Speaking Volumes Books

Speaking Volumes Books A small book store specializing in first editions, Canadiana, theatre, film, performing arts, history, and rare volumes in Markdale, Ontario.

We are open today, Sunday for our new Gallery show, featuring artist Millie Top. The store hours will be modified for th...
09/06/2026

We are open today, Sunday for our new Gallery show, featuring artist Millie Top. The store hours will be modified for the rest of this week, as I will be taking some time off.

Wednesday, September 9th: 10am-5pm
Thursday, September 10th: 10am-5pm
Friday, September 11th: 10am-5pm
Saturday, September 12th: 10am-5pm
Sunday, September 13th: CLOSED

We will be open regular hours the following week.
See you then. .

Our very fine showing of the work of P James now completed, we will be welcoming that of Millie Top, who will be exhibit...
09/05/2026

Our very fine showing of the work of P James now completed, we will be welcoming that of Millie Top, who will be exhibiting from Sept 6 to October 25 in The Gallery at Speaking Volumes Books.
Join us at 2pm. tomorrow Sunday September 6, for our opening, where we will be serving snacks, refreshments and, of course, coffee. Meet the artist, mingle, and if the spirit moves you, feel free to buy a work of art or even a book.

For all those who tell me they can never find Terry Pratchett anywhere, take a look at these new arrivals, but be wary, ...
09/05/2026

For all those who tell me they can never find Terry Pratchett anywhere, take a look at these new arrivals, but be wary, they will not last.

I was sitting under the awning outside the store, sipping on a coffee and watching the tumbleweed drift by on the street...
09/04/2026

I was sitting under the awning outside the store, sipping on a coffee and watching the tumbleweed drift by on the street in front of me. I was about to open "This is Your Mind on Plants" to where I left off, when a yellow '73 Pinto pulled up An old man in a battered Stetson and a weathered leather vest got out, He moseyed over in my direction and dropped onto the seat beside me.
"Morning" I greeted him.
He nodded, then pulled out a small bag of chewing to***co from his vest, pinched a bit out of it, then stuffed it into his mouth.
"This here's a ghost town."
"Yup. How'd you get the hole in your hat?"
"Luck. Damn fool was blind in one eye, and couldn't see out of t'other. You got any books by the Master?"
"Shakespeare?"
"No. Zane Grey."
"I probably have a few,: I replied.
"Good to know."
We waited in silence for a moment.
"You want to take a look inside?"
"Maybe next time."
He chewed loudly and the minutes passed.
"What happened? The stagecoach stopped coming?"
"No. No stagecoach."
"They close the train station? "
"Decades ago."
"What did it?"
"Road Construction."
The old-timer nodded in a way that indicated he seemed to understand.
"Know any place around here you can buy a sarsaparilla?"
"I don't."
"It's back to the ranch for me, then."
With that, he stood up and headed back to his car.
"Be seein' you, pard'ner," he said, touching the brim of his hat.
"Adios, amigo."
With that, he got into his Pinto, started it up, and drove in the direction of the impending sunset, towards the sign that read "Road Closed".

The man in the eyepatch leaned over the counter and half-smiled."Recognize me?" he asked."I'm not sure..." I responded.H...
08/30/2026

The man in the eyepatch leaned over the counter and half-smiled.
"Recognize me?" he asked.
"I'm not sure..." I responded.
He raised the flap and winked.
"It's Morris, Chief By-law Officer of the Municipality, Culture Division."
"Did you injure your eye?"
"Not at all. I'm working undercover. You might recall that I'm the guy who busted that ring of renegade seniors teaching cultural history in your basement. There's nothing worse than retired people on a mission. They're worse than terrorists."
I'd almost forgotten about that whole ordeal.
"I often wondered what happened to them," I confessed.
"I ran them straight out of town. They're now in Dundalk trying to do the same thing. You'd think they go to a place with less artistic life than we have, not more."
"What brings you to Speaking Volumes? Are you in search of a book?"
"Yeah, right," Morris replied, snickering.
He moved forward a little and lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"My crackerjack team of informants in the underground artistic community have alerted me to a concert tonight at Annesley Church at 7pm in stark violation of culture-free zone policy. So after intensive personal investigation, I have confirmed that this is true."
"You saw the poster on the front door?"
"Yes."
"I assume you are referring to "Voices of Broadway" with soloists Angela Gjurichanin and Aaron Dimoff, presented by Music in Middle Grey on Sunday August 30 at 7pm at Annesley Church, 82 Toronto St. South in Markdale."
"You don't have to be so detailed. People might come."
"Not to worry. Nobody reads these posts."
"It's almost as if you are promoting cultural events in our area. I could give you a ticket for that. Next thing you know, people like you will want some kind of performing arts centre, and that's a slippery slope that leads straight to drug overdose."
"I hadn't made the connection."
"That's why we elect a municipal council. To keep our community safe. And performing in a church, no less. We subscribe to the complete separation of Church and State of the Arts.But you have nothing to worry about. Writing is a safe activity in our community.. The Municipality has no business in the heads of our citizens. For now."
We were interrupted by his beeper going off. He pulled his cell phone from its enclosure on his belt and studied it intently.
"I have to go. There's an old lady on Eliza Street selling one of her watercolours at a garage sale. There's simply no rest in this job. The other day I had to ticket a guy who was at the light during the construction delay. He had taken his easel out and was painting a picture of the light during the delay. It was red"
Morris began to walk toward the door. He stopped.
"Maybe I'll go to the concert tonight, but I'll have to go undercover. I'll be the one in the eyepatch.."
The door swung shut.

I would like to thank those customers who continue to support this store in spite of the surrounding area looking like ...
08/28/2026

I would like to thank those customers who continue to support this store in spite of the surrounding area looking like the set for "All Quiet on the Western Front II: No Longer Quiet". I know my fellow downtown merchants are also appreciative of the continued patronage, and we are all grateful that our clients no longer have to come by helicopter.
Readers are a tough breed, and the diehards are not going to be discouraged by a little disruption. Many of them have got through Proust. Or maybe it's the free coffee I'm told that the newest brand is a hit, so I guess it's a keeper.
Whatever the reason, we are grateful Markdale is still in your GPS.
If you are still on the fence, here are five other reasons to visit a bookstore you've never heard of in a place that barely makes the map:
5. It's an optical illusion. There's no way a space that small could hold that many good books.
4. We are featuring the work of local artist P. James, and her show in The Gallery ends next week.
3. We have banned books, Goodreads 4.00+, signed and rare books, poetry and a large Canadian and young readers section.
2. With every book you buy in the store, you get a free book from the Sale Room.
1. Did I mention the free coffee?

I think we have a poltergeist with a camera.
08/22/2026

I think we have a poltergeist with a camera.

A reminder that Patricia Kortland will be reading from her work in the store this afternoon at 2pm, Patricia will be se...
08/09/2026

A reminder that Patricia Kortland will be reading from her work in the store this afternoon at 2pm, Patricia will be selling copies of her books, and if you ask nicely, she just might sign it as well.
Enjoy a free coffee, check out the art of local artist P. James in the Gallery.
Our August promotion continues, which offers a free book from the sale room for every book you purchase in the store.

Address

42 Main Street W
Markdale, ON
N0C1H0

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+19057198878

Website

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