Ben McNally Books

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We were passing by this store on the first of many resto stops on a Sunday and decided to dip in. Obviously wasn’t planning on buying anything but the set-​up is too enticing! They know just how to position books and which ones to order. I wouldn’t call their selection extensive or esoteric — but it’s a good store if you don’t know what to pick up and are looking for something with an interesting cover that is in the popular imagination at the time.
I picked up a copy of Go Set a Watchman which I am quietly judging myself for and Grimm’s Fairytales because I am a child who needs to be read to every night. I hope to not walk in any time soon as books are more expensive than I remembered and I doubt I could drop-​in without pulling my wallet out.

Definitely a great place to go for a signing or speaking event. I went to Johann Hari speaking event and not only enjoyed the talk (fyi he should definitely do a TED talk) and loved the vibe the store provided. It’s warm, cozy, and the staff is very friendly. Will definitely be coming back.

Once I get through the 26 or so books in piles on my dresser, waiting to be read, this will be my new favorite bookstore.
Oh nuts to that … it’s my favorite now! Let others sing its praises; let’s just say it’s not Chapters or Indigo … !

Charming independent bookstore in the heart downtown Toronto.
It has tasteful decoration, soft lighting, lovely display and nice collection of books. I wish I could spend more time in it if I wasn’t just passing by.
It was pretty empty on a Monday afternoon, but I hope it’s doing well. When chain bookstores are closing down because they can’t win the price war, hopefully independent bookstores like this can survive for providing readers a pleasant experience to discover good books.
Go in and escape from the busy streets for a moment, you’d be delighted.

This is exactly what I seek in an independent bookstore that I can’t get at chains. Please support shops like this. If I lived near this bookstore it would be a go-​to. The owner is friendly and it feels very personal with very careful curation. I found a great selection of books on food and cooking and writing, and anthologies of poetry to suit my tastes. There were intriguing displays of literary fiction and creative nonfiction. It’s spacious, yet cozy and so very well thought out. I could have browsed for hours. It’s sophisticated without being cold or uninviting. It makes me sad that in the US and Canada, indeed all over, we risk losing shops and neighborhood resources that add such richness to our communities.

Just came home and experienced a wonderful gem in the city — the bookstore Ben McNally Books, which hosted the launch of a new book by one of my co-​workers. I had thought that bookstores like this weren’t around much given the growth in businesses like Chapters and Indigo. But Ben McNally is one of those throwbacks to another time — before the cookie-​cutter bookstores made their way into the retail sector. This beautiful wood-​panelled store was a great place to experience, and when I have time, will spend more time there to get a thorough look at everything it has to offer. Given it’s only 10 minutes from where I lived in downtown Toronto, I’ll pop into Ben McNally more often.

This bookstore deserves kudos. Daring to open in the middle of the financial district surrounded by print stores, Tim’s Horton’s and other nondescript buildings and business. Away from art houses, galleries and cafes. Away from the type of businesses that would bolster the demographic that would easily swing by and keep you in business. Or maybe… Ben did it BECAUSE there was nothing around and wanted to be King of this particular hill! Either way, Ben’s store seems to thrive in a sea of grey and cold concrete.
From the outside, this bookstore like it’s fellow business looks completely innocent and maybe even boring looking but once you walk inside, oh, you are set for a treat.
A haven from the noise streets outside, Ben McNally Books is a island of serenity from the loud buses, cars and the rat race, well, racing just outside.
As much attention has been given to the selection of books on the shelves as in the decour, which will remind you of an Victorian bookstore of times gone by. Far from musky, the place is airy and with a tiny hint of modern chilled attitude. Although I am not sure if that is just coming from Ben himself.
Full Disclosure: I have been to this place many times on various events, heck, even I have held one of my own events in this locale and I would do it again. I had a lot of positive feedback from the famous 30 books in 30 minute review.
I must admit I sometimes wonder how Ben stays in business and I can only imagine that in between the book sales and the private events he holds here, that maybe that is how he pays the bills.
Whenever I am in the area and have a few minutes to kill I will pop in here, relax and a bit and browse through their collection.
Recommended.

VIBE
I thought I was the only one that came here during a crappy day at work. When I worked in the area, Ben McNally was my refuge. It’s hard wooden foors and wooden panels and neatly stacked books everywhere. The ladders are even perfectly adjusted. It’s true that it’s quiet that if you dare have the wrong high heel on that day, you will feel like an elephant in the room.
SELECTION
A great literary selection (not so much travel but I get it). Ben also puts on some amazing events. David Sedaris has made appearances here so I would get on the mailing list.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Ben McNally’s is right up my alley (oh dear… forgive). If you’re in the area and have a choice and don’t have a Kindle/​Kobo (or even if you do) support local. This is a great place to purchase a gift for the book lover.

This bookstore is one of my favourite places to visit during a lunch break. Serenely quiet (I don’t think I’ve ever been in here with more than me and the staff?), helpful staff, and a nicely edited selection of books. It’s definitely a haven on the hustle and bustle of Bay Street. Also it’s a nice feeling supporting something that is not Indigo/​Chapters/​Coles.
But… given that I never see anyone in the store I’m not sure how they stay in business. Hummm. I hope they do!

When I want to read a boatload of magazines for free, I go to Chapters or Indigo. When I actually want to buy a book, I’d rather fork my money over to small bookshops like Ben McNally Books.
Those who favor hushed environments and a well-​edited selection of books will love this place. And by hushed, I mean dead-​silent like a cathedral after hours. So keep your oohing and ahhing over the lit-​porn to a minimum. This place is a temple of literature where the devout come to browse and meditate.
Ask the owner Ben for his recc’s and he’ll spout off authors you never heard of. His logic: Why bother promoting the bestsellers? That said, he still carries the likes of Ondaatje, Murakami, and Atwood. Hey, man’s gotta pay da rent somehow.
TIP: Bring a hankie to stem the flow of drool over the cookbook section.

This is my retreat during a crappy day at work. Here I get distracted, then I get inspired, maybe even academic with some non-​fiction, and definitely drop some $ 20s on every visit.
You can feel their editorial nature in the very selection of literature, and the way they arrange by topics on the tables. They are not about best-​sellers– they’re about the good stuff, the real stuff. On my last visit, they knew all about Roberto Bolano’s novels for my book club, and also helped me choose a thoughtful gift for a teenager.
I always get into a conversation with the gentleman behind the counter– he’s really interested in why I select certain books, and I just love chatting with him. Even better, he always makes a recommedation for next time.
The pristine silence does tend to make the experience a bit museum-​y. Case in point: I knocked one star because I dropped a book yesterday (a hardcover), and could feel the management’s eyes bore into my back. Then they started asking amongst themselves, «Who dropped the book?» although it was obvious by my red face and shaking hands. (Oh, and I was the only customer… and they weren’t kidding either).

I tend to drop my books in the bath, so I’m not a huge proprietor of fancy book stores such as this one.
Having said that, it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t one day LIKE to be able to drop an expensive hard cover book in the bath and not think anything of it, much like I would like to have expensive wine jellies on my toast every morning, but that ain’t happening any time soon.
This is a gorgeous store filled with hard-​cover books that I imagine fancy British type people have lining their shelves in their homes. In fact, the shop itself reminds me of what an old English library in a contemporary English home might look like. One that I would be refused to touch anything in. Which is sort of the case with this store… everything is so beautiful, you don’t want to screw it up.
Well, at least I don’t.