A book collector's dream on Bloor West — and home to the world's first Biblio-Mat, a coin-operated vending machine that dispenses a random vintage book for $2. Drop in a toonie, pull the lever, and walk out with something unexpected. The shop itself is a curated cabinet of antiquarian oddities: out-of-print art books, obscure paperbacks, vintage ephemera, and titles you won't find anywhere else.
Neighbourhood: Bloordale Village · Address: 1267 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1N7 · Hours: Wed–Sun 11am–6pm (check Instagram for current hours) · Price Range: Free to browse / $2 Biblio-Mat · Website: https://www.monkeyspaw.com/ · Editorial status: Not yet verified
At The Monkey's Paw, you get the thrill of discovering rare, decades-old books and oddities you literally can't find anywhere else in Toronto. Plus, you can buy a surprise vintage book from their custom-built vending machine for just a toonie.
It's the only shop in the city with the Biblio-Mat, the first-ever vending machine that dispenses an actual random old book. The curated shelves focus entirely on out-of-print, obscure, and unusual finds — not your average used paperback fare. You'll see everything from mid-century how-to guides to bizarre ephemera that regular bookshops never carry.
James Gardens is one of those places that makes you wonder how half the city still doesn’t know it exists. Tucked off Edenbridge in Etobicoke, it feels strangely removed from Toronto the second you walk in. The traffic noise drops away, the paths open up, and suddenly you’re in this beautifully kept landscape of terraced gardens, lily ponds, stone bridges, and huge old trees that throw a cool, cathedral-like canopy overhead. It’s formal in parts, almost storybook in others, and somehow never feels fussy. What I like most about it is the contrast. One minute you’re walking past tidy perennial borders and carefully arranged flowerbeds, the next you’re under tall maples and pines with the Humber River moving quietly below. The garden levels step down gently, so you’re always getting a slightly different view: water with lily pads, a curved bridge, a bench half in shade, a burst of colour from roses or iris depending on the season. It’s the kind of place where photographers slow right down because every turn gives them another frame. If you go in late April, the cherry blossoms are the big draw, and honestly, they’re stunning. People talk about High Park for blossoms, but James Gardens can be every bit as beautiful, just without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and the whole production of trying to find a clear view. Here, you can actually stand under the trees for a minute, hear birds instead of a hundred conversations, and take photos without someone’s selfie stick drifting into the shot. It’s one of the few places in the city where blossom season still feels calm. June is probably the best time if you want the gardens at their fullest. The formal beds are properly waking up then, and the place feels lush without being overgrown. You’ll see couples taking engagement photos, older neighbours out for a slow walk, families letting kids peer into the ponds, and the occasional person sitting alone with a book. It never feels empty, but it rarely feels busy either. That’s part of the appeal. You can actually move at your own pace here. A practical note: wear decent shoes, especially if you plan to go beyond the garden itself. The woodland trail along the Humber River below is absolutely worth adding on. It extends the visit in the best way, turning a pretty garden stroll into a longer, quieter walk through the trees. After rain it can be a little damp in spots, but nothing dramatic. If you’re into photos, go early in the morning or closer to golden hour, when the light comes through the branches and catches the water. It’s free, open daily, and easy to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours without trying. If you’re visiting Toronto and want somewhere beautiful that doesn’t feel overrun or overhyped, James Gardens is a very good choice. It’s one of Etobicoke’s best places to exhale.
The Biblio-Mat is the world's first coin-operated book vending machine, invented by artist Craig Small and installed at The Monkey's Paw in Toronto. You insert a $2 coin (toonie), pull the lever, and receive a randomly selected vintage book. The machine dispenses surprising, sometimes strange, always interesting titles from the shop's rotating stock of used and antiquarian books.
The Monkey's Paw is at 1267 Bloor St W in Bloordale Village, Toronto. The nearest subway stations are Dufferin and Lansdowne on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth), each about a 5-minute walk. The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday; check their Instagram for current hours before visiting.
The Monkey's Paw specializes in antiquarian, out-of-print, and vintage books — particularly art books, photography books, obscure paperbacks, and unusual ephemera. Owner Stephen Fowler curates the collection with an eye for the rare and eccentric. You won't find bestsellers here; you'll find books you didn't know you needed.
Yes — the Biblio-Mat alone is worth the trip. Even if you don't consider yourself a book collector, putting $2 into the machine and receiving a random vintage book is a genuinely fun Toronto experience. The shop is also simply beautiful to browse: well-lit, thoughtfully arranged, and full of the kind of serendipitous finds that make independent bookshops irreplaceable.
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