There is no neon sign pointing the way to About Books in Owen Sound, and that is kind of the point.
Tucked behind a sprawling garden hides a bibliophile’s dream where you will find shelves overflowing with an incredible collection of esoteric and essential books in just about every genre.
About Books in Owen Sound is the latest incarnation of an iconic antiquarian bookstore which first opened on Queen street west in Toronto in 1973, kitty-corner to the Black Bull Tavern. Home to an extensive collection of rare and collectible books in all genres, Arwen Greenwood has amassed an inventory of great depth.
There is a large selection of art books, local and Ontario histories, natural history from around the world, arts and crafts, textiles, science, literature, gardening and kids picture books. There is also an impressive selection of books about books, signed first editions and small press books from around the world. This is the kind of collection that book collectors comb through, looking for that missing piece for their collection.
For the everyday book reader, it is an inventory to satisfy every nook and cranny of your personal tastes and interests. It is in an environment where the thrill of the hunt takes over.
About Books opened in Owen Sound in 2000 when Arwen moved the business from Harbord Street in Toronto, keeping a very long bookselling legacy alive. Arwen began working in the business alongside her parents at the age of 16 so her encyclopedic memory of the trends in the business, and of book publishing over the past four to five decades is a rare resource.
Skip to the present day and there are still plenty of people looking to establish and build their collections on any manner of subjects. Most gratifying to me is that she is seeing millennials interested in collectible editions.
You will probably not find the hottest, trendiest new release on the shelves, but what you will find is a world class, Canadian focused collection of hard to find and rare books. Many of which were bestsellers in their day but rarely found in new bookstores today.
Walking through About Books will transport you to a world of books that satisfies all of the senses, but be prepared to crane your neck
and to be there for awhile as you browse the spines of the extensive collection.
You can find Arwen and About Books at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings.
Words by Carey Low
Photos by Oscar Sheppard
