Six of Canada’s most eerie bookstores offer more than just horror literature. These establishments boast rare and vintage books that carry a peculiar nostalgia, as well as shelves filled with spell-casting and divination tomes. While not all of these independent businesses specialize in horror fiction, they provide creative spaces for community gatherings where readers can interact with writers, workshop stories, support local authors, and enjoy a cup of tea.
Nocturne Books in Calgary, founded by Scott Ross-Molyneux and Alliye Iriye, caters to horror enthusiasts with a selection that leans toward the darker side of literature. The shop hosts author events, offers a consignment program for emerging writers, and is launching horror and thriller book clubs.
Raven’s End Books in Winnipeg, curated by Chelsea McKee-Trenchard, focuses on lesser-known writers and themes like body horror, queer stories, and Indigenous storytelling. The bookstore regularly hosts events such as craft nights, book clubs, tarot sessions, and supports local vendors.
Mystic Wisdom Tea and Bookshop in London, Ont., run by Charles and Carolyn Innis, offers a unique blend of books on witchcraft, divination, and paganism alongside tarot cards, crystals, and herbs. The space hosts community events to foster inclusivity and shared experiences.
Little Ghosts Books in Toronto has become a hub for horror enthusiasts, with co-owner Chris Krawczyk organizing events like Work in Progress Night for local writers. The bookstore also hosts the annual Little Ghosts Festival, bringing together vendors, authors, and artists.
The Haunted Bookshop in Sidney, B.C., owned by William “Bill” Matthews, specializes in old and unusual books, particularly science fiction, fantasy, and early supernatural fiction. The bookstore, a longtime fixture in Sidney’s literary scene, continues to thrive among its disappearing peers.
The Monkey’s Paw in Toronto, owned by Stephen Fowler, is a rare-book shop known for its haunting ambiance. Fowler’s fascination with the mysterious traces left in old books is reflected in the shop’s unique offerings, including the Biblio-Mat, a random book vending machine that embodies the shop’s philosophy of fate.
Each of these spooky bookstores offers a distinct experience for book lovers seeking a touch of the macabre and a sense of community within the world of literature.
