We stumbled upon Rodney's while exploring Harvard Square area. We loved bookstores, so we had to check it out. Wish we had more time! It is pretty big and they have a lot of books, but it was crowded, making harder to browse and navigate. As far as the selection goes, it wasn't our cup of tea. Which is OK. Schedule - every day 12-7 pm , Fridays and Saturdays stays open till 8 pm which is great! You are left alone to look at books, staff here doesn't come around to bother you which is a major plus! Prices are a tad high for a used bookstore. It's worth checking it of you're in the area and you're a fellow bookworm! It has a charming, cozy feel to it. read more

Rodney's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Stopped there on the way out of town and spent about 40 minutes browsing. Parking was a little expensive... it was a Sunday so we couldn't find street parking and instead opted to park at a little lot next door. Was about 6$ for 30 mins or 14$ for 1 hr... needless to say we spent a little more than 30 minutes browsing at the book store. They have a few very old books located next to the checkout point. Books on many hobbies and world religions as well as classics. They do have groups of reference books and thesaurus's (and while they may have been there... I noticed partial sets and only maybe 1-2 complete sets). Books are reasonably priced -- between 94 cents and 30$+. Store was pretty busy when we stopped by but that's exactly what I'd like with a used bookstore. They do accept donations and I surmise that the inventory turns over rather quickly. read more

See all

This quaint little shop is exactly what I want in a bookstore- it's literally piled high with books of all genres. Most of the selections in the shelves are at least a few years old (and many very old classics) but there are newer books up front. Of the books I looked at, I didn't see any over $7.50, even hardcover and more popular books. You could easily spend hours looking through all the books in whatever genre you'd like, whether it be historic, cooking, adult fiction, architecture, women's studies, politics, etc. Not really somewhere you'd sit and read although there are a few chairs while you peruse. The cashier was friendly and ready to help but let me peruse freely read more

Rodney's Bookstore - More books - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

I traveled to Boston for a wedding and while exploring with friends we noticed this cool vintage bookstore. I normally purchase my books off of Amazon so I've never really had the "search around for something that looks interesting" experience. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the books were sorted. I was really looking for LGBT literature. I'm a sucker for a gay love story. I couldn't exactly find the LGBT section so I asked the store clerk. He explained how they're always moving sections so he can't exactly remember where they moved it since they're last big move (this was the only thing that annoyed me). I eventually found it by wondering around and reading the backs of books. I was able to find a book that caught my attention. I just finished reading it and loved it. I also picked up a murder mystery book which was completely out of the normal for what I buy. This is cute bookstore and definitely going to be apart of my stops when ever I'm in Boston. read more

Fun little bookstore with a huge variety of book subjects. Popped in here while in Boston to try to find a book to read on my flight back. Managed to find a biography in perfect condition for only $4.50. If I had more suitcase room, I would have picked up a few more books as they were priced so reasonably. I wish there had been a bit more classic literature to choose from, but I shouldn't complain because they had a lot, I just have read them all already! read more

I love a good book store! While on vacation in Boston, I found this gem! This gem is located in central square which is a huge shopping center where you can find a little bit of everything. This store is a used store primarily but they do have some new items and they even have products that aren't books- like antique items. I'm obsessed with reading a good book so I took a look see and was so pleased with what I found. The books are in order by genre and they have walls and walls of books. If I had more time that day I would've probably found more than just two books to bring home. What I love about this concept is the price! If you consume books the way I do, sometimes buying a new book at Barnes and Noble can be a little costly, although I understand that's how authors make their money. But I love being able to purchase multiple books for less than a price of one at a regular store. The store was clean and the employees don't hover over you unless you ask them for help, which is also great because it gives you time to concentrate on all the books! The store is large but it is covered wall to wall with books! They even offered to give me a free bookmark, which was great! If I'm ever back I will definitely revisit this store, hopefully with more time on my hands. If you need books for school check this place out, as I saw they have a lot of best sellers that many schools require for reading and of course they were priced well! 5 stars from a satisfied customer! I can't wait to come back. read more

