We're excited to present a guide to our favorite local, independent bookstores in the Boston area.
Cambridge: Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store, not to be confused with the official bookstore of the university, is an independently owned and operated shop in Harvard Square. They've been around since 1932, but they've certainly kept up with the times with additions of a bike delivery service and a book-making robot that can print and bind anything from an open-source manuscript off the Internet to your own writing. Get lost in the aisles of both new and used offerings, and check out their author events lineup here.
Visit: 1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
Back Bay: Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Trident, nestled on Newbury Street among fitness studios, clothing boutiques, and coffee shops, is a true community spot drawing book lovers from nearby colleges and neighborhoods. After a small fire caused a great deal of water damage earlier this year, they have rebuilt and reopened. Browse two floors of books, curl up with some hearty food at the cafe, and check out events ranging from book signings to trivia nights here.
Visit: 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
South End: More Than Words
More Than Words is a nonprofit organization that manifests their mission to empower at-risk youth by giving them real world business experience in the form of running a bookstore. Their program takes a two-pronged approach in which individuals learn how to run the store and how to run their personal lives, setting them up for future success. The South End location just opened, and it has an expansive selection of used books. Their inventory is fueled by donations, which you can learn more about here.
Visit: 242 East Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02118
Downtown: Brattle Book Shop
The Brattle is nearly 200 years old, making it one of the oldest used bookstores in the country. It boasts three floors of books inside as well as an outdoor sale lot filled with bookshelves to browse and great deals to be found. They have a special floor of rare and antique books, and they even offer bookshelf decorating consulting services.
Visit: 9 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Brookline: Brookline Booksmith
Brookline Booksmith, near the Coolidge Corner neighborhood, opened in 1961. You can browse new books above ground and used books in the Used Book Cellar. They also have three different book club options, a Children's Storytime event series, and a packed calendar of visits and book signings from high profile authors. You can check out upcoming events here.
Visit: 279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446