Warm Pages and Winter Days: A Bookstore Lover’s Guide to Ontario’s Cottage Country
Discover the cozy independent bookstores that make winter in the Great Canadian Wilderness even more magical. There’s something deeply satisfying about escaping the winter cold into a warm bookstore, where the smell of paper and ink mingle, and rows upon rows of stories wait to transport you somewhere else entirely. Around here independent bookstores aren’t just shops, they’re community gathering places, literary sanctuaries, and essential stops on any winter getaway.
Whether you’re looking for your next fireside read, the perfect rainy-day activity, or simply someone who believes that no trip is complete without visiting a local bookshop, this guide will lead you to some of Ontario’s most charming literary hideaways.
Cedar Canoe Books
Locations: 72 Main Street East, Huntsville | 22 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge
If there’s one bookstore that captures the spirit of Muskoka’s literary renaissance, it’s Cedar Canoe Books. This independent bookstore has locations in both Huntsville and Bracebridge, making it accessible whether you’re exploring the northern or southern reaches of cottage country.
What Makes It Special
Cedar Canoe Books represents everything people love about independent bookstores. The staff are passionate readers who genuinely want to help you find your next favorite book. The selection is thoughtfully curated, featuring everything from bestsellers to hidden literary gems, with a particular strength in Canadian authors and regional interest titles.
The store offers free local delivery to Huntsville, Port Sydney, Utterson and Bracebridge, making it easy for cottage owners and locals to support their community bookstore even when they can’t make it in. They’re also happy to special order any book you’re looking for.
The Huntsville Location
The Huntsville shop on Main Street East sits in the heart of downtown, making it the perfect stop during a day of exploring the town’s restaurants, cafes, and shops. The atmosphere invites lingering, with displays that highlight staff picks, new releases, and local authors.
The Bracebridge Location
The newer Bracebridge location on Manitoba Street has quickly become a beloved fixture in downtown Bracebridge. Combined with the Capsize Coffee Shop inside it has quickly become a main street staple.
Winter Visit Tips
On a snowy day, there’s something particularly satisfying about ducking into Cedar Canoe to browse. The staff can recommend books perfect for winter reading—whether you’re looking for a cozy mystery to read by the fire or a page-turner for those long winter evenings. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations; the booksellers here know their stock intimately.
The Owl Pen: A Two-Story Treasure Trove in Bracebridge
Location: 58 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge
The Owl Pen in downtown Bracebridge is family owned and operated and offers two floors of used books. This isn’t just a bookstore, it’s an experience, a journey through literary history, and quite possibly one of the best-kept secrets in Muskoka.
The Experience
The space is split into two floors, each offering its own charm. The first floor welcomes you with an organized chaos that any book lover will immediately appreciate—mysteries, children’s fiction, contemporary novels, all neatly categorized but with that authentic used bookstore feel that makes every visit feel like a treasure hunt.
The second floor is where things get really interesting. Here you’ll find more specialized collections: music books, local history, sports titles, and classics. The warm, inviting atmosphere is enhanced by the smell of old books—that distinctive scent that true bibliophiles crave—and the cozy, welcoming layout encourages you to settle in and explore.
Beyond Books
One of The Owl Pen’s unique features is its collection of second-hand vinyl records. There’s something wonderfully complementary about browsing through old books and vintage vinyl, both are tangible connections to the past, both tell stories, and both have that collectible quality that makes discovering a gem so satisfying.
Why Readers Love It
The Owl Pen has earned a loyal following for several reasons. The prices are remarkably fair and you can find paperbacks for as little as a couple of dollars, making it easy to take a chance on an author you’ve never tried. The selection includes everything from recent releases to rare, out-of-print editions, and the staff (Katherine and family) are known for being respectful, helpful, and genuinely passionate about books.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays from 10am to 4pm, making it accessible throughout the week for visitors and locals alike. Bring cash
Perfect For
The Owl Pen is ideal for collectors looking for specific titles, readers who prefer the serendipity of used bookstore browsing, and anyone who appreciates the aesthetic charm of a traditional, cozy bookshop. It’s also excellent for families and the children’s section is well-stocked, and kids love the adventure of exploring a multi-level bookstore.