Rodney's is a great place to wander the shelves, get lost, and kill some time. A huge selection of used titles, if you can't find something here, I doubt you're a reader! A nice kids' selection, they also have a dedicated corner with little chairs to inspire quiet Rodney's reading time. I was lured in by 50% off calendars and picked up a gorgeous Blues calendar by the artist R. Crumb. Rodney's is pet-friendly, people friendly, and definitely book friendly! read more

Me: "Hi, I'd like to buy these four crappy fantasy paperbacks I found in that paperback closet you've got out back." Nice Lady: "Oh well lucky you! They're on sale, that'll be $4.56" Me: "Are you serious? But...but... but you have hideous posters in your window on sale for $125!" *shiver, quake* Nice Lady: "This is Cambridge, dear." Me: "Oh yeah." I just wanted something to read, and was able to buy a cheap series in there that turned out to be very fun. I've done this a couple times now. I think it's good for presents for others (in front) or yourself (in the back) but it's a pretty neat store. Fuck those posters though. read more

Oh look, another establishment where no one says "Hi" to you. The standards for customer service in Boston are set pretty low and Rodney's consistently fails to live up to them. No one so much as looks at you, or even thinks to ask you if you need help while wandering around trying to make sense of their organization. Even better, while you're upstairs checking out the prints the guy who's sitting there with nothing else to do won't even look at you and just walks away when you come near. Also, was that a glare when I was perusing the economics "section" right in front of him? Hate the chain stores all you want, at least people at Borders are friendly and helpful. This place just sucks. read more

This place is fascinating to me, and not because of my bibliophilia. Well, partially. The thing I really like about this book shop is that it is, by far, the best used book shop I have ever been in. I have been in most of the local used book shops because, well, no one's conducted a decent intervention yet. (My friends probably would care if I were to do shots of Liquid Plumber, but they act as enablers for my bibliophilia, because then they get to borrow things.) The problem with used book shops as a class is that they lack balance. If you go into a used book shop where you can buy Guilty Pleasure type reading (science fiction, Agatha Christie, chick lit), you usually cannot find anything else there. If you go into a used book shop that cares about Quality, it tends to be lacking in pleasure reading. There's also a problem with the book shops that stock things that you'll read more than once -- you tend to have about 25% or so savings off the cover price at most. Part of the point of a used book shop is the bazaar feeling, the feeling that you are discovering something that is under-priced and under-appreciated, and you will love and cherish it. And Rodney's has all of these things. It has old libraries sold off in estate sales to them, so you can find books with publication dates in the 18th and 19th centuries. It has recent fiction that's still on the New York Times Bestseller Lists. It has old Sotheby's catalogues. It has a decent selection of books on every topic I have been able to think up. The selections are by no means complete -- that's part of the point. If you've been looking for a beloved book that's now out of print, or an antique school reader, or travel guides for East Germany, or an amazing art book, your chances are good. And the best part is that you never know what will come in and when you will find it. The upstairs section (not sure if it's wheelchair accessible or not) is open shorter hours than the main floor, but is a wonderful area that doesn't have the same treasure hunt feel -- instead, it's largely remaindered books. But the shop buyers have a good eye and I've bought truly beautiful books up there, with a heavy eye to the quirky and under-appreciated. It's also very good for people who are looking for things like current travel guides, rather than Baedekers, for example. Oh, right. Guilty pleasure. That's handled throughout the store. Trade paper and hardcovers are stocked throughout the main fiction section, and there's a little area in the back next to Linguistics that stocks the small paperback books that you feel guilty for reading -- Stephen King, sex and shopping novels, things like that. I would compare it, for someone who's familiar with one shop but not the other, to the Harvard Book Store used books section, except it is an entirely different beast. Harvard Book Store prioritises recent publications (within the last 25 years or so), stocks largely non-fiction (whereas Rodney's is probably 1/3d novels, 1/3d reference non-fiction and 1/3d art, music, architecture and poetry books), and would never, ever sell a textbook from thirty years ago. I do not know who is charge of buying Rodney's stock, but they have an amazing eye to what could fascinate anyone. Friends studying history of science have been particularly delighted, as finding a physics reference text from the 1920s is not the easiest thing ... except at Rodney's. People who enjoy architecture and photography love browsing the remaindered section and the used section, both to find new artists to love and find old artists they thought no one had ever known existed. People who love books, period -- and that would be me -- can easily spend an hour (or three!) just browsing the stacks and gathering books on topics that catch their eye, and for the price, they may as well come home with you. Thankfully, Rodney's is also wise enough to sell bookshelves. Less usefully, my husband refused to replace our bedroom set with bookshelves. Que sera, sera. read more

