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BMV Books
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Bookstores, Music & DVDs [Edit]
471 Bloor St WToronto, ON M5S 1X9
Neighbourhood: The Annex
(416) 967-5757
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 10 am - 11 pm
Thu-Sat 10 am - 12 am
Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
69 reviews for BMV Books
Review Highlights
"It offers a huge selection of used books at reasonable..."
(in 4 reviews)
"...I found books that I couldn't find in Chapters and Indigo."
(in 5 reviews)
"This huge BMV (three floors and lots of square footage..."
(in 4 reviews)
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69 reviews in English
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Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
1/18/2012
One of the best book stores in Toronto. Period.
You see, there are bookstores, like what Indigo wants to be, with a cafe shop in-house and an area where they sell useless knick-knacks... seriously, who buys that overpriced stuff? And a few sofas here and there and heck, let's throw in a grand piano for that cocktail party feeling... and voila, they are trying to sell you an 'experience!' And they sell books too.
...AND then, there are BOOKSTORES, stores where books (okay and some music and video) are by far the main attraction. BMV Books is like that. Two stories full books, about every conceivable subject. Yup, they sell books.
Plus the prices are not bad at all. They are quite competitive and beat places like Indigo hands down. Generally when I go book hunting (yes, with riffle in hand :-) I will swing by Seekers first -my favourite book store and if I do not find anything that tickles my fancy then I will head over here since BMV tends to have newer selections, albeit at a slightly higher price.
Sorry Book City, I so want to support my local bookstore but I do not appreciate your nickle and diming me on new releases.
Anyway, I would say, if you love to read, to visit any of the bookstores I have mentioned above, if not to buy then to have the chance to be surrounded by books and just browse. Something is likely to grab your attention. And sure beats xbox --for me, at least.
Sometimes when I have time, I would come here after brunch in the Annex and just browse, and the hours would simply melt away and hopefully walk out with a new book in hand but if I didn't, who cares? It was still fun and maybe even learned some new during my visit.
Also if you have a brunch date with someone who loves to read, this makes for a fantastic, intellectual and subtle date. Highly recommended. -
Review from Qing H.
North York, ON
12/28/2011
If I lived closer, I'd go there as much as I could. That said, I still love going to BMV.
They have a great selection of books and comics. Oh, I cannot get over the comics. On their third floor, the entire floor is dedicated to comic books. There's a GREAT selection of stuff and the price is SO good. I saw one of the X-men I bought somewhere else for $30 there at $10, which is a sad/happy moment when I realized that I bought something for too much, but now there's this store that sells for a lot less.
For a second-hand book store, i hardly saw any book that looked it it was second hand at all. Most of the books there were in mint condition, either really great second hand or brand-new.
I wish they had a better selection on art books though (like James Jean's books, or Jo Chen's cover art collection, or Adam Hughes's Cover Run, that kind of art books), not just the fine-art collection they have. If they ever establish that section of the books better, they would be a 5-star place in my books. :D -
Review from Jennifer L.
Ottawa, ON
12/12/2011
BMW has a great selection of books that are usually half off the original bookstore price which is a huge plus. All their books are in great condition so I highly recommend purchasing from here instead of chapters. You'll save so much money buying second hand books here without feeling like it's used at all.
DONT sell your books here though!! Your mint condition book will probably only earn you a dollar at most so it's better to keep it or sell it some other way.
There's also no database for their inventory in their store so you might take a while searching for things. However, the purchasers are pretty good at buying popular books and knowing their stock. -
Review from Poonam S.
Etobicoke, ON
2/1/2012
I absolutely love BMV Books. Every time I go in, I can browse for hours and cannot leave without a purchase. A great selection of books at even better prices. I purchased the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants four book set for my niece for $20 a few years ago which I found to be an incredible deal. One of my fave stores in Toronto.
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Review from Chris P.
