Bookstores in Cambridge/Boston
Last change:
14 Aug 2008
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Areas and topics listed include:
Harvard Square
GENERAL/FULL-SERVICE BOOKSTORES
USED BOOKSTORES
UNIVERSITY (BOOKSTORES AND PRESSES)
POETRY
FOREIGN BOOKS
THEOLOGY/RELIGION
CHILDREN'S BOOKS
MISCELLANY (includes stores which may belong in
the above categories, but with which I am unfamiliar)
MAGAZINES, ETC.
Comments
other geographic areas
[Note 0: I know this list is in need of updating, but although everyone keeps
saying it's out of date, not many people seem send me specifics.]
[Note 1: This list includes Cambridge, Boston, and environs. There are
separate files for western Massachusetts and for the rest of New England.
Go to the bookshop index file for details.
[Note 2: I collected these comments from a variety of people. I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy. :-) Phone numbers and precise addresses can be
gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city. Call ahead
for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]
[Note 3: If you can add information for any of these, in particular
addresses when they are missing, please send it to me. *PLEASE SPECIFY CITY
AND STATE.*]
[Note 4: Area codes change so quickly these days that these may be wrong.]
[Note 5: Thanks to Nichael Cramer, who maintained these lists for many
years.]
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This is a list of many of what are some of the better/larger/more important
bookstores in the Cambridge/Boston area. This list is far from exhaustive.
It is also somewhat outdated, since I am now [Feb 2003] reviving a list
originally maintained by Nichael Cramer, but not updated since 1996. Any
corrections, additions, or (alas) deletions would be appreciated.
I've arranged this partly by T-Stop and partly by category. Eventually, it
will probably be entirely geographic. Help in sorting things out would be
appreciated.
CONCERNING HARVARD SQUARE [Hereafter: HSq]:
In this list there is a lot of emphasis on Cambridge, and in
particular on Harvard Square. I'm assuming that most people using
this list (tourists, weekend-visitors, etc.) probably want the
biggest book-buying bang per buck. And around here that clearly means
Harvard Square.
By the way, most stores around Cambridge carry a brochure guide to the
bookstores of Cambridge. Pick up a copy; it'll make getting around a whole
lot easier.
Harvard Square:
Crimson Corner (TStop=HSq). Right across the street from Out of Town News.
"To my taste, a better magazine selection." Formerly Nini's
Corner. [02/08]
Global Village Books (111 Mt Auburn, T-Stop=HSq, 617-491-8788). New
Age.
Grolier Book Shop (6 Plympton, TStop=HSq, 617-547-4648, 800-234-POEM).
"I don't know what all to say about Groliers. As the sign on
the door says "minimum of prose". Poetry to the ceiling. Like
Ralph, if Louise doesn't have it--or know about it--you can
probably get along without it. Has to be seen to be believed.
Harvard Bookstore (1256 Mass Ave, TStop=HSq, http://harvard.com).
Full-service bookstore. Nice classical and remaindered
sections. A fairly good used-book section (and remaindereds)
in the basement. (In spite of name, not associated with
Harvard so far as I know.) [06/06]
Harvard Coop (1400 Mass Ave, TStop=HSq, 617-492-1000,
http://www.bkstore.com/harvard/). Pronounced "koop". The
official "college bookstore" of Harvard. Three floors of
books. (Also clothes, school supplies, etc.) Good source
for that weird anthro text you've always wanted. Has a
coffee shop. Run by Barnes & Noble. [09/03]
Harvard Divinity School Book Store (Francis St, TStop=HSq). Again, name
says it all.
Harvard University Press Display Room (1350 Mass Ave, Holyoke Center
Arcade. TStop=HSq, 617-495-2625,
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/insidehup/displayroom.html). The
name says it all. A whole *roomful* of Loeb Classics (at a
small discount, even). "More than a small discount. There's
a whole section of books discounted due to damage. However,
the damage is often slight. It's worth checking out, though
the amount that different books are discounted seems to vary
wildly. My impression is that it has to do with how long
they've been trying to unload a given book. Very nice staff
here also." [04/08]
Million Year Picnic (99 Mount Auburn, 02138, 617-492-6763). Comic
book store. [02/08]
Museum Shop at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (26 Oxford, just
past Harvard Yard, 617-495-4473, http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu).