Parry Sound Books: 36 Years of Independent Bookselling
Location: 26 James Street, Parry Sound
Parry Sound Books has been serving the community since 1988, making it one of the longest-running independent bookstores in the region. Housed in the iconic Beatty Building, this charming shop has become an essential part of Parry Sound’s character.
A Carefully Curated Selection
What sets Parry Sound Books apart is their thoughtful curation. This isn’t a store trying to stock everything; instead, they focus on quality over quantity, featuring bestsellers alongside hidden gems, with particular attention to Canadian literature, regional interest, and books that their community actually wants to read.
The staff are known for their excellent recommendations. They’ve spent decades getting to know their customers and their reading preferences, and they genuinely love helping people discover their next great read.
The Atmosphere
Located at the main intersection of downtown Parry Sound, the store is easy to find and has that classic independent bookstore feel – welcoming, thoughtfully arranged, and full of possibility. The historic Beatty Building adds character to the experience, connecting you to Parry Sound’s lumbering heritage while you browse contemporary titles.
Community Connection
The store frequently hosts events, including author signings and book clubs, providing an engaging community atmosphere. These events make Parry Sound Books more than just a retail space, it’s a gathering place for readers, a venue for literary conversation, and a hub for the town’s cultural life.
Planning Your Visit
After browsing Parry Sound Books, you’re just minutes from the town’s downtown. It’s the perfect combination – find a few books, then head to a nearby cafe with your new purchase.
Bearly Used Books: A Parry Sound Institution
Location: 15 James Street, Parry Sound
If you’re a serious used book enthusiast, Bearly Used Books needs to be on your must-visit list. Owned by Melissa Thomson, who took over the store in summer 2007, the store receives and sells thousands of books a year and is one of the largest second-hand book stores in the province.
The Scale
The store normally receives around 150,000 to 170,000 books a year through their book credit system. Each book brought in is catalogued, categorized, and neatly organized into small alcoves and rooms. The result is a vast, well-organized collection that rivals many larger city bookstores in both scope and quality.
What You’ll Find
The selection is comprehensive: university textbooks, children’s books, travel guides, classic novels, recent bestsellers, and specialized sections on nautical history, regional interest, and more. There are reportedly hundreds of thousands of books on those beautiful pine shelves, all carefully sorted by category and author.
The Experience
Despite its size, Bearly Used Books maintains a cozy, browsable atmosphere. Little nooks with armchairs are set up in each genre section, encouraging you to try before you buy. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, genuinely helpful, and ready to lead you through the stacks to exactly what you’re looking for, often without needing technology to do so.
Visitors consistently describe the store as well-organized despite the sheer volume of inventory. The prices range from incredibly affordable (some books as low as $1-2) to reasonable prices for recent releases and specialty titles.
Why It’s Special
The store is open from 9am to 6pm, giving you plenty of time to explore. It’s the kind of place where you go in looking for one book and emerge with an armful of unexpected discoveries.
The store’s credit system is generous, making it easy for cottage owners to refresh their libraries each season. Bring in your gently used books, receive credit, and leave with new-to-you titles without breaking the bank.
Northern Bookworms: Parry Sound’s Newest Addition
Location: 70 Joseph Street, Parry Sound
Northern Bookworms is Parry Sound’s newest bookstore, offering a wide range of new books for readers of all ages. Owner Jeanette Graves opened the store, filling what she described as a gap in the north end of town.
What Makes It Unique
Northern Bookworms focuses on relatively recent titles. The store has a large selection of new books, typically published in the last two years, unless they’re classics. This makes it the perfect complement to Parry Sound’s excellent used bookstores, offering the latest releases alongside perennial favorites.
The store has developed specializations that serve the community well, including large print books, Indigenous authors and topics, and a dedicated children’s section.
