About the author:
Mike CrisolagoI am a 29-year old Toronto-based journalist and writer who has a passion for theatre, literature, history and baseball...
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bookstore reviews (6)256 Queen Street West (near John Street and diagonally across from the Much Music building)
(416) 598-1447
What’s the place like?
It’s not a used bookstore, but rather an independent one. According to manager Dave Starr, they focus on art and cultural theory, as well as counter-culture material. This place definitely has character, which is reflected in some of the more interesting sections, such as “Iconoclast and Activists”, “Belles Lettres”, or the self-explanatory “Weirdness”. The owner, Marc Glassman, purchases all the books for the store himself ? a rarity in the book-selling world.
If bookstores were a family, which member would this one be?
The pierced, tattooed, liberal older brother who plays his guitar in the street and has some pretty cool ideas about the world.
What do they sell?
With the focus on art and cultural theory and counter-culture, there is a wide array of books on various aspects of each subject. Along with literature and novels, other sections such as ‘Small Press’ offer a glimpse into the works of some lesser-known yet brilliant writers. Graphic novels also find a comfortable place on the shelves. Part of the charm of the wide and unique selection in Pages isn’t finding the book you came for, but finding two or three others that you suddenly want.
Can I get more than one book for under $10?
Probably not, being that this isn’t a used bookstore. That said, the prices are still great. And it’s nice to support a local bookstore with character.
Mystery Shopper
“I like the funky atmosphere at Pages. It reflects the area. It has a good selection of classic books and rare books and the small press section is good for discovering new authors. It?s really enjoyable to spend some time there browsing.”
Overall
Opened in 1979, Pages embodies everything that Queen West used to be - namely a hip, anti-establishment, bohemian hotspot - and stands as a monument to a less commercialised time when creative ideas and art flourished and the most potent aroma on Queen West wasn’t the stench coming from nearby scented soap stores.