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
BMV is a truly amazing bookstore. There is no shortage of books here as every table and shelf is overflowing and their prices are unbelievable. I found a Chuck Klosterman book there for $6.99 and at Chapters the same book was $29.99. What I love love love the most about BMV is that they carry so many titles of my favourites like the aforementioned Chuck Klosterman, Bret Easton Eliis, Irvine Welsh, Chuck Palaniuk, Christopher Moore and Martin Amis.
There is also a fully stocked DVD case which has both movies and TV series, the entire upstairs is dedicated to comics and graphic novels and there is also a big kids section which makes this a great place to get more educational type gifts for all those kids on you Xmas list.
BMV is also super organized which makes finding everything and anything super easy. Its a awesome store filled with book-loving bliss!!Listed in: Movember Yelp Style!
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Review from Anton K.
Toronto, ON
11/22/2011
I frequent BMV quite a bit since I live and work very close to it. It was the first place I checked when I needed a cookbook; I wanted something cheap and I wanted it right away.
It didn't take very long to find what I needed in the store. It's organized by genre along the walls. The tables in the middle of the room are a random selection of the most popular titles. They're somewhat organized by genre as well. If you're looking for cookbooks, they are among the first few tables as you walk in. It seems cookbooks are the biggest seller here.
The prices are definitely competitive. Not all the books are used, and even brand new books are pretty cheap. If you're the type to buy random books and want to do it on a budget, this is the place to go.
The shop owner is also very helpful. I always have questions about specific titles and he can tell me right away whether or not he has it available. You can get lucky if you're looking for a new, popular title, but he usually stocks those right on the counter and they're sold out fast. -
Review from Jorge L.
10/19/2011
I hate to admit it but this is one of the places that I potentially not be visiting for a long time. The convenience of having multiple books in my iPad eliminates clutter and saves a lot of space that I can't not justify buying paper books again.
But this is my go to place if I can't find an electronic version of an old book.
Book lovers, BMV is your place. I have been a fan since the beginning. Wide collection of CHEAP art books - photography, videography, architecture and comics. Big section on cook books and travel books too. Oprah lover? Self help at the back.
There are also cheap children books but it's a tiny section. You won't find good computer books though... this is not that kind of store.
BMV knows what a second hand book should be - cheap and books in good condition.
I don't know how they can slash their prizes so much but BMV does not only sell second hand books, they also brand new books at almost half the cover prize.
This place is magnificent! -
Review from Charlotte W.
North York, ON
10/13/2011
People who live near this book store are SO LUCKY. I never even heard of BMV Books until a couple of my friends decided to come in on a late Saturday evening (enough of this closing at 9pm crap Chapters/Indigo). I instantly fell in love with all the cook books that were at discounted prices. And these aren't cook books from yesteryear - very recent publications and very expensive at an Indigo/Chapters.
The ground floor is expansive with the Architecture/Graphic Arts tables, Cooking tables, Classics tables etc...and as you walk further into the room, you will get to see a lot of neat and old books - perhaps books that people have sold to the store.
The second floor has a great business section as well as a kids section that wraps around almost half of the second floor. Kids books can often be so expensive, but trust me, not at BMV.
And here is my FAVE floor. To one corner of the room there is a narrow set of stairs that leads to the COMIC section. Love at first sight. You can get lost here (as I did). There is also a neat old magazine section where my friends and I perused TIME Magazines dating back to the 1950's - definitely great to see all the events that touched people's lives.
I made a promise to myself that I would come back here, but I haven't had the chance. I live in North York with a Chapters around the corner, so it is hard. But if I had a truck I would come to this BMV location to stock up on all my books from A-Z because the prices are unbelievable and the selection is great. You have to come!Listed in: 30 Day Yelp Challenge -…
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Review from A V.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 10/25/2011
My previous review had to do with buy books (a positive experience).
I recently went to sell some books there. The kid at the buying desk clearly had no idea what he was looking at. Picked all the ones I was sure he would turn down and turned down all the ones I was sure they would easily sell, particularly from the philosophy shelf.