It's like they went to all the garage and yard sales across the country and bought all the used quirky books to resell in this store. You probably won't find multiple new copies of the latest bestseller, but you can find deeply discounted literary gems (check the penciled in price inside on the first page, as low as $.94! There aren't really places to sit and leisurely skim through a book, but it's not really that kind of place. They also have posters and weird little toys and knick-knacks. Great place to swing by and spend some time and money. read more

I agree that this place is hit-or-miss. I think they have trouble keeping good stock because it leaves so quickly: only mediocre books are left. I certainly enjoy walking around looking for something interesting on their shelves. Note: Don't sell your books here. They will take you for a ride and will only give you store credit. My books are the only thing I own that are worth anything; during hard times they are the first thing I sell. If I am selling my kids I want to get a good price for them! read more

I am absolutely devastated that Rodney's is closing its doors after ten years. I couldn't help but smile every single time I merely passed the store; imagine what it was like going in... This is a huge loss for the community. I hope that the folks at Rodney's at the very least know how adored they were and that their store brought so much joy to many, many customers. read more

If you give this place a low rating because of "customer service," you need to leave Boston/Cambridge. As one of the busiest places in the US, who wants to approach every g****mn person that walks through the doors. You know how to read, which is why you're there, so read the sections and look for a book. If you need help, just ASK. Don't be a child and wait to be waited on. The book selection could be a bit better, but there's always new used books coming through. They have really good prices on their custom, as in you email them what you want, poster prints (I've had two done) and prompt printing service. It's easy to get lost in the selections they have. They have quite a few of those "pocket books" my grandmother used to have which I find pretty neat. Definitely worth checking out, but mature folks only, please no cry babies. read more

Oh God, so many books, so little time. Not the most contemporary selection of fiction but it's all used and affordably priced and you might discover some new authors. They just had a crazy sale too, with all fiction 50% off. I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee in Central Square and he was running late, so I popped into Rodney's to pass the time. Two hours later, I had forgotten to meet my friend and was sitting somewhere on the floor of the store reading. read more

Imagine I am singing as I am writing this and you'll get the effect I'm looking for. I could bring my blankie and cuddle up in between the art books and the fiction and make myself a little fort where no one could bother me and my life would be complete. They take old books and give you store credit! They sell books for cheap! They get new stuff like everyday! There's TWO WHOLE FLOORS of the stuff! For a total book dork like myself, this place is like a library that basically lets you steal stuff if you pay the not that expensive fines first. read more

I'm pretty spoiled by having lived in Portland and worked for Powells books, the largest independent used/new bookstore in the US. And Rodney's is no Powells.....still, I like it. It's a pleasant space, well organized. They have lots of academic titles, a good history section. They have some pretty cool out of print kid's books and a lot of great art books upstairs. I love the cards and the book displays. The employees are nice. They don't have as large of a selection of fiction as I would like. Still, I'm sure I'll come back a lot--it's a perfect place for browsing. read more

