The cheapest books in Toronto are usually not in one giant store. Start with BOOKEnds if you want to pay about $1 per book. Go to BMV if you want a broad, easy-to-search used selection. Use a library card if you do not need to own the book at all. Then use the smaller shops when you are after a subject, a neighbourhood browse or a book that feels worth keeping.
This guide covers places where price is genuinely part of the appeal. It also includes a few excellent used shops that are not the rock-bottom choice, because a $12 book you actually want is better value than five random $1 books that sit unread.
Quick picks
- Cheapest dependable shelves: BOOKEnds North and South. Most books are $1.
- Best broad used-book stop: BMV Books on Bloor.
- Best east-end used-book afternoon: Re:Reading and Circus Books & Music on the Danforth.
- Best west-end used-book route: BMV Bloor, Seekers and Doug Miller Books.
- Best annual sale to plan around: University College and Victoria University book sales in the fall.
- Best for art, design and beautiful older books: Balfour Books.
- Best for odd, out-of-print finds: The Monkey's Paw.
- Best truly free reading: Toronto Public Library, Libby and registered Little Free Libraries.
First, choose the kind of cheap you mean
There are four different bargains in this city.
- Very cheap physical books: library stores, library sales, church sales, swaps and well-priced used shops.
- A specific current title for less: BMV, Marketplace, Kijiji and a patient saved search.
- New books at a discount: Book Outlet online, clearance tables and occasional publisher overstock.
- Free reading: Toronto Public Library's physical collection, Libby and public-domain ebooks.
Do not pay a long TTC trip, parking and an afternoon of time just to save a dollar on one paperback. A cheap-book plan works best when you group stops by neighbourhood or buy enough books to make delivery worth it.
BOOKEnds North and South: the $1 starting point
Toronto Public Library runs two volunteer-staffed BOOKEnds stores. One is inside North York Central Library. The other is inside the Toronto Reference Library at 789 Yonge Street. TPL says most materials are $1, both shops are cash only, and you should bring your own bag.
BOOKEnds South is the easiest downtown stop. BOOKEnds North is worth knowing if you live near North York Centre or are already on the Yonge line. The selection is donated and withdrawn material, so it is never a good place to rely on one exact title. It is a very good place to take a chance on a novel, cookbook, travel book, children's book or older nonfiction book.
The honest downside is that a $1 book can still be a bad buy. Check for mildew, loose pages, very small type, heavy highlighting and out-of-date practical advice. Do not assume a 2008 guidebook, medical book or software manual is useful now.
BMV Books: Toronto's easiest used-book hunt
BMV is the first place to try when you have a list of authors, genres or popular titles rather than a vague wish to browse. The large Bloor Street shop is the strongest all-purpose location. Its other Toronto stores can be more convenient depending on where you are going.
BMV sells used books alongside discounted new and remaindered stock. That gives it a wider, more orderly feel than a tiny used shop. It is especially useful for fiction, comics, art books, music books and mainstream nonfiction. The company also buys selected used books for cash, which matters if you want to turn one collection into another.
It is not automatically the cheapest price in every case. Check the edition and condition. A common new paperback on sale elsewhere can cost about the same as a used BMV copy. BMV is the best choice when the time saved by a broad selection matters more than chasing the absolute lowest sticker.
Re:Reading: the east-end all-rounder
Re:Reading at 548 Danforth Avenue is a proper neighbourhood used bookstore. It is a strong option for readers who want to browse widely but do not want BMV's scale. The shelves are especially good for people who enjoy going in without a list and leaving with something unexpected.
It is also a logical stop for science fiction, older fiction, history and general used books before or after a Danforth meal. If you are looking for a particular edition, call or message first. Small shops can have the book one day and not the next.
The practical drawback is the entrance. Re:Reading notes that there are two short steps at the front. Ask about access before making a special trip if stairs are a concern.
Seekers Books: philosophy, religion and a more focused browse
Seekers Books, at 509 Bloor Street West, is a smaller used-book stop close enough to BMV that it belongs on the same walk. It makes more sense for literature, philosophy, religion, spirituality and readers who like a serious, old-school used-bookshop feeling.