Gave a mediocre price for them also. I didn't complain because I realize merchants need to mark up to make it worthwhile. Just want to note that I've gotten better prices at other shops.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2010
I've been surprised at some of the great finds I've made here. I've come across some really great,… Read more »
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Review from J S.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2011
Love BMV, but I wish their Latin American history/politics section consisted of more than Che and Fidel bios.
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Review from Luis H.
Toronto, ON
11/13/2011
Great bookstore in the Annex offering books, DVDs, CDs, comic books and gifts, BMV breaks the mold set by the Chapters-Indigo-Coles chain as they offer a large box-style store operated by an independent, non-corporate bookseller. This location buys many books, DVDs, comic books and other items that they resell. Located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, BMV makes a great place to visit whenever you're in the Annex.
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Review from Justin M.
Milton, ON
2/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
"Oh, I'll just pop in and see what they've got. Oh, look, a book I've been looking for! And another I've heard of that sounds interesting! And another that has a neat dustcover! And a graphic novel compilation! And..."
(two hours later)
"How much, then? Credit, please."
Thank God I don't go here terribly regularly. Because every time I do, somebody gonna get hurt REAL BAD. And by somebody, I mean my wallet. -
Review from Thomas H.
10/12/2011
The perfect place to build your anti-library*
All the books are heavily discounted. The great thing is that you know the books are heavily discounted. So if you see something you like, there is lots of incentive to buy and grow your library.
The business section at this location is great. 4 shelves of pretty random books. It's fun to just skim.
I also check the psychology section, which is somewhat disappointing because it's so small, but I sometimes make good finds there too.
*The writer Umberto Eco belongs to that small class of scholars who are encyclopedic, insightful, and nondull. He is the owner of a large personal library (containing thirty thousand books), and separates visitors into two categories: those who react with "Wow! Signore, professore dottore Eco, what a library you have ! How many of these books have you read?" and the others - a very small minority - who get the point that a private library is not an ego-boosting appendage but a research tool. Read books are far less valuable than unread ones. The library should contain as much of what you don't know as your financial means, mortgage rates and the currently tight real-estate market allows you to put there. You will accumulate more knowledge and more books as you grow older, and the growing number of unread books on the shelves will look at you menancingly. Indeed, the more you know, the larger the rows of unread books. Let us call this collection of unread books an antilibrary.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan -
Review from Eric L.
If you are a book lover and haven't been here, you are totally missing out. It's a huge store with a huge selection and the prices are hard to beat.
It's not as flashy as the big Chapters or Coles stores but the prices are hard to beat, almost as good as an online store. Also the staff are friendly and will help you find what you need. -
Review from Marie F.
12/24/2010 13 Check-ins Here
I don't believe in love at first site... that is of course before I walked into BMV. Sure she's not as shiny and new as my beloved Richmond Chapters but what she lacks in aesthetics she quickly makes up in character... and price!
I have no idea how they manage to carry such a diverse and well stocked supply of books but they do and the prices are terrific. Most paper backs will run you a reasonable $5-$8, while larger or hardcover books $8-$15.
I don't know if I'll ever buy a book at Chapters again! Well that's a lie since these guys don't carry everything, but from now on Chapters will be playing second fiddle to my new love... BMV!Listed in: Book Smart...Street Stupid
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Review from Lauren M.
12/14/2010 13 Check-ins Here
I'm not sure what else I can add to the previous reviews, but this place really IS awesome. I can spend a good hour browsing though books here when I have some time to kill.
BMV is a GREAT place to buy gifts. I always find really unique things here for ridiculously low prices. They have lots of new books for super reduced prices. (I just bought my dad a giant hardcover National Geographic book with pullout maps, letters and CDs and only paid $19.99. I just checked and it costs $70 at Chapters and $50 on Amazon. It's still shrink wrapped and obviously brand new. Score!)
