Boston is my place. I go there to refresh my creative juices. It must have something to do with the salty ocean air, I guess. Not having been able to travel for a few years, my last annual trip was fading from memory so as a birthday gift to myself, I (safely) headed back to Boston. This trip was planned around bookstores and pastries — the only way to plan a trip really. Here are some of my favourite independent bookstores in Boston.
5 Best Bookstores in Boston
1. Trident Booksellers & Cafe – 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
You had me at books and brunch. I’ve visited Trident every time I’ve gone to Boston. Gen and I had brunch there in 2017 and, thanks to the pandemic, I was left craving the huevos rancheros for ages! But that dream was fulfilled with my most recent trip this spring. Trident is filled to the brim with books, cute bookish gifts, and Boston merch. If you’re in Back Bay, it’s a must.
2. Brattle Book Shop – 9 West Street, Boston MA
Brattle Book Shop is one of the oldest and biggest used bookstores in the US. Just think of all the history in Boston and just how important books are to the world. You can smell the history the second you walk inside. They have rare and antiquarian books too but the highlight is the outdoor bookshelves. On a sunny spring day, there is nothing better than perusing used books in the lot next to the store. Ken Gloss is the current proprietor for the shop and he appraises books for Harvard, a long list of other universities, and the FBI! How cool is that? This is my favourite used bookstore in the world, and one of the best bookstores in Boston, hands down.
3. Commonwealth Books – 9 Spring Lane, Boston, MA
Tucked away on a lane just off of Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, this is another used bookstore in Boston that is worth a visit. Walk along the Freedom Trail and then lose yourself in Commonwealth Books. With medieval manuscripts, art monographs, poetry, history, art, and more, it’s one of the best bookstores in Boston to spend an afternoon in.
4. Posman Books – 127 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Posman Books is a family-owned business that started off selling textbooks in New York. Now there is the Boston location, as well as one in Chelsea Market in Manhattan and two spots in Atlanta. I had never been in this store before this trip and it was utterly adorable; bright and light with amazing stationary and gift ideas. It had a wonderful selection of current releases and beautiful copies of classics. Posman is definitely a store I will be checking out again.
5. The Concord Bookshop – 65 Main Street, Concord, MA
Alright — this is not in Boston but if you love books at all, it’s worth the trip. Open since 1940, The Concord Bookshop can fill all of your readerly desires, including books, audiobooks, and more. They frequently sponsor events with the Concord Museum tied to the great history of Concord and have a huge section on local authors like Emerson, Thoreau, and Alcott. It’s really about going to Concord itself. Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women there. You can tour Orchard House and get the full history of the Alcotts.
My mind was blown to say the least. You can also visit Ralph Waldo Emerson’s home (unfortunately it wasn’t open when I went but that just means I have to go again). The Concord Museum has wonderful exhibits on the revolutionary history of the town and of the above mentioned transcendentalist authors as well. It has Henry David Thoreau’s writing desk and more. Walden Pond is just outside of Concord as well. Author’s Ridge in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is breathtaking, each author’s headstone littered with pens and pencils left by visitors as tokens for the afterlife. It’s truly an amazing little literary town. Well worth the adventure out of Boston and yes — I found a great coffee shop too!
Will Travel For Books
Boston is a great city for books. I didn’t even name all the bookstores on Newbury Street (Shout out to Newbury Comics). There’s something special about viewing a city through its independent bookstores. The true highlight of my getaway was the trip to Concord and I cannot wait to go back. On my next visit to Boston, Gen will be joining me and we will adventure out to the Emily Dickinson museum in Amherst, MA. I’ve already started sussing out the bookstores!
Do you visit independent bookstores when you travel? Send us your favourites and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. We highlight different bookstores every month!
