Type Books

I’ve popped in here on a few occasions, and have never left disappointed or empty handed. My hauls have always included two+ books and an impulse purchase. Once a notebook, another time a few cards and most notably a DIY paper mistletoe that lasted a whole year and two countries.
A knowledgeable staff selling you new books, and having a few knick knacks but not so many that you become unaware you’re in a bookstore. These are the ingredients necessary to create my perfect book buying experience. Add in a dash of they bring in great Canadian authors, like Miriam Toews, for little in-​store events and you’ve stolen my heart.
I’ll now go back to reading some of my beautiful books from Type so as to expand my brain and hopefully stop using lame cooking metaphors in Unilocal reviews…

The store is cute and carries a great selection (considering its size). The kid’s section has a lot of books and toys that will make one feel nostalgic alongside a collection of newer toys.
However, when I walked into the store, the two men behind the front desk made me feel like I had interrupted their private conversation. They stared at me, and I had to say, «hello!» cheerily to them because they just looked me up and down. To their credit, they responded; but it shouldn’t be the *customer* that has to greet the *staff*. I proceeded to browse in the back, and they resumed their conversation and not once did they engage me. Terrible customer service! I should add that my friend and I were the only people in the store for about five minutes.
I agree with supporting smaller businesses, but the truth is there are a lot of options for people who would like to acquire books. The prices at Type are not competitive with Indigo (and certainly not bookdepository[.]com or amazon) — so you need a reason for someone to return OTHER than just being a cute-​looking independent bookstore. I would definitely come back if I felt like this was an awesome atmosphere, but the staff made me feel oddly unwelcome.

Support independent bookstores if you can! I love Type Books as it feels and looks very quaint and as though there is a ton of history. Their window displays are always so pretty. The exterior is charming and the interior feels very intimate, with the hardwood floors and floral wallpaper. Their selection is pretty good. The staff are okay and aren’t that helpful, but I don’t mind as I prefer to browse through books alone. I’ve started to follow Type Books on Instagram as well.

First, the good:
There’s a great collection at TYPE; the children’s section was well-​stocked, organized, with a mix of classics and newer picture books. Adult titles also covered a range of interests, and the music was nice. You’ve got your typical ironic stationary items that will make you probably crack a smile (sardonic or otherwise), and it’s all very Queen West-​esque. Whoever picks the items here seems to do so with care, so I’m assuming the owner of TYPE wants the store to do well and be a spot that customers return to, even with Amazon, Indigo and so on.
Unfortunately, the thing that totally killed me about this place was not the store itself, or its contents, but its terrible desk staff. Another Unilocaler mentioned this back in a 2008 review, and it deserves to be said again, 5 years later: if you have a tiny bookstore, greet your customers. It’s not only common sense, but it’s professional, and it helps create an environment that, oh, I dunno, makes me want to spend my money in your store as opposed to some other hipster bookstore.
Ok, but forget general friendliness — maybe I’m expecting too much. Were the staff at least knowledgeable? I’ll never know. Even as we browsed, we were never asked if we found what we were looking for, or if we needed any recommendations, etc. The two at the front were too busy munching on a croissant and literally twirling strands of hair to display any actual know-​how of titles, authors, genres, ANYTHING.
Don’t think I’ll be making a trip back just for TYPE, which is sad because I have such a soft spot for cute bookstores. I’m not opposed to giving a place another chance, but today’s experience has definitely lowered my expectations of what could be a great, welcoming little spot in Toronto for book lovers.

Kick butt book store. Type is a little shop directly across from Trinity Bellwoods. Grab a croissant from Clafouti next door, pick up acup of tea from joint next door and chill. Brouse and spend a nice afternoon.
The place is just musty from history… the walls, the floor,…you think Sherlock would pop up around the corner any minute.

Best bookstore in Toronto. It’s small, but they cram the shelves with only the best reads, and it feels warm and comfortable inside.