BMV has 3 huge floors. It's big and spacious (like an Indigo/Chapters), but unlike most other used bookstores. Their selection of cookbooks and artwork is especially impressive/extensive.
There is not a lot of staff around and sometimes I'm stuck looking all over if I can't find a particular book or section. But otherwise A+ -
Review from Avi L.
Toronto, ON
12/24/2010
I went here, twice. No maybe, was it three times? Great place for #xmas presents. Pretty simple to do a good job it seems. People were packed in, stretched out on the floor leafing through coffee tables books, and such other bookish behaviors.
Will say that I can't give more stars because I prefer the service of being able to look up stock. In other words accessing info to help me look-up books that I'm looking for. Most libraries and book stores provide this service. -
Review from lole d.
Toronto, ON
12/20/2010
I cannot not go in here and come out empty handed.
So I gave myself 1 rule. ...
Finish reading your books you purchased before then you can get another one or two.
Price are so damn good. Must resist -
Review from Sabrina W.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2010
I loveeeee this bookstore! I was able to get my txtbook for college for $14.99, when my school bookstore was selling it for $80-90 dollars! This bookstore has 3 levels, categorized by topic.
It's a great place to get books that you want, whether it's to brush up on your physics, dating life, or even cooking skills.
I literally spend hours here, going through books that I'm curious in purchasing. Staff here are kind.
Last time I've gone, I had 8 books for $50! -
Review from Spiro P.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2010
This is a huge bookstore (located in the Annex) which sells used books and remainder copies of new books (you can tell by the marker spot on the edge of the pages).
If you are looking for a particular book that is out of print, be sure to check this store because there is a big chance that a copy will circulate through here.
This bookstore offers many books, plus cd's, comics, and even movies. You can still find old VHS tapes here!
On the third floor, they offer comics and manga.
This bookstore offers books at lower prices compared to other used bookstores.
BTW, if you purchase a lot of books, you can pay by debit. -
Review from Alison C.
1/13/2011
Books aren't cheap, unless you go to BMV.
When I say cheap, I'm talking about prices that made me look twice, even three times. While not all books were marked down, you can be sure to find some treasure if you wander around.
There's a recommended/popular reads section when you walk straight in with all the books on that table marked down. Dostoevsky and Tolstoy books for $4-5? I'll have one of each please.
For the New Yorkers, let me tell you, Strand Bookstore got almost nothing (except location) compared to BMV. While Strand has that $1 book pile outside, but when you're looking for good reads at affordable prices, Strand usually has them at maximum 20% off, which is perfectly acceptable when trying to make ends meet in Manhattan.
BMV books? 40-50% off.
Note: The only reason why I deducted one star off is because of the unusual, foul-smelling odor that I smelled walking into BMV Books. I don't know if it's because of the books or not, but the odor was very unpleasant. -
Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
8/6/2010
I'm not sure what else I can contribute to this review. The high rating really speaks for itself. The Bloor street BMV is the best used book store in Toronto (the Yonge/Eglinton one is not bad either). Come to think of it, I don't think I've been to a better one.
Books at 50-70% off depending on condition, age, and popularity -- every genre imaginable. It's also pretty easy to navigate too with clearly marked areas.
If you're into travel or are planning a trip, I must say that the Yonge/Eglinton BMV has a better travel guide section with far more new versions of Lonely Planets. Just saying. -
Review from Cindy C.
Toronto, ON
7/15/2010
Best Used Bookstore in Toronto Voted by Cinnia
Wowwie. Selection, excellent. Staff, friendly. Condition of books, awesome. What more do you need in a bookstore?
I always take a turn into BMV and spend hours just sifting through their selection of books. If I go there specifically to look for something 90% of the time, it's there. I will admit, I am a huge bookstore snob, and while others are expensive or disorganized, BMV offers well organized book selections at reasonable prices!
Hands down, they should open this bookstore all across Canada.
Tip: if you go and you love books, plan to spend a good chunk of time there, you will be sucked in. -
Review from lucinda k.
