This is a jewel of a bookstore. The books are all curated by Mila the owner and the selection shows…read moreher care. I found two terrific new books and a used book that was signed by the author. She just celebrated her first year in business and I wish her many more!

Narrative is a wonderfully decorated oasis to sort through a beautifully and thoughtfully curated…read moreselection of books (with an emphasis on women and LGBTQ authors, heck yeah) and sit in a comfy chair to watch Davis Square pass by. I am only deducting one star because the owner's near constant talking takes away from the zen of the space. It's an incredible feat what she's done in nearly two years but the constancy and volume of her voice makes it hard to focus on perusing titles and cozying up to start reading a book in the lovely nook at the front of the store. The space is small and noises echo. I think a statement at the front to keep voices down would be wise. It's not a library, no, but the sound makes it difficult to really lock in. I wish Narrative well!

Still a bastion of sanity, art, culture and decency in Harvard Square and in a crazy world. I did…read moremy 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.

Harvard Book Store sits on Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Square and has been a fixture of the…read moreCambridge 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.

I am so lucky to live within walking distance of this independent bookstore. It's a great place for…read morebrowsing for queer, feminist, and intersectional books. I've bought a lot of gifts there since they moved to their new location. For those of you who have to drive, there's plenty of on-street parking nearby.

Super selection of queer, feminist and all together awesome books with an amazing owner and cool…read moreshop Corgi, Ruby. Fantastic recommendations and a great variety of stickers! Books priced as expected for an independent bookstore and again I was happy to pay.

Quintessential Somerville staple. Yes, mostly carry old records but most of them are in decent…read morecondition: even the $1 records. Extremely helpful people and always smiling. If u want Jazz, Blues and Rock - this is the place. They also have a huge collection of classicals. Not much on folk or indie scene but you might get lucky with some 7s. Walked by it so many times in last 7 years or so and still wondering why I didn't stop by. Going to be more frequent as they are a bit more affordable and correctly priced.

Friendly place with great value on vintage 60's CDs on Elvis and Dusty Springfield…read more Also good selections of blues, folk music and extensive selections of vinyls and 45's and box sets. On street parking available with old fashioned meters ate the norm.So bring some quarters since there is no passport online parking. Trade-ins of CDs are available but your return might be limited.

Porter Square Books has a lot going on! It's more than a bookstore, they sell calenders, toys,…read morestuffed animals, stickers, plants, and much more. I wondered here after checking out Paige and Leaf Cafe which they are attached to. The store was crammed with interesting stuff to look at. They also have a small table in the middle of the store plus some chairs scattered around the store for seating to do some reading. I saw a sign on the door that they do events for the community and have book authors can by. They have a bargain and 20% section to save some money. It's big inside and I got lost looking at toys and reading excerpts of some books (including the Grimm Fairytales) and spent about an hour here. Overall, I appreciate the amount of variety of items they carry and I think that sets them apart from other bookstores.

The new space is even better than the old one. They are currently running a great event, "Your Own…read morePrivate Bookstore," which lets you rent the bookstore for an hour after closing on Friday evenings for a party of 5-10 people while the staff close up. The entire booking fee applies to any purchase you make as well, which I did not expect and found incredibly generous. The staff basically just let you do your thing, though are around in case anyone needs anything. Definitely a good time.

I've been coming here for more than 15 years. I used to visit their old store near the Harvard…read moreKennedy School. Their collection is huge and varied. Their new arrivals bin is by far the largest of all the record stores in a 40 mile radius. I just wish they were a bit cheaper. They're second to Cheapo in terms of prices. Big Dig, Want List, Armageddon and Stereo Jacks are all significantly cheaper in my opinion. I've seen records that go for $3 (with better sleeve conditions) at other stores sell for $12-15 at Planet. I understand the location is probably quite expensive for them. The staff is quiet, but they will help you if you ask them. Regardless, a tremendous store. If you're into records, pay them a visit!

This location offers an impressive selection of records, DVDs, and Blu-Rays, with prices that are…read morereasonable for both pre-owned and new products. The variety is vast, catering to different tastes and preferences. We also visited to sell some Blu-Rays. The process was smooth and efficient, thanks to the ability to schedule an appointment ahead of time. One of the staff members assisted with unloading and spent about an hour reviewing and organizing the items. While we were a bit disappointed not to sell everything, the staff was thorough in explaining their selection process and even recommended other places where we might have better luck. Overall, it was a great experience, and we would definitely return.

Pretty sure I met the owner when I visited, super nice dude! Also the largest selection of VHS…read moretapes I've seen in a while, at good prices! Absolutely recommend this place, especially if you're looking for tapes.

Such a fun and funky shop and LOVE that they were open on a Monday as it's the only day I had to…read morePoke around! Great vibe and music and Pete was such a pleasure and shared great info!

Adorable bookstore at Bow Street Market. All the fantasy, science fiction and RPGs you could…read morepossibly want. Very well organized with lots of written recommendations. There is a bargain shelf inside the door and a small youth area. The owner was super helpful in explaining one of the solo journaling games. Found waaay too many books to buy and a new from Australia RPG. Highly recommend!! Expected prices for an independent bookstore and I was happy to give them my money.