Go here for the shelves BMV may not make easy to find. It is not the right pick if you only want the newest bestseller at the lowest price. It is a better pick when you want an unusual older title and are willing to rummage.
Doug Miller Books: a useful Bloor Street detour
Doug Miller Books is at 650 Bloor Street West. It is another independent used bookstore that turns a BMV visit into a real book crawl. The store regularly posts new arrivals and sale material, including $3 books, so the stock is clearly not frozen in time.
Go if you like browsing stacks and shelves rather than searching a neat online database. It suits readers looking for literature, general nonfiction and the surprise of an older edition. It is less useful when you have only 15 minutes between appointments or need a pristine gift copy.
Balfour Books: better value for art, design and hardcovers
Balfour Books at 468 College Street is not a dollar-bin stop. It earns a place because used art, photography, design, cooking and illustrated books can be dramatically better value here than buying new. The shop also carries fiction, philosophy, children's books and unusual hardcovers.
This is the place to compare quality, not just price. Look at the cover, binding, plates and missing dust jackets. A large illustrated book that is in good shape can be a great buy. A damaged one that only looks cheap is not.
The Monkey's Paw: fun, strange and not always cheap
The Monkey's Paw on Dundas Street West specializes in unusual, out-of-print and antiquarian books, plus paper ephemera. It also has the Biblio-Mat, a vending machine that gives you a random old book.
It belongs in a cheap-books guide because inexpensive odd finds do appear, and because the Biblio-Mat can be a small, playful purchase. But do not go here expecting a cheap current novel or a sensible textbook. The shop is a destination for curiosity, not the most efficient way to build a basic reading list.
Causa Culture: Kensington browsing with a used-book bonus
Causa Culture in Kensington Market is a small used bookstore that works best as part of a market day. It has the kind of mixed stock that rewards slow browsing. Go for a paperback, an older book, a conversation piece or a gift that does not need to be perfect.
The downside is simple. Kensington is not the place to make a long trip for one exact title. Pair it with a walk, lunch or other errands and treat any book find as a bonus.
Circus Books & Music: used books, records and CDs on the Danforth
Circus Books & Music at 866 Danforth Avenue combines used books with records, CDs and DVDs. It is close to Donlands station, which makes it an easy east-end stop without a car.
This is a good place for someone shopping across formats, or for a reader who likes an eclectic store rather than a clean genre-by-genre plan. It is less efficient than BMV for a big list of current books. The appeal is the hunt and the range.
The Great Escape Book Store: an Upper Beaches reason to browse
The Great Escape Book Store is at 957 Kingston Road. It is one of the best picks for an east-end reader who wants the atmosphere of a classic used bookstore, not a fast retail transaction.
It is worth visiting when you are already in the Upper Beaches, at the beach or along Kingston Road. It is not an argument for travelling across the city solely to save money. Stock and prices vary with used books, so keep your expectations open and inspect the condition.
Pandemonium: the Junction book-and-record stop
Pandemonium Books & Discs at 2920 Dundas Street West has used books, records and music media. Its strength is range and a steady flow of interesting material. It is a good addition to a Junction afternoon, especially if more than one person in your group shops for books and records.
It is not a cheap-only store. You will find genuinely affordable books, but rare records and unusual material can cost more. Set a budget before you go if the point is a low-cost day out.
She Said Boom: good when books and music overlap
She Said Boom has long been one of Toronto's known second-hand books and music stops. It is worth checking when you are in Roncesvalles or the west end and want used books alongside vinyl and CDs.
Its value is selection and discovery, not a promise that every shelf beats a library sale. Check the condition of records and books before buying. A scratched LP or heavily marked paperback is only cheap if you still want it.
ABC Books: a small Yonge Street used-book stop
ABC Books at 662 Yonge Street is a handy used-book browse near Wellesley and the north end of downtown. It is a sensible stop for someone already around Yonge and Bloor who wants a low-pressure place to look for an inexpensive paperback.
It does not replace BMV for scale, but it can be more convenient. This is the kind of store where a quick 10-minute visit makes sense. Do not expect every popular author to be in stock.
Pulp Fiction Books: visit for the shelves, not a guaranteed bargain
Pulp Fiction Books is a west-end used-book destination for readers who like older paperbacks, literature and a crowded-shop browse. It is a useful contrast to a modern chain store because the stock can be more surprising.
The word "used" does not mean every book is cheap. Condition, age and scarcity matter. Go with a price range in mind and ask if you are looking for something specific.
Book sales that are worth putting on a calendar
University College Book Sale
University College at the University of Toronto runs a year-round bookshop and a major fall sale. Its 2026 sale is scheduled for October 1 to 4 at 15 King's College Circle. The official details say many categories start at $1, with a $5 first-day admission for non-students and a half-price final day for most books.
This is one of the smartest annual events for people who want a stack of books rather than one title. The drawback is that first-day access costs money and the best stock can move quickly. Go early if the subject matters. Go on the final day if the lowest total price matters more than first choice.
Victoria University Book Sale
Victoria University plans its 2026 book sale for September 24 to 28 at Old Vic, 91 Charles Street West, near Museum station. The final Monday is listed as a half-price day. It covers books and music, including CDs, vinyl, sheet music and songbooks.
This is another event to treat like a planned shopping trip. Bring a bag, give yourself time and check current sale rules before leaving home. A public sale can change its hours, payment options and bag policy from year to year.
Toronto Public Library branch sales
Individual branches sometimes have sale shelves, small sales or Friends groups. TPL's central book-sale page is the right first stop, because it shows the current large-sale status and directs readers to BOOKEnds when no major branch sale is scheduled.
Do not rely on a random branch having books for sale on the day you visit. Ask staff politely if there is a current sale shelf. The library's main job is lending, not running a permanent bookstore in every branch.
Church, school and community sales
Church bazaars, school fundraisers and community centre sales can be excellent for children's books, cookbooks, puzzles and ordinary paperbacks. They are also unpredictable. A sale advertised as a book sale may have only two small tables.
The good rule is to check the organizer's current event page, bring small bills and go only when the neighbourhood trip is worth it anyway. Never buy a stack of obsolete textbooks or damaged books simply because a bag is cheap.
Free books that are actually legal
Toronto Public Library and Libby
For free current ebooks, audiobooks and magazines, a Toronto Public Library card is the best starting point. TPL says Libby and OverDrive provide its largest digital ebook, audiobook and magazine collection. You need a valid card number and PIN, and popular new releases may have a wait.
Use the library catalogue first if you want a physical copy. Use Libby when you want to read on a phone, tablet, computer or compatible e-reader. Downloading a borrowed book for offline reading is useful on a commute, but it still has a due date.
Little Free Libraries and neighbourhood swaps
Registered Little Free Libraries can be found through the Little Free Library world map. They are best used as small, respectful exchanges. Take one you will read. Leave a clean, dry book that another person may want.
Do not empty a box to resell the books. Do not use it to dispose of damaged encyclopedias, mouldy books, promotional material or a full household clean-out. These boxes are tiny community projects, not a free warehouse.
Project Gutenberg and other public-domain reading
Project Gutenberg offers legal, free digital editions of books whose copyright has expired or is otherwise cleared for distribution. It is ideal for classics. It will not reliably have the latest bestseller or a newly published Canadian book.
Avoid sites that promise free copies of current commercial ebooks. A result appearing in a search engine does not prove that the copy is legal or safe to download.
Online ways to buy cheaper books in Toronto
Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji
Marketplace and Kijiji are best for bundles: a whole mystery series, a shelf of children's books, a university subject lot or a moving-sale collection. Search by author, series and neighbourhood. Save the search, then wait instead of overpaying for the first listing.
Ask for photos of the spines, copyright page and damage before travelling. Check for smoke smell, moisture, missing volumes, library stickers and heavy writing. Meet in a normal public place when practical. A $5 lot is not a bargain if it needs a two-hour round trip.
Book Outlet for discounted new books
Book Outlet is a Canadian online retailer for publisher overstock, excess inventory and returns. It says its books are at least 50 percent off list price, though minor wear or remainder marks can happen. The store is online only.