Vancouver, BC
7/12/2011
This review is from the book selling (to them) perspective. I tend to appreciate courteous and respecful service like given at Seekers and Elliott's Used Books (I've had experience lately as I'm selling my good quality load to move out of province)... Maybe the guy at BMV was having a bad day and wanted to not acknowledge my thanks for buying my books, but let's just say in terms of customer service, I've experienced better
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Review from Emily C.
Toronto, ON
8/19/2010
To me, BMV is catastrophic; it's dangerous. When I walk by with friends I have to say to them, "Don't you dare let me go in there!" I feel anger and love combined all at once. And the only reason I feel anger is because my apartment is the size of a peanut and if BMV supplies me with any more books it will be the size of a grain of rice.
My only complaint about BMV is that they don't keep records of what's in stalk. Nowadays, most used bookstores do. If you're in a section like Social Science, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, or Photography, for example, it's probably not going to be very organized. I am pretty sure most of it is not properly alphabetized but the rest of the bookstore seems to be. (I guess that is two complaints, then).
The building is so bright at night, with all the lights and the glass, that it radiates like a t.v. screen. And really, who doesn't want to feel like they're inside a giant, radiating t.v. screen full of paper, binding, and nerds. -
Review from Susan N.
Toronto, ON
7/21/2011
Very pleasant independent store selling mainly used and remaindered books. It's all too easy to lose an entire afternoon here; with the very decent selection, great prices, large windows, and nice little reading-corners scattered across three floors, there is a lot at BMV that appeals. Not all genres are equally well-represented - the children's and young-adult sections are just average - but all in all, that's a minor complaint. (Note: BMV does buy used books/CDs/DVDs, and they aren't terribly picky, but they also don't pay much. If you need a few dollars, try eBay first.)
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Review from Ayesha A.
6/8/2010
I can't go into BMV at Brunswick and Bloor and not buy something. Even when I'm just killing time or browsing, I leave with tons of books.
There's a HUGE variety fit for anyone, book lover or not, of used and new books at at least half the price of Chapters/!ndigo.
A few issues:
The staff can be quite rude, snobby and arrogant
There is no inventory system
Generally the books are minimum a few years old
That being said, it is my number one destination for any reading material. -
Review from Angela H.
5/10/2009
Before BMV set up shop in this location, the old abandoned, run down, gated window building was my favorite in all of Toronto. There was something so special about it - I pictured it being an old-timey burlesque brothel, where men would gather to look at ladies, smoke cigars and listen to jazz music. Before they came in to restore it all, there were some photographers allowed in to see the mystery of this building that had been untouched in an eternity, and apparently in the basement were a couple of grand pianos and round tables, still set up and frozen in time. Were my visions of what this was in the past correct?!
ANYWAYYYYYY.............
It's now been wonderfully restored, and converted into a huge BMV Books. This book store rules, because it's basically overflow of titles from big chain bookstores, but sold at discount prices. New and older books are sold for mostly for 50% off the original selling price, which is great, because I personally think that books are too expensive. They have a huge art section, where they have tons of beautiful coffee table books, again, at a very reasonable price.
They also buy books and movies - This afternoon I dragged a ton of books down to BMV, and was given a fare $70 for sale. The expert book buyer told me that my books had a case of 'backpackitis' (haha) where the covers are worn from carrying them around with me in my bag. If your books are in better condition, surely you'll get more for selling.
I love BMV. -
Review from Amber B.
Toronto, ON
6/15/2011
I cannot recommend this place enough. Huge variety, friendly staff, always new books (I have gotten brand new books here DAYS after they came out for over 50% off) and always new stock.. Always! I could spend days and days in here and never be bored. My book collection is rapidly growing and it is from here.. This is Book Lover's Paradise! My mom left Toronto two years ago to move to the small town where she was from, and on a visit back here, she told me that BMV singlehandedly made her want to move back to Toronto. My favourite place in the city, I bring all of of my friends here when I can. A ++++++
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Review from G K.
