If I were only reviewing the upstairs portion of Booksmith, I would probably give it 2 or 3 stars. There are no areas to sit and read. The selection, particularly History and Fiction (What bookstore doesn't sell Shogun?) is limited and the store is not made to handle the foot traffic it gets. You will have to navigate your way through thin aisles obstructed by oblivious Brooklinians who have absolutely no sense of spatial awareness. You must also be aware of their mobile, ruder brethren who will be wandering around vacantly and slack-jawed, only becoming aware of their surroundings when they bump into you and give you the stink-eye. All of this is redeemed and then some by the used-book cellar. My libray has octupled since I discovered the used-book cellar. It is a great combination of main-stream and obscure books, they have a lot of very recent books, and they are all in good-great condition (Cigar smoke smell and boogers of previous owners occasionally, but that's the charm) and they are all cheap as dirt. I would give this place 10 stars if I could. I love you, used-book cellar. read more

if you like paintings or monographs, go to this store. They sometimes have great books for very reasonable price. I once found a monograph of my favorite painter for 7bucks, bought them immediately and took it home and then it turned out it was sold for 60dollars on amazon.com read more

A favorite independent bookstore when I lived in the area. I still stop by when I visit. I always feel comfortable wandering the aisles not looking for any particular title. When I last visited, I noticed they'd expanded to a downstairs area full of used books and a space used for author engagements and discussions. A great place to go for both new and used books. read more

Best book store ever! They have a great selection of books, they have helpful employees, AND they offer a teacher discount. Does it get any better? Oh wait, yes! It does! They have a gift room with some of the cutest and most unusual items around. Whenever I pass the Barnes and Noble down the street I wonder who actually shops there when the Booksmith is only a few steps away. It can't be beat. read more

Barnes and Noble is less than three blocks away, and yet I always forget about it. Brookline Booksmith has been there forever (in my memory at least) and I can't see going anywhere else. I like to find really odd books that are forever all over the Booksmith - since it seems nobody's job to face the books (makes me crazy, but I like the store so I let it go) or organize. I have yet to encounter a nice salesperson... But I'm not a needy consumer, I'd rather forage. read more

My favorite bookstore. Forget Barnes and Noble and Borders, Brookline Booksmith is well worth your visit! Grab a cup of coffee and immerse yourself in books, nobody will bother you.. Friendly staff offer fantastic recommendations weekly. Their selection of lesser known authors and frequent guest speakers is great. Also they have tuns of indie and international magazines, as well as literary journals. Scope out the used book section downstairs, you can get some great reads for a fraction of the price. read more

Brookline Booksmith is so inviting- it's the kind of place you want to spend your entire afternoon. I love the old wood floors, and the relaxed atmosphere. It's smaller than the chain stores, but still offers a great variety. I love the staff recommendations, the gift area, and the discounted used books section downstairs. Plus, the location can't be beat especially now that Second Time Around just opened up next door, and Berry Freeze is just steps away. Home run! read more

Absolutely love this book store. They have a great setup and selection of books and gifts. They also have staff suggestions all over the place and I've picked up some great books thanks to the suggestions. I also go there when I need a gift for someone but don't know what to get them, they have cute and quirky things (coloring books for adults, finger puppets of literary figures, T-shirt's, Boston themed items, etc). Always find something good and love supporting a local bookstore. Keep an eye on their book signings/book tour schedule, I've been able to see and meet some of my all time favorite authors in an intimate setting. Just make sure to get there early to get a good seat for the popular authors. Make sure to visit the basement for an extensive selection of used books, too. read more

This is everything you want in a bookstore. It's designed to make browsing easy, with tables up front where they group books by new releases or sale books or by theme. The back half of the store is laid out in traditional topics. The staff recommendations are intelligent and well thought out. When I just need a book, any book, and the choices are overwhelming, I head to the staff pick shelves and get something there. There's a funky little gift area which is fun to play in, and occasionally buy a little something. The clientel is devoted, and largely there to take their time and browse, with or without their dogs. The staff is invisible unless your looking for help, then they magically appear. The author events and book signings are worth keeping track of. read more

Reasonable prices and great events. They even have a basement for used book sales. Pretty good selection for a local bookstore.

