Seekers Books

Seekers Books is definitely a gem within the Annex. It’s got less presentation than the nearby BMV, of course, but as an ‘old school’ bookshop, that’s part of it’s charm.
While BMV is a great place for finding deals on oversells and current popular items, Seekers Books offers something different. For one, it often has a number of rare, out-​of-​print, and hard-​to-​find items. And while BMV’s used book selection are often above a certain cindition grade (ie: VF/​NM), it appears that Seekers is one of the last places that will still hold books at, say, a ‘fine’ condition, as long as the work is worthwhile.
Among some of the more interesting carries in Seekers at times are old, local ‘zines and foreign books that have never been officially distributed in North America. their tables showcase some interesting finds outside of the mainstream — not everyone’s cup of tea, of course, but if you’re looking to discover something different, you’re more likely to find that ‘something’ prominently displayed here.
I’ve found things like DE RE METALLICA (the first book on mining) and METALLIC MEMORIES by Moebius (an art book) — both things I thought I’d never see in a store, and for surprisingly affordable prices. Another thing I’ve found here is a ‘Book Club Edition’ of Frank Herbert’s DUNE — not as sought after as the bookstore first edition, but in the same format, which was amazing!
Interesting tidbit: Some of the local bookies say that Seekers has a bit of a legend around it — people walking in for the first time, searching for something specific, usually find it — or find something they never thought they’d see here. Given that I found 2 of my ‘top 5′ books for my collection at Seekers, in my experience I’d say the ‘legend’ is on to something. :)
It’s great to see that an ‘old school’ bookshop has been a mainstay within the Annex area for some time now. Take a moment to browse through their shelves, & Seekers a try; great place with friendly staff.

I’m so happy to discover this store is still open — it was a staple for me when I lived in the area in the 90s, and I was hoping to pop in on a future visit to Toronto. This place always had amazing books, great second hand CDs, and it was *the place* to pick up fliers for trance parties ;) I’m pretty sure the last bit is no longer relevant, but this place is still awesome :)

I brought a selected number of books downtown, hoping to be able to sell them to BMV. I made sure to bring all my classics and the newer fiction in excellent condition. Unfortunately, I was unable to sell any of them. The classics were not brand new, but were in great condition having been read once and only yellowed due to time. I left, slightly annoyed that I had to probably carry this heavy bag around.
As I was walking, I came across Seekers Books just a few stores down from BMV. I thought, what the heck. I’ll drop by and see if maybe they would buy a book or two. I waited behind a lady, who was unloading many of her books. The owner was very interactive and had a discussion with the customer as he sorted through the books. He bought several of her books. When it came my turn, I was excited when he bought ⁶⁄₁₃ books I’ve brought! He took all my classics and one novel by Zadie Smith. I left with a lighter bag and even got a free book from the lady when she was unable to sell it! This interaction at Seekers Books made me a fan because of the relationship created by the store owner with his customers.
I have yet to check out the store properly or buy anything but, I definitely recommend if you are looking to unload some great literature that you no longer have room for! It has that old used bookstore feel to it, so do not expect it to be squeaky clean with like-​brand-​new books, like BMV or Indigo. It’s for people who loves to help their local used bookshops and help the environment by buying preloved novels.

Our family of 4 were there this evening trying to buy some books for our kids aged 2 and 6. We went directly to the back and started browsing when all of a sudden the staff (girl wearing red stockings) came up to my wife and accused her and our kids of «destroying the books». Our kids were just pulling them out to look at them which is normal when browsing to buy a book. We left right away and don’t ever plan to come back. We encourage our kids to go to bookstores but such experiences really make it hard for parents. If you don’t want to deal with kids in your bookstore I’d suggest you get rid of the kid’s section altogether. If our kids had somehow ripped a book by accident (they never have as they understand books are fun to read) then we would more than gladly have paid for the book. The staff just made accusations without showing us any evidence of this supposed «destruction.» There are plenty of other used bookstores where we’d rather go!

There is something special about this place. I go in with no plans and I always find something interesting. They play relaxing music, burn incense, and the employees are not pretentious. They are real people and don’t talk to you in that robotic, patronizing customer service tone. This place is analogue and I love that about it. I let the books find me. Seekers just makes me feel like relaxing, reading, and engaging my brain. I hope it never changes. The prices are reasonable. Average is maybe $ 8.00/book. I certainly don’t mind spending $ 8.00 at a great, independent, down-​to-​earth bookstore.

I must’ve passed by this hidden gem beneath the stairs along Bloor near Bathurst. On my way to BMV, I decided to try this place for a change. I was amazed to see all the books from back to front filling the shelves. This place has every author in literature that you could dream of! (no chick-​lit to be found though…) Everything from Irvine Welsh to Charles Bukowski. I ended up buying a few and then went to check out various other store in the area to end up coming back for more in the same day! This is a dangerous place when I have money to spend. If I had known that this place was jam packed with so much good stuff… Then I would’ve came prepared with limited funds. Can’t wait to go back!

