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1A_musing
I'm quite fond of Bare Foot Books in Cambridge for kids, and consider a trip to Grolier's in Cambridge a real treat.
2jbd1
3Wombat
I buy a lot of books for my daughter at Curious George, in Harvard Square.
I still miss Wordsworth, also in Harvard Sq. The Harvard Coop is pretty good---much improved under Barnes & Noble's management, but not the same.
In practice, however, we buy a large percentage of our books online. I have mixed feelings about this. I should buy more from local booksellers, so they don't go the way of Wordsworth, but I appreciate the convenience of shopping from the computer!
4pksteinberg Erste Nachricht
5MMcM
Ars Libri in the South End. Period art books.
Boston Book Annex on Beacon just outside Kenmore Square. Paperbacks and books
students might have owned. Their JP store is more specialized.
BPL books sales. Always some surprises.
Robin Bledsoe back off someone's garden outside Harvard Sqaure. Art
books for me; horse and polo books for the SO; a perfect combination.
Brattle Book Shop on West Street near Downtown Crossing. 19th thru
mid-20th century books. The $1-$5 books outside in the alley are
great when the weather is nice and I need a break from the office.
Brookline Booksmith in Coolidge Corner. New releases. Used
paperbacks downstairs (with our video store of choice).
Bryn Mawr on Huron Ave. in Cambridge. Art.
Commonwealth Books near Emerson and near BU. History, Literary Criticism.
COOP in Harvard and Kendall Squares. Textbooks.
Got Books in North Reading (car required). Every book is $1, so
anything found worth getting is a bargain.
Harvard Book Store in Harvard Square. Remainders and used books downstairs.
Harvard University Press in Holyoke Center. Loebs.
Lorem Ipsum in Inman Square. Nerdy.
McIntyre & Moore in Davis Square. Scholarly.
MIT Press Bookstore in Kendall Square. Postmodernism, architecture.
New England Mobile Book Fair on Needham Street in Newton (not mobile
and not a book fair). Remainders, current paperbacks.
Quantum Books in Kendall Square. Computers.
Raven in Harvard Square (and Northampton). Culture, anarchism.
Rodney's in Central Square and Coolidge Corner (one near work, one near home). Art.
Schoenhof's in Harvard Square (finally open more than one evening a
week). Foreign language.
Seven Stars in Central Square. New age.
I'd like to see a discussion of bookstores gone from Greater Boston that we miss.
6
7MMcM
8colombe
I don't venture to the other side of the Charles very often, so I'm sure there's a whole other world of literary goodness Cambridge-ward. I'll have to check out others' favorites sometime. Thanks for posting!
Also, thanks to the person who gave the heads up on the BPL books this Saturday! I'll have to check it out. :) Which part of the BPL is the sale in?
Best,
Chelsea :)
9A_musing
I suspect most of us contribute to the chain store masters (there's a B&N in the building I work in - I can't stay away), maybe we need a "chain store support group" group.
10A_musing
Ooops. I may have just divulged a treasured secret - please leave some for me!
11katie.chase
12Wombat
Given the plethora of other bookstores in the Boston area, I'm not sure how far I'd travel to visit them, but they're definitely worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood.
13teaperson
14msmalnick
I also love Trident on Newbury St., which has a funky little cafe and great magazine selection.
I agree about Harvard Book Store -- not to be confused with the Coop bookstore, which is Barnes & Noble in disguise (boooo!).
I always get a bit affronted when I see people in Brookline with a B&N bag. Support the little guy!
15sionnac
I haven't been to Porter Square Books, must check it out... I'm fond of Harvard Bookstore, McIntyre and Moore in Somerville - and haven't been in a while but the Grolier Poetry Book Shop in Cambridge.
16timspalding
17jbd1
I tend not to buy much from Borders/B&N unless it's a good deal or I have a coupon, but it's always sad to see a bookstore close, no matter what its name.
18colombe
Chelsea :)
19prophetandmistress
The new owner though is great, is always looking to chat and is willing to listen to (and even jot down) your suggestions about what he should include. For a while the store seemed to be surviving because it was an institution, but now it should survive because it's an excellent book buying expierence.
