Still a bastion of sanity, art, culture and decency in Harvard Square and in a crazy world. I did my undergrad at Harvard, and spent many a day in this bookstore, and I spent many a hard earned dollar there too! That was when there were a dozen of bookstores in Harvard Square. Downstairs, a lot of great used books, at great prices. Wonderful selection, pretty cool special events, and a great staff. Highest of recommendations. No negatives whatsoever. read more

Harvard Book Store sits on Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Square and has been a fixture of the Cambridge intellectual landscape long enough that it functions as a landmark rather than just a retail destination. We walked past the large windows and stacked displays visible from the street, and they invited us in before we had made any decision to enter. Once inside, the floor to ceiling shelves and the density of the selection created an atmosphere that is difficult to rush through even when we came in with a specific title in mind. The main floor covers new releases, staff picks, and a broad selection organized by subject across fiction, nonfiction, and a range of specialized categories. The curation reflects the surrounding community in the best way, with titles that reward browsing beyond the obvious bestseller tables. Staff are knowledgeable and genuinely helpful when you want a recommendation or need to locate something specific, and the information desk handles navigation questions efficiently without making you feel like you are interrupting. The basement is where the store distinguishes itself most clearly from a standard bookshop. The used and remaindered book sections downstairs cover an enormous range at a fraction of the cover price, and the quality of the used stock tends to be high. Spending time down there is one of the more rewarding ways to move through the store, and we came up with something we were not looking for when we went down. The remaindered section in particular offers discounted new copies of titles that did not move at full price, and the selection rotates enough that regular visits continue to surface new things. For an independent bookstore that delivers on depth, curation, and genuine value in the basement, Harvard Book Store is a Cambridge institution worth returning to again and again. It is the kind of place where you go in for one book and leave with a stack, and that is exactly how a good bookstore should feel. read more

Harvard Book Store - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Just bought a handful of books here. I went home, priced out the same books on Amazon, and found I had spent less than had I ordered them from Amazon. Great selection and nice to be able to browse and find some good stuff. read more

Bookstore of my dreams--and probably your dreams too. The selection was incredible--so many separate, well labeled nonfiction sections (my partner was thrilled to see a whole cognitive science shelf). The displays were well curated (not just whatever is trending on goodreads), and the recommendations were interesting. I spent more of my time upstairs, in the new books section, than in the used books downstairs. The staff was helpful and friendly (and also quite professional while on the phone with a man who (based on my eavesdropping) was asking if they could help him find a ghostwriter for his memoir). When they didn't have the book that I was looking for in stock, they gave me a few recommendations for other local bookstores which they thought might carry it. So excited to have a place like this within walking distance :) Looking forward to coming back. read more

I am a bookstore fiend and this one didnt disappoint! Best part: the BASEMENT! Sooo many good books that have been used but are still in great quality for a fraction of the price. They have a wide variety of books in every genre and beyond! And friendly staff who point you in any direction youre needing to go! read more

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This charming bookstore has the feel of a classic bookstore. Creeky floors, tight spaces, and the smell of pages and pages of knowledge. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and super helpful. A huge variety of genre you could ever want. A good selection of merch. The prices are on par with everyone else. I just got a good, cuddly feeling in the place. read more

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Love their book selection, excellent used books section downstairs. Some fun notebooks, cards etc as well. Among the best bookstores in the area, plus often cool events! read more

Love this bookstore! They have a great selection and offer lots of recommendations. I also love that there are both new and used books. Great event series and they're open until 10 which is great for after dinner browsing. Highly recommend. read more

It is located just a short walk from Harvard square. The books are arranged by category. I am going to see my nephew who has a new born so I picked up some children's books. He may need to grow into them. I figured I would pick up "Good night moon". I had trouble finding it so the man at the information desk helped me find it. Now that is customer service. After helping me find the book, he ever checked out my books. I would return. read more

A must visit for anyone (local or visitors) Support independently owned bookstores such as this! (even though it's called Harvard Book Store, it's not owned by Harvard, that'd be Harvard COOP) I love how they're so friendly and helpfiul, open late everyday. (10PM!) and has a free membership you can sign up to get discounts on books. I love overhearing the staff talking to customers whether it's helping them find a book or sharing their insight on a certain book. They genuinely love books and what they do. There are author talks in the store almost every day or every other day, so many authors come by the academic capital and leave a trace of signed books in the store. Most of the times the talks are at the store, sometimes it can be at the Cambridge Public Library or the First Parish church if a large crowd is anticipated. Please support them when you buy books, stationery, cards, even chocolates! They have many local souveniers in store for purchase. A lovely, essential part of Harvard Sq. :) read more

