Also has a friendly staff.  Two subsidiaries,
 Greenwood's Small World (children's books and novelties) and
 Greenwoods' Calendars Etc. (as the title says...) are just around
 the corner on 104 St.
Old Penny Bookshop (9112 112 St; really in HUB Mall at the University of
 Alberta).  A small second-hand store, but treasures can be found
 there.  Prices are a bit higher than many second-hand stores.
Varscona Books (2 Floor, 10824a 82 Ave).  One of two small upstairs
 secondhand bookstores on Whyte Avenue.  Has a good selection--more
 of the literary and non-fiction hardcover than Wee Book Inn, and is
 particularly good for language dictionaries.
Volume II Bookshop (12433 102 Ave).  A small place, and its SF is together
 with its mainstream.  Its best selection is in children's books.
Wee Book Inn (10310 Whyte Ave, 10428 Jasper Ave, 8216 118 Ave, and 15103A
 Stony Plain Rd).  The premiere used bookstore chain in Edmonton.
 The Whyte Avenue location is the largest, and as of this writing
 recently renovated, but there's good selection here.  Normal price
 is 1/2 cover price, trade-ins accepted.  Peeve: the books are only
 vaguely alphabetized.  Also, most stores feature semi-resident cats,
 are in the seedier parts of town, and are open till midnight.

82 (Whyte) Avenue is by far the best place for a bookhunter to go wandering.
The biggest cluster is around 103 and 104 St. (Calgary Trail North and
South), where you have Greenwoods' and the main Wee Book Inn.  In addition,
on 81 Avenue there's also Warp 1 Comics & Games, which has a few SF books in
addition to the comics and games.  South on the Calgary Trails you get to
Flights of Fantasy and The Curious Mind, a children's bookstore a block or
so north.  Heading west, you hit Bjarne's at 105th on the south side of the
street, and Aspen a block later on the north side.  (Athabasca Books, a good
place to look for used romances and some other second-hand stuff, is half a
block north on 105th Street.)  Then Varscona books upstairs by 109th Street,
on the north side of the street--if you're not watching, you may miss it.
Across the street from that is Tumbleweed Books, which is really more of a
comic store these days.  You can also continue up 109th Street to the
Edmonton Book Store on 85 Ave., a second-hand store that, due to its
proximity to the University, has a thriving business in textbooks.  On 88
Ave., there's Second Fiddle books, another upstairs second-hand store I know
little about.  If you're still feeling energetic, you could go over to HUB
Mall and check out the Old Penny, but I'd be more inclined to stop and have
nachos at one of the restaurants in that area....  (Aaron Humphrey,
[e-mail])

