Bookstores in Boston

30 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/massachusetts, r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Most people recommend Harvard Book Store in Harvard Square, and many point to its used-book basement. One person praises its used children's books, and two people mention remainder and discounted titles downstairs. One visitor advises against going in specifically for used or discounted books, while another calls it a personal favorite but warns that weekend tourist crowds can be heavy. One person who has bought foreign-language books there says the selection is not a huge one, though speakers of common languages will probably find something.

Harvard Square

27 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/massachusetts, r/boston, r/CambridgeMA, X

The West Street shop downtown is a used bookstore where a couple of visitors enjoy browsing and a few praise the outdoor section. A couple of visitors point to its Irish history section, and one visitor notes a rare books room. Caveats: one visitor finds the selection merely adequate, another says its stock leans toward older books and nonfiction and was not the fit they wanted, and one says its used books have become pricey over time. Overall, most people recommend it.

West Street

21 people recommendvia r/boston, X

Many people recommend Trident, and several call it a favorite; a couple of visitors describe it as cute, and one says the upper floors of the Newbury Street shop are good for lingering. A few people say zines can be found here. One visitor finds it too crowded, another feels the selection leans toward much-hyped titles though it has nonfiction gems, and a third says the cafe food is inconsistent. One visitor advises against driving to the Newbury Street shop, since parking is tough.

Newbury St

16 people recommendvia r/massachusetts, r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Many people recommend Commonwealth Books, a used bookshop downtown. One visitor praises its consistently excellent selection, and another calls it the best-organized used bookshop they have seen. A couple of commenters mention rare or unusual old books, one likes its historic character and tucked-away alley location, and one notes an Irish section and some interesting maps. One commenter says it carries a huge amount of books, and another calls it a gem for anyone comfortable buying secondhand.

Spring Lane

13 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/boston

Many people recommend Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, a bookshop with a cafe on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, and a few call it charming, cute or beautiful. One visitor found it packed, with people taking photos everywhere that made browsing hard, and wondered if they had come on an off day. One commenter called it overrated and said it mostly stocks bestsellers.

11 people recommendvia r/boston, r/Somerville

Many people recommend this Somerville shop, and several visitors describe it as focused on women and queer writers. One visitor says they loved its selection and atmosphere, and one person praises the community the shop has built. The shop moved from Assembly to a Washington Street spot in East Somerville after rent pressure at its old corner.

Somerville

11 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Somerville, r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Many commenters recommend Porter Square Books, and one calls it a large independent shop with a broad selection. A couple of commenters point to it for zines. The shop moved to a new spot nearby, and one visitor found it bigger and better than before. Before the move, one commenter feared it would cut spontaneous drop-ins, and one long-time customer said losing free parking would keep them from visiting. Other mixed views include one visitor who calls the shop fairly small though its cafe and patio are decent, and one commenter who thinks the chairs may not be very comfortable.

9 people recommendvia r/boston

Many people recommend Just Bookish, and a few visitors point to the Dorchester shop in particular, including its Field's Corner neighbourhood. One visitor describes it as a bookstore and cafe, another calls it adorable and praises its snacks and teas, and one calls it small but mighty. One commenter praises its nonfiction on gender, race, history and nature.

Dorchester

8 people recommendvia r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Eight people recommend Lovestruck Books in Cambridge, which focuses on romance, with one visitor finding its idea of the genre fairly broad. A couple of visitors also point to the wine. One visitor describes a warm, aesthetic space with children's books, young adult titles and gifts.

Cambridge

8 people recommendvia r/boston

Many people recommend Papercuts in Jamaica Plain. One visitor describes it as small and close to the arboretum, another says it sells new books, and one was impressed by its literary fiction on a past visit. A commenter notes it is not far from a Goodwill on Centre Street.

JP

7 people recommendvia r/CambridgeMA, r/boston

Many people recommend Rodney's Cambridge shop in Harvard Square. One visitor praises its selection and calls it budget-friendly, and another finds it well-curated. A couple of commenters enjoy browsing it, though one of them finds the layout unorganized, and one enjoys making the trip to Cambridge just to visit. One commenter also notes it has no children's books.

Cambridge

7 people recommendvia r/boston

Many people recommend Frugal Bookstore, which sits in Nubian Square in Roxbury. One visitor praises its selection of African-American authors and its sci-fi and picture book sections, and another says it has no used books but a great selection. One commenter calls it a worthwhile stop while visiting the neighbourhood.

Roxbury

6 people recommendvia r/boston

Many people recommend I Am Books. A few people describe the North End shop as small, one says it has a good collection of Italian and classical Latin literature, and one visitor calls it an interesting store. One person who had not known about the shop expects its Italian section to fill a gap in their browsing.

North End

5 people recommendvia r/massachusetts, r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Many people recommend the Bryn Mawr Book Store in Cambridge. One commenter praises its used book selection, another calls it a fun find in a cute neighborhood, and a third calls it a hidden gem in Huron Village. One visitor says non-fiction and history are especially strong, and notes that proceeds go to scholarships. The one caveat raised is the cash-or-check-only policy, which one visitor finds a bit inconvenient, though that visitor still loves the shop.

Cambridge

5 people recommendvia r/boston, r/CambridgeMA

Grolier Poetry Book Shop is a Harvard Square shop dedicated solely to poetry, described as an old one. Several people recommend it: one says it is a must for anyone interested in poetry, one says they love it, and another says not to miss it on a Harvard Square bookshop tour.

Harvard Square

5 people recommendvia r/boston, r/Somerville

Many people recommend Side Quest Books and Games. A couple of people point sci-fi and fantasy readers toward it, and one describes its selection in that area as small but carefully chosen. At the Bow Market location in Somerville, one person praises a curated tabletop roleplaying selection and mentions game nights, while another says it stocks the newest releases and has a welcoming community. One visitor who has been to the Somerville shop says it has become a favorite.

Bow Market Somerville