Mississauga, ON
8/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
The best bookstore in the city! This place has it all. It offers a huge selection of used books at reasonable prices. You can find a lot of cool and interesting selections here and spend a lazy afternoon hanging out discovering new books, comics, music or movies. They really do have it all.
Hours are also excellent staying open late every night to satisfy the night owls quest for a good book.
I love this place! -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
5/14/2010
Probably THE best publisher's clearance bookstore in all of Canada.
I dropped in a couple of days ago with my friend Alex who was looking for some books on business.
As massive as this place is, it is expertly categorized so you can go to any of the three floors and actually find exactly what you are looking for. Plus they carry such a huge selection of stock that chances are you'll find copies here that you wouldn't be able to find in just a regular bookstore.
Just a note for all you music lovers - they have an entire floor (the basement) dedicated to CDs, vinyl and DVDs. I found some REAL classics down here for super cheap prices. Plus some of them hadn't even been used!
Why shop at Chapters or Indigo when this place exists? These guys have got more selection, it's better organized and the prices are more consumer-friendly.
In my books, this is the only place to go ;) -
Review from eune y.
Toronto, ON
6/29/2009
50% off new paperbacks and used books that don't leave rash marks on my skin. BMV how do you do this? I love how they painted the place to look like a monstrous Mediterranean seaside resort. It makes entering the building full o' books that much more alluring.
Okay, the only thing is that has anyone else noticed that the 2nd floor vibrates and sort of feels like it may collapse.....that would suck. -
Review from Li P.
North York, ON
7/5/2011
I am a book lover, it had a big selection, I found books that I couldn't find in Chapters and Indigo. THe price range was good. I would go again if I'm in the area.
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Review from Hana B.
5/10/2009
I like going to BMV books when i want to spend some quiet time alone often after grabbing some tea then browsing the books in the store. They have had the book i had in mind or atleast one of the top 5 in my booklist at all times. The prices are great! usually 50% or more off of what you'd pay at Chapters.
Its my favourite place to buy books as I usually take my time with them and like to own them when I've read them mostly.
Make a day out of it by going to the ROM, some cheap sushi in the annex and then hitting up the bookstore. :) -
Review from Payam Z.
1/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
3.5 stars!
I know that this is a beloved institution in Toronto and there are a LOT of advantages that makes me at least drop in for one or two items if I am passing by. There advantages for me can be summed up as follows:
1- Decent selection of classic fiction.
2- Usually AMAZING deals on brand new books. This almost tempted me into giving BMV the 5*.
3- Very hip front desk staff who have a decent knowledge of areas of general interest!
4- Great hours, especially on weekends.
On the other hand, there are a few factors that tip the balance for me and make this a "coulda been the best" bookstore for me! Most of these things can be improved upon, and heck, even if they only improve the first two on my list, they'll rise up to 6 stars in my book!
1- Extremely biased selection: regardless of the fact that most of the books that come to BMV are publisher overstocks or older editions, I am sure they still have some choice as to what they go for and it seems to be almost always the most shocking, popular, or controversial aspect of a topic. As examples, here are things I went to look for and what I found instead:
i) A while ago I was looking for a book by Katherine Babayan, a leading scholar in medieval Middle Eastern history, who is able to weave all factors from mysticism, monarchy, politics and arts into a beautiful mesh of...I'm going off track, the point is I noticed they did not have anything from her...that's fine. I looked for books by Firdowsi or Rumi, two of the greatest poets in history....nothing....after looking through the entire history, poetry, religion/mysticism, mythology, and politics collection (through several visits), I was extremely disappointed at what I found; essentially the only books regarding Mesopotamia and the Middle East, where so much of our modern world comes from, is related to wars in the middle east, religious conflicts, terrorism etc. Books from various view points are presented, but as a prestigious bookstore, you can not have hundreds of books on this topic in various categories from world history to religion and politics and not have anything else. any ways / rant
ii) There is an African American history section, but then again the selection is quite biased. I was looking for a book by Alex Haley and almost everything seemed to be about Malcom X or MLK.
iii) Photography: there is a large selection of books about nude and essentially pornographic photography, there are also many useless manuals about how to transfer photos from your digital camera and print them on a windows 98 OS system. On the other hand there are very few decent books or even manuals that would be useful to photographers. (I may be biased myself for this point!)
