Bookstore Spotlight: Bolen Books
For nearly 50 years, Bolen Books has been part of the reading life of Victoria.
The store first opened its doors in the winter of 1975 and has grown alongside both the city and the changing book industry. Over the years, Bolen Books has moved through four locations within Hillside Centre, expanded by more than 10,000 square feet, and settled into its current home in 1996. Today, at nearly 20,000 square feet, it is the largest single-location independent bookstore in Western Canada.
That scale is impressive, but what stands out most is the care behind it. Bolen Books is a general interest bookstore with more than 30,000 titles on its shelves, including strong sections in fiction, non-fiction, mystery, science fiction, cooking, travel, and children’s books. The store also makes room for emerging writers, self-published authors, Canadian voices, puzzles, games, and thoughtfully chosen non-book items.
Over the decades, Bolen Books has become more than a place to buy books. It is a gathering place for readers, writers, and ideas. Its nationally known events have welcomed authors, thinkers, and cultural figures including Margaret Atwood, David Suzuki, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem, Michael Ondaatje, Tanya Talaga, John Vaillant, Rupi Kaur, Chris Hadfield, Geddy Lee, and many more. Their upcoming events continue that tradition, bringing readers together for conversations about identity, leadership, music, mental health, and the stories that shape our lives.
At New Society Publishers, we are always grateful for independent bookstores that help thoughtful, practical, and change-making books find their readers. Stores like Bolen Books play an essential role in keeping a diverse book culture alive—not only by putting good books on the shelves, but by creating space for local conversations, author events, and community connection.
Voted Victoria’s #1 bookstore many times and twice named Bookseller of the Year by the Canadian Booksellers Association, Bolen Books has earned its reputation through decades of thoughtful bookselling. With more than 40 knowledgeable staff members ready to help with recommendations, special orders, and new discoveries, the store continues to connect readers with books that inform, challenge, delight, and inspire.
We are pleased to spotlight Bolen Books and celebrate its long-standing role in Canada’s independent bookselling community.