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Vancouver, BC

A B C Book & Comic Emporium (1247 Granville Street, 604-682-3019).  It's a
 used book store, with all kinds of books, but has a section at least
 twenty metres long with floor to ceiling SF, including some rarities
 like the first paperback edition of Piper's LORD KALVAN OF
 OTHERWHEN.
Albion Books (523 Richards).  Used books.  Mostly literature and history,
 some music books.
Ashley Books (3754 W 10th,604-228-1180).  Used books.  "One of the best used
 bookstores I've been in anywhere.  An excellent selection of
 hardcovers in good condition, plus a fairly good assortment of
 paperbacks.  Strong in literature, philosophy, the arts, history.
 Worth a special trip if you're in town."
Banyen Books (2671 W Broadway, 604-732-7912).  A "new-age" bookstore:
 metaphysics, ecology, new age, Eastern religions etc.  "Plus a lot
 more that shows you can't judge a bookstore by their Yellow Pages
 ad.  The biggest and best of its kind in Canada."
Blackberry Books (Granville Island: 1663 Duranleau; Kitslano: 2206 W 4th).
  New books.  Nice selection.  Knowledgeable staff.
Book Warehouse (635 W Broadway, 1150 Robson, 2388 W 4th, also in the
 Metrotown mall in Burnaby).  Remainders, special deals, off-prints.
 Not a reliable selection, but there are usually good bargains here.
Colophon Books (407 West Cordova upstairs, 604-685-4138).  A mix of new
 paperbacks (mostly modern fiction) and used.  "Black Sparrow books
 have their own glass-doored bookcase.  Good prices.  Near Gastown
 (as are a wide assortment of other used bookstores)."
The Comic Shop (4th Ave).  A reasonable selection of new and used SF.
Duthie's (downtown: 919 Robson; university: 4444 W 10th; Arbutus Village;
 [e-mail]).  Good all-purpose bookstore; new
 books.  University branch has more esoteric selection, but the
 downtown branch is bigger.  Mentioned by posters as one of Canada's
 best bookstores.  They also will do searches for out-of-print books
 and mail worldwide.
Granville Book Company (850 Granville St, 604-687-2213).  A cooperative
 ownership.  Good stock of mystery and SF.  Usually excellent on new
 younger writers.  Top notch computer book section.  Always willing
 to take orders.  "You wouldn't normally expect a very good selection
 on this stretch of street, but for a small bookstore, it has
 excellent taste in modern fiction.  At least it matches my
 interests!"
Lawrence Books (3591 W 41st at Dunbar, 604-261-3812).  Used books.
 Excellent selection of history and literature.  Knows the value of
 what he has, so there are very few great bargains.  "A nice
 neighborhood used bookstore, with a broad selection of books that
 look like they've come from retired university professors, i.e.,
 good quality, eclectic collection."
Little Sisters Book & Art Emporium (1221 Thurlow, 604-669-1753, FAX
 604-685-0252).  A gay/lesbian/bisexual bookstore, well known for
 fighting Canada Customs on censorship issues.
MacLeod's Books (455 W Pender).  Used books.  Excellent history and art
 selections.  Some of the staff are extremely knowledgeable, but some
 of the younger staff are not, and can mislead the customer.
Michael Thompson Bookseller 9311 W Cordova).  Used bookstore, with extensive
 horror and okay SF collections.  (Recently had a complete Weird
 Tales set, most of which has since been sold.)
Mystery Merchant Bookstore (1952 W 4th).  Mystery and suspense books, spy
 thrillers.  Lots of Canadian authors.
Neville Books (7793 Royal Oak, Burnaby).  Used books.  Specializes in
 military history, but has a good selection of other stuff.  Carries
 new books by local authors.  Extremely knowledgeable bookseller.
Spartacus Books (311 West Hastings, upstairs, 604-688-6138).  A wide
 selection of new books on anarchism, lesbian/gay/bisexual issues,
 socialism, labour, environment, postmodernism, Asian studies,
 Canadian studies, etc., as well as an excellent selection of current
 periodicals.  Cooperative-owned, volunteer-run, bargains on a small
 selection of used books, open evenings, and there's a couch for
 browsing.
Vancouver Women's Bookstore & Centre (315 Cambie, 604-684-0523).  Near
 Gastown.  "Small, but focussed, and friendly."
White Dwarf Books (4374 West 10th Avenue, 604-228-8223).  Fantasy and SF.
 "I completed my H. Beam Piper collection there, and they had all but
 two of them in stock, and ordered those."   "A description of White
 Dwarf is incomplete without a mention of the dog.  Next to the cash
 register sleeps a basset of various hues of brown.  A sound from
 outside arouses his interest and he's off, out the door.  The
 storekeeper runs after, calling, "Manny!  Manny!"  He reluctantly
 returns to lie down again at his post, growling slightly at a
 customer who comes too close.  He's tired now, and 10 years is
 getting on for a dog, and he wants his sleep."  (Pam Gurd
 <[e-mail]>)
William McCarley's Bookstore and Gallery (213 Carrall, 604-683-5003).
 Features graphic design, architectural etc books; in Gastown, an
 interesting area to explore.

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Victoria, BC

Bolen Books (Hillside Mall)  Don't let the location put you off, it's not
 your typical mall bookstore.  Decent computer section, good SF and
 mystery sections.
Munro's Books (Government St. between Fort and View)  Carries a bit
 of everything.  Largest bookstore in Victoria.  Mentioned by
 posters as one of Canada's best bookstores.
Wimsey Books (Market Square)  Specializes in mystery/crime.  Carries both
 new and used books. Knowledgeable staff.

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Fairbanks AK

Baker and Baker Booksellers ([old address and phone number] North Gate
 Square, 330 Old Steese Hwy, 907-456-2278).  "Everything!!
 SF/fantasy, mystery, classics, mainstream, non-fiction, children's
 (very good).  Hardbacks on discount; mass market and trade
 paperbacks.  Autograph parties sometimes.  Very helpful staff!
 They know everything about books, and they obviously care very much
 about what they're doing."
Gulliver's Used Books (corner of College Road and University Ave).
 Paperbacks mostly, some hardbacks, lots of SF/fantasy. fiction and
 non-fiction.  "Near university.  Great hangout for intellectuals,
 liberals, students, backpackers.

============================================================================
------------------------------

Subject: Anchorage AK

There are Book Cache stores in Anchorage; also some B. Daltons and other
major west coast chains.

============================================================================

Evelyn C. Leeper | [phone] | [e-mail] /
[e-mail]

--
Evelyn C. Leeper | [phone] | [e-mail]
"The Internet is already an information superhighway, except that ... it is
like
driving a car through a blizzard without windshield wipers or lights, and all
of
the road signs are written upside down and backwards."--Mike Royko (not Dave
Barry!)


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