"A wonderful source for kids' and adults' books, broad selection of
natural history, science, wildlife photography, as well as books on
the extraordinary collections there. The shop also carries minerals,
jewelry, fossils, toys, games.... Open seven days 9AM-5PM. [10/07]
Newtonville Books (http://www.newtonvillebooks.com/). Lots of author
readings and other special events. [03/08]
Out of Town News (0[!] Harvard Sq, TStop=HSq). A Cambridge fixture.
Newspapers from all over. Good magazine selection.
Pandemonium Books (6 Pleasant Street, just off Mass Ave, next to the
Central Square post office. TStop=Central, 617-547-3721 (?),
http://www.pandemoniumbooks.com/). The kind of little SF shop
that you would expect to find in HSq. "Devoted to SF and
gaming and has 10% discounts. They carry some specialty
press stuff not available elsewhere the Square. And
they'll discount at least some of it." [06/06]
Raven Used Books (52B JFK, TStop=HSq, 617-441-6999). Contains smaller
selection of more scholarly material than most used
bookstores. [12/05]
Revolution Books (1156 Mass Ave, TStop=HSq, 617-492-5443). Well, it
*is* Cambridge... (It was suggested that I make clear that
"revolution" in this context does *not* mean "as in 1776". The
store is run by the RCP (the Revolutionary Communist Party).)
Schoenhof's Foreign Books (76A Mt Auburn, TStop=HSq, 617-547-8855,
http://www.schoenhofs.com/). Foreign language books;
literature, non-fiction, language learning, etc. 160
languages in reference section. "I don't think the listing
really does this place justice. Simply put, this is THE
foreign bookstore for the entire east coast. Smartest sales
staff in HSq, bar none." "Bookstores from all over the
country refer people to Schoenhof's." [09/03]
Seven Stars (Mass Ave, Central Square, Cambridge). Standard college-town
occult/New Age bookshop.
GENERAL/FULL-SERVICE BOOKSTORES:
Barnes and Noble (Prudential Center. T-Stop: Prudential,
617-247-6959). Open Mon-Sat 9AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-9PM. [08/04]
Barnes & Noble at Boston University Bookshop (Kenmore Square, Boston,
TStop=Kenmore Sq). *Huge* store.
Barnes & Noble (Old Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington). Judging just by the
outside, I can see why Massachusetts abolished counties--several
of them were smaller than this store.
The Book Rack (13 Medford, Arlington, 02474). New and used books,
[08/04]
Brookline Booksmith (279 Harvard, Brookline, 02446, 617-566-6660,
FAX 617-734-9125, http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com). New
books; also has a used book cellar. Open Mon-Fri 8:30PM-11PM,
Sat 9AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-8PM; used book cellar closes an hour
earlier. [10/05]
Borders (Downtown Crossing; 511 Boylston; Galleria Mall, Cambridge;
Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill; Framingham, RTE9, near Shoppers'
World; Peabody, Route 128, Exit 114 North, across from
Northshore Shopping Center). The usual. Probably additional
locations not listed here. One person notes that if you are
on the T, you can probably do slightly better in Harvard
Square (though not much better), but if you are not convenient
to the T, Borders is a much better bet than Harvard Square
since they have lots of free parking (at least the suburban
stores). Reportedly no coffeeshop in the Peabody store.
[02/08]
Concord Bookshop (65 Main, Concord, 978-369-2405). New books. An
independent bookseller, so a more interesting assortment of
books. Heavy on local authors (quelle surprise!) but good selection
in other areas as well, if inconsistent--four different guidebooks
for Vietnam, a Vietnam culinary guide, but no Vietnamese phrasebook.
Very friendly staff. Open Mon-Fri 9:30AM-6PM, Sat 9:30AM-5PM,
Sun 1PM-5PM.
Derby Square Book Store (215 Essex, Salem, 01970, 978-745-8804). New
books, everything discounted 30% but sorted only by category
(more or less) and in huge six-foot high stacks rather than on
shleves. It takes a steady hand to get to most of them.
M.I.T. COOP (Cambridge Center, TStop=Kendall Sq, 617-491-4230; also MIT
Stratton Student Center, 1st floor, 80 Mass Ave,
TStop=Central or Kendall, http://www.bkstore.com/mit/).
The (smaller) M.I.T. analogue of the Harvard version. [06/06]
Porter Square Books (Porter Square Shopping Center, 25 White,
Cambridge, 02140, 617-491-2220, T-Stop=Porter Square,
http://www.portersquarebooks.com). General interest with all new
books, and a selection of cards, journals, etc. It is large for an
independent store. Full price except for a few selected new books.
