An extremely varied and knowledgeably curated selection of books thoughtfully presented. Friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommended.

I didn't have enough time... I wandered into Shelf Life Books too close to closing time. As I browsed the shelves, I quickly discovered that I was a special independent bookstore and felt a certainly literary nirvana that I had last experienced at Powell's Books in Portland. The selection was thoughtfully curated and was strong with the Canadian Author force. Around every corner was a new thought-provoking discovery and a desire to linger and explore further. Then it was time to go.... .....I'll be back. read more

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My new favourite bookstore! I called all the stores in Calgary looking for a particular cookbook. Everyone told me it was sold out in Calgary but I persevered. The great employee at Shelf Life said he was expecting a delivery that day, took my name, called me within an hour and when I picked it up he did a complimentary gift wrap as it is a Christmas present. I will do all my book shopping there from now on. read more

Score another win for Shelf Life Books! I was pondering a couple of books to buy in the business/networking realm. I've done some friends and family research, a little internet browsing, found some common book titles that I thought might be worth a shot and was just about to head out the door to the big C word. Then I stopped myself. The big C word would certainly have the titles I had already thought of. But I remembered Reg T's review about finding books that were equally (if not more) uber-awesome than some of the best sellers at this little place called Shelf Life Books. The store isn't huge, and for surely doesn't stock everything under the sun. But one round of the store brought an employee to my side asking me what it was I was in search of. She asked me questions, pondered different sections that might relate to my topic. In the end, she recommended I check out the business, international development and environment and sustainability sections. Bonus, each is only a bookcase or two big and not filled with multiple copies of the same book, rather one or two copies of many different books, so I didn't need to go far and still had a variety of titles to ponder. She also invited me to settle into any of the chairs around the store to read through some of the books... just to make sure it was what I wanted before I brought it home. In the end, I settled on two books, but while I was looking, that didn't stop said employee from bringing by another one that had caught her eye on her way by. Oh, and the two books I came home with? Soooooo not anything that came up in my "research" phase of my book quest, and yet they've turned out to be even better suited for what I was looking for. Stellar work Shelf Life. You've taken the lead as my first stop. read more

I love this place so much I was looking for a certain book and I couldn't get any help from the big box book stores so I decided to try Shelf Books, the employees were so nice and helpful! They didn't have the book in stock but were willing to order it in for me! They are also a dog friendly store which is an added bonus for dog owners. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a book for their self or for a gift The store is so beautiful I will definitely bring coming back soon read more

Cannot access a good hard-copy book anywhere much any more, but for those of you who still enjoy a 'real' book, go here? Long before Indigo/Chapters went gifty, I worked the floor and became the science/fantasy fiction specialist at one of their AB box stores. Now hugely downsized and no longer destination book stores, I can only think of Shelf Life in the Calgary area as a bona fide secular bookstore. Is easily worth a browse, and of course we all want to support them if we still enjoy a good read. Asked one of their supervisors how business was, and she said something to the effect of 'hangin in there.' A medium sized store smaller but similar to the aged Audrey's in Edmonton, go check them out? read more

Shelf Life Books gets top marks for featuring, and carrying, local authors and poets, a decent amount of Canadian content and hosting monthly readings, poetry sessions and book clubs. A perfectly musty-book smelling place with creaky stairs and knowledgeable staff, Shelf Life Books wins at loving everything about words and reading. Hard-to-find authors are the norm in this store but what really takes the cake are the above-mentioned readings and book clubs. If you have a new book coming out, want to host a poetry reading or have a book you're keen to discuss with others interested in reading, Shelf Life can accommodate. I have been to a handful of readings at this store and they are always intimate, interesting and include snacks! With most small, local bookstores going the way of the dodo, Shelf Life Books has managed to find a niche in it's reading events that keeps it a beacon for local talent in Calgary. T. read more

Shelf Life is the greatest. whether I'm looking for something new to read, a new notebook to doodle in, a last minute gift for someone,or a random little zine, I never leave Shelf Life disappointed (or empty handed)! staff is friendly (but not TOO friendly) they greet you and check in, but they don't follow you around bugging you. bonus points for always having the most recent issues of Lucky Peach. (oh also, I've ordered books by emailing them quite a few times, and they are excellent via email - they reply right away, and the books have always come super quick!) thanks, Shelf Life! read more