A nice bookstore with lots of books and crannies stuffed with books. Used books and clearance are downstairs with new books, notebooks, puzzles, and gifts upstairs. There's a rewards program. The prices for used books are a little high - the Alice book I purchased was a bit over half of the original price of $16 with visible wear and tear. However you could spend lots of time looking in both floors. (Note that there are only stairs to get down.) It is quite crowded but the staff is friendly and helpful. Of course there are a lot of things in the area and it's worth a stop. read more

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This is my favorite bookstore. I visited several times and spent hours here with my daughter during our week in Cambridge. There's a Tatte next door, so I recommend picking up a coffee first before browsing their excellent selection of books (the bookmarks are super cute!). It doesn't get cozier than this! read more

Tourists and local alike love this bookstore. Put it on your bucklist for sure. In addition to their huge selection of the newest and trendy books, there is a hidden gem in the basement where u will find used books at discount prices. They also buy books!! read more

Books bring joy to most people ... although the bookstore has no relation to Harvard University it's just the most stocked up bookstore I have had the joy of visiting. There were 3 authors doing a book reading the evening I stopped by. Bought some books and will be sure to come back again. read more

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This is an awesome book store with a great atmosphere and super organized inventory. They have a lot of the newest and trending books, and the store is really easy to navigate and explore. My daughter especially enjoyed the teen section, which had reviews from the staff about which books they enjoyed. The staff is also super helpful and the store is quiet. We definitely could have spent hours in there, and not just because it was air conditioned on a hot summer day. They have a wide range of mystery, fiction, history, and any genre you want. I didn't spend much time in the used section, but the upstairs area has a lot of options. I would definitely recommend coming here, whether it's for quick browse or if you are looking for a specific book. The new books are around 15-20 dollars, and we purchased a novel for around 17. read more

Harvard Book Store - Outside - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Great place to get books. Very charming old style book store. But to be honest, I just went to get a Harvard logo sweatshirt souvenir . They don't take Apple Pay, at the time i left the hotel w only my phone . So I had to borrow cash from a friend n Venmo . They take cash. read more

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This is a wonderful independent bookstore. I love their events and appreciate that they buy used books from you. Their book selection is broad, interesting, and very tempting. read more

Why are all these people purchasing political newspapers arguing with our president. Service is good, selection is wide, but value is not there. read more

I was a loyal customer for two decades, however after October 7, it became intolerable to walk by or enter the Harvard Book Store. Their anti-Israel bias was displayed in the window case that one couldn't miss on the outside or inside when paying. And their choice of speakers, including the Palestinian Poet Mosab Abu Toha, who continues to spread one-sided, anti-Israel & anti-Jewish prejudice and hate makes it so that I no longer feel safe inside the store. A bookstore should present all sides to a complex war and not make it so that their Jewish and Zionist patrons feel discriminated against and unsafe in their establishment. It's too bad, because I always want to support independent and local bookstores and I kept hoping that they would see the light over the past 15 months. But I guess I will have to take my business somewhere else. read more

Independent book stores are always a must stop in for me! This was one of the better ones I have been to. They had a huge selection of books and they were all very organized by genre and easy to find. They even had the rolling ladders for the taller shelves! I was more excited about the basement area where they keep the used and discounted books. I was able to get a couple cheap Agatha Christie novels that I haven't read before. This seemed like the spot that the locals shop at, but I would recommend stopping in even if you are just visiting! read more

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Great bookstore with wide selection of books organized into aisles that make it easy to find. The workers are friendly and helpful. The shelves have little notes on what the staff recommends which is helpful if you're just browsing for your next read. The only thing that would make this store better is a little sitting area like some other bookstores have read more

We had the loveliest time at the book store. They have fantastic selection and even have sales and used sections. The staff member who helped us tonight was so patient and she even pulled out EVERY SINGLE cat book mark to help us get the perfect souvenirs. Glad we stopped to shop here on our trip read more

Friendly staff. Well lit! Which is a plus since I have night blindness and can't handle low light environments like in many bookstores or shops. I was really happy to find some of Wallace Stegner's books from the used book section in the basement. The sorting system was easy to understand. Price was fair and condition good! read more

Harvard Book Store - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Harvard Book Store is one of my favorite spots in Cambridge. The used and overstock section downstairs is always a thrill to look through. The booksellers are fantastic. I've had great conversations with employees almost every time I've been, and everyone is always enthusiastic to help me find what I am looking for. read more

I have been a devoted customer of the Harvard Bookstore for 50 years. The inventory is fabulous but it is the staff that makes the store exceptional. Knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and brilliant. The best. read more

