World Paperback Day

Chapter Two bookstore with window in background and bookcase underneath beside two larger bookcases

To celebrate this book holiday, my husband took me to a new and used bookstore in the mountain town of Canmore, Alberta.

Even though Banff National Park (the first national park in Canada!) is nearby and much more well-known, there seems to be no existing bookstores left within the town of Banff—at least none that I could find in my research as the Indigospirit (mini version of a Chapters Indigo store) in Cascade Shops closed down a few years prior and the gift shops only supply a few local area interest books.

In terms of charm and everything that you can picture for bibliophiles, Café Books in Canmore hits the mark. The staff kindly let me take pictures of my excursion today, including the one above of their children's and fiction used books. Café Books is divided into two storefronts that are connected by a hallway with the front store entrance containing new books and book-related merchandise, and the back section an area for used books in a store that is unsurprisingly called Chapter Two. Once upon a time, Chapter Two hosted afternoon tea and served drinks and food, but it appears that this stopped around the time of the pandemic. The café seems to be a relic of those days, but the books certainly live on.

My hope was to find a paperback book to add to my shelves; however, there weren't many Christian books—they're the ones housed in the white cage-like bookshelf below with some non-Christian titles mixed in. While I was unsuccessful in finding a title, I'm grateful that we can celebrate paperbacks as they are a much more accessible and affordable way to read books. To learn that the history of this day originated with Penguin paperbacks made the picture of the classics books more special (the sign on the door behind the staircase is a directional sign toward Narnia 😉).

Café Books storefront with flowers and plants on the left side and a paperback book carousel on the right side and open doors in the middle

wooden staircase housing books in from of sealed door with bookcases to the right of staircase and door

arched bookcase unit with glass door holding books on top of dresser beside bookcase of business books

bookshelf on the left side of picture with middle table housing book-related puzzles and more book displays on the right side

Since this is the only bookstore near the Banff area, it's well worth exploring and admiring all of the interesting book displays. I imagine this is a popular stop as visitors are greeted with a large display of Out of Print merchandise when they enter, showcasing a love of literature. It was fairly busy, so I didn't capture any pictures of the front, but the back area leading to the children's section has an entire table filled with puzzles that are book-themed!

Caveat: In checking for any other bookstores in the Banff townsite area that I might have overlooked, it looks like there are two located in Lake Louise, Alberta. If I'm missing any others, I'm happy to hear about them so I can pay a visit!

Comments

Review: The Light of Stars - The Bluestocking Society #2

I am so overjoyed that I was able to read The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde as it was everything I hoped it would be, plus even more. I knew going into it that there would be suspense, intrigue, romance, crossing cultures, and science, but the way that everything came together was sheer bliss. A brilliant exposition into biblical justice without sacrificing any elements of the plot, the second book of The Bluestocking Society releases on July 14, 2026 and you'll want to add it to your TBR! Many thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : self-forgiveness; child abductions; violence toward labourers; references to debauchery, corruption Book Synopsis An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in g...

Review: 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity

If church history intrigues you, 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark W. Graham is an excellent addition to your home library, offering stories from the global church that are not to be missed. Ranging from well-known testimonies to more obscure happenings in farther reaches of the nations, it's a book that will develop your curiosity and cause you to rejoice in God's faithfulness throughout the ages. Many thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Discover 30 Remarkably Diverse Stories from the First Thousand Years of the Church Encouraging, inspirational, challenging, and convicting true stories of the global church Sheds light on Western and non-Western church history through stories from a wide variety of cultural, social, and political contexts Offers invaluable insights for our times For many Christians, our understanding of the history of the church ...

Review: Falling for the Preacher - Romance in Still Meadows #2

I had the opportunity to read all of Hannah Foster's published works recently and have enjoyed all of them, so it's no surprise that after reading Falling for the Preacher , I had to read about Austen's sister as well in Falling for the Farmer . What great introductions to such a gentle series! Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Eleanor Handson has thrown herself into serving and loving single moms and children. Marriage has long since become a faded dream, ever since Austen Stuart walked out of her life—not that she ever really planned to marry him in the first place. Austen Stuart is invested in church ministry while he interns under his pastor. Eleanor Handson has barely crossed his mind for the last twelve years—maybe a little on purpose. When Austen is called upon to ask for Eleanor’s help in the aiding of a young woman, they’re forced to work together. Can two estra...