20MMcM
The point is not trying to be everyone's bookstore.
21A_musing
Well, Amazon has it all, and the little bookshops have the interesting bits and pieces, but B&N does have a decent espresso and a kids section.
22bostonhistory
23elvendido
I'm also the poster of Message #6 above. I don't know if y'all have the same problem, but it's missing my user ID. Could be because I posted right as LT was hiccupped.
I should probably also mention Cornerstone Books, in Salem. It's a very nice general indie bookstore, with a great selection of games and gaming material. My girlfriend is the assistant manager there. She is totally my dealer.
24cwalker268
As for favorite bookstores elsewhere, I'm a Colorado girl originally, so I have to give a mention to The Tattered Cover, a long time favorite of mine. I'll have to add a caveat though, because they just moved to a new location (again due to the high rent), so I'm not sure what the new place wil be like. It will certainly take some adustment on my part, as they've been in the same 5 story book store (yes, five stories of books!) as long as I can remember.
25eeminy
I miss Wordsworth's with the bitter melancholy of a thousand moons. It's especially frustrating that the space is still just sitting empty nearly two years later. I do some shopping in the basement of the Harvard Bookstore, and at Porter Square Books, but mostly these days I'm trying not to buy so many books and take better advantage of the library, at least until I can afford enough shelving to house the books I already have.
27Proteus Erste Nachricht
Rhythm & Muse on Centre St in Jamaica Plain has a great selection of new & used books & cds, at very reasonable prices. The store is small enough that it can be browsed completely in less than 15 minutes, but is unique enough that you are always certain to discover something new and valuable. The behind-the-counter folks, without fail, are among the best people in the Boston area. I love shopping at this small bookstore.
They run a once-a-month book discussion, which is usually lively and simultaneously close-knit and friendly to newcomers.
28Selkie
I am also a big fan of McItyre and Moore in Davis Square.
29elvendido
Has anyone been to the new Pandemonium location? The Caitlin Kiernan reading got cancelled because they didn't have enough of her books in stock to make it worthwhile, apparently.
30eeminy
> Actually, I did mention the New England Mobile Book Fair in my admittedly too long list.
Sorry, MMcM! I managed to miss it there, but I shouldn't have -- you even have your list in alphabetical order so everything's easy to find.
31avidinkling
I *think* it's on Milk street... (I'm not entierly sure, and my husband says I'm directionally challanged so I could be totally off with this). It is a cute little store with shelves outside that get boarded up at night. I havn't been there yet, but hope to find the time to some time soon.
-Kindli
32jbd1
33ibbetson
And while I do enjoy the Borders across the street, if only for the building it's in, that B&N was miserable on so many levels. Good riddance!
Has anyone mentioned the store (can't think of the the name) in Davis Sq., near Diesel Cafe? Really nice architecture selection.
And seconding (thirding) recommendations of HBS, Rodneys and Brookline Bookseller. I'm heading over to check out Lorem Ipsem this afternoon.
34jbd1
35MMcM
Bryn Mawr is half-price. All August I think, but certainly today. And tax-free as was mentioned already.
36tobiejonzarelli
37avidinkling
thanks for telling me! I'll be sure to check it out next time I'm in the area! is just used books? or used & new?
-k.
38jbd1
39elvendido
41MMcM
Then they moved to 5 West Street, which is the vacant lot next to their present location, where they sell cheap books when the weather cooperates. The whole building burned to the ground in early 1980, destroying all of the stock. With almost no insurance, they still re-opened right away selling donated books (further up the street at first, maybe in the building that Rita's is in -- I'm a little fuzzy here).
Would it be worth starting a Boston Bookstore Nostalgia topic in this group? It needn't be really old-timer stuff. Wordsworth and Avenue Victor Hugo would count.
42katie.chase
Can someone tell me something about Pandemonium? I do most of my sci-fi/fantasy shopping at chain stores (general readership indies usually don't have great selection, I find), but would welcome a good alternative. Do they have used, new, or both?
Also, while I'm talking about specialty shops, there's a mystery book store near my house in North Cambridge (the name of which I don't know!) which is supposed to be great. Anyone know the name or want to second that?