Came here to support a local book store but would not recommend it, the curly haired older man working the register is very rude. He rushed me at checkout and rolled is eyes when I went to scan my card early. I would recommend a less pretentious place. read more

Harvard Book Store - Proof I was a customer - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Awesome spot! I heard about this place through a friend and stopped by one afternoon to check it out. They have a huge selection, with used books downstairs, and discounted books upstairs too that are reasonably priced. I particularly enjoyed how helpful the staff are if you are looking for recommendations too! They have a membership program too, where you get a discount after every 100$ spent and 20% of a selection of in store books. read more

Thanks so much to the staff of Harvard Book Store. The Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha read from his new poetry collection last week, and many of us came 2 hours early to ensure getting a seat. Even though we were in their way constantly, the staff were universally patient and professional, herding us this way and that so that they could set up the chairs. I hope these folks are well-paid because it was clear how much pride they took in offering the community such important writing. read more

Very library on the other side of the street from Harvard campus. Checkout the used section downstairs. read more

Harvard Book Store - Outside - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Awesome place with a wide variety of books to choose from! I would recommend anyone who loves books to visit! read more

We purchased 3 books there today, The store was easy to navigate; All liberal & social science books. Made me sick. I hate brainwashing environments trying to educate me. They ought to provide a more diverse way of thinking. The irony of the ancestors of the pilgrims. read more

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When you visit Harvard University you need to look for the bookstore. Well by the name I thought we had the right place - we were looking for shirts etc. ...didn't find much selection of shirts, but what we ended up finding was an awesome book store. read more

Harvard Book Store - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

It's an independent, it's located across the street from the preeminent institution of higher-learning that brought us Ted Kaczynski AND Barack Obama, and it sells books. What more could anyone ask for? Such a delightful establishment, I'm shocked it doesn't have a solid 5 star rating. Actually, you know what? I'm not shocked. People will always find something to complain about. I know because I'm a people and I'm always finding things to complain about. That being said, there is literally nothing about this Harvard Book Store that warrants complaint. read more

This place just feels super intellectual. I felt smarter just walking in here. They also have a selection of knick knacks and cute gifts. They have a lot of excess publisher books that are marked down to low prices. I thought that was neat and it reminded me of the Strand in New York. read more

A great book store with friendly helpful staff! They have a large selection of books and is conveniently located in Harvard square. Although not the official Harvard University Bookstore, if you are looking for your next leisure reading, this place has you covered. read more

Harvard Book Store - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

You know, in all my years as an educated Asian, I never felt like Harvard and I would get along. While my overall dealings with Cambridge have generally confirmed this sentiment, I have to admit that the Harvard Book Store gave me pause. The upper level is comprehensive, with a great selection of fiction. The real treasure, though, is the used book collection downstairs. This underground trove houses wall upon wall with shelf upon shelf of high quality gently read literature at pretty great prices. The store standards for buying used books must be quite high, because though I'm fairly anal about the condition of my books, almost everything I saw was up to snuff and I walked away with four titles (Possession! Strangers on a Train! Middlesex! The Master and Margarita!) after weeding out a few to keep my luggage reasonable. If I lived in Cambridge, I'd visit on at least a weekly basis. I've been to many used bookstores, and I can't think of a single other that has impressed me to the same degree. The bookstore seems to put on good events as well, with frequent readings and the like. I imagine the Harvard name has a lot of draw for authors. As for me and you and everyone else, that beautiful basement of bargain books should be the only pull necessary. read more

Harvard Book Store is a wonderful shop to waste a couple of hours within its aisles of reading materials. It's kind of quirky shop, with books crammed onto shelves. Unfortunately, they don't really have a big selection of DIY, arts & craft books. It's a great little bookshop still to check out if you are in the area. read more

Harvard Book Store - Brave New World. Dr Michio Kaku talked about this book. It's on my list! - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This place is part of the character of Harvard Square. It one of those bookstores that you can walk in and get lost in for hours. I always find time to wander in here if I'm in the area. The fact that I met one of my dearest friends in front of this place is just a bonus. I have a special place in my heart for the Harvard Bookstore. read more

Ok - you can keep your barnes&nobles, and book-for-a-buck, or wherever else people go when they aren't on Amazon. This place is one of the few havens for book-lovers left in the Boston area. It hasn't sold out, it doesn't have a section for selling Dilbert calendars, and they don't serve lattes. What they do have are current, relavent books of every genre and persuasion. And, when your done, nip off down the block with your books for a burger at Mister Bartley's. read more

Harvard Book Store - Harry Potter being delivered to the Harvard Book Store - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Place is just massive and had a great selection at a variety of price points. I love this place, I will definitely be back.