2- The video collection is organized poorly. They should just have the titles going from A-Z!
3- Catalogue. There is no catalogue whatsoever! Good luck finding the book you are looking for if you do not know what section it would fall under. This is even worse if you are looking at some subsections where the books do not seem to be sorted in any particular fashion! (I guess the catalogue part cant be helped, but book sorting is not too difficult)
4- GET RID OF THE USELESS BOOKS!!! There are tons of books in the store that no one would need....ever! "Literature" is the one section that seems to be very well maintained.
I know this sounds harsh! I still love the place and sometimes will spend hours browsing the collection. I guess nobody is perfect! -
Review from j w.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2011
This store is right by my work, so I've gone in a couple of times. It's excellent if you're just browsing for something to catch your eye, but finding anything specific is damn near out of the question. With the oddly divided fiction sections, I couldn't find books by a certain author because I wasn't sure which fiction faction I was supposed to be looking in or if they had those books at all. There was another book I wanted, but I had remembered the title but forgotten the author. The friendly man at the front desk suggested I ask the people in the back of the store that were in charge of incoming stock...they were less friendly.
This place is simply too big to not have some sort of interactive inventory system. -
Review from Michael J.
4/19/2010
This is the best bookstore ever. Not because of the amazing selection of virtually every book imaginable. Not because they have some of the best prices for books I have ever seen. Not because they have a wide selection of used books. Not because the store is huge. Not because the customer service is awesome.
But because they actually had copies of my book! -
Review from Noel D.
6/12/2009 2 Check-ins Here
First off... I am so glad this place managed to occupy that disgusting abandoned building on Bloor that existed for years. Such a prime location and I am glad they put in something useful like a book store rather than another sushi restaurant.
BMV is pretty massive. I would think you would have a hard time not finding what you are looking for at this place. They also have used DVDs (and laserdiscs) and I was over-the-moon when I found out they had used vinyl and CDs down in the basement! I try to keep crate digging spots a secret but the odds of finding something good in their vinyl collection is usually rare. It borderlines the selection at Goodwill, but I have found maybe a dozen records there in my time and most of them were under priced. They do work on a system where the older the record the more expensive it seems to be, so you might just want to stick to the late 70s early 80s selections for 3-4 dollars.
Staff has always been good, though one time around Christmas I had one of the most rude cashiers I've ever dealt with. It was as if I was inconveniencing him by buying from his store. -
Review from Eliah H.
Toronto, ON
12/28/2009
If you love books both fiction and non fiction and want to save a few dollars BMV Books on Bloor St. W. is great place to shop. A huge store with a good variety of publications on just about everything. Chances are you'll go in looking for something specific and come out with a whole bunch of books that were just too tempting to pass up.
For the most part they specialize in newer publications though from time to time you can find older out of print publications. The place lacks the charm of some smaller used book stores (with that old book smell), but what it lacks in charm it makes up for in sheer volume and affordable pricing.
In addition to books you can also find DVDs, music CDs and even video games. Though there are good deals to be had I suggest hitting the bank machine before entering the store as to not deny yourself the many books and such that will meet your fancy. -
Review from Leslie-anne W.
Toronto, ON
2/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I head straight for the cookbook section and scour it for great deals. I always leave with 2 or 3 cookbooks. The layout of the section is quite brilliantly organized into type of cooking or region with all the celebrity chefs on the outermost left hand side. This type of organization is not often found in second hand bookstores. If you like cooking and are obsessed with cookbooks, this is the place for you. There is a lot of junk but always some gems.
Listed in: Bookish
