When:
Sunday, Jan 01, 2023 9:00a -
Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 6:00p

Where:
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA

EventScheduled OfflineEventAttendanceMode

Admission:
FREE

Categories:
Drinks, Food, Kid Friendly, Photoworthy, Rainy Day Ideas, Shopping, University

Event website:
https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/13-independent-bookstores-around-boston

Boston has a reputation as a smart city and that’s evidenced in the many incredible local bookstores around the city. Amazon can’t compete with the cozy nooks, dedicated and knowledgeable staff, and robust events calendars at these local businesses. Pick one and find your next read waiting on the shelves.


by Celina Colby


Beacon Hill Books & Cafe (pictured) ☕️🍷

Where: Beacon Hill

Info: Boston’s newest (and perhaps prettiest) bookstore just opened in Beacon Hill and it’s causing a literary stir. Book lovers are waiting in line to get into the highly anticipated shop and cafe in the historic Boston neighborhood. 


Hummingbird Books

Where: Chestnut Hill

Info: This charming bookstore and community hub is one of the newest on the Greater Boston scene. Browse for books, join a writing class, bring the kids for story time, and so much more at this charming shop.


Harvard Bookstore

Where: Harvard Square

Info: Despite the name, this shop isn’t run by the famous university. Harvard Bookstore is an independent shop with a robust calendar of events focusing on author talks and panel discussions, plus new and used books for sale. 


Brookline Booksmith

Where: Coolidge Corner

Info: Okay, so technically this is in Brookline not Boston, but it’s one of the most beloved bookstores in the surrounding area. The newly expanded store offers a huge selection of new books, discounted copies, and used books as well as unique gifts. 


Trident ☕️🍷

Where: Back Bay

Info: Part bookstore, part cafe, and part meetup space, Trident has become known for their delicious all-day menu and robust events calendar. Peruse the latest book selection, have a coffee or a glass of wine, and attend a Trivia Night or Skip the Small Talk gathering. 


Pro Tip: you can also order a surprise book to go if you get takeout! 


All She Wrote Books

Where: Somerville

Info: All She Wrote Books highlights all the writers that are typically neglected in big chain bookstores: female, POC, and queer authors. The owner Christina has selected an incredible array of books across all genres and is on site most days to give recommendations. 


Porter Square Books

Where: Cambridge and Seaport

Info: This beloved shop now has two locations, one in Cambridge and one in Boston, each one offering a great selection of books. The staff here are true booklovers, they all put together bundles of books they personally recommend in different genres. 


Brattle Book Shop

Where: Downtown

Info: One of Boston’s most charming and historic bookstores, Brattle offers two floors of general used books and a third floor of rare and Antiquarian books. They also put out carts of books in the outdoor space next to the store for open-air discount browsing year round.


Commonwealth Books

Where: Downtown

Info: Tucked into an alley in Downtown Crossing, Commonwealth Books is the winding used bookstore of your literary dreams. You’ll find a huge selection of volumes, as well as rare books, maps, and even retro comic book editions. 


More Than Words

Where: South End

Info: As if you needed more motivation to buy books, you can now do it for a cause. More Than Words is a nonprofit organization that provides real life job training and personal empowerment to young people in difficult situations. The store is completely run by youth workers and offers a great selection of new condition used books and local gifts. 


Frugal Books

Where: Roxbury

Info: Boston’s only Black owned bookstore showcases an extensive array of diverse books for readers of all ages. It’s a particularly good spot to grab children’s books and YA novels by authors of color. 


Papercuts Bookshop

Where: Jamaica Plain

Info: This female owned indie bookstore stocks a great collection of new books and gifts. If you’re looking for activist literature this is the spot. Right now they have a curated selection of books relating to abortion rights, in response to that political battle. 


Raven Used Books

Where: Harvard Square

Info: Raven stocks more than 15,000 used books at any given time. Even more impressive, they turn over a third of that collection every month. Here you’ll find current popular titles alongside rare, niche finds. 


Tres Gatos Book and Record Shop ☕️🍷

Where: Jamaica Plain

Info: If you want to pair your books with a cocktail (and who doesn’t), head to Tres Gatos in JP. The front is a killer tapas restaurant and the back is a small but mighty book and record store with a diverse selection of titles. 


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Photo by Sarah Winchester

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01/01/2023 09:00:00 12/31/2024 18:00:00 America/New_York 14 Independent Bookstores Around Boston <p>Boston has a reputation as a smart city and that’s evidenced in the many incredible local bookstores around the city. Amazon can’t compete with the cozy nooks, dedicated and knowledgeable staff,... Boston, Boston, MA false MM/DD/YYYY