Searched this place out when I was visiting Toronto this weekend, based on that amazing animated video that the owners posted on YouTube (
). I generally find that when visiting a new city for the first time, finding an indie bookstore is a great place to start. So I went in predisposed to liking it, and then… well, let’s just say that I’m glad some other reviewers have mentioned the less than enthusiastic attitude of the staff, because I was wondering if it was just me. I started to bring up the subject of the video, got a feeling that it wouldn’t have been well received, and decided against it.
I will never kill places like this though, because I am so thankful they exist. The space is a nice large and warm interior, with a good enough fiction selection. Just wished the vibe would have been a little better.

I love this store! It is cozy and well stocked with many, many interesting titles. The shop keepers are helpful and knowledgeable so if you are looking for something special, I’m sure they can help you out. In this digital and downloadable age, with all the closures of video stores, don’t let bookstores go next.

I feel so lucky to have such great unique shops right outside my front door. Type books is one of them. With all of the big box book stores, its easy to get wrapped up in the appeal but then store like Type come along and remind you of how wonderfully simple book shopping can be.
Upon walking in, you will get a sense of the history within the walls. The floors are hardwood, the ceilings are high and the books on the shelf are placed with care. Each section labeled well but not overbearing. They also have staff picks (and you can actually talk to that staff member. not some random «frank says» like at Chapters)
At the very back of the store you will find the kids section. So many books to choose from, and as you make your way up you will land in my favourite section, Cooking. They don’t have the biggest selection but what they do have is perfect for me. If you need a great holiday gift, I suggest going and getting a Mediterranean cook book from Type and then head next door to Spice trader and get some nice spices /​olive oil. perfect gift!
The other thing I really love about Type is that if they don’t have what you need (like in my case I was desperate for a certain travel book) they will order it for you and call you as soon as it’s in, holding it for as long as you need to swing by and pick it up.
You will find the staff to be exceptional. You cannot go wrong with heading to Type books for a holiday gift or a personal pleasure.

This is my local bookstore and I love it. The staff is cool and extremely friendly and helpful. It has a terrific selection of books (especially fiction) and a wonderful children’s book selection in the back. Like a real bookstore with creaky wooden floors and the aroma of fresh print.

I LOVE the big wooden floor boards of Type on Queen West. The wallpaper, too adds a modern flare and I wish I could live in a place like this– surrounded by books, too.
Since I first walked in during the mad pre-​Christmas rush season, I have been been half a dozen times and made purchases each time. I spotted some author names I know and books I didn’t know they had written at Type. They also have a lot of really pretty display books that I bought as gifts. Good selection of garden, cooking and enviromental books, and magazines both local and international.

The best new-​books store in Toronto, mostly because of the great and discriminating selection (that at times makes the place feel *curated*) but also for the awesome and helpful staff. I fully recommend checking out any book that shows up in either Amanda or Kyle’s ‘employee recomendation’ section. I have for a few years now simply bought anything they say is good and they have a perfect record of recommending wonderful novels (including Kyle’s own first novel ‘The Laundromat Essay, which is beautiful and is available there). The mini stores they set up in the middle of the store are often excellent (I’m not so much a fan of McSweey’s, but have loved other setups) if only for giving a sense of the output of a particular publishing company or imprint. Last thoughts: they have a section called ‘plotless fiction’ next to the cash register that is basically a compendium of all the best experimental fiction out there, further supporting the ‘book store owners/​employees as curators model’ Check it out for sure and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations, the staff knows what they are talking about and are lovely, smart and will guide you well.

Type is a great little shop directly across from Trinity Bellwoods. You’d be wise to grab a croissant from Clafouti next door, pick up some tea at Tealish around the corner and then a book from Type before plopping yourself in the park for a nice afternoon.
If you’re a fan of McSweeney’s and that Dave Eggers-​y type of writing, you’ll find lots to love at Type. They have an excellent staff recommendations table and if you chat up the owners they’ll rarely steer you in the wrong direction with book suggestions. Type also has really good magazines — think design, art and opinion themes. Oh, and also little notebooks and journals, like Moleskines in different colours, as well as greeting cards and other paper stuff that you don’t need, but have a burning urge to touch and drool over.

