Lawrence Books

This is a fun place to browse if you have the time and can take the neck stretching moments of dealing with the tightly packed rows. I buy books of my favourite authors, artists, etc and when I get a few accidental duplicates or a some of my kids books I trade them or they get donated.
For buyers
If you go in regularly for specific areas of interest (art, graphic novels) stock turnover is relatively limited so fewer surprises then you would hope for if you have a particular interest. Further, the prices are always a little more than you expect at other bookstores, usually priced at the 2^nd/​3^rd rung of abebooks.
For sellers
If you are looking to sell/​trade books you can do better with Kestrel books down 37 blocks on 4^th. Whatever I bring in that is desired, the owner always gives me $ 3 in trade, so after a few times of this, I bring them my dregs, whatever any other store has passed over and just before it goes to charity.
Together you can see how the bookstore with 4 hours a day opening can stay in business, the books are bought very cheap and the mark up is steep.
Worth the experience of traveling back to the 70’s where all stores were like this, service and all.

This was my first time in this book store. My best friend here comes often to buy me «Choose Your Own Adventure» Books. My best friend didn’t want to tell me the name of this store ’cause he was afraid that I would give a bad review to his beloved book store. I had to Google this. He is right. First thing that I noticed was that there was a damp moldy smell that triggered my asthma in a bad way. I’ve been to used books stores and have never had this issue. Clearly someone needs a lesson in using their thermostat. I could smell the mildew on the books. I did get a chance to quickly browse the selections, most that are aged common titles, however, if the store had better conditions than this could be an awesome store. The isles are really small, therefore, good luck navigating. I checked their hours on the front = not friendly at all.

What a great store! It’s a fun experience going through this store and it’s terrific collection. The foundation of my Winston Churchill collection of books was built of books from this store.

Mindboggling depth of history, old school textbooks, geography, and fiction. If you thought, as I once did, that a country officially less than fifty years old would have only a smattering of history books written about it you would be DEAD WRONG. Try shelves-​full of accounts published when Canada was an infant dominion. You could actually get a Captain W. E. Johns «Biggles» novel here. I’ve seen my third grade reader for sale at Lawrence Books.
I don’t even think two hours of shiatsu massage could generate as many «ooohs» out of me as one half-​hour inside Lawrence Books could.

When my sister lived in the neighbourhood, I dropped in a few times. The owner is friendly, helpful, but not pushy/​chatty. The books are priced similarly to other used bookstores. I spent quite a good chunk of time in one of the back corners rooting around in stacks of books. Take some time and you’ll definitely find a treasure or two or three.

Spectacular book store. Amazing finds. Stupendous collection of all manner and age of printed material.
A serious bookstore for serious book lovers.
As good as it gets!

I have always found the experience of selling books at a used bookstore slightly awkward and embarrassing. Am I being judged as each hackneyed paperback title is checked for damage? Where did I get all these books anyway? Did a younger me actually enjoy these novels?
At Lawrence Books, however, I had no time for these thoughts. I was instead mesmerized by the sheer number of books, meticulously organized by category on towering wooden bookshelves. If you can handle the tight squeeze in this maze of paper (don’t get lost!) you could spend an entire day browsing the selection, from spy novels to children’s books, from local history to photography and art books.
The staff is helpful and friendly, which is good since you will most likely need help finding the titles you want. The only reason this store gets four stars rather than five is the somewhat inconvenient location and hours.

In terms of used book stores, this one’s a mecca.
Lawrence Books is located at the corner of Dunbar Street and 41^st Avenue. It’s quite large but packed with so many books inside I highly recommend all you claustrophobic types out there skip this one.
Basically, if you’re looking for a used book on any subject matter, genre, or topic under the sun, chances are Lawrence Books has a copy. Though many of the fictional novels and literature are arranged by author’s last name rather than neatly placed in strict alphabetical order, this is a place for browsing, so come with time and patience.
The staff is also very knowledgeable, and somehow manages to keep track of most books coming into the store. If you can’t find/​see what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask.