“Canada’s Spookiest Bookstores: Eerie Ambiance and Dark Reads”

To be recognized as one of Canada’s spookiest bookstores, a wide array of horror literature is essential. However, the genre is not the sole method to create an eerie ambiance. Uncommon and aged books can emanate a peculiar nostalgia, preserving traces of past existences. Additionally, certain bookshops showcase spell-casting, divination, and other ritualistic texts.

While not every independent establishment mentioned focuses exclusively on horror literature, they each provide a creative setting for communal gatherings. These are places where readers engage with authors, unfinished narratives are refined, local writers witness their works on display, and where tea is served both literally and metaphorically. 

Highlighted below are six of Canada’s spookiest bookstores, brimming with ambiance, individuality, and local flair.

Nocturne Books, Calgary

Curiosity about the horror genre sparked by his wife led Scott Ross-Molyneux to establish Nocturne Books. Describing themselves as the quintessential “goth girlfriend, golden retriever boyfriend” duo, Ross-Molyneux and co-owner Alliye Iriye share a passion for horror literature and cinema. Iriye’s inclination towards the macabre influences the selection at Nocturne Books, catering to those who prefer dark and unsettling reads.

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Ross-Molyneux’s favorites include Calgary-based author Craig DiLouie’s chilling novel Episode Thirteen. Notably, DiLouie coincidentally visited Nocturne on its opening day, discovering his own works prominently featured. This encounter underscores the bookstore’s strong connections with local artists. Nocturne Books hosts author gatherings, operates a consignment program for emerging writers, and is launching horror and thriller book clubs in the near future.

Raven‘s End Books, Winnipeg

Differentiating itself from generic horror sections in chain bookstores, Raven’s End Books in Winnipeg prioritizes smaller publishers and lesser-known authors. Its collections include sections dedicated to body horror, queer narratives, and Indigenous storytelling. The bookstore frequently hosts events such as craft nights, Silent Reading Club sessions, queer book club meetings, tarot readings, and supports local vendors.

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Owner Chelsea McKee-Trenchard, drawn