Beyond Books
In addition to books, Northern Bookworms partners with Laura Secord chocolates and carries Cobble Hill/Ravensburger puzzles and Crayola products. This makes it an excellent one-stop shop for gifts, rainy-day activities, and thoughtful souvenirs.
Winter Bookstore Wisdom
Why Bookstores Are Perfect for Winter Getaways
Winter in cottage country means embracing slower days, cozier activities, and time for reflection. Bookstores fit perfectly into this rhythm. They offer:
- Weather-proof activities: Whether it’s snowing, raining, or bitterly cold, bookstores provide warm refuge
- Cultural connection: Independent bookstores give you insight into what the local community reads, values, and talks about
- Perfect souvenirs: Books are meaningful mementos that let you revisit your trip long after you’ve returned home
- Budget-friendly entertainment: Used bookstores especially offer incredible value, letting you stock up on reading material without emptying your wallet
Making the Most of Your Visit
Arrive with time to spare: Don’t rush bookstore browsing. Give yourself at least an hour, preferably more at larger stores like Bearly Used Books.
Ask for recommendations: Booksellers are readers first and salespeople second. They genuinely want to help you find books you’ll love. Mention authors you enjoy, genres you’re curious about, or that you’re looking for something specifically set in Muskoka.
Support special orders: If an independent bookstore doesn’t have what you need, ask them to order it rather than defaulting to online retailers. You’ll typically get it within a week, and you’ll be supporting the local business that enriches your community.
Bring a list but stay flexible: It’s good to have titles in mind, but some of the best bookstore finds are serendipitous discoveries you never knew you needed.
Consider the seasons: Summer cottagers often bring books to donate, meaning fall and early winter can offer the best selection at used bookstores.
The Romance of Winter Reading
There’s something about discovering a new book on a snowy afternoon that feels almost romantic. Maybe it’s the promise of cozy hours ahead, the weight of the book in your hands, the anticipation of a new story waiting to unfold. Independent bookstores amplify this feeling—they’re curated with care, staffed by people who love books, and filled with the kind of serendipitous discoveries that algorithm-driven online shopping can never quite replicate.
These bookstores understand their role in creating winter magic. They’re places to warm up, to slow down, to connect with stories and with community. They’re essential stops on any winter itinerary, offering not just books but the experience of book buying at its best – personal, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying.
Planning Your Literary Escape
Best Time to Visit: Any winter day, but especially stormy afternoons when the warm refuge of a bookstore feels extra appealing.
What to Bring:
- Reusable shopping bag (books get heavy!)
- List of authors or genres you enjoy
- Open mind for unexpected discoveries
- Patience for browsing
Combine With:
- Coffee at local cafes
- Waterfront walks when weather permits
- Cozy accommodation with a fireplace
- Other downtown shopping and dining
Remember:
- Many stores accept trade-ins for credit
- Most ship books if you’re traveling light
- Hours may vary seasonally, so check ahead
- Cash is helpful at some used bookstores
Final Chapter
In an age of e-readers and online retail, the survival and success of independent bookstores is something to celebrate. These aren’t just shops, they’re community institutions, cultural anchors, and vital parts of what makes cottage country special year-round.
A winter break to our region is incomplete without stepping into at least one of these bookstores. Whether you’re seeking the latest bestseller, a rare edition, a regional history book, or simply the experience of browsing among fellow book lovers, these stores deliver something that online shopping never can: the tactile pleasure of discovering a book, the expertise of knowledgeable staff, and the warm community feeling that makes independent bookstores irreplaceable.
So this winter, when you’re planning your escape to cottage country, build in time for bookstore browsing. Let yourself linger over shelves, follow unexpected recommendations, and leave with an armful of books that will turn your winter getaway into a literary adventure. These bookstores are waiting to welcome you, to share their carefully curated collections, and to remind you why, despite all the technological advances, nothing quite beats the experience of discovering your next favorite book in a cozy, independent bookshop on a snowy afternoon.
Happy reading, and happy winter travels!
To plan your stay in the Great Canadian Wilderness, click here.