Dear Rodney's bookstore, I just spent my saturday night inside of you... and it was all the pleasure I needed. If only you also gave free acess to beds with in your store... I could have just finished up, rolled over to smoke a cigarette and gone to sleep. Not only did I pick up a signed first edition copy of TC Boyle's The Inner Circle-- (in amazing condition for only $14.95) I also discussed the animation of Disneys Pete The Dragon Vs Puff The Magic Dragon with one of your quirky employees. I love you Rodneys Bookstore, you make the brainies of central go mental for your sweet sweet lovin'. read more

I don't think I'd mind living here, actually. I'm here often enough that I feel I should be paying rent. Yes, the art books are amazing, and there's plenty of eye-catching, jaw-dropping coffee table lit here, but what really struck me was the linguistics section: there is a whole shelf, yes, a shelf of grammars and language guides and pretentious treatises! Perhaps I'm blown away in part because places like Borders or B&N don't have such a section to begin with, other than the obligatory "Eats, Shoots & Leaves." Here, though, I bought a dissertation on sociolinguistic variables in rural Southern communities (particularly dealing with variants of the past "be" and copula absence, natch), completely on a whim. I never knew I needed such a thing, but it was obvious that I just HAD to spend $8 on this. The old postcards are also lovely -- this is where I go to do all my birthday card shopping. The whole experience is incredibly relaxing, something of a Sunday afternoon ritual. read more

I can't imagine what other reviewers are talking about when they say that the service is poor. If you need someone to wait hand and food on you while you pick out a book, then you should probably just stay home. Visiting Rodney's, I needed no help whatsoever because the books are organized beautifully by topic and author, which made it a pleasure to both peruse the shelves and look for the book that I was looking for when I went in. The selection was terrific for a used book store and the prices were acceptable - being neither overpriced nor cheap. Rodney's also carries a number of interesting gift items which add character to the store as you shop around. read more

Rodney's has a huge selection of used books on just about any topic you want. Want to find a book about gardens in Texas? Check. Want to find a book of crockpot recipes from Better Homes and Gardens? Check. Want to find a really ironically funny mid-80s autobiography of popular sports players? Check. I have bought cookbooks, collections of plays, and rock anthologies here. I would recommend Rodney's for people that love to browse a great selection of cheap options for your next great read (especially before you go on Amazon and have to pay shipping charges for a used book!) read more

We have lost a number of wonderful used bookstores from Cambridge, Somerville and Boston in the past 2 decades and this place "holds the fort". A massive amount of books and a helpful staff. A great place to browse or spend the afternoon reading (as you would in a library) ... great place to buy something to add to your personal bookshelf or send to a friend - that's right, you don't need to always use Amazon. I get books online but the ability to browse and find something you never would have found otherwise is invaluable and this bookstore delivers such experiences repeatedly. Sadly it isn't the store it was a couple years ago. they don't offer to put Mylar covers on your hardcover books anymore, and they got rid of the upstairs space. read more

Sad this place is closing, but it seems to be holding on for the time being. I hope it will get a second life (much like the Brattle Theater). I love poking around and discovering some gems of books. They have cool posters and, for a few extra $$, can make them from pictures you bring in! Good prices and selection. read more

This place is packed with all kinds of used books. The floors are carpeted and everything is really quiet. You can browse for hours. read more

Rodney's Bookstore - Bookstores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

A testament to excellent service overcoming a potentially average review. Rodney's did not have the book I was looking for... but the awesome (and cute I must say) bearded guy behind the counter did his darndest to find it. I experienced a real human interaction, and, well, those are increasingly hard to find nowadays. Located right in Central Square, Rodney's is where I'll check next time I need a book. Hopefully they'll have it, but if not, I'll still be glad I stopped in. read more