It is best for new children's books, gifts, series and a planned cart. Shipping can wipe out the saving on one book. As checked in August 2026, Book Outlet says orders over $50 qualify for free ground shipping in Canada, while lower orders have a shipping charge. Check the total at checkout because offers and thresholds can change.
Thrift stores, Value Village and charity shops
Thrift-store books can be cheap, but they are the least reliable path in this guide. Some locations price books well. Others price recent hardcovers and common paperbacks high enough that a used bookstore is better.
Use thrift stores for a quick browse when you are already there for something else. Compare price, condition and edition. Do not plan a special city-wide hunt unless you genuinely enjoy the hunt.
How to spend less without ending up with books you do not want
- Keep a phone note with authors, series and subjects you actually want.
- Check the library before buying a book you only plan to read once.
- At used shops, inspect the spine, pages, smell and highlighting before paying.
- For illustrated books, open them. Missing pages and water damage matter more than a nice cover.
- Search Marketplace for bundles, not single $3 paperbacks.
- Put University College and Victoria University sales on your calendar if you build a large home library.
- Leave with enough room in your budget and bag for a better find at the next stop.
Three cheap-book routes that make sense
The downtown and Annex route
Start at BOOKEnds South in the Toronto Reference Library. Take the subway or walk west toward BMV on Bloor. Add Seekers and Doug Miller Books if you have time. This is the strongest route for a reader who wants the greatest number of shelves with the least travel.
The Danforth route
Start at Re:Reading, then continue east to Circus Books & Music. This route is good for an unhurried browse, plus a meal or coffee. It is not designed for a list of ten specific new releases.
The west-end route
Pair The Monkey's Paw with Kensington or Dundas West. Pair Causa Culture with Kensington Market. Go farther west for Pandemonium and She Said Boom when the area already fits your day. The fun is the neighbourhood, not a single guaranteed price point.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy $1 books in Toronto?
BOOKEnds North and BOOKEnds South are the clearest answer. Toronto Public Library says most materials at both stores cost $1. Bring cash and a bag, and check the current hours before you go.
What is the best used bookstore in Toronto for popular books?
BMV Books is the safest starting point for popular fiction, mainstream nonfiction, art books and comics. Its Bloor location is especially useful when you have a list. Stock changes, so it cannot guarantee one exact book.
Where can I get free books in Toronto?
Borrow from Toronto Public Library, use its Libby collection for digital reading, or use registered Little Free Libraries as a fair exchange. Project Gutenberg is a legal source for many public-domain classics. Do not download current commercial ebooks from pirate sites.
Are Toronto library book sales still happening?
Yes, but schedules vary. TPL currently directs readers to BOOKEnds when major branch sales are not scheduled. University College and Victoria University also run major annual sales, with 2026 dates published on their official pages.
Are thrift-store books cheaper than used bookstores?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Thrift-store stock and pricing vary greatly by location. For a planned search, BOOKEnds, BMV and a library sale are usually more dependable.
Can I sell books to BMV in Toronto?
BMV says it buys used books and other selected items for cash when it can resell them. Check its current selling information before carrying in boxes. A shop's offer will be much lower than its retail price because it has to sort, store and sell the book.
Where should I buy cheap children's books in Toronto?
BOOKEnds, library sales, community sales and Book Outlet are the most useful starting points. Used children's books are common because families outgrow them quickly. Check for missing pages, writing and damage before buying.
Is Book Outlet worth it for Toronto readers?
It can be, especially for a larger planned order of new books. It is less compelling for a single title because shipping can erase the saving. Compare the final checkout total and delivery time with a local used copy or library hold.
Official links for planning
- TPL book sales and BOOKEnds
- TPL Libby and OverDrive
- BMV Books
- BMV buying and company background
- Doug Miller Books
- Balfour Books
- The Monkey's Paw
- Pandemonium
- Great Escape Book Store
- University College Books
- Victoria University book sale
- Little Free Library map
- Project Gutenberg
- Book Outlet pricing
- Book Outlet shipping