The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and while I’m not pulling my hair out over the prospect of finals, I’m thinking wistfully about summer plans. Not a vacation, no – I’m thinking of the 48 hours I will have every week, free of assigned readings and impeding cold calls.
The perfect amount of time to visit one of the city’s many bookstores. For those of you who will be in Boston this summer, here’s a small guide.
- Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Located right on Newbury Street, Trident Booksellers and Cafe is my go-to when I have visitors I want to impress. The two-story independent bookstore is filled with fun trinkets, tote bags, and, of course, books. The cafe located within the store offers an affordable place to sit, read, and grab a quick bite to eat – and the store’s membership program makes me feel like I get rewarded for buying books, a win-win. Additionally, if you follow the store’s Instagram, you will see tons of events hosted every month, connecting readers with the wider Boston, book-loving community.
- Brattle Bookshop
If you’ve seen the Holdovers (or any Boston photo dump), you’re probably familiar with Brattle Bookshop. Located right off the Park Street stop of the Green Line, Brattle has a picturesque collection of used books. The outdoor section of the store contains fun finds for as little as a few dollars, and the towering indoor shelves mean there will probably be something for everyone.
- Brookline Booksmith
If Brookline Booksmith has 1000 fans, I am one of them. If they have one fan, it is me. If they have no fans, well, then I’m not on this Earth. Located in Coolidge Corner, Brookline Booksmith has a little bit of everything. The front part of the store contains so many gift ideas – Tote Bags, blind dates with books, gorgeous moleskin notebooks, knickknacks, homemade bread from monks that I need to try, greeting cards, socks, coffee table reads – I could go on. Further into the store is a shelf of top-rated books, and then past that are shelves filled to the brim with a collection of genres for all age ranges. Past those are tables of bargain books — where popular reads can be purchased for a lower price— but the real gem is down the stairs.
The used books cellar. A whole basement filled with used books in multiple genres – classic reads, plays, cookbooks, romance, popular contemporary novels, science fiction, fantasy, horror—is the highlight of any experience at the Booksmith.
- For Those of You Staying in Newton This Summer
More local to the school – a ten-minute walk down to Newton Centre – are two lovely independent bookstores: Good Dog Records & Books and Newtonville Books.
Good Dog Records & Books is filled with towering shelves, with books scattered all over in a way that speaks to the love the owner has for them. Navigating the store, every step points towards a discovery, and for those who enjoy music, there is a fun record collection.
Newtonville Books is cozy – it looks like somewhere you’d love to curl up with a good read on a rainy day. The staff are kind and knowledgeable, and there are comfy chairs interspersed with shelves. While it is a smaller store, their inventory is not lacking – especially in the fantasy section. Books are lovingly arranged in the window display, and an event calendar also provides opportunities to connect with the community.
- Hummingbird Books
Chestnut Hill’s Hummingbird Books is as gorgeous as the name suggests — and located right next to a Bakery. The bookstore has a collection of both modern and classic reads and a rewards program. The store is also a member of Bookshop.org for those looking to support online bookstores via online shopping (or if you’re too busy to go somewhere in person right now).
Regardless of where you choose to shop or what you choose to read this summer, these are just a few of the wonderful bookstores Boston has to offer.
Happy reading!
Samantha Torre is a 1L student at BC Law. Contact her at torrs@bc.edu.
BC Law: Impact 