Early January always feels anti-climactic and sluggish to me — a lethargy that lingers for a few weeks like a prolonged post-holiday sugar low manifesting itself in outrageously long weekend sleep-ins, absent-minded snacking, and sedentary hibernation.
I’ve observed that this strange slump also greatly heightens the appeal of books, movies and simple carbohydrates. So, with giving into a little indoor leisure in mind, below is a small (and by no means exhaustive) list of some of Toronto’s best local book shops, video rental stores, and daydreaming patron-friendly coffee shops:
Another Story Bookshop (315 Roncesvalles Avenue) — This little spot has a great collection of books inspired by ideas, social justice causes and current events. It’s also known for regularly hosting book tables for unions, school boards, and non-governmental organizations.
Manic Coffee (426 College Street) — In addition to the stellar espresso and freshly-baked sugar-dusted muffins, this place recently added homemade gelato to their repertoire. People who come here actually read, as there is no free wi-fi, and therefore, no laptop-cluttered tables.
Queen Video (480 Bloor Street West, 412 Queen Street West, and 688 College Street) — Across its three locations, Queen Video boasts one of the city’s most extensive collections of independent and foreign films.
Type Books (883 Queen Street West; 427 Spadina Road) — The original store on Queen West is a lovely space, with its creaky hardwood floors, high ceilings, and a good eye for small press publications and children’s books. The store has an art gallery underneath and features the work of local artists, in addition to hosting a slew of regular readings.
Bay Street Video — This well-hidden spot is buried inside a dusty mall at Bloor and Bay Streets. Its huge collection of foreign films, classics, musicals, documentaries, Criterion, and television series is worth the search. Added bonus: browse rows of movies classified by director.
Darkhorse Espresso Bar (682 Queen Street East; 215 Spadina Avenue; 684 Queen Street West) — All three locations are lovely communal spaces, and you should expect your solitary book reading to evolve into a conversation with a fellow reader or two, and a second cappuccino.
The Film Buff (73 Roncesvalles Avenue; 1380 Queen Street East) — This little basement space is a great spot to pick up not only a couple of documentaries but also an oversized gallop of ice cream – both locations double as an ice cream parlour.
The Cookbook Store (850 Yonge Street at Yorkville Avenue) — This little gem has been around since 1983, long before Yorkville was taken over by TIFF-inspired hyper-activity. The store is a true culinary book emporium. Expect to find books dedicated entirely to oils and vinegars and other specialty reads to inspire a sophisticated meal.
Lit Espresso Bar (221 Roncesvalles Avenue; 810 College Street) — This small chain serves fantastic brews but is also known for its “direct trade coffee” and striking décor.
Maria Gergin is a Toronto articling student. Her column appears every other Friday on lawandstyle.ca
Image: Petritap (via Wikimedia Commons)