“Canada’s Eeriest Bookstores: A Dark Literary Escape”

What qualities define Canada’s most eerie bookstores? While a vast collection of horror literature is a key factor, the ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia through rare and vintage books is equally important. Some stores go beyond genre, delving into spell-casting, divination, and other ritual practices.

Although not exclusively focused on horror literature, each of the independent businesses listed here provides a unique space for community engagement. These are places where readers connect with writers, unfinished stories are honed, local authors showcase their works, and both literal and figurative tea is shared. 

Here are six of Canada’s eeriest bookshops, each offering a distinctive atmosphere, personality, and local charm.

Nocturne Books, Calgary

What inspired Scott Ross-Molyneux to establish Nocturne Books in Calgary? His wife. Describing themselves as the classic “goth girlfriend, golden retriever boyfriend” duo, Ross-Molyneux and co-owner Alliye Iriye share a passion for horror literature and film. Iriye’s love for the macabre shapes the selections at Nocturne Books, reflecting a preference for dark and intense reads.

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Notable picks at Nocturne include Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica and Episode Thirteen by local author Craig DiLouie. DiLouie’s chance encounter with his own works at the store’s opening highlights the close relationship Nocturne maintains with local creatives. The bookstore hosts author events, supports self-published writers, and is set to launch horror and thriller book clubs.

Raven’s End Books, Winnipeg

Chelsea McKee-Trenchard envisioned Raven’s End Books in Winnipeg as a curated space for horror enthusiasts, focusing on lesser-known writers and small publishers. The shop features sections dedicated to body horror, queer narratives, and Indigenous storytelling, and frequently hosts events such as craft nights and book clubs.

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McKee-Trenchard’s personal favorites include Apparitions by Adam Pottle and Bad Cree by Jessica Johns, highlighting a preference for gothic and haunting tales.</