Do you know that there is a word in Japanese to say “buying books without reading them and letting them pile up”? Tsundoku.
I read most of the books I acquire whether I buy or borrow them, but I also do pile some of them half read on my bookshelves: I could have been drawn to a book by a colorful cover, a famous author or a recommandation, and then… “tsundoku”. I love books, I like smelling them too (yes, open a book and smell the paper), read them of course, and for some of them even writing them. I guess it’s the same for many of the readers of my blog: we are part of the same family of book lovers.
I’ve drafted this article a very long time ago, and I stopped since I published a version of “books in Boston” on my ebook Boston le nez en l’air (in French only). But I’ve never posted anything on the blog about places to buy books. It’s now done! Here is a selection of my favorite bookstores in Boston and Cambridge.
In 2018, for the book lovers and those of you looking for a different way to visit Boston, I’m making a new tour dedicated to books & literature. Stay tuned on the Boston le nez en l’air website!
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Harvard Bookstore, “l’intello”
Where: 1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (T: Harvard)
Where can you read the books bought at the Harvard Book Store: I like “Zinneken’s” nearby where they do Belgian waffles, but the waiters always rush me to leave after I’ve finished. So bye. Another option, free of charge, is to simply enjoy the new book on the Harvard Yard. The colorful Fermob chairs remind me of a Parisian garden, in the middle of a New England institution.
“L’intello” means the intellectual in a – kinda – casual way in French, and that’s how it feels in this bookstore, facing the Wigglesworth dorms of Harvard, on Massachusetts Avenue. The different tables right at the entrance make me want to read everything – from fiction to non-fiction, then I jump to the cook book section, the comics, the travel books, and the many alleys of literature. The basement is for used books, and when you’re there you can hear the muffled noise from upstairs, it feels like your in a hidden place trying to find something special. Upstairs, they are a few “niches” where I like to sit and read, otherwise, if they are all taken, I sat with my legs crossed on the floor, pretending I’m a student. I probably don’t fool anyone. Very old-school, but I like also that they have a reward program! Even though I’m not really saving money, I want to come back and buy all my books there.
Un pin’s pour les nerds de livres
Book Notes, a notebook about books
The Coop
Where: 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (T: Harvard)
Where can you read the books bought at the Coop: there is a Starbucks at the back of the bookstore if you want to drink some coffee while reading; otherwise, for a free option, find one of the chair/table all around the balcony on the first flour.
They are several Coops all around Boston for the different universities, where you can first of, buy all kind of shirts, caps and mugs labelled with the university seal. Barnes&Noble manage them, there’s a Starbucks inside: it is not your confidential and independent bookstore. Anyway, I like hanging out at the Coop, and that’s where my guided tour of Boston in French starts.
My only concern with the Coop is that I still don’t know how to pronounce their name. Coooop, Cop?
Quantum physics for babies
(it’s never too soon to start)
Un agenda aux couleurs d’Harvard
The Coop Harvard is right in front of the newsstand of Harvard Square, that sells, among other things, international press.
Brookline Booksmith
Where: 279 Harvard Street, Brookline (T: Coolidge Corner, C line)
Where can you read the books bought at Brookline Booksmith: when the weather cooperates, on the blue table in front of the bookstore
The front of the building is ugly but don’t worry, inside, it’s a real “cave of Ali Baba” as we say in French. As soon as I enter, I’m attracted by the books on the first tables: cooking! self development! drawing! I want to read and buy everything. I’m easily distracted from books on the gift shop section: cards, notebooks, pens, puzzles, and any kind of cute and useless stuff. The booksellers have left a tons of notes sticked to the covers with their personal recommandations. J’adore.
Une pile de puzzles, hours of fun
Myers + Chang, le livre du célèbre restaurant bostonien
Trident Booksellers, Eclectic and engaged
Where: 338 Newbury St., Boston (T: Hynes Convention Center)
Where can you read the books bought at Trident : at Trident’s! it’s also a café – though it doesn’t look like the cleanest place on earth, they serve comfort food with comfort food (= grilled cheese with chips). For a caffeinated option and if it’s sunny out, I like the terrasse of Barrington coffee shop, just one block away.
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This bookstore is also a café, a gift shop, a newsstand and they sell all kind of cards, agendas, notebooks: it’s a joyful mess. I enjoy their selection right at the entrance: bestsellers + more subjective options, on politics or society topics. They offer many sales.
For the comics fans, Trident is right next door to Newbury Comics.
Brattle Book Shop, Instagram-worthy
Where: 9 West Street, Boston (T: Boylston)
Where can you read the books bought at Brattle Book Shop : full disclosure, I’ve never bought any book there, it’s the only bookstore in this selection where I’ve only browsed. Now, I just stop for the picture! But if you’re luckier than me and want a place to read nearby, there’s the very cosy café Nero on Washington. For a free option: go to the Boston Common.
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Located in a narrow street in the Theater District, this bookstore sell antique and second hand books: it’s an interesting mess inside. As I said above, I just come here for the view, and the picture. I love the brick walls, the stairs behind, it looks Bostonian and “American” to me, for whatever it means.
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And also…
Black Ink
I can’t stop by Harvard square without spending a few minutes (and dollars) at Black Ink; My excuse for putting this wonderful gift shop in this bookstore list? They do sell books! Mostly travel and children books. But I come here for the “stuff”, the useless, the cute, the gifts. Black Ink is an independent store with two locations in Cambridge and Boston.
Where:
- 5 Brattle Street, Cambridge (T: Harvard)
- 101 Charles Street, Boston (T: Charles/MGH)
Paper Source
Ok, I don’t have any excuse for this one. The link with the rest? Paper? Cuteness? Paper Source is a chain store that tickles my arts and crafts nerve. It’s expensive but cute, it’s very nice to browse, take something, put it back, consider it again, wondering who in my friend/family could like it. I like to visit this store at every season since they make every thing they can to be seasonal.
Adresses principales :
- 338 Boylston Street, à Boston (métro : Arlington)
- 1810 Massachusetts Ave, à Somerville (métro : Porter)
- 1361 Beacon St., à Brookline (métro : Coolidge Corner)
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