If I were to move to Boston, I would make sure that I am within walking distance of Brookline Booksmith. Friendly staff, an AMAZING used section, cute gift section, and located in a great place. Hooray! read more

I love this bookstore because it is a browsing bookstore. The tabled selections are organized just right. It is definitely easy to waste hours here just taking a look at everything. Plus, they have a lot of cheap/on sale books and some well thought out non-fiction sections such as history, cultural studies and film. I am glad that the Barnes and Noble is gone from Coolidge Corner and that the Brookline Booksmith prevails. read more

I can't walk by the Booksmith without taking a second to go in and peruse their awesome, varied selection. Their used book area takes up the whole of the downstairs and is well-stocked (everything from the latest Jodi Picoult to War and Peace), well-organized and very cheap. Upstairs they have new books, as well as a little space off to the left where they sell notecards, magnets, jewelry, mugs, and other assorted odds and ends. I've had some great finds at the bargain book tables upstairs and love to check out the eclectic staff picks. The employees are mellow, and the general atmosphere there is laidback, which means that the Booksmith is great for taking your time and browsing around. All in all, a solid local bookstore where you can feel good about spending your money. read more

My fav bookstore in Boston. Hands down. And if you are a super bookworm they have book clubs and awesome authors come to chit-chat about their amazing work. read more

I love this bookstore. Not because of the wide selection of books upstairs, not because of the great bargain basement downstairs, but because of the gift section! They have some of the coolest and unique and funny things around. Toilet paper with word searches on it? Edamame garden kits? Buddha belly toothbrush holders? Beautiful stationary? It's so much fun just to go in and look around. read more

I walk by the Booksmith almost everyday on my way to work and I almost ALWAYS get sucked in. I've taken out of town visiting friends there and they insisted on going twice during their stay. I've purchased several great cookbooks there and there's always something catching my interest on the front display table. read more

An interesting schedule for book signings and author appearances, a top notch used book section and a helpful staff combine to create one of the best book stores in the city. Barnes and Noble tried to move in right next door, and was quickly dispatched. It says a lot about the relative wealth of people in the area to be able to pay a little more, but it also speaks volumes about the quality of this store and how much the neighborhood loves it. read more

My favorite bookstore! Has everything I want every time I go. Lots of book signings and events too.

This bookstore makes me feel all warm inside. It's one of those quaint bookstores where the workers are helpful and polite. There's a used book rack in the basement where you can find a decent amount of good books for cheap. They also rent and sell DVD's and they have a whole part of a wall dedicated to Criterion Collection DVD's. It's located pretty much next door to a Barnes and Noble, but it has that personal feel that only a mom and pop type shop can give you which makes me walk into Brookline Booksmith as opposed to the huge Barnes and Noble a skip away. Again, made me feel all warm inside. Great bookstore! Love it. read more

I love Booksmith. I like the displays with the top sellers for the store and the used book department where I have found a few gems. They get top flight authors to come and do readings. And the only reason that I subtract a star is that when I went to the Wm Gibson reading that cost a couple bucks, they only would let him sign books bought from their store. A business decision, but one that made me not go back to the store afterwards. Maybe I would have bought another one of his books otherwise. A bit off putting. A great independent bookstore. Long may it live. read more

Only in Brookline can an independent bookstore put a big chain out of business. That's exactly what the Brookline Booksmith has done, and it's clearly a result of their amazing selection, awesome customer service and frequent, interesting guests. They do a lot right here. It's a great place to find a book or gift, or even just kill time when you're bored. They're open until 11 so there's lots of time to hang out and explore. read more

I love this place, It seems to have everything I want, AND I can assure myself that I won't get lost in this Bookstore.. Got a bit sidetracked in the Newton bookstore.. It's a busy spot with some chairs to plant yourself if I wish to read a few chapters. Plus brookline's Coolidge corner is a gem. I wonder now if they have book readings.. read more

Great selection, excellent staff recommendations. Used selection downstairs is somewhat limited, but generally doesn't overlap with new selection upstairs. read more

A great selection of new and used books. The basement used book section, in particular, is superior to the cramped section at the Harvard Book Store, and has a better selection at reasonable prices. It looks like they bring in lots of good book talks as well. read more

I could spend all day browsing for books and gifts here. Wonderful way to spend your money -- supporting the community, learning something new from your purchases, browsing inside the cozy bookstore in from the cold. I've been here twice in the last 2 days. They have a great selection for Christmas gifts - all sorts of items like funny gifts, bucky balls ($30), calendars, the "keep calm" franchised items, used books, jewelry, and more. Thanks yelpers for the tips! read more

Great independent bookstore. The selection of new/used books is great. It's open late and perfect for browsing after dinner. Their discounted new books are a steal and beats out most online/chain retailers. And the warm fuzzy feeling you get from supporting a neighborhood joint really can't be beat. read more

I absolutely love the Brookline Booksmith. I have a thing for locally owned bookstores, probably because there aren't that many left out there. They have a great selection of new and used books which is incredibly appealing and they bring in a wide array of authors for book talks each month. I could browse around the store for hours. They also have a wonderful selection of cards, better than any other place in Brookline, and trinkets for gifts! read more

Best bookstore in the Boston area. Clean. Friendly staff. Sweet Used section downstairs. Impossible to just walk by and not take look inside :) DONT FORGET YOUR FREE PIN AND BUTTON! read more

They have a great book selection, that's constantly updated. The bargain section is a big attraction -many bestsellers for single-digit $ prices. read more

They have everything! I love how they have the new books on the top floor and used books on the bottom. Tons of categories and cute little objects to purchase. I work up the street and I would be in here more if I didn't spend and hour and a half every time I go read more

