Type Books (883 Queen St. W., 416-366-TYPE) is an inspired alternative to the overlit big chain bookstores. Elegant and tweedy Nicholas Hoare caters to the refined reader—it’s a haven for glossy coffee table books—with an eclectic, British-focused selection. Cheap and cheerful BookCity (348 Danforth Ave., 416-469-9997; 663 Yonge St., 416-964-1167) is a local fave. Find new and classic fiction at competitive prices. This Ain’t the Rosedale Library (483 Church St., 416-929-9912) is the funky older brother of bookstores, stocking a large selection of alternative fiction, non-fiction and magazines by independent publishers. Eliot’s Bookshop (584 Yonge St., 416-925-0268) shelves (upon shelves) of well-priced secondhand books in pristine condition covers all the genres.

For specialty books, try Books for Business, Theatrebooks and children’s bookshop Mabel’s Fables.—Flannery Dean