A Guide to Hamilton’s Used Bookstores

Cozy up this September with a good read

The long days and warm evenings of summer are beginning to wind down, but don’t worry because soon we will have the weather for warm apple cider and comfy, oversized sweaters – the perfect combination for curling up with a good book. You should be spending your September in a cozy used bookstore, perusing the shelves for your next great read and checking off your back-to-school booklist, while still having money left over to splurge on a pumpkin-spice latte. Thankfully, Hamilton has an abundance of unique and cozy used bookstores to choose from and I’ve put together a list of five of them that you bibliophiles out there will have great fun exploring this fall – I know I did.

The River Trading Company
559 Barton Street East 

@rivertradingcompany

J. H. Gordon Books
314 King Street East

@jhgordonbooks

Located in the heart of Hamilton’s downtown on a lovely stretch of King Street sits J. H. Gordon Books, a cheerful little-used bookshop. Although small, J. H. Gordon still manages a good selection of books and includes a small nook at the back with a children’s section and reading bench. The walls are lined with portraits of famous authors and there are chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. What makes the store stand out though, is the table in the front of the store that features work from local authors. These are new books, magazines and graphic novels that come from the Hamilton area. If you’re looking to be involved in the Hamilton literary scene or to check out local literature, this is the place for you.

Westside Stories
852 King St West

westsidestories.ca

Located in the West End, the aptly named Westside Stories features out of print, hard to find, and used books. This bookstore has a classic used bookstore feel with books spilling from shelves and overflow kept in boxes on the floor. With so much selection you’ll certainly be able to find some gems if you’re willing to do a bit of digging – or you can just ask the friendly staff who will be happy to help you find the books on your list. With two whole floors, which includes a basement full of genre fiction, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for.

James Street Bookseller and Gallery
134 James Street South

@j.s.bookseller

This intimate used bookshop, conveniently located on James Street, is small but certainly worth visiting. The shop features a few comfy chairs to read in, as well as a modest but well-curated selection of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The shop also boasts a collection of beautiful leather-bound and rare editions of books. This is where you will find impressive volumes to line your office shelves or beautiful editions of old favourites to add to your collection or give to a fellow reader as a gift.

Barely Bent Used Books
46 King St E, Dundas

barelybentusedbooks.weebly.com

Although not technically in Hamilton, I couldn’t leave this one off the list. I recommend taking a drive out to Dundas, exploring scenic King Street, maybe hiking a trail or two and of course stopping by at Barely Bent Used books to satisfy your reading cravings. It’s a large shop with a good selection of both contemporary used books and older volumes. The shop holds up to its name as all of the books are in good condition with fair prices that range from cheap deals to slightly more expensive for nicer copies.

Share post