Heavy on author appearances. It has parking! [11/04]
Spirit of '76 (107 Pleasant, Marblehead, 01945, 781-631-7199,
http://www.spiritof76bookstore.com). New books. Open
Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM, Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM. [08/04]
Trident Booksellers (338 Newbury, Boston). "Large, left-wing bookshop with
good non-fiction and reference sections covering some of the more
esoteric publishers not usually seen in the likes of Borders, etc.
The fiction sections have a scattering of secondhand books among
the new titles, though nothing exceptional (no horror section, and
a disappointing SF range). What is most attractive about this
bookshop is the atmosphere engendered by the large cafe which the
shop itself surrounds, especially as it's open until midnight every
day, usually with some decent jazz to listen to. Also a large
selection of magazines and greeting cards." Open seven days 9AM-12M.
Waldenbooks (Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington).
Wellesley Booksmith (82 Central, Wellesley, 02482, 781-431-1160,
FAX 781-431-0660, http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com). New
books. Open Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10AM-6PM. [10/05]
Willow Books & Cafe (279 Great Rd (Route 2A east of Route 27), Acton,
978-266-0066). Large and well-lit. Open Mon-Sat 9AM-9PM, Sun
12N-6PM.
USED BOOKSTORES:
Barrow Bookstore (79 Main, Concord, 01742, 978-369-6084,
barrowbook@aol.com). Used books. Smallest selection around
but also a bit cheaper. No SF that I could find, other than a
few mixed into fiction. Reasonable-sized mystery section,
though. Open Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5PN, Sun 12N-4:30PM. [09/06]
The Book Collector (375 Elliot, Newton Upper Falls, TStop=Newton Highlands
on Riverside branch, then bus #54 to corner of Elliot & Chestnut).
"Used books. Better prices than in-town shops. Strong on
children's, history, and reference. Not open nights or Sundays."
The Book Rack (13 Medford, Arlington, 02474). New and used books,
[08/04]
Books with a Past (17 Walden, upstairs, Concord, 01742, 978-371-0180,
bwap@erols.com). Used books. Smaller selection than Upper Story
Books in Lexington. but probably worth a stop if you're around
when it's open. Specializes in local authors. Open Tue-Sat
10AM-5PM. [09/06]
Boston Book Company (705 Centre, Jamaica Plain section of Boston,
02130, 617-522-2100, http://www.rarebook.com).
"Used books. Strong in recent (last twenty years) hardcover
fiction, history and politics." Open Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM,
Sun 12N-10PM. [02/08]
Boston Book Annex (906 Beacon, Boston, 02130, TStop=1st above-ground stop on
Cleveland Circle branch, 617-522-2100, http://www.rarebook.com).
"Used books. Strong in recent (last twenty years) hardcover
fiction, history and politics." Open Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM. [09/06]
Brattle Bookshop (9 West, Boston, 02111, TStop=Park St, 800-447-9595,
FAX 617-338-1467, http://www.brattlebookshop.com).
Ancient. Also has "antiquarian" paraphernalia; e.g.
autographs, etc. Nice old/used magazine selection. "Again,
strongest on history and other non-fiction. Most of their
paperbacks are $3/1 on a big unsorted table; you can usually
find some good ones if you take the time to weed through
it." "They've added a section on science fiction, three
shelves of which are paperback. It's not large but some quite
good stuff has shown up in it. The reason, of course, is that
their contacts are so good that a significant percent of all
used books being sold sort of funnel to them automatically."
Open Mon-Sat 9AM-5:30PM. [09/06]
Bryn Mawr Bookstore (373 Huron Ave, Cambridge, near Harvard Sq,
617-661-1770, http://www.brynmawrbookstore.com).
[A wide selection. All profits go to establish scholarships
at Bryn Mawr and for this reason they don't buy books but only
accept them as donations. One result is that a portion (but
only a minority) of the books are not in as good condition as
one would like. Another is that everything is significantly
cheaper, being closer to 1/3 list price rather than the 1/2
which is the norm." Open Tue-Sat 10AM-5:30PM; also Thu 10AM-7PM
(Apr-Dec). [09/06]
Commonwealth Books (2 Milk, 02108, basement of Old South Meeting House
in downtown Boston that is directly across the street from the
Downtown Crossing location of Border's books, 617-338-6328 or
800-259-7616, http://www.commonwealthbooks.com).