Great bookstore! The owner has been in business in various locations for the past 20 years. Where to start? The ambiance is old school bookstore. It’s well organized despite the shelves bursting with books (which is a good thing). The selection and pricing is fantastic. This is a nice change from all the anti-​septic bookstores out there. The conversations at the front counter are always a hoot. Upon overhearing them, you want to participate… and you’re welcome to! The service is very friendly and helpful. The owner will either know exactly what direction to point you to or take you there himself. The 12PM– 12AM hours are great too.
Highly recommended.

This is the anti-​Indigo! By far one of the best bookstores in Toronto. Hidden in a nook at the corner of Borden & Bloor, this gem is what a book store used to be and in some ways still should be.
Indigo is more of a showroom for books, cd/​dvds and with a Starbucks attached. This is a large room where books are stored and kept until someone who wants them finds them.
Yes, the musky incense along with the musty old books give it charm. In fact, I would say this store has its own very unique smell, it’s Seeker Incense.
Tons of English literature, history, some large New Age collection, (not a fan however), comics and sadly as of recent (a few years actually) an ever growing collection of CDs and DVDs. Boo.
As far as the staff? Normally just one guy at the cash, he himself reading a tome and always willing to chat if you are willing to engage. Also and without fail an avid reader himself. Yes, «the guy» at the cash might not be the same from visit to visit but one thing you can expect, whoever works there, will knows his genre of books and will be interesting to chat to about books.
Prices are pretty good — in the $ 7-​$ 9 range and most importantly, you are helping your local bookstore. Wink, wink, pledge, pledge!
If there is one small nuisance is that sometimes you might not find the «latest» books, so you have to wait a few weeks or in some cases months if want something that was released last weeks.
I used to find myself on weekends swinging by this place and just browse until a book or two picked my fancy to add to my collection. Good times.
THIS is a place worth going and check out!
Highly recommended.

One of (if not the) Best bookstore in Toronto~ Soooo many titles at great prices, packed but organized. Friendly staff who look like they love their job adds to the experience. Open pretty late for night owls.:)

I love this store. I love that it’s dishevelled yet organized. It’s unpretentious. It’s musty. The sci fi and comics are placed in the centre of the store like a shrine to all things geek. The obscure reference material available is endless.
The thing I love the most is that the staff doesn’t sneer at me when I ask a question or if they know where to locate a specific book. I went in, knowing the name of the book I was looking for, but I had forgotten the author… a situation met with hostility a few months ago at another bookstore down the street…
The gentleman behind the counter didn’t just tell me the name and point me in the right direction. He dropped what he was doing and helped me search through the stacks.

This place is a dump and I hate the dismissive attitude of the staff (except for the girl with the glasses, she was cool).

I hope Seekers Books will be around forever. But not really for the book selection or prices, which I don’t find that amazing.
1) The Smell. (Yes!) It’s a combination of incense and musty old books. I love it.
2) The conversations overheard. It reminds me of late-​night call-​in radio shows. I’ve heard discussions about Noam Chomsky, Why toothpaste is unnecessary, How the world will end in 2012, How cancer is caused by negative thoughts…
3) Nostalgia. It reminds me of a lost bohemian annex which I find comforting. Now if we could only bring back the Blue Cellar Room
4) It’s open until midnight, Sometimes you just want to look at books late at night.

You can’t criticize the hours or the selection. Seems like it’s always open and they have a lot of books on just about any topic you could want to read about.
It’s a little ‘new-​agey’ in there sometimes. I’m always worried I’m going to get tractor beamed up into a UFO, like some cow in a field, and then… well you know…
Nah, just kiddin’. It’s a great store.

i dont know which part of the first exposure made this feel most sneaky to me. was it that i was walking down into some shady looking store? was it the purple neon glow that emanated from the ghostly light silhouetting the fenced door? or perhaps the stark operating hours of 12 to 12 that intrigued me the most.
yet inside this book lovers den is a clean, cozy, shop filled with fresh new and mildly used books that seem to disappear in a gridlock of aisleways, shelves and back rooms filled to the brim and beaming with colour.
after combing the shelves of another used book shop, on a whim i slithered down here and straight away was lead to a tome of five in one dashiell hammett books. more over, i spotted the watchmen in full display for half price.
and after a few giggles with the guy at the front (perhaps the owner) i was given a book for free! (lucky day.)
id come back here again in a second for the owners knowledge, for the seeming secrecy of it, for its variety of old and new and because its not bustling.

Open from noon-​midnight every day, Seekers is a basement level used bookstore that is hemorrhaging books from every possible seam. You walk inside and not only is every shelf bursting with paperbacks and hardcovers, floors also have stacks of books in all directions.
Seeker’s specializes in occult books, not in the sense that they exclusively sell them, but more in that they have the largest collection of occult books I’ve ever seen for sale. If you’re interested in, or curious about, that kind of thing, this store is definitely one to check out.
As far as the rest of the store goes, I would have to say it is on par with your average used book store. Because there are only so many books that can be put into any one store at any one time (and this is despite the fact that this store is packed packed packed books) there’s a good chance that if you’re looking for something very specific, you won’t find it. That said, never count a used book store, including this one, out of a book hunt.

A place full of sorted books in which it is possible to find traces of the esoteric amidst the exoteric. More than often, if you listen in, the shoppers discuss mysterious topics in this hidden gem underground. A gem that is, if the book finds you !