44FicusFan
I am actually not in Boston, but in Nashua, NH. I go in on the T from Alewife. I like The Harvard Book Store and didn't even know Wordsworth was gone. I guess I haven't been there in a while, oops. I also like Pandemonium. I knew they moved because I am on their mailing list. I really don't like that they moved - because everything was in one place and close to the T.
I actually was at the new location of Pandemonium last weekend. I was in Cambridge to see a movie at the Kendall Square Cinema, and then I went over to the book store. It is set in a nest of one way streets, and of course parking is a problem. There is an upstairs for books and a downstairs for activities (games, groups, authors, movies). The upstairs is a little bigger than the old store (maybe). Didn't go downstairs. Not sure how often I will go back, I got lost driving in, and driving out.
I have been to NE Mobil Bookfair and once was enough. I love all the books, but the way they are stored, and trying to find anything -- forget it.
We have both a Borders and B&N in Nashua, they are fine - though I love the fact that you can browse the catalog of any Borders on-line. I can determine if I should go to pick up what I want, or just order it to be held at the store.
There is a good Indie store in Milford, NH called The Toadstool and they have an agreement with a UK distributor and they order and stock books from the UK and don't charge for shipping.
45librarygrrrl Erste Nachricht
Also, their children's and YA paperback selection is out of this world!
What I do when I'm looking for something specific is to print out my LT wishlist (titles I've tagged with "wishlist"), making sure that whatever view I'm working with has the publisher listed as well as title, cover image, and author. Since most everything is organized by publisher and then title, that seems to work for me.
46caerulius
47RobDavies Erste Nachricht
Pandemonium Books in Central Square is great for SF, fantasy and horror.
48MMcM
49jscothammerquist Erste Nachricht
50aethucyn
Generally speaking, though, I restrict myself to there as a means of keeping myself in check. If I only allow myself books from one store, even if I find myself browsing elsewhere, I stop myself from buying a book everytime I'm in a store. And if I do go with a title in mind that I can't find, the Harvard Coop is close enough to fill the gaps.
51daschaich
After them, I'm torn between Brookline Booksmith, which is relatively convenient for me, and Harvard Bookstore, whose events always catch my eye.
52AsYouKnow_Bob
I'm saddened by the news that Wordsworth is gone. (Heck, there's still a gap in my life from the loss of AVH.)
So: what are the top (used) bookstores to hit during a day-trip to Harvard Square?
And where is the Cambridge branch of Raven? (I know them from Northampton.)
53jbd1
My two must-hit Harvard Square stops are Harvard Bookstore and Raven (which is on JFK Street just past where it intersects with Mt. Auburn, across the street from Staples). Harvard Bookstore's big 20% off sale on everything is November 5, so if you've got a frequent buyer card you can put that to good use!
54A_musing
So, Asyouknow_Bob, you've now got four must-hits. I'll bet the number goes up from here!
55Prongs
56AsYouKnow_Bob
Reporting back:
We did a Boston "book trip" and hit:
- the BPL bi-monthly sale
- Pandemonium. (ladypeter at #42, I don't know if anyone actually answered you, but Pandemonium has a good selection of both new and used. I'm an SF collector, and found it still worth a stop. We found a parking space immediately behind them.)
- Grolier
- Harvard Book Store
- the little "Revolution" (Avakian/RCP...) shop on Mass. Ave.
- Raven.
Enough for one day.
A cold Saturday in February meant that parking was not quite as insane as it's been on some trips.
We profoundly miss WordsWorth and AVH.
Up-thread MMcM mused about a 'Boston nostalgia' thread - I'm in.
And could someone post an address and/or a link to MacIntyre & Moore in Davis Square?
58AsYouKnow_Bob
That would do it. Thanks, MMcM. (We do seem to be crossing paths frequently....)
I can actually find that: I'll have to add it to the itinerary for next time.
(Speaking of 'Boston nostalgia' - I'm thinking that I recall McIntyre & Moore from my pre-parenthood trips to Harvard Square, but I'm not remembering where, exactly.)
59daschaich
I don't want to spam these forums, but I thought some people here might be interested in a note and a link to further information.