Go downstairs to see their room full of discounted books. There's so many to choose from and I always leave with 10 new finds! I highly recommend it. read more

Booksmith is a great and comforting bookstore (a haven for those who enjoy the written word). I prefer the basement for it's humble atmosphere and endless readable fiction. Upstairs is great too--I couldn't help but browse in the great gift shop with cutesy knick-knacks. Although they don't have the great magazine collection of B&N, they've got a charm that is hard to find in a corporate world. read more

I like this place. A lot. I like the way the books are organized, and I love the selection. It sells things for booklovers AND people who simply want to enjoy whimsical knick-knacks. Workers are also friendly. :) read more

Showed up at 10 am only to discover they were opening at noon because of inventory. My fault for not checking the website before heading out. I waited until noon, but then was informed the downstairs would not be open today due to inventory. That information was not on their website, and I feel like I wasted two hours waiting for nothing. The staff were friendly, but their hands were tied. Not a great first impression for this store. read more

An exceptional collection of new and used books. I have never failed to find a great book on every visit here. The staff are knowledgeable and always happy to help. If I ever move out of Brookline, the Booksmith will be missed the most. read more

Great place, excellent books, great for fun gifts that aren't overpriced. Definitely allow yourself some time to get lost in here.

Went to a book signing here for the first time, and it was so fun! They did a great job setting up and preparing for it. I'll definitely be returning for my book buying and for more events! read more

My favorite part of this store is the used book cellar - they really try to sell only the good stuff, and have it organized pretty well. I don't know why they decided to move Cinemasmith (the movie rental place next door) into part of the cellar, though - it's sort of awkward. Anyway, the staff is really friendly and helpful. This place is way better than the Barnes & Noble down the street. read more

This place is great not only for books, but for fun gifts. I love browsing and buying the latest book titles as well as old classics.

Love this place for their bargain books. They have fantastic cookbooks at deep discounts (I got a Jaimie Oliver cookbook for $10). Their gift department has great cards too. Plus, you'll feel good about buying something here and supporting Brookline businesses (avoid Barnes and Noble down the street). read more

Love this independent bookstore that managed to outlive the Barnes and Nobles that closed down a few months ago. I usually just browse around the books and end up buying the kitschy stuff in the back where the birthday cards and other gizmos and gadgets are. read more

This place has gotten me into big troubles financially because for a while I would stop in and scour their used books once or twice a week, usually walking out with at least two books (four plus on more than one occasion). Grad students are not supposed to buy everything that first catches their eye. But while their used selection is a little on the small side, it's never been an issue for me, and their staff has always been very friendly and helpful. I wish I were not as busy as I am so that I could go to more of their reading series events. read more

After all these adoring reviews, what else is there to be said of Brookline Booksmith? Honestly, not too much. I provide no further revelations or insights about this extraordinary business. But add my adoration I must. Brookline Booksmith has stood the test of the economy, but my bank account has not been entirely immune. So I had let my regular visits slip and retreated behind the piles of books I've already amassed (many from Brookline Bsmith). After indulging in a recent visit, it was like going to see an old friend. Excellent selection, friendly &knowledgeable staff, bargain tables that actually offer quality options, a delightful variety of cards, crafts and other kitschy items...and ohhh, the used book cellar (!). Excursions to Brookline Booksmith make me happy inside. Brookline Booksmith is everything my mid-20s unable to fall asleep without devouring at least a few book chapters or former 9yr old Baby-sitters Club obsessed self thinks a bookstore should be. read more

I love this place. Going here is a must every time I'm in the Coolidge Corner area, even if I don't plan on buying anything. It is a great place to browse because they have a HUGE selection--there are a lot of cool hobby-centric books that are fun to look at. They also have a very cool journal collection with some art supplies and trinkets. I like to go here when I'm gift shopping as well because they have a section of the store devoted to silly gag gifts, jewelry, magnets, mugs, candles, etc. where you can find stuff for people who are hard to buy for. They have used books downstairs. The only drawback of this place is that the store can become very tight during peak hours on the weekend because it's so popular. It isn't a tiny shop though so there's usually still room to move around. read more

An independent gem in Coolidge Corner. Upstairs there's a gleaming bookstore along with kitsch trinkets (art supplies and fun things), but make sure you check out the used bookstore downstairs, which is nearly as big and often has guest speakers. read more

Awesome selection of books. I love that they have staff recommendations especially when you're feeling lost and didn't come with a title or author in mind. They also have a little part of the store dedicated to cute gifts, stationary, and cards. read more

New titles are well chosen, many titles have recommendations from clerks (though the clerks don't seem as sharp as those at Harvard Book Store) but what makes this store remarkable is their small, but smartly stocked used section. Not as great as Raven Used Books but this should be everyone's second option. read more

This is my favorite bookstore in Boston. They have a great selection of new and used books and the staff is really helpful. It's a really peaceful place to hang out and browse on weekends or after work. I especially love the Used Books Section on the bottom floor. The only drawback is that they sometimes have a very noisy knitting club in the basement with a table set up that blocks the bookshelves. It makes it a bit hard to find anything. read more

Awesome! What else can I say?? I love going down to the cellar and browsing the used book selection. The staff are warm and helpful, the other customers make themselves at home... this place is a real hub in the Brookline community. Highly recommended. read more