"An eclectic mix of scholarly and general interest. Somewhat
disorganized but a determined search can yield good books at
reasonable prices." Open daily 10AM-7PM. [02/08]
Commonwealth Books (additional) (134 Boylston, Boston, 02116;
526 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, 02215; 617-338-6328 or
800-259-7616, http://www.commonwealthbooks.com).
A used bookstore strongest in the humanities that has been
open for a few years. Large art and antiques section. They
also sell a few prints. Open daily 10AM-7PM. [09/06]
Diskovery (Brighton Avenue, between Harvard Street and Linden). "You get
both used books and used music here. This is quite a small shop,
but it is an honest sort of smallness, not to be sneered at. The
place is a mess, which makes it ideal for browsers. Comes complete
with a middle-aged Peruvian woman who plays rap most of the time and
authentic black bookstore cat, as lazy as the best of them."
Lorem Ipsum Books (157 Hampshire. Inman Sq, 617-497-7669,
http://www.loremipsumbooks.com). General used bookstore with
a specialty in "useful books."
Manchester By The Book (27 Union, Manchester, 01944, 978-525-2929).
"A superb bookstore. Strong in local and national history,
literature, and children's books. A very well-chosen
selection, some of which is displayed on tables that invite
the reader to sit down on a sofa or chair and browse. I have
bought a number of older children's books there as well as
some fairly off-beat but quality titles." [04/04]
McIntyre & Moore Booksellers (1971 Mass Ave, Porter Sq, Cambridge, 02140,
617-229-5644, http://www.mcintyreandmoore.com). General
used books. "They have an excellent selection of history
and other non-fiction, but their fiction section is
relatively small. My personal favorite (i.e. I can find
something here I want a tad more often than the other
places listed)." 80,000 books. Open Mon-Wed 10AM-8PM,
Thu-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 12N-8PM. [04/08]
Much Ado (108 Washington, Marblehead, 01945, 781-639-0400). "Not
cheap, but a large selection usually in good shape. This
children's section is very good; the SF section is not large,
but has unusual stuff. [08/04]
Pazzo Books (4268 Washington off Adams Park, Roslindale, 02131,
617-323-2919). Used books, with particular strengths in 20th
century fiction, children's, and the social sciences, as well
as books in Spanish and French, magazines and work from local
artists. Open Tue-Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri 11AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-6PM,
Sun 12N-5PM. Moving to West Roxbury. [05/08]
Puddingstone Books & Prints (65 Cedar, Dedham, 02056, 781-326-1115).
Rodney's Book Store (Central Sq, Cambridge (on Massachusetts Ave, just
north of Prospect/Western Ave)). Used books, fairly good-sized
store, reasonably eclectic collection.
Village Books (168B Main, Medway, 02053, 508-533-9109,
tseager@earthlink.net). General used, especially mysteries.
Open Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 12N-5PM. [09/06]
UNIVERSITY (BOOKSTORES AND PRESSES):
MIT Press Bookstore (292 Main, TStop=Kendall Square, 253-5249,
http://mitpress.mit.edu/bookstore/). They sell all MIT
press publications. Goode section of MIT hurt sale books and
remainder form other publishers. Extensive selection of books by
MIT-affliated authors. Very good c selection of books from other
publishers in art & architecture, culture & media, science,
technology & society, economics & management, linguistics, general
science, etc. Open Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 1PM-6PM.
[09/03]
FOREIGN BOOKS:
Sasuga Japanese Bookstore (96 Clematis Ave, Waltham, 02453,
781-891-5055, 877-891-5055). Books, magazines, comics, etc in
Japanese, and (a smattering of) books in English about Japan.
[10/04]
[See also Schoenhof's and the Loeb classics at Harvard University Press
Display Room above.]
THEOLOGY/RELIGION:
[NOTE: These stores are not "Religious" bookstores, per se; rather they are
bookstores that function as sources for the many seminaries and religious
schools in the Greater Boston area.]
Divinitas (5 Magazine, TStop=Central Sq, 354-1114). Nice selection. Often
has good prices on remaindered/damaged books. Closed weekends and
sometimes during school vacations. Also, if you're into the
material, check out the Harvard Divinity School library while you're
nearby. One of the best, if not the best, in the country."
Israel Bookstore (410 Harvard, Brookline, 566-7113). "More specialized, but
worth mentioning. In their domain, they have an excellent
selection." [More specialized seems to mean Jewish rather than
Christian, since I suspect the other two listed here don't cover all
religions either.]
CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
Children's Book Shop (237 Washington, Brookline. TStop=Brookline
Village). Excellent selection.
