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!

This spot was adorable - both for books and food…read more We lucked out as we didn't have a reservation, but called and turns out they had an outdoor table available. We weren't sure how to enter, so we started in the bookstore and found their convenient elevator downstairs! The restaurant is tiny but cozy, which is the perfect atmosphere for a book store! We sat outside in the little courtyard and it's a mix of magical and relaxing! There were only a few tables, so it wasn't overcrowded and with nice weather, it was perfect. I had a salad with salmon on the side which was delicious - and the ginger lemonade - wonderful! From buttered noodles to seafood, everything was executed well. The staff didn't rush us even though they were busy - and they had to give really long wait times to a number of others, but we still weren't rushed. I would highly recommend reservations, but even without we were treated very well. Pricing was in line with city pricing - and the food was extremely high quality and produce was lovely - not a shriveled lettuce leaf in sight. We then went upstairs to the bookstore and perused - each floor has something fun to see (including a tiny kids door - or is it a mouse door for the mouse who stars in the book about the store?!). 100% worth a visit - definitely stop in!

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.

Really cute bookstore and place to get souvenirs/gifts/trinkets from your trip to Boston…read more Umbrellas, prints, magnets, stuffies, and books of course!

The staff didn't even say hello and looked at me in a condescending way every single time. It made…read moreme feel unwelcome.

This is such a fun store, we always make it a point to stop in when we're around Newbury. Kids and…read moreadults will be delighted. Tons of books and fun toy selection, including some hard to find things like Sonny Angels and Jelly Cat stuffies. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Even though it's on Newbury Street, it doesn't feel like you're being overcharged, prices are reasonable. Even if you don't plan on buying, browsing is just as fun! Great option for gifts too!

Posman Books is one of those stores that is easy to wander into while walking along Newbury Street…read moreand end up spending much longer than you expected. The shop has a bright, colorful interior that feels welcoming from the moment you walk in. Instead of the quiet atmosphere you might expect from a traditional bookstore, it has a lively, creative energy that encourages you to browse and see what catches your attention. I liked how thoughtfully the store was organized. There is a strong selection of current bestsellers, fiction, and nonfiction, along with sections dedicated to art books, cookbooks, graphic novels, and children's titles. It never felt overwhelming because everything was laid out in a way that made it easy to move from one display to the next, and I found myself discovering books I probably would have missed if I had come in looking for only one specific title. The gift section was just as enjoyable as the bookstore itself. There were shelves and tables filled with greeting cards, stationery, puzzles, games, tote bags, and other unique gifts that made it difficult to leave empty-handed. It is the kind of place where you can stop in for a book and end up finding a thoughtful gift or something fun for yourself at the same time. Even with a steady flow of people coming in from Newbury Street, the store never felt chaotic. The aisles were easy to navigate, everything was well organized, and the staff was friendly without hovering. I appreciated being able to browse at my own pace while still knowing someone was available if I needed help finding something. Overall, Posman Books is a great addition to Newbury Street and one of my favorite independent bookstores in the area. The combination of a carefully curated book selection, creative gifts, and an inviting atmosphere makes it a place I would happily stop into whenever I am spending time in Back Bay, even if I am not planning on buying anything before I walk through the door.

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.

Love this store!! They have such a great selection and I always get gifts for my kids when I travel…read moreinto Boston for work.

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.

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.