LOVE IT! One of my favorite spots to sit and kill time, or spend a sunday afternoon browsing. They have an incredible range of used (and some new) books. A very large selection of art books. They have a good turnover on the fiction stuff and have a decent T-book selection (paperbacks that are a real easy and non-challenging read). The staff are always very friendly and helpful. When my father was here, he was looking for a book on silk-painting. We visited many a store, large and small, and Rodneys was the only place a book on it. Incredible. read more

Had some time to kill in the Cambridge area and came upon this bookstore. Decided to take a look inside and was surprised to find that it is quite big inside. When you first walk in, make sure to scan through the 94 cent used books! They have all different genres organized by pieces of paper on the shelves. There's also two small rooms in the far back to the right with children's books and paperbacks. If you're looking for the price of the book, check out the first page and it is written on the top corner. I wasn't intending on buying anything initially, but came out with a paperback for $5 that had a retail price of $17! Great used bookstore and plan to visit again after finishing my recently purchased book. read more

A true hidden gem! Ever since I discovered Rodney's, I couldn't stop coming here! I would stop by whenever I'm around Central Square. I also bring new friends here and we spend a good hour of so here, browsing the great selection of books, music, and arts. I was never someone who buys books, except college textbooks (those were a real pain...). I always rent books from the local library whenever I can. Rodney's changed me. Most of the books are discounted. Many of them are in perfect or excellent condition. It's really a bargain. Every time I walk out with a bag of books without feeling too guilty to my bank account. The selection of books here is very impressive. I bought mostly classics here (Jane Austen, anyone?) and a few fictions for leisure read. They also sell other items, like artsy cards and postcards, notebooks, posters, calendars and such. I love that the ambiance of the bookstore. Each section is labeled with a handwritten notecard on the bookshelf. There are artworks throughout the store. There's no place to sit but no one seems to mind reading in the aisles. The staff is very friendly. I believe they also buy books back for store credits. All in all, Rodney's is quite a irresistible place. I often hear those books calling me name... If you're ever in Central Sq, make sure you check out Rodney's. Support local business! read more

If the thought of how many people had touched the books in here didn't send shivers down my spine, or make my stomach upset I would be in here all the time. As it is, I ask to go with my friends who frequent this store just so I can browse with my eyes and not my hands. The people who work here are really friendly, and the selection is great! I suggest people go often, for me - germaphobia will win out, for now... read more

This is actually may be my favorite bookstore in the area. They have lots of new but discounted books (you know the kind that they slash out the bar-code so you can't return it for full price?), and a pretty good selection of used books. Their kids book selection was impressive, and continued to the upstairs part. Art books were pretty impressive. The best selection was upstairs, where many were beautifully displayed on tables, and others lined the walls. The upstairs made me happy. It was brighter-lit and more open than the downstairs, but the downstairs had the cozy feeling of a used bookstore. Also impressive: the selection of stationery, journals, cards, and even wrapping paper. I'll be back another day to look at those. read more

Ducked in here Sunday and found a couple postcard versions of house plans by architectural artist Charles W. Moore. In addition, there were some unused Star Wars creature sketches (postcards) that were $0.30 apiece. Could've stayed a lot longer and left with more! There was a sizeable print of Raggedy Anne and Andy illustration being sold, in addition to some canvas paintings I would've seriously considered bringing home with me had I the energy to drag it on the T. Oh, and a $1 each vinyl record bin tempted me to...buy a turntable? Anyway, the real steal led me to consider buying a coffee table: an $8 (unmatched 50% off) Ranan Lurie political cartoon book. What fascinated me later was when flipping through to air out the pages, I found a receipt from the Harbor mall that made me think this book was purchased previously for $2. I am such a sucker. read more

I just created a Yelp account to make sure to write how good my experience at Rodney's was. First of all, the layout is great. I love a bookstore that pulls out classics, but I understand that may be specific to me. Regardless, the layout was very easy to follow. Second, the prices were excellent. Hard to find even at used bookstores these days. Finally, whoever was working (I'm guessing the owner) was AWESOME! Extremely personable and gave me awesome backstory to the book I was buying. All around awesome experience read more

