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    Commonwealth Books

    4.5 (87 reviews)
    ModerateBookstores
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Arianne Victoria A.

    This bookstore is filled with little treasures here and there. There are aisles of books well loved and older than what you would find in a regular bookstore. All through the shelves you can find suprisingly interesting book finds you wouldn't normally find anywhere as they have antique and/or rare books. What a nice little stumble in an alley where this bookstore stands!

    Andi P.

    5 Stars for an old bookstore that made my day and staff that clearly enjoy their workplace! I had a day to wander Boston and found this bookstore in Yelp. It's in a little alley and as soon as you see it, you feel like you've found a special place. Inside you'll find absolute gems of antique books as well as modern books, all laid out in order of topic and author. Though it may look disorganized, it is anything but. I found a Gabriel Garcia Marquez book that would make for the perfect reading in the park surrounded by ducks. I really appreciated spending time looking around and exploring sections that wouldn't normally interest me. Books I never expected to be drawn to. Did I already say this space is special? As I was checking out, I mentioned how I felt about this place and the gentlemen at the counter smiled and agreed. There could have been snark and pretentiousness against a clear tourist, but that was nowhere to be found. Genuine kindness and passion existed instead. I'll definitely be back and buy many more books next time I'm in town. What a special, special place.

    Andrew C.

    Like everyone else, I stumbled upon this book store tucked away while exiting the T station. It is a very nice and interesting little book store with an incredible aesthetic. While the books are placed al about, there are gems hidden within and it makes it all the more enticing to hunt and find old novels and historical masterpieces. There are even many old maps and pieces for hanging on a wall of an office. The prices are god and you will find very interesting an even funny old books that were once important and widely used. I highly recommend visiting to experience this store. It is worth a trip and so interesting.

    Amazing collection of old books, old maps and old manuscripts
    Helene S.

    Stumbled on this bookstore while exploring the Freedom Trail. Located on the oldest street in Boston (Spring Lane c.1630) near the Old South Meeting House, it was fun to explore the stacks and shelves of old books, maps and manuscripts. The books are tucked in every nook and cranny of this bookstore. Bookshelves filled from floor to ceiling. More stacks on the floor. Nice to be able to turn the pages of books that are older than our country. Explore the bins and bins of old maps and illuminated manuscripts. Interesting to see historic maps of Boston. Love their "new" books this week which includes old books. How about a first edition, first folio collection of poems published by Thomas Gray in 1753 bound in leather? Or a book on Prince Albert's travels including maps from the 1880s? Or a copy of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale? I can definitely see why this is a top five bookstore in Boston. Step off the Freedom Trail and step into history through books and maps.

    Heather S.

    My son's love for old books and maps is no secret. This place was tucked away in one of those walking only "streets" between buildings in Boston. He was in absolute heaven. There were maps for sale that were older than Boston, and books from all over the world that were the oldest I've ever seen in person. Truly a bibliophiles paradise. Don't miss stopping by if you love antique books and out-of-prints.

    Out front
    Blair F.

    We happened across this used book store on our way back to our hotel. Interesting selections, including some original medieval illuminations. Prices on some items were high, but if you're looking for paperbacks, you'll find them here. I did not see a children's book section.

    Caitlin K.

    The owner has a lot of very cool rare books, maps, and manuscripts. They're almost all sold. Oh, and don't take any food or beverage in that area. There are rules here. Eclectic collection of (regular) books and maps. I probably would have bought some maps but alas, I only have a carry on for my trip home. I love old maps. There are books everywhere. On the floor. Under tables. Outside. The collection is hard to piece together as far as logic, but whatever. Still worth stopping by to see what he has in stock and you want to follow all the rules and be checked on to make sure you're not stealing. (I wasn't.) Also- no restrooms. There are signs (multiple.)

    Jessica S.

    This bookstore was such an awesome accidental find: we wandered into it when we needed a stop on the Freedom Trail. Boy, am I glad we did. This is a wonderful, well-curated selection of old and antique books. It isn't large, but they make the most of the space, stacking sleeves from floor to ceiling, and occasionally a stack on the floor. Everything is well marked and well organized, and if you can't find your section of interest, just ask, and the friendly guy at the desk will direct you and answer your questions. I spent a good chunk of time with the cookbooks in a back room, and found a 1940s treasure by an author I'm not familiar with (but apparently had a radio show back in the day). My daughter spent her time with the poetry, and found some lovely antique volumes, and finally settled on a collection. The prices can be quite steep, so check the prices marked on the first page - but also ask if there is a discount, because we were pleasantly surprised to receive 20% off due to a midwinter sale. This shop should be on every booklover's list when visiting Boston.

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    3 years ago

    Worth spending an hour exploring their collection and looking for treasures. An ever changing inventory of books

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    Awesome bookstore in Boston, tucked away in an alley. They have all kinds of old books, and manuscripts- some date back to the 16th century!

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    Review Highlights - Commonwealth Books

    This bookstore was such an awesome accidental find: we wandered into it when we needed a stop on the Freedom Trail.

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    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe

    4.1
    (200 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    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)

    Photos
    2nd floor - main floor with the cashier.
    2nd floor - main floor with the cashier.
    Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
    Children's books level

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    Children's books level

    Commonwealth Books - bookstores - Updated June 2026

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