“Delightful place and people (or maybe I was just starved for conversation with some fellow designers?) Either way, thank you for providing the opportunity, Michael!!”
“I had an amazing experience at this lovely black owned bookstore. I was greeted with a friendly face, and I felt extremely welcomed and appreciated the display of all the books. I will definitely be back. 10/10 recommend”
“Kind staff, great selection of toys and games, my go-to store for when I need gifts for my niece and nephew. Free present wrapping is clutch, and their rewards program often has actually great deals. Thanks, Boing!”
“Whitelam Books absolutely made my day! From the moment I walked in, they made me feel completely at home and spoke to me like a real human being. I have to give a special shoutout to Harriet, who was an absolute delight. She took such great care in beautifully wrapping the gifts I bought for my loved ones—and I love that it’s a complimentary service! Beyond the wonderful staff, the store is very kid-friendly and hosts book clubs, poetry readings, and so much more. It is a real community hub for people with chiming hearts. Great job creating such a wonderful bookstore!”
“You will always find an exciting new book at the Book Rack! Whether new releases or a cozy used book, they’ve got books floor-to-ceiling! You’re bound to find your next read here.”
“This is probably my favorite bookstore. I was looking for recommendations for Mother’s Day and a staff member did an excellent job giving me suggestions. The store also offered three different gift wrap options for free, and it was difficult to choose because the designs are all awesome. The store is a little small, but I love walking around and finding books that are hidden gems. It’s such a great place to find gifts. They have all sorts of stickers, greeting cards, and little knickknacks in addition to their expected inventory.”
“Lots of used romance and fantasy books which is my favorite genre. Was able to get my favorite book and a new book I wanted to read for about $20! Their used book section is about half of normal prices but most of the used books are basically new.”
“Best decaf in town! 😁 Plus amazing staff, triple cut muffins (sooo good), cookies, smoothies, avo toast, whatever you're craving really, plus greeting cards, art, and friendly people. It's the only way to start the day!”
“My first time discovering this spot, and I love it! Lovely to see locals coming in with friends and family for quality time chatting over a cup of coffee. Nice background music. I enjoyed the Mexican mocha and cranberry/orange scone, and I got a toy truck for my friend's little one. The bookstore employee was very nice and engaging with the customers and ready to help with recommendations. I'll be back soon!”
“Popped by here for a book to read on the beach for the 4th, funny enough found this 1932 collection of stories about America by American writers in the $1 cart outside of the store. Handed the cashier a dollar and was on my way. Feels great to support local. Also bought a nice copy of Jane Austen’s works back in December as a gift. Great little shop tucked in bostons downtown.”
“Amazing bilingual bookstore in Boston, specialized in Italian narratives with a worldwide exquisite catalogue for kids, teenagers and adults. Its children section is just adorable and contains many literary worlds for encouraging all the little readers. The sellers were the kindest people, very knowledgeable and eager to find way more books.”
“Easily one of my favorite book stores. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Especially love the local book recs. The bathroom is clean and functional, the arts and witchy sections are well stocked. Worth popping in for any book lover 📚✨”
“I went there 2 weeks ago, they have a huge collection compare to their size. I walked in with a low hope because I was looking for philosophy books and did not expect to find any. To my surprise, the staff showed me their philosophy section which is hard to find even in bigger book stores. I bought six books and even though they are used, the condition is like new with great deals. I will definitely come back.”
“I am a huge fan of local and independent bookstores, and I make it a point to visit them regularly and support them as much as possible. Book Ends is one of the oldest independent bookstores in the Boston area. I have visited it many times, and it is one of my favorite places. They have an amazing collection of books, from classics to the latest releases, across all genres. They also have a great arts and crafts section, and visiting Book Ends feels like being part of a beautiful community. I absolutely love Book Ends and would strongly recommend it to any book lover.”
“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!”
“What an unbelievable find. They have an extensive selection of used and rare books covering every topic imaginable—from history and philosophy to math and mystery. Don't miss the huge $3–$5 outside display (look for the yellow stickers). Amazing prices and an incredible selection!”
“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.”
“I love this bookstore. This has been the second time I’ve been here. The owner is friendly and accommodating. With a relaxed atmosphere and a mixture of used and new books. A huge selection Of every type of book imaginable. Please if you’re in Boston visit this bookstore.”
“I came into this bookstore knowing that I wanted a book, but I didn't know what kind. Even though I used to be an avid reader, I couldn't remember the last time I picked up a book. The handwritten summaries of recommended books helped me quickly narrow down which book I wanted - and I simply can't put it down! My love of reading has been rekindled.”
“Such a beautiful store, staff is so friendly! Evelyn helped me pick out a necklace by going through individual crystals and chains one at a time until I found the perfect one. She was so helpful, def would recommend to anyone looking for crystal jewelry”
“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.”
“This children’s bookstore is absolutely outstanding! Every child’s birthday gift I give now includes a book from here. Michelle always has the most amazing recommendations, I can simply walk in and say, “I need a few books for a seven-year-old’s birthday,” and instantly she has so many wonderful options ready for me. She even gift-wraps everything beautifully, which makes the whole experience so easy and special. The selection, service, and personal attention are truly exceptional. I am so happy to have found this store, it is truly a jewel of Medford!”
“Lilah Rose is one of my favorite little shops. Any time I need a gift for any occasion, I always make a stop at Lilah Rose. Everything in the shop is so fun and cute and there's really something for everyone!”
“Great experience here and we will be back! So clean, the set ups are so cute, and some new items too like children’s books and mixing bowls. We grabbed some books, a belt, some CDs for our played, and a leather belt from Italy!”
“Awesome bookstore with a fabulous collection and wonderfully inclusive vibes! It isn't huge but just right for an afternoon stroll. They have a good sized stage area for presentations and readings. There is a cafe and a few comfortable spots to read or study. Beautiful location!”
“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.”
“Excellent staff, very helpful in finding reading materials of my interest. It was a pleasure in itself interacting with staff who we're very knowledgeable on reading materials of my interest. I made 2 excellent selections that were referred by staff and enjoyed them very much. I will be returning as I've read both books purchased within two weeks.”
“This is primarilly a non-profit used book store but also has clothing and household accessiries. The store hires people from 16 to 24 who are struggling and helps to give them the life skills for further employment and like skills to succeed. They take donations of clothing and housdwares as well as books only excluding textbooks. Their store and workspace is going to be expanded shortly. This us a great asset to the community serving Waltham and surrounding areas.”
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.