I remember this gem back in my high school days, I stroll here from time to time just to take a walk on down memory lane, When they kicked my friend ass out for stealing a book Aaahhh Yeeeeaaaa the good old days served him right. Barnes and Noble is not far at all from this place I still love they selection they are really good in keeping up with Stephen King books mainly old and new for a great price while Barnes & Noble wants to charge you rent money for Stephen King books, I don't know why but I digress, I love this place and always will be a special part of me. read more

Brookline Booksmith is an awesome independent bookstore. All the usual books and magazines plus a really cool section of cards and crazy trinkets. There are frequent readings by authors as well. This is what a bookstore should be. read more

Hands down my favorite bookstore in Boston. The place just smells like an old bookstore, has incredible staff, a great selection, wonderful author events and a killer video store in the basement. Gotta love this place! read more

Of all the things I miss about living near Coolidge Corner, the Booksmith probably tops the list. I love that it is independently owned, and they always have a fantastic selection of discount fiction. read more

I *adore* Booksmith. I am a fiction junkie, and they always have great finds on their sale table . . . plus, their recommendations (i.e., Staff picks, etc.) are pretty reliable. I can usually find what I need here, but if not, they are always willing to order it for you at no extra charge, and I often try to go that route instead of buying from Barnes & Noble or something. You should definitely stop in the next time you are in Coolidge Corner. If you are a book lover, you will be glad you did. read more

A fantastic bookstore. I love the fact that they have the new section on the ground level, and a (really really good) used section in the basement (hint: check the used section before the new section). The selection is fantastic on both levels, and the staff is helpful (they do swift business here, so it can take a moment or two to wrangle someone to help you.) Their magazine selection is wonderful (much better than Out of Town News, I found things at the Booksmith I assumed were out of print!) They include a bookmark with every purchase (small things count). My only problem with them is they're right across the street from my bus stop and rather than wait for the 66 (again), I often find myself milling around here instead. read more

I love this place. I cannot walk by without going in. They always have a great selection and I love that they also have a small section based on the movies that the Coolidge Corner theatre is playing across the street. I love their discounted books and they have a great gift selection, perfect for those last minute gifts. read more

Booksmith is without a doubt my absolute favorite bookstore. A lot of people think of independent stores as being pricier than the big guys, but these people clearly haven't browsed Booksmith's remainder tables or used basement. The remainders are awesome -- brand new books for super cheap prices. My very favorite thing about this store, however, is probably the events they put on. Not only do tons of authors come through, but there are celebrities too (like John Krasinski and Alton Brown!!). read more

Great vibe with a great selection. Love browsing through their games, they always have smart ones I've never heard of.

Great neighborhood bookstore to browse through on a lazy weekend. They have a good selection of new and used books but you have to keep a lookout to get really good deal. I still like to stop by every now and then and if I get a great book for a dollar while I am at it, that is double the fun! read more

I just love to browse (and buy) at Brookline Booksmith. The shop has a welcoming, local feel, and I like to step in from the cold, particularly when I'm on my own. It's as if I'm surrounded by dozens of kindred spirits in the form of other avid readers. I especially love the basement, where lightly used books are shelved, including some for $1. The employees are kind and helpful, too. read more

Really good selection, especially if you like great authors (they have a good classical selection as well) or intellectual writers. I was browsing once, and asked for suggestions from an employee. I named a few books I enjoyed in the past year, and based on each one, she had a different recommendation that was incredible! Including Donna Pratt's A Secret History, which is just an incredible page turner that kept me up late at nights. Don't be shy to ask for suggestions. It's better than Amazon in that sense. read more

This place is my home. Friendly helpful staff, enough selection to make your head spin, pet friendly. I come and peruse for hours at a time :) read more

The booksmith is perfection! Such friendly staff, great bargain basement, amazing children's section, and the best gifts for anyone! I always go to booksmith when I'm looking for gifts for just about anyone in my life and am out of ideas. So many creative and fun giftables. They also get a lot of great authors and speakers so keep an eye out for their schedule! read more

Love this bookstore! It is so cute. They have a great basement section full of discounted books. Whenever I come here, I end up staying for hours. They also have really great events with interesting authors. I highly recommend going to those. Most are free. It's a great place to get lost on a Saturday or Sunday. read more

My new favorite local bookshop! Stopped in a few weeks ago as I was looking for a birding book for a birthday gift. Was pleasantly surprised to find tons of other gift items. Actual store layout is really easy to navigate and find what you need, though there are some physically tight spaces. The nature/birding section was a bit small, but had exactly what I needed. I quickly got sucked into all the Boston trinkets...Came for a book, left with an MBTA puzzle ‍ definitely worth checking out if you're in the Coolidge Corner/Brookline area! read more

I love this bookstore, it has great selection of titles, awesome author events, friendly/helpful staff, and a cool gift section.

Awesome book store! It's such a great, friendly shop with a decent selection for the size of the place. I love the feeling of walking in there...a total mix of people and dogs! I could spend hours browsing at books, and their gift shop which is so cute and ecclectic! Books are fairly priced, and I rarey leave there without purchasing something. read more

I simply ADORE the Brookline Booksmith for their used book section downstairs. I also love browsing the gift section and the bargain books section. read more

This place is amazing! I have a book-buying addiction and consider myself a connoisseur when it comes to bookstores. I am in love with this place and I can't keep myself away for more than a few weeks at a time. As a poor grad student, I appreciate the good deals. The used book cellar has a great selection that is constantly being updated, and upstairs there are always tons of remainders on sale. The store also hold lots of author events that are always entertaining. Go here and support your local indie bookstore! read more