You would think that with the advent of mega-bookstores with their large selections and deep discounts, that small independent bookstores would lose their place in today's world. If you love to read though, one visit to Shelf Life Books will change your mind, if you ever thought that way to begin with. I don't know what it is, but every time I walk in here, I either walk out with something or have to work hard to hold myself back from purchasing something. It could be the way the store is laid out. It doesn't boast the selection of a Chapters or an Indigo, although you can special order anything from the front desk. But perhaps the reduced clutter makes it easier to filter through stuff and find things. Or it could be a conscious choice with respect to which books get displayed. I was speaking to the owner after a visit where I walked away with three books I had never intended to buy, nor was even looking for, and she said that they try their best to display "smart" books, and actively try not to display anything with vampires with them. A smarter person would have taken down a list and tried to bargain hunt online later, but I ended up paying full price for my wares for the simple fact that I a) wanted them right away and b) wasn't confident that I'd find them in stock elsewhere. Or maybe the person responsible for the displays has similar tastes as mine. For example, now on my bucket list is a Star Wars lenticular book that has moving pictures on each page depending on how you tilt it, How to Eat Organic for $5 a Day, and the entire "Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents..." children's book series. I would never have found these sorts of books at the competition even if they carried them to begin with, and it was thanks to Shelf Life Books that I was made aware that these kinds of books even existed in the first place. I can honestly say that Shelf Life Books is a place I'll visit more often, especially when I have some spare time to kill in between meetings or other appointments. However, I know I'll need to do a better job at guarding my wallet when I do. 2/30 read more

I first came into this bookstore because I was looking for a neighbourhood book store close to where I drop my son off each week instead of heading to the mall to a big box store. Imagine my surprise, when I found out that there was a guest that evening, telling Tales from Scotland on none other than Robbie Burns Day! The Storyteller was as a Scot would say, "Pure Dead Brilliant"! The staff held a short intermission with tea, cookies and jam. And the patrons could wonder and check out the wide selection of books and genres. Everything is spacious and clean and easy to find. The only thing hard to find was parking...I suggest you park behind the store in the alley if you can be quick. I'll definitely be back! *Tales Alberta & Storytelling Festival Websites can be found online or by calling the store. read more

This place is so great. They didn't have the book I was looking for in stock but the loverly lady at the front was able to order it in for me annnnnnd she recommended another book I might like interim. It was a great recommendation and I love that she knew what I was going for. This seems like a really great spot with lots of readings and events for the local literary crowd. Will definitely be back :) read more

Rob dragged me out here this last weekend because we had seen ad advertisement for it, but had never been. Wow...is all I could say upon walking in. This is one heckuva bookstore. The books here are not second-hand. I repeat, they are not second-hand, but rather they are books that are privately published and not as 'mass-produced' as some others. This is an excellent place to pick up an alternative read. Easily accessible via the #3 transit bus if you don't drive. read more

this book store is good if you are looking for that book that you can't find any where else and it maybe good to find it here staff are friendly and kind and really know books read more

After McNally Robinson closed, and the Book and Art Den in Banff, I decided to never again shop Chapters/Indigo/Coles. I can't handle big bookstores driving out cozy little bookstores. I am an avid reader, with a big book collecting problem. Luckily, I moved down the street from Shelf Life in August, and haven't looked back! They always seem to have what I'm looking for, and browsing their shelves has lead me to amazing books from small publishing houses, interesting zines, and great new things to read. The staff is always so helpful and friendly, and on occasion have helped me search high and low for what I'm looking for. I really adore this bookstore and feel so lucky that it's a 5 minute walk from my home! read more

I work near this bookstore and love the great selection; they have a ton of books I never thought I would be able to find in Calgary, and I always love their displays. They also had a great 5 dollar/50% off book sale that I really enjoyed. I would give them five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I never get greeted in the store or really spoken to at all (even when I buy books there, which is often since I've been going there for years) which makes me feel unwelcome and awkward when I'm there; I don't like going into stores where I feel like a nuisance or like I shouldn't be there. If the staff greeted me or responded to my efforts to make conversation while I bought books I would be more inclined to give it five stars! Maybe I just have bad luck as I read the other reviews about the good service but that's just my experience. read more

Heck, the selection might not be enormous, but this indepedent bookstore has a very fine fiction and poetry section. Plus, I talked about Flannery O'Connor's short stories with two of the staff members for about 20 minutes. You can't find that kind of enthusiams at Chapters. read more

A pretty good bookstore. A great selection of local authors and hard to find titles. They hold book launches as well, great to have it in the community. read more

There have been times that I have come in this store, not knowing what I want...but I can always be sure there's something to catch my eye. Beautifully curated selection and a nice laid back atmosphere. read more

Nice discovery. Awesome selection of books that simply aren't available in any of the big box bookstores.

Love this book store, always full of neat little finds and odds n ends. Cool selection of topics and local authors and events. Love love love it and will be back read more

I had my book launch at Shelf Life Books. The staff was amazingly helpful and so supportive of our efforts. They are true professionals and really know about the book industry and great books. My book is called Jawbreaker: Memoir of a women's Shelter, and is available at this bookstore. Thank you again Shelf Life for your help. read more

Great selection of books. They have very nice poetry books, mostly contemporary. I was given good insight into contemporary English Canadian poetry. They bet for new and local authors. A small but high-quality comic book section is also offered. In general, very well crafted editions and nice paperbacks. read more