Now that Pages has bit the dust (unfortunately!), the torch falls to Type to provide intellectual and literary fodder for the Queen West types amidst the slew of restaurants and retail shops.
It’s a great little bookstore with a thoughtful selection of children’s books, fiction (even spotted some McSweney’s in here-​how nice!), magazines and some beautiful coffee table books on architecture, design etc. There’s a even a shelf near the cash counter full of experimental plotless fiction for those inclined to that type of writing. And there’s a good selection of cards, moleskine agenda books and other knick knacks if you’re looking for a gift. Staff though reserved are pleasant enough and if you pick their brains for an author’s oeuvre they can usually assist or provide feedback of some sort.
I think Connie was bang on with her remark that the store aims for the NPR/​CBC types with its literary focus. You’re definitely not likely to catch Danielle Steele or other airport author favourites in here, that’s fer sure. Nor is there much space to sit and browse books but once you’ve settled on a purchase, Trinity Bellwoods park is across the street! A perfect place to delve into a book!

One of the first things I saw in this store was my friend’s illustrated children’s book; I had to give them props for that alone.
Though I’m not sure they specialize in children’s books, the section is stocked very well — at least from an adult’s point of view. Warning, though: it leans towards the cooler end of the children’s book scale. Nice designs, quirky stories, and no cheapie discounts, like the ones you find at World’s Biggest.
I’d definitely say the store in general aims for the cooler crowd, the kids who listen to CBC/​NPR, or who want the latest on local Toronto urban planning issues. Perty decent, indeed.
…And with zero attitude experienced on my visit! (Sorry, Mike + Melissa!)

Type is a cute little bookstore right across the street from Trinity Bellwoods that I am consistently ambivalent about. The store itself is really nicely designed and organized — they have some books you can easily find at chain stores, and a bunch that you can’t. If you’re looking for something quirky or rare in the world of design or otherwise, it is more likely that Type will carry it than Indigo.
Personally, I love the store setup. The front section was a winner for me – the last time I went in, there was a bunch of girly books and cute accessories. At the time, I was thinking I must go back to buy gifts for at least 4 of my friends. Farther back there are books divided by categories, and my other favourite part was at the back, which was full of kids books. They had a lot of books that I remember reading when I was little, but they also had a lot of modern books and toys for that trend-​tot you know whose parents dress him up in Chucks and Ramones onesies.
Once again, the store is cute. I like the store. But I’m going to have to agree that the staff seem to be uninformed on how to work in a store. Coming from someone who has worked many, many years in retail, I can tell you that generally when someone enters your store, ESPECIALLY if it’s the size of a bedroom, you should acknowledge them. You know. Hi, how’s it going. Or just Hi. You don’t even have to talk about the weather, just let me know I’m not invisible.
And when people are wandering aimlessly, OBVIOUSLY trying to find something, perhaps you should ask them if you can help them. Instead of carrying on your conversation of badmouthing one of your absent co-​workers. And when I look at you and smile, maybe you should smile back. Just maybe. Because I think the store owner would like my money a lot more than you apparently do.
In conclusion… store is great, staff are jerks. Hopefully they’ll read this and fire all the jerks, then they’ll get four stars. Until then, they’ll have to deal with the mustard brown colour of two stars.

What?! Mike! What happened?! I LOVED Type Books! Yes, it was small, yes they probably didn’t have the room for all the books a big store might have, but I found real gems in there that I haven’t seen here in Boston, like the beautiful cloth covered «Demons in the Spring» by Joe Meno (read it if you like whimsical shorts with smart illustration).
Located in the design district of Toronto, I found the selection of books to be focused on well-​designed books, books about design, etc. I found the merchandise to be unusually well-​presented and the staff to be incredibly helpful and friendly – but not overbearing.
I’ll remember this place for a long time and recommend it for design-​lovers visiting Toronto.