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Photo of the interior of a small independent book store, filled with shelves and display tables of books.
Photo of the interior of a small independent book store, filled with shelves and display tables of books.

A local bookshop A local bookshop

with a neighbourhood vibe, welcoming all ages with awesome titles & events.

Shop at Queen Books

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Queen Books

Located in the Leslieville neighbourhood in Toronto’s east end, Queen Books is a friendly independent bookshop, carrying a great selection of titles for adults and kids, with staff picks posted in-store and on their shopping site.

They connect with the local community through hosting a variety of events for adults and kids, including author readings, book launches, a book club, a kids and teens bookmark art contest, and story time and activity days for kids, in addition to participating in the neighbourhood raffle.

 

A grid of four images featuring text and photographs. Top left: A perspectival photo of bookshelves lining a wall, with display tables of books in front of them. Top right: Illustration for Page 914 book club, featuring the book Birds Art Life by Kyo Maclear. Bottom left: Close-up of a stack of four books, with books, a plant and bookshelves in the background: The Ingenious Language by A. Marcolongo, Go Ahead in the Rain by Abdurraqib, The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli and Lampedusa by Steven Price. Bottom right: Queen Books is a friendly neighbourhood bookshop in Toronto’s east end with a great book selection for adults and kids. They also have a book club.

(Photo credits: Queen Books.)

 

What we like about this bookshop

We love the friendly, neighbourhood vibe of Queen Books and how they’re about more than just selling books – they actively engage with and support their community through the events they host and participate in.

We also appreciate the range of the titles they carry and events they host, so book lovers of all ages can find something to enjoy. In 2024 for example, they had an amazing lineup of free events for Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, including a relaxed poetry and short story reading session with local Toronto writers. And they have a great location along the main drag of Leslieville’s Queen Street East, steps away from Red Sandcastle Theatre, the home of Eldritch Theatre, and a fantastic selection of eateries, pubs, treat shops and stores. (Written by C.M.)

Accessibility information: Please contact the shop at 416-778-5053.

 

Ideas for where you can go from here:
  • Check out Queen Books’ staff picks. If you’re in the Toronto area, drop by the shop at 914 Queen Street East.
  • Check out their events calendar or sign up for their email newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events – and plan on attending if you’re in the area.
  • If you’re in the Toronto area, consider joining their book club. It’s called Page 914 and is named after their street number. They always pick interesting titles with a focus on contemporary Canadian authors. If you live elsewhere, see if your local bookshop has a book club.

 

We love bookshops because they inspire you to buy physical books. Buying physical books allows you to experience the act of reading without distractions. Experiencing the act of reading without distractions is part of the flourishing offline life Young W helps you discover: by exploring READING and the other 8 pillars of Arts & Letters, including those you may be hesitant to try.

 

 

 

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