Curious George (30 Brattle, TStop=HSq, 617-354-5201). There's a
separate floor for the Young Adult section, and a good
selection of cards, wrapping paper, small toys, and stuffed
animals. Open Mon-Sat 9AM-11:15PM, Sun 10AM-10:15PM. [12/05]
MISCELLANY:
The American Textile History Museum (491 Dutton, Lowell, 01854,
978-441-0400, FAX 978-441-1412). Bookstore that covers
both historical and contemporary aspects of clothing,
textiles, and handcrafts: social, academic, artistic, and
popular. Some *very* specialized, hard-to-find items; also
how-to books on sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. Open
Tue-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-5PM. [08/04]
Bestseller's Cafe (24 High, Medford, 02155, 781-391-7171). Sandwich
shop in back.
Calamus Bookstore (92B South St, 02111, 617-338-1931,
http://www.calamusbooks.com/). Has sort of a split
personality: as you enter, the back half is basically an adult
bookstore. The front is what one might call a full-service
gay bookstore (i.e. they seem to carry about any book
available that has so much as a single gay character).
Postcards, records, tapes, etc. [09/03]
Kate's Mystery Books (2211 Mass Ave, Cambridge, T-Stop=Davis, 491-2680).
Kate's is to mysteries what Groliers is to poetry. The bottom half
of a house filled with books. Great black cat collection. Seems
to have lots of readings and signings. (See if you can find the
secret panel/doorway in the back room.) "Actually, a #77 or #77A
from Harvard Sq should drop one right in front of the door."
L. J. Harri (120 Lewis Wharf, Boston, 248-0996). Nautical books, maps and
charts.
Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave (South End), 617-267-6272,
T-Symphony or MassAve, http://www.lucyparsons.org/).
Left-wing radical bookstore. Used to be the Red Book Store,
which was at various times at different locations in Central
Square (Cambridge) and Jamaica Plain. [02/08]
National Park Service Visitor Center (246 Market, Lowell, 01945,
978-970-5000). "The main NPS site has a small but good
bookstore covering industrial history, both academic and
general and small specialty presses." Open 9AM-5PM seven days
a week, slightly longer in summer. [08/04]
New England Mobile Book Fair (82 Needham, Newton). *Huge* warehouse of a
store. It has three sections: hardbacks, paperbacks and remainders,
each section being as big as any other bookstore you've probably
ever been in. All at discount prices. (Warning: except for a few
specialty sections, most books are sorted by Publisher alphabetical
by *TITLE*! This makes browsing nearly impossible, and it can be
pretty overwhelming your first time there, but if you know what you
want, it can be a good deal. Copies of BOOKS IN PRINT all over the
place.) The New England Mobile Bookfair has the word 'Mobile' in
its name because it warehouses books for school bookfairs.
The USS Constitution Museum Gift Shop (at the Charlestown Navy Yard). Books
on naval history, sailing, and other nautical matters that you might
not find elsewhere in the city.
MAGAZINES, ETC.:
Magazines by Joseph (279 Newbury, Boston, 02116, on the second floor). "He
buys and sells magazines of all types. His prices are good and he's
always willing to make a deal. If you ask he'll keep an eye out for
particular magazines for you. He has a small stash of misc
paperbacks, hardbacks, and misc stuff. He's been around at one
location or another for at least 13 years. He's a good guy." Open
seven days from 11AM-7PM.
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Comments:
For more used bookstores, you might check http://www.abaa-booknet.com/ or
http://www.bookweb.org/bookstores/usa_states.html.
There are also Book Hunter Press's USED BOOK LOVER'S GUIDE TO [various
regions], seven regional guides to over 7,900 used, out-of-print, and
antiquarian book dealers in the United States and Canada. The complete
database is online and can be searched by location, dealer name, specialty,
and type of dealer. Access to the database is available on a two tier basis:
partial access is free, full access is by subscription.The web page also
includes free access to regional and city maps showing locations with used
bookstores. For more information or a free catalog, check their web page at
http://bookhunterpress.com/.
And there is also ANTIQUARIAN, SPECIALTY, AND USED BOOK SELLERS
DIRECTORY 1997-98, covering 5,261 dealers in 863 pages. For more
information, send E-mail request asubs@aol.com, or check their web page
at http://www.auldbooks.com/biblio/asubs.
============================================================================
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Evelyn C. Leeper
Evelyn C. Leeper (eleeper@optonline.net)
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