Make reading affordable and sustainable with these five second-hand bookshops
Illustration by Abby Koning.
Everything seems to be getting more expensive, and books are no exception. When paperbacks can cost upwards of $20 each, buying new books isn’t always an option. At that price, it can be hard to justify spending that kind of money on a book you might not enjoy. It can also often be challenging to find used bookstores in the area, as there are so few remaining. But I’ve managed to gather a list of my favorites.
Here are five second-hand bookstores to help you find your next read at an affordable price.
The Haunted Bookshop
My favorite place to find used books is The Haunted Bookshop. Located in Sidney, The Haunted Bookshop is the oldest bookstore on Vancouver Island and was first opened in 1947. The fifth and current owner, William Matthews, took over the store in 2020. It is a maze of used books, with stacks piled from floor to ceiling. They carry a wide collection of rare and vintage books, including Shakespeare and other classics. They also have a variety of vintage maps, prints, and postcards. The Haunted Bookshop is a store you could easily browse for hours on end and still have more to find.
Bastion Books
Tucked away in historic Bastion Square, Bastion Books carries contemporary and vintage second-hand books. They have an excellent selection of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. Bastion Books also has a very friendly shop dog that enhances the wonderful, cozy atmosphere. There are even comfy chairs and a children’s reading nook to sit and read surrounded by books. One Google review sums up Bastion Books beautifully, calling it a “treasure trove of gently loved books.” Just look for the blue bicycle to find this hidden gem.
Books & Shenanigans
This cute and eccentric bookstore sells new and used books, along with a variety of toys, games, and other knick knacks. In the heart of Cook Street Village, their colourful storefront welcomes you inside with its brightly painted exterior. Deceptively small from the outside, Books & Shenanigans has multiple rooms with a “carefully curated and eclectic mix” of books. The store is right next to Moka House, making it easy to grab a good book, get a snack, and read for hours. There is also a beautiful and whimsical mural inside which immerses you in the quirky atmosphere of the shop. Plus, they have a shelf of free books outside the store.
Russell Books
No list of Victoria’s used bookstores would be complete without Russell Books. Perhaps the largest and most widely known, Russell Books has two floors of shelves lined with new and used books. It is a family-owned company that was initially founded in Montreal in 1961. Russell Books originally opened in Victoria in 1991, but the store moved to a new location across Fort Street in 2019 due to spatial constraints. With such a huge collection, you’ll have no trouble finding your next read here.
SUBtext
Don’t want to venture off campus to find affordable second-hand books? SUBtext is more than just a place to consign your old textbooks. They have a wide variety of popular contemporary novels and nonfiction books, as well as plenty of classics. Recently, they’ve had popular books like Dune by Frank Herbert, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. SUBtext carries a variety of locally-made items, including artwork, stickers, pins, and jewelry. As a bonus, SUBtext also offers free board game rentals. Just leave your ONEcard and play as long as you want.
