Go beyond the bestsellers with this gift guide for book lovers in Montreal

The best gifts for book lovers in Montreal go beyond the latest bestseller—but you knew that already, didn't you?

For anyone who treats reading as a serious pursuit, this guide highlights the city's independent bookstores, specialty shops, and book-related finds worth giving. Whether they're into graphic novels, rare used editions, cookbooks, or manga, Montreal's bookselling scene offers something for every kind of reader—from feminist zine libraries to architecture-focused collections to cozy crime destinations in the Eastern Townships.

These are places where curation matters, where staff actually know their inventory, and where discovering your next favourite book feels like part of the experience.

Book embossing and customizations

A personalized book embosser is a subtle but satisfying gift for anyone who takes pride in their library. These handheld embossers press clean imprints like, “from the library of” or “this book belongs to,” and helps turn a stack of books into a personal collection. A service like the Calgary-based Dominion Stamps & Engraving can hook you up, and local stationary shops like Nota Bene can put you on the right path.