I really have to say I enjoy this bookstore. I am at a point where I really need to hold off on actually buying any new books (budget restrictions, little storage, etc), but Brookline Booksmith has a nice collection of used books to satisfy my urge to purchase. While I am used to much larger used bookstores (like Powell's and Strand's), this store is on my commute home and so it's quite convenient. They also have a really neat little area filled with all those miscellaneous items you really don't need to buy but really want to buy. They even carry The Unemployed Philosophers' Guild items, so I may have to pick myself up a new toy or mug. I'd recommend this store to browse around while waiting for a movie at the Coolidge Corner theater or when you just want to pass the time. read more

I love to read, and love bookstores. I need to restrain myself, however, as I am read pretty fast and would spend all my money on books if i could. This particular bookstore has a pretty wide selection of used books (read: cheaper!), and I like the fact it's one of the few independent bookstores around. I wish I lived closer to Brookline so I could frequent this store more often. Alas, I do not. However, I am HUGE fan of the TJ's in Coolidge Corner so I'll usually combine a trip and hit up my favorite bookstore while I'm there. read more

The Brookline Booksmith, in addition to being a great all-around bookstore that manages to bag some pretty well-known authors for readings and panels on a semi-regular basis, is your go-to place for funny birthday cards and useless, overpriced trinkets that you just have to buy. The aisles can get a little bit crowded, but that's just because everyone loves to shop and browse here, and rightfully so. read more

Eh, this place is all right.... just all right. I can't for the life of me figure out why people love it so much. If you really want to see an amazing independent bookstore try Myopic, or the Seminary Co-Op in Chicago (my God, I dream about these places at night). At the Booksmith, the selection is terrible -well, at least for my purposes. Whenever I go in there looking for a particular book, they never have it. Its gotten to the point where I don't even stop in any more (this is sad for me, as I am always one to support the independent book store). They don't stock basic staples e.g. not a single copy/translation of Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" (this is a major work of Western philosophy, come on people!). You might be alright if you go in there looking for basic fiction, something like a Milan Kundera novel (Ugh!), but don't expect them to have any relevant or recent scholarly works. The only thing (and I mean the ONLY thing) that keeps me from giving this place one star is their author readings series. How they got Jonathan Safran Foer to read there I'll never know! Edit: Wow, I just realized how snobbish this review sounds- Hell, that's how I feel, sorry read more

This is one of my favorite local businesses! BBS offers a great selection of new books and a greater selection of used books! I've gone there a few times looking for some used gems and boy have I found them! The staff there is fairly knowledgeable and super kind. I feel very welcome in there. This is definitely one of my favorite shops in Coolidge Corner! read more

Remember when Brookline Booksmith put Barnes & Nobel out of business? Yeah that's right, you have to be a pretty badass cowboy to achieve that. And they did. Because their store is awesome. You walk in and immediately want to read something - ANYTHING! Also, their gift area is a great place to shop for Christmas and the holidays! The employees know their stuff, too! Just go in, it has a great city feel and neighborhood vibe. read more

This is a really cool bookstore to hang out in. Very friendly staff, very homey. There are tables around with great recommendations and staff favorites. There's also a nice section in the back with cool gifts. read more

A love a good used bookstore and this is a great one. It's a store for new books and assorted gifts and other trinkets on the first floor (great children's section and wide aisles with chairs to sit) and a used bookstore and video rental store downstairs. The help in the used bookstore was great. She was very knowledgeable and very friendly. The prices were very reasonable as well. You can easily spend a whole day here. I almost did. read more

LOVE. That's all we need to say here. GO to this store, go the Wellesley Booksmith (if you can handle the trip to Wellesley -- I am not a snob about living in "hip" neighborhoods or anything, but Wellesley is a bit of a gentrified crazy-zone even by my standards). Go to whatever your local independent bookstore is. Just go. And read. read more

This one of my favorite bookstores in the country! Brookline Booksmith stands with City Lights Books in San Fran and The Strand in NYC as one of the best places to feed your literary addiction. Hours can pass, dollars are spent, and stacks of books lay on my shelf waiting to be read acquired from this store. I can honestly say I have a book buying addiction, and it doesn't help when they're so close. Is there a helpline? read more

Brookline Booksmith is a wonderful local business in the heart of Coolidge Corner. They have a great selection, helpful staff, and an excellent speakers series of authors who come to the bookstore, or who speak across the street at the Coolidge Corner Cinema. I often buy Christmas presents from the "Staff Recommends" table of paperbacks. One of the many gems of this store are the cool gifts, games and accessories they sell. I am on my fifth Moleskine Weekly Calendar, as well as a Moleskine pocket pad for random notes and numbers. read more