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The 6 Best Independent Bookstores in Massachusetts

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Editor’s note: Always call ahead to these independent bookstores, especially during the stay-at-home alert as business operations have temporarily changed.

Sometimes, it’s hard to get a good read on modern bookstores.

Now don’t get me wrong, these bookstores generally offer a tremendous selection of books, a clean logical layout, good customer service and some excellent deals. What’s not to like?

While I shop at these bookstores, the story, however, somehow feels incomplete. That story is perhaps deep-rooted, dating all the way back to my warm childhood memories of Dunham’s Book Store in Bedford, Mass. A husband-wife team ran the small, slightly dusty mom and pop store with books stacked to the ceiling. They took the time to get to know me in all my eight years on earth and knew every baseball-related book I wanted — even though I suspected neither owner were baseball fans.

This type of personal connection served as a wonderful first chapter in my love for books with the story, to date, thankfully not completed. Translated: I am always looking for the independent bookstores in my native eastern Massachusetts that, in all their imperfect glory, serve as perfect places to find good books. While the lack of organization can sometimes take on the likes of a good mystery book — that is, the challenging process of locating a specific book — years of experience shopping at these type of places usually results in finding something great to read.

Here are six great independent Massachusetts bookstores that offer a sense of community, unique ambiance, great customer service, hard-to-find titles, and the chance to support the local economy…

Nantucket Bookworks in Nantucket, MA.
Nantucket Bookworks in Nantucket, Mass.

Nantucket Bookworks at 25 Broad St. in Nantucket, Mass. is the type of local small business that one remembers long after visiting this famous island destination. How refreshing it is to visit a traditional yet updated independent bookstore with an uncanny knack of displaying the right books in a fairly limited space. What’s more, the owner and staff seem to truly enjoy working at Nantucket Bookworks. Their enthusiasm and knowledge have a positive effect on the overall customer experience. Nice, too, that you can purchase books online in-between visits to Nantucket.

The bookstore also sells high-quality gifts including puzzles, board games, educational toys, stuffed animals, stationery and greeting cards. Nantucket, as great a destinations it is, can get quite hectic during the summer so it’s nice to come into Nantucket Bookworks as kind of a respite from the crowds. I also love the way the store looks at night with the warm glow of light coming from the shop into the historic street in which it resides — so welcoming!

Quaboag Book Shop i West Brookfield, Massachusetts
Quaboag Book Shop.

The Quaboag Book Shop at 80 West Main St. in West Brookfield (Tel. 508-867-8705) offers 90,000 or so used, rare and out-of-print books in its pleasant, quiet warehouse-like setting. It’s hard to know where to start as the selection is phenomenal but you’re sure to find a book that reflects your literary interests. The prices are often a “must-read,” too, with great value for the money. Nice to see the owner, too, setting a nice tone by displaying a truly impressive knowledge of, and passion for books!

Photo of Park Street Books, Medfield MA
Park Street Books’ new location at 504 Main St. in Medfield, MA (photo by Eric)

Medfield has Park Street Books (508-242-3083), the largest children’s bookstore in New England, with about 200,000 books onsite and hundreds of
thousands more stored offsite. Owner Jim James’s wonderful independent bookstore features two floors of books, as well as toys, puzzles, board games, apparel with local town names, and a pottery studio.  The setting is cozy and welcoming including couches, chairs, fireplace ambient lamp lighting, an aquarium and a colorful wall mural created by a local high school student. Jim has a knack for carrying all the right books (for example, required and recommended reading for public and private schools, Battle of the Books competitions, etc.), as customers often find what they need here after not being able to at chain bookstores. The prices are amazing, often coming in at much less than what you’d buy at a chain. One of my favorite independent bookstores in New England and far beyond that region!

Harvard Book Store, Cambridge MA
Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, Mass. (photo by Eric)

The Harvard Book Store at 1256 Mass. Ave. in Cambridge (617-6611515) looks a bit more gentrified and forward-thinking today, but its 1932 origins remain strong with a true commitment to serving Harvard University students and faculty, and locals. It’s truly a great independent bookstore to casually browse as they sell new and used titles, and Harvard University gifts, as well as offering an award-winning author event series, print-on-demand services, local partnerships, and digital media.

Montague Bookmill, Montage MA
Montague Bookmill, Montague, Mass. (photo by Eric)

The Montague Bookmill at 440 Greenfield Rd. in Montague (Tel. 412-367-9206) at the restored Montague Mill complex is hard-to-find, but certainly worth the visit. Located in a rustic former 1842 gristmill on the banks of the Swift River a few miles north of Amherst and Northampton, the Montague Bookmill is one of those bookstores that has plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in and enjoy finding used books of just about any genre — including academic publications to serve the local college population. Additionally, the Lady Killigrew Cafe and downstairs Alvah Stone Restaurant and Bar offer great dining options with water views. There’s also a fantastic outdoor deck for warmer weather dining!

The Brattle Book Shop at 9 West St. in Boston (617-542-0210) is generally regarded as one of the oldest book stores in the United States. Dating back to 1825, this three-story downtown Boston landmark carries more than 250,000 used books (including an outstanding selection of out-of-print, as well as rare books on the third floor),  maps, prints and postcards. Owner Ken Gloss is extremely knowledgeable about books. Somebody should write a book about this historical site, it’s like a museum of books!

Editor’s note: do you have a favorite eastern Massachusetts independent bookstore? Please let us know by sharing your thoughts in the comment box below.

Related articles:
Local author writes a book on town greens in Massachusetts
Antique shopping in Putnam, Conn.
The best places to shop in New England

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