“If you love nonfiction this is your bookstore! Literally one of the best collections of non-fiction- everything from linguistics to the math of knitting. It probably shouldn’t have come as a surprise but I was delighted! Picked up a linguistics book from one of my favorite authors!”
“Harvard Book Store sits on Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Square and has been a fixture of the Cambridge intellectual landscape long enough that it functions as a landmark rather than just a retail destination. The large windows and stacked displays visible from the street invite you in before you have made any decision to enter, and once inside the floor-to-ceiling shelves and the density of the selection create an atmosphere that is difficult to rush through even when you came in with a specific title in mind. The main floor covers new releases, staff picks, and a broad selection organized by subject across fiction, nonfiction, and a range of specialized categories. The curation reflects the surrounding community in the best way, with titles that reward browsing beyond the obvious bestseller tables. Staff are knowledgeable and genuinely helpful when you want a recommendation or need to locate something specific, and the information desk handles navigation questions efficiently without making you feel like you are interrupting. The basement is where the store distinguishes itself most clearly from a standard bookshop. The used and remaindered book sections downstairs cover an enormous range at a fraction of the cover price, and the quality of the used stock tends to be high. Spending time down there is one of the more rewarding ways to move through the store, and most visitors come up with something they were not looking for when they went down. The remaindered section in particular offers discounted new copies of titles that did not move at full price, and the selection rotates enough that regular visits continue to surface new things.”
“A wonderful, cozy indie bookshop with a great selection of titles across ages and genres, a cute little cafe, and friendly and helpful staff! They’re even a dog-friendly space, which always makes me so happy. If you haven’t been to this bookshop yet, you are missing out!”
“Amazing selection of things. I'm a University student and I've found books that I needed for several classes. Huge historical/political selection, reasonably priced crystals, and cozy.”
“A one of a kind place in Boston, if you are looking for a fun day out with your girls this is the place to be. Browsing books, and discovering unique trinkets makes the time go by fast. A big fan of their journal collection too.”
“I think they said this is the oldest poetry bookstore in the U.S. or something like that?? Definitely worth checking it out, it's a very small bookstore and is completely full of poetry! Lots of notable authors there, I think they have a lot of events and things happening at the store as well. Very kind workers as well.”
“We have wanted to come for awhile but kept getting the days and times mixed up. So glad we came!! Parking wasn't bad midday on Wednesday and each month there's a special. This July is half off fiction. Super staff!!”
“There’s a great selection of products with that distinct MIT aesthetic. Even without a giant logo, many items feature a smart, sophisticated design. Nice for souvenirs.”
“Very Well Stocked Store with reasonable prices for all things a student might need. Lots of small to large items with Harvard on them. Lots of clothes. Lots of sales. Books too! Chill basement. Go!”
“Best game store (at least for magic players) in the Boston Area. They have great events that are always packed, and I particularly enjoy looking through their 50 cent bulk section. I feel like their prices are reasonable. I also sold some old pokemon cards here and the process was very smooth.”
“The MIT Coop at Stratton is a great spot for MIT gear, where I grabbed a hoodie and cap. The store is located inside the student lounge, making it a bit tricky to find. The park outside is nice, and the white statue there is really cool, adding to the overall experience.”
“Avid lover of Moleskine notebooks for a few years now and just found their store in Cambridge. Came in to get a finished moleskine notebook custom stamped in person!! Love that you can personalize your notebooks and is very quick to do and great price (especially if you join Moleskine rewards program).”
Barnes & Noble is proving that physical bookstores aren't going anywhere. The retailer just opened three new locations across Texas and South Carolina, marking another step in its comeback story. Barnes & Noble opened 57 stores in 2024 alone - more than it had opened in the entire decade from 2009 to 2019. The company isn't slowing down either, with plans to open more than 60 new stores in 2025 and a goal of reaching over 1,000 stores nationwide in the coming years.
