When you dig into Canada’s literary scene, you will discover a country teeming with quirky independent bookstores, inspiring geographies that have served as settings for renowned books, and the homes of many celebrated writers like Margaret Atwood and Yann Martel.
This Canadian literary itinerary spans from east to west, province to province, outlining the who, the what, and the where of Canada’s vibrant book scene.
Editor’s note: local travel restrictions or changed opening hours may be in place due to COVID-19. Please check ahead before traveling and follow government health advice.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Vikings and Sci-Fi
Begin your trip in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province. Home to the first European settlement in North America, L’Anse aux Meadows, this region was a pivotal location for Viking explorer Leif Erikson, who adventured here for years. His exploits can be found in the Vinland Sagas, two 13th-century medieval Icelandic texts.
After acquiring your copy of the Vinland Sagas at Elaine’s Books in St. John’s, you can head to the L’Anse aux Meadows UNESCO-protected archaeological site to glimpse what the Vikings left behind. In a complete 360-degree shift from Vikings to post-apocalyptic science fiction, Newfoundland also serves as the inspiration for John Wyndham’s acclaimed sci-fi novel, The Chrysalids.
Nova Scotia: Black History
More than just a destination for lobster and lighthouses, Nova Scotia is also the setting for award-winning Canadian writer Lawrence Hill’s The Book of Negroes (published as Someone Knows My Name outside of Canada). This historical fiction is named after the actual Book of Negroes document, which outlines the names and descriptions of 3,000 Black Loyalists who fled the U.S. during the American Revolutionary War, forming the first free people of color settlement in Canada. Additionally, Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy is home to Ami McKay, the award-winning writer of The Virgin Cure and The Birth House.
After reading these remarkable novels from The Odd Book, consider visiting Birchtown, Nova Scotia, where the first Black Loyalist settlement initiated. Scots Bay is also worth exploring as it is the backdrop of The Birth House.
Prince Edward Island: All About Anne
Canada’s tiniest maritime province is deeply connected to the beloved 20th-century children’s classic, Anne of Green Gables. Lucy Maud Montgomery grew up on the island, infusing her childhood experiences into the rich descriptions of PEI’s famous landscapes through her protagonist, Anne Shirley.
Popular literary treasures in PEI include The Bookman bookstore in Charlottetown, which offers an extensive collection of books. Moreover, you can partake in literary tours inspired by Anne of Green Gables and visit the picturesque Avonlea Village, filled with replica buildings from the novels.
New Brunswick: An Adorable Bookstore
New Brunswick, the fourth and final Atlantic province, may not have major literary landmarks, yet it is home to the charming Westminster Books Ltd, a must-visit stop during your road trip. Here you can discover novels by beloved local authors like David Adams Richards, author of The Bay of Love and Sorrows (now a film).
Québec: Dream of Dickens
Québec’s cobblestone streets and ivy-covered historic buildings inspire literary minds; even Charles Dickens wrote flattering lines about them during his tour of the Americas. Additionally, Québec inspired the acclaimed 20th-century American writer, Willa Cather, who wrote Shadows on the Rock about French colonists in the region. As you head to Montréal, the setting for Heather O’Neill’s award-winning Lullabies for Little Criminals, you will find a more eclectic literary scene.
After driving through the beautiful Québec farmland, don’t miss Dufferin Terrace where Dickens admired the Old Town river, as well as the stunning Maison de la littérature. Following that, visit Librairie Drawn & Quartely in Montréal for fresh literary finds.
Ontario: Home to the Heavyweights
Your next destination is Ontario, Canada’s most populous province. Here lies the nation’s capital of Ottawa and its bustling metropolis, Toronto. This province boasts a plethora of famous writers, including Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s Tale, and Maureen Jennings, creator of Murdoch Mysteries. Emma Donoghue, writer of Room, settled in Ontario after relocating from Ireland. Other notable authors include Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro and the late Robertson Davies, known for Fifth Business.
Moreover, Ontario is the backdrop for Marian Engel’s controversial novel, Bear, which surprisingly won the coveted Governor General’s Literary Award, a significant recognition in Canadian literature.
After visiting Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar or The Book Bazaar in Ottawa, travel down to Toronto. Don’t miss Kingston, the setting of Atwood’s Alias Grace, and Canada’s most notorious penitentiary. In Toronto, explore Atwood’s neighborhood, The Annex, and discover Canada’s first LGBTQ bookshop, Glad Day, before concluding your journey in the stunning Algoma Country, where Bear is set.
Manitoba: Creative Isolation
If isolation fosters your creativity, Manitoba is the ideal locale to write your own masterpiece. With beautiful cabins and cottages dotting Lake Winnipeg, you might be more likely to encounter a polar bear than a neighbor. Lawrence Hill’s debut novel, Some Great Thing, is set in Manitoba’s capital, Winnipeg, along with Katherena Vermette’s award-winning Indigenous crime novel, The Break. These books are available at Bison Books or Poor Michael’s Emporium.
Saskatchewan: Cookbook Central
Saskatchewan may be better known for its extensive range of cookbooks like All the Sweet Things by blogger Renée Kohlman than for novels. Be sure to indulge in farm-fresh produce wherever you go. You can pick up a copy of her book at McNally Robinson. While in Saskatoon, watch for Booker Prize-winning author Yann Martel, known for his novel Life of Pi and his appreciation for the region’s brooding landscapes.
Alberta: A Writing Retreat
Alberta is another inspiring province for aspiring writers. You can cozy up in picturesque Rocky Mountain villages with a selection of books from local gems such as Wee Book Inn, Pages on Kensington, or Pandora’s Box, among many independent bookstores in the province. If you’re not comfortable with a Henry David Thoreau-style retreat in Alberta’s mountainous wilderness, consider attending a writing retreat with the Writers’ Guild of Alberta or Big Sky Author Services. Additionally, you may spot 419 Giller Prize-winning writer Will Ferguson wandering around Alberta’s largest city, Calgary.
British Columbia: Exceptional Bookstores
The mountains, rivers, lush forests, and Pacific coastline of British Columbia create an idyllic setting for a literary escape. Although B.C. may not boast the globally recognized authors that Ontario has, it does have nominations like Gail Anderson-Dargatz’s The Cure for Death by Lightning for the Giller Prize. You can actually visit Shuswap Country, where this novel is set; tucked away in the Rockies, it offers the isolation Gail describes. Furthermore, B.C. author Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being, nominated for both the Pulitzer and Man Booker awards, has sections that unfold on Cortes Island, reachable via three ferries.
B.C. is home to some of Canada’s most beautiful independent bookstores. On your way to Vancouver, be sure to visit Pulp Fiction Coffee House in Kelowna. While exploring further, make stops at The Book Man in Chilliwack, Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe, and MacLeod’s Books in Vancouver. If you make your way to Victoria, Munro’s Books and Russell Books are must-visit spots that justify the drive to Vancouver Island.
Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories
A special mention goes to the territories, which are so vast (and cold) that visiting all in one trip may be challenging. However, if you plan on venturing out, make sure to stop by Well-Read Books in Yukon and The Yellowknife Book Cellar in Northwest Territories. You can also find a copy of Dan Simmons’ The Terror, which unfolds in the Northwest Territories, but try not to let it deter you from experiencing Canada’s stunning arctic regions.