60jbd1
61MMcM
62AsYouKnow_Bob
63phillannee Erste Nachricht
As far as bookstores which still exist, Mc and Moore, yay! They say that the hot spot for drawing customers into a store is a few feet in, to the right of the door, and what do they shelve there? Greek and Latin texts! Ha! (unless they've changed. . . ?)
I don't think anyone has mentioned Schoenhof's, but to those of us who need it, it's a national treasure. That's my piece--thanks for listening.
64Prongs
65MMcM
66WholeHouseLibrary
I've got a favor to ask y'all Bean-towners.
I've got a Group here called Favorite Bookstores. You could do the rest of the LTers a great service if you were to do reviews of individual book stores over in there. A sample subject line should look something like:
Massachusetts, Boston, Toad Hall Books
Then in the message, you could explain that it's really in Rockport, which is ~n~ miles northeast of Boston, and anything else you 'd like to say about it.
When LTers travel, they could see which bookstores are recommended by the locals for any given city.
Thanks!
67regorfa
68Doodlebugs
69waitingtoderail
It'd be a shame if it closed.
70ErstwhileEditor
71Theodosia
73Theodosia
Check out Google Maps and you'll spot the lots easily....
Note: I'm not an employee or related to an employee of either Rodney's or Pandemonium, I just like 'em!
74paghababian
As far as the NE Mobile Bookfair goes... I love how haphazard it is. The fun of it is just wandering the stacks; it makes you feel like you've really discovered a book.
75MMcM
As I understand the venue hints so far, it'll actually be closer to the Bryn Mawr Bookstore.
76stringcat3
In the nostalgic bookstore mentions earlier in the thread I'm surprised to see that there was only a fleeting reference (in 63) to The Starr Bookshop. Its original location was in the Harvard Lampoon building (the flat end, on Plympton) for many, many years. The Lampoon was always trying to get rid of it - they wanted more office space. There was a small upstairs room, but most of the store was in the basement. A cousin had the Starr Book Store over in the old leather (garments and shoes, not S&M, you perv) district in Boston, not far from South Station.
I remember well when McIntyre & Moore first opened in the building directly facing the Starr - all except the date! I think it was summer of '82. Possibly '83, but no later. They were NOT on Mt. Auburn Street but on Plympton, between Bow and Mt. Auburn. A very small shop with large front windows. When I knew him, Mike McIntyre used to occasionally hang with Marc Starr up at, oh, what was the name of that dreadful Chinese restaurant on Mass Ave., with the bar upstairs that served Scorpion Bowls and had a beers of the world club? And the exterior painted the color of Pepto-Bismol? Kinda near Bartley's Burger Cottage? You go up Plympton to Mass. Ave and turn right and it's a block or two. Maybe it's still there (frightening thought).
Anyway, I'm glad Mac & Moore are still in business. I understand the Starr Book Shop finally got pushed out of the Lampoon building, was on Arrow Street for a while and is now on Mass Ave.
I mourn The Bookcase and its wacky Annex, Wordsworth (bought all my Barbara Pym there) and Pangloss.
And please, buy lots from the Bryn Mawr Bookstore, as the alumnae are raising money for scholarships. They gave me a pile for my undergrad work at Bryn Mawr. (Thanks again, sisters.)
Back in the early '80s, I remember seeing the claim that Cambridge had more bookstores per capita than any other place in the world. Wonder whether that's still true. Hope so.
77daschaich
They seem to do mostly overstock from independent and academic publishers, and I noticed some interesting books, all at 40-60% the cover price. Anybody more familiar with them?
That's got to be a tough spot with B&N right across the street (and so many other stores not far away).
78megrockstar
79sisaruus
80A_musing
It turns out that the Boston Public Library has audiobooks you can download. So for my car listening, I can now just download from the library.
81waitingtoderail
82A_musing
They have a lot of literature - they are clearing out the rare book store's backlog in JP.
83MMcM
84AsYouKnow_Bob
On the other hand, I guess that's my cue for a Boston/Cambridge book run.
85paghababian
86daschaich
87bostonbibliophile
89jbd1
90prosfilaes
92prosfilaes
94timspalding
95susanbooks
Thanks for the info, MMcM.