After a hearty lunch yesterday, we stopped by here to browse the plethora of used books. A…read moreselection of $1 books are stationed in front. Impressive use of a small space and decent organization of books by genre. One staff present, attentive and appeared ready to answer any questions. I enjoyed looking at multiple different shelves of books though I didn't end up buying any. My husband was actually looking for old copies of Edgar Rice Burroughs books: he did find some newer editions. Glad we stopped by!

We stumbled into Commonwealth Books while we were walking the Freedom Trail since it's located in…read morethe downtown, historic area. We couldn't resist, so we took a break in action to check it out. They have a huge inventory of used, antique books. You can spend days in here hunting for books. A tad on the pricey side, but decent customer service and a great find. Worth the break!

Beacon Hill Books and Cafe is a three story independent bookstore set inside a townhouse on Beacon…read moreHill, and the physical space does as much work as the inventory in making it worth a visit. We walked into a building with the kind of architectural character that chain bookstores cannot manufacture, with small rooms opening into each other across multiple floors, wallpapered walls, and reading nooks distributed throughout that invite you to slow down rather than move through quickly. The book selection is well curated with staff recommendation cards on the shelves that actually reflect genuine enthusiasm rather than perfunctory notes. We saw limited edition hardcovers and local and regional titles appearing alongside the broader fiction and nonfiction selection. Browsing felt productive rather than overwhelming because the curation kept things focused. The kids section upstairs is one of the more delightful in Boston, with a train running along a track near the ceiling that tends to make a strong impression on younger visitors. There is also an art print vending machine on the second floor that draws its own audience of visitors looking for something small and specific to take home. The cafe occupies the lower level and operates as a separate experience from the bookshop above. We ordered the oat milk cappuccino with Vermont maple syrup, which was worth it. The morning glory scone and the popovers are two other items to consider. The cafe is tiny, around eight tables inside with a small patio, and reservations are recommended for breakfast and afternoon tea service. Pricing at the cafe is on the higher end, and certain fixed price service formats on specific dates push it considerably further, so checking current pricing before booking is worth doing. For a bookshop that doubles as a destination in its own right, Beacon Hill Books and Cafe delivers a cozy, curated experience that rewards lingering. It is the kind of place we would return to just to sit and read with a good coffee.

Super cute bookstore with one of those Inciardi Print vending machines on the top level…read more This is no barnes and Nobles, it is a skinny and maybe 4 store old brownstone with skinny stairs. But beautiful and curated inside. My quibble with the Inciardi print machine - is that I would rather the prints be Boston Specific - these are just more generic. The One in San Francisco's north Beach has all SF ones (not super touristy, but hidden local gems, like Golden Boy Pizza, and a row house)

This is one of my favorite bookstores in Boston and the Metrowest areas. They have a great…read moreselection of current books, Boston books and books set in Italy. They also have some books in Italian, and a nice selection of puzzles, journals, gifts, cards, souvenirs, etc. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they offer shipping if you can't get into the store to buy something. I've taken advantage of their online ordering and been very satisfied. This is a stop for me every time that I'm in Boston!

We stumbled across this place while touring the North End of Boston. This was such a lovely find as…read moremy wife and I were able to find a few things for ourselves that were unique and fun for the kids. The staff were friendly and very helpful in locating things were asking about. I'd definitely love to visit here again in the future the next time I'm in Boston.

Great selection and service. I would go back. I bought 5 books. Thank you…read more I look forward to visiting again.

It's a small shop! You'll find new releases, classics , things that are popular at the moment, I…read morelove all the trinkets! . The staff was very friendly , !!

Cute place where you can buy Harry Potter merchandise. The selection isn't huge but tons of posters…read moreand things on the walls to view.

What a special store! When I found mention of The Fairy Store on Yelp, I knew I needed to venture a…read morebit farther down Newbury Street to check it out. I mean a store dedicated to Harry Potter -- come on?!? And what I found wasn't some corporate, merch-filled spot but something that seemed to have grown out of the love the owner has for all things HP. This small shop includes photos and facts about the cast, mixed in with a fun assortment of items. In particular, I liked the Letter from Hogwarts wallet and items related to each of the Hogwarts houses. (This girl is a proud Ravenclaw, in case you were wondering). I ended up buying my kids plastic pens that look like quills. The owner was talking enthusiastically to all who entered, and when I told him that it was my birthday, he said he had something extra special for me and gave me my own, gold laminated train ticket from London to Hogwarts. I was thoroughly charmed by The Fairy Shop, even without the use of spells. ;-) A must-visit for any Harry Potter fans.

More Than Words is a nonprofit bookstore that sells new and used books while supporting young…read morepeople ages 16-24 who are system-involved, including youth from foster care, court-involved backgrounds, housing insecurity, and more. The young people help run the store, learn job skills, and work toward personal and career goals--and it truly shows in the care and pride behind the space. The shop itself is small but mighty. I walked out with four excellent-condition used books (three of which had already been on my TBR list) and somehow also added two cookbooks because... no regrets. Everything was very affordable, and it felt good knowing my purchase was directly supporting youth in the local community. If you're near one of their locations (I believe there's another in the Boston area), I highly recommend stopping in or checking out their online storefront. Great books, great prices, and an even greater mission--absolutely worth supporting.

Great place to shop and support your community. I live that there are brand new housewares at…read morefraction the cost of retail. One can feel good in shopping and supporting a worthwhile cause.

A great local bookstore located in the Seaport area. The store is literally across from the…read morewaterfront. The store has a cafe, a stage, and an upstairs workshop area. Rolling bookshelves around the the stage allow easy transformation to seating area for performance on stage. Youngest daughter purchased a book that she liked. The sale lady was very friendly.

I love Porter Square Books! I've been to the one in Seaport, and it's always lovely. I love the…read moreselection of books, and the way everything is organized and laid out. In the back is an area with couches and this winter day they had a fire on the tv, so it had such cozy vibes. There's a cafe with coffees, teas, and other snacks in the entrance. It has everything you need for a cozy bookshoppong experience! I've been here multiple times, and the staff is always very friendly and helpful, and the books priced fairly. I'll be back again soon!

Excellent source for liberal religious books from meditation manuals to social justice themes to…read morestudies on congregational topics to gifts. And ordering on their website is super easy too.

From the owner: The word inspirit is rich in meaning. It can mean to fill with spirit, to encourage, to exhilarate,…read moreor to bestow with strength or purpose. We offer books to support people of all faiths and seekers alike to engage with spiritual questions. Unitarian Universalists have been on the forefront of social justice movements such as marriage equality, immigration rights, and the Movement for Black Lives. We carry books that provide inspiration, grounding, and practical help on a variety of justice issues. We are especially proud of our selection of books for children and youth. We also offer beautiful fair trade and locally sourced items that make perfect gifts, as well as cards and gift bags.