Of all the pleasures afforded the traveler, the opportunity to dive into a good book unencumbered by work or responsibility surely ranks near the top of the list. Whether you prefer humor and fiction or romance novels and philosophy, being able to take just a week away from the demands of daily life can give you enough room to finish a book or two — even amidst a heavily scheduled vacation itinerary.
For those times you forget a book or you’ve already finished the stash you brought with you, here are a few of the places you can find a book, magazine, and even a cup of tea when you travel to Niagara Falls.
Fiction Addiction Books and More
A used bookstore with over 24,000 well-catalogued books, Fiction Addiction is a great place to start your search for the perfect book while vacationing in Niagara Falls. Open every day but Sunday, the store is completely computerized, so if you’re looking for a particular book, you can call ahead, and they’ll be able to tell you whether or not they have it in stock, which can save you a lot of time.
They’ve also got a book return program that lets you return a book you purchased there and receive a credit for the next one, ideal circumstances for the voracious vacation reader who forgot his books at home.
The bookstore is also a pleasure to browse, so if you find yourself in need of a low-key, book-centered afternoon activity, spend it in Fiction Addiction.
R&B Novel-Teas
One of the gems located in the heart of the continually improving Q District in Niagara Falls, R&B Novel-Teas is a teahouse and cafe with a small library for in-store reading as well as an assortment of new and used books available for purchase.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays, this small bookstore and teahouse encourages contemplation and conversation in addition to reading. If you want a delicious cup of tea to accompany your newly purchased book, head over to R&B.
Alphabet Bookshop
Yet another great reason to stop in and visit Port Colborne, the Alphabet Bookshop specializes in the kinds of books collectors adore: first editions, rare prints, the hard-to-find, and the very old.
While it may not be the best choice if what you’re after is a paperback edition of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” for anyone who loves the mystique and wonder in bound editions as well as the smell of old paper and dusty book jackets, this bookshop will provide plenty of opportunity to while away an afternoon.
The Write Bookshop
Located in St. Catharines, The Write Bookshop has been a part of the downtown St. Catharines’ shopping scene since 2001, when it was opened as a store called Hannelore’s Downtown Fine Books. Today, it’s owned and operated by the original owner’s brother and his wife, and it boasts an inventory of over 100,000 used books spread across two magnificent floors. It’s a treasure trove of almost every category and genre under the sun — a place booklovers can happily lose themselves for hours.
Don’t fret if you’ve left your book at home when you head to Niagara. From downtown to Port Colborne, the region is teeming with fine bookstores guaranteed to have something to spark your interest and imagination.