Their customer service was excellent! I love independent booksellers that have a large selection of books and reasonable prices, and this was a bit of both! When I was browsing there, the staff was very friendly and kind. They helped me find what I was looking for - a unique greeting card that wasn't mass-produced and grossly overpriced like the majority of Hallmark cards are.. All that aside, the convenient location (steps from the Central Square T), the friendliness of the staff, and the wide variety of books all add up to five stars. Thanks, Rodney's! I'll be back to browse through the used book collection. read more

THEY ARE STAYING!! hooray, hooray. two floors. innumerable sections. can't possibly hit everything in one day. fabulous, really. currently all inventory is 50% off already-low prices, but not for long. . read more

I love used bookstores and just felt that, though this place is really well-organized and the pricing is pretty good, the several times I visited that the staff was not approachable. I often have a general list of books I am always looking for, all of which are fairly common, and never really felt like I could get help even when I asked. But that being said, I would still go back, especially since I know the layout of the store now. But if you're just getting into used book browsing (it that's even a thing) I wou read more

The older reviews on here that mention this place closing are confusing. It's still very much open--though I don't think they use the second floor anymore. As such, it's a fair sized one-story shop pleasantly crammed with a reasonably-good-but-not-mind-blowing selection of used books. Many of them are older hardcovers. Good selection of art books. Some remainders. There's also an entire room devoted to genre fiction/paperbacks. Prices are reasonable. Personally I've never had an unpleasant interaction with the employees here. They seem willing to let customers browse in peace without crowding them (which I for one appreciate). It's a great place to while away an hour or two. read more

Rodney's doesn't carry a ton of titles in the things I'm interested but there are some real nice finds in there. The recent arrivals table usually has some gems. The rack of cheap books upstairs is actually cheap and I don't know how they place stuff, but there's been some awesome stuff for pennies to be grabbed. Other stuff: the staff is reasonably friendly and it's a nice space to browse downstairs. I wish you could sell stuff there. read more

One of the cosiest bookstores to spend a winter afternoon. The music playing was so lovely. It has a nice collection of postcards and a huge variety of books. Also has books in French, German, Russian and some beautiful art books. I especially loved the section on Native American literature---the children's books are also very diverse in topics. read more

An excellent used bookstore, one of the best I have ever been too. It's organized, clean, and the books are not crappy and falling apart though yes they are used so some are a little worn around the edges. The selection is impressive. There was a surprisingly large amount of recent fiction books which usually you never see in used bookstores. Usually you just get the crappy castoffs that no one ever wants to read but here they have books that I actually wanted. There was also a large assortment of non-fiction books in great condition. All those fancy coffee table books you see at Barnes&Noble can be found here for at least 50% off and a lot of them don't look used at all. I ended up wandering around there for over an hour just browsing and I wanted to stay even longer since there is so much to go through. I ended up buying three books and only paying $3 for them which is probably something like 75% off retail. I will certainly be going back. read more

This places calls my name every time I go to Cambridge and I always have a hard time not buying anything. Used bookstores always have a way of attracting some of the shadiest crowds, and I have to say the fact that Rodney's has so many normal people kindo f takes the fun out of it. If you're tired of putting up with the usual shit that Borders and Barnes and Noble offer, this place is a breath of fresh air. I started to collect postcards that they sell here, because they always have really unusual ones that I don't think I'd be able to find anywhere else. They have a fucking phenomenal art history section and their literary criticism section isn't bad either. I always want to pick up books in here that I would never pick up in any other store. Maybe it's the fact that I'm always feeling a little inquisitive when I go here, or maybe it's just cool knowing that someone else has already read and owned the books in the store. They sell an Elvis Costello shirt behind the register that I keep telling myself I'll buy, but I haven't yet. It's a really quiet place and I can easily spend an entire afternoon here. One of my favorite places in Cambridge, so don't go here if you're an asshole because you might ruin it for me. read more