Where is the Best Bookstore in Boston, Massachusetts?
Went to Brookline Booksmith because i heard that it was a great shop. While I did find it pretty good, I found it not to live up to its reputation. There are other amazing indepedent shops – like harvard bookshop in cambridge and New England Mobile Bookfair in Newton that far exceeded the booksmith in selection and value. Still though a very good shop for those who live locally. The used books downstairs were generally mediocre and priced too high as well. again, not to sound to negative, it is a good local bookshop. Pros + hours, selectionCons – no parking, used books bad
This Harvard Square institution, opened in 1927, is the oldest poetry book store in America. For over 80 years, Grolier has been a legendary meeting place for world-renown poets like Adrienne Rich, e.e. cummings, Robert Lowell and Allen Ginsberg. Entering this tiny 400-suare-foot shop on quiet Plympton Street is like stepping back into time. You?ll love the old-fashioned sign, poems hanging in the window, free candy dish on the counter, and the towering bookshelves that reach up to the 25-foot-high ceilings. Adorning the walls are black & white photos of famous friends and customers like T.S. Eliot and Marianne Moore. Grolier has over 15,000 poetry books and tapes ranging from Japanese haiku to Spanish poems, and they carry out-of-print editions and hard-to-find foreign authors. They also have readings and book signings. If you love poetry and want to experience the art form?s rich Cambridge history, Grolier is the place for you.
harvard bookshop is simply one of the best shops around. With a large selection of well selected books and in a clean, well organized space, the shop makes browsing a pleasure. They specialize in current releases in all categories — especially scholarly subjects such as philosophy, history, area studies, as well as literature, etc. In the bottom level, they have remainders (very good titles) and used books (which are pretty decent) — though not nearly as good as Raven Used Books a few blocks away on John F. Kennedy Street. Actually, the two together, make going to Harvard Square for book buying the perfect location (not to mention the other 6 or so general and speciality shops in the square). Pros + great new releases, clean and organized
this place takes getting used to. The organization is different, and requires some thinking to find what you want. But the people are ever-cheerful and helpful (especially Reg in travel) and you will almost always find what you are looking for, and almost as often something you weren’t looking for too
