A Guide to Independent Bookstores in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Barefoot Books. 1771 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. (617) 349-1610. http://www.barefoot-books.com. Halfway between Porter and Harvard squares, Barefoot Books showcases the children’s books published by Cambridge-based Barefoot Books Press. The titles range from cheerful, beguiling alphabet books to romantically illustrated folktales from around the world. As a woman and as a world traveler, I appreciate Barefoot Books’ strong female characters and their celebration of multiculturalism. Your kids, on the other hand, will appreciate the throne-like reading chairs, the puppet theater and the crafts table in the back of the store. With a full calendar of readings and activities for kids from 2 to 11, Barefoot Books entertains and enchants all ages.
Center for New Words.186 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. (617) 876-5310. http://www.centerfornewwords.org. Not far from Central Square and major bus routes lies the Center for New Words. Focusing on women’s writing, New Words offers feminist classics as well as the latest by up-and-coming novelists. Though it has a reading room, the Center for New Words is more than just a bookstore. As the center’s Web site states, its goal is “to use the power and creativity of words and ideas to strengthen the voice of progressive and marginalized women in society.” To that end, New Words sponsors readings, performances, contests and discussion groups for those who want to turn their reading into activism.
Curious George Goes to Wordsworth. 1 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. (617) 498-0062. http://www.curiousg.com. Warning: Once you and your family enter this Harvard Square treasure, you may never leave. Billed as “the world’s only Curious George store,” it contains two floors of plush toys (including the famous monkey, of course) and children’s books. On the ground floor, you can find the perfect picture book or cuddly toy for your youngster. In the basement are chapter books and young-adult literature. Curious George sells mostly contemporary and popular children’s fiction, but kids’ classics can be easily found. Relive your childhood – or start your kids off right – here.
Harvard Bookstore. 1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA. 02138. (617) 661-1515. http://www.harvard.com. Not to be confused with the official bookstore for Harvard University, the Harvard Bookstore (which is, of course, in Harvard Square) is actually better than the university’s bookstore. Why? First of all, Harvard Bookstore’s Frequent Buyer Program rewards you for patronizing independent bookstores. Also, Harvard Bookstore also devotes its basement to remainders (mostly scholarly and art books) and used books (a little bit of everything). Finally, Harvard Bookstore also has the most impressive schedule of readings and presentations that I’ve ever seen; they bring in big-name academics like Judith Butler and Dava Sobel who explain complex topics to you in lively terms. You feel like you’re back in school againâÂ?¦but in that good way.
Lorem Ipsum. 157 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. (617) 497-7669. http://www.loremipsumbooks.com. A quirky used bookstore outside of Inman Square (accessible by bus lines), Lorem Ipsum specializes in scholarly titles and lit crit, but also contains a smattering of all genres. Its Web site says that it sells “useful books.” With its sunny, hardwood interior, Lorem Ipsum tempts browsers and serious readers, while its proprietary online software determines availability and fair pricing if you can’t get to Inman Square right away.
McIntyre and Moore. 25 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144. (617) 629-4840. http://www.mcintyreandmoore.com. This used bookstore is located just over the border in Somerville, steps from the Davis Square T stop. While it’s not technically in Cambridge, I feel that I should include it because it’s the best local source for academic and downright weird titles. Where else will you get your hands on a copy of Erica Rand’s hilariously skewed study of the fashion doll, Barbie’s Queer Accessories? For those of you who miss the depth and breadth of college libraries, you can find your new haven in McIntyre and Moore. Open till 11 PM every night and full of odd seats and corners, this bookstore invites you to browse and even get lost. Prices are a little on the high side (for example, you pay a small fee to search for books that aren’t in stock), but that’s because most of the titles are scholarly, out of print or both.
Million Year Picnic. 99 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. (617) 492-6763. Situated in the heart of Harvard Square, the generously stocked Million Year Picnic satisfies your hankering for comics, graphic novels and manga. Yes, it’s a comic book dealer, rather than a bookstore, but comics have risen far above the disposable newsprint adventures of yesteryear. Witness the popularity of smart, satirical works like Calvin & Hobbes, Ghostworld and Hothead Paisan. What – you’ve never heard of Hothead? Find out about her, along with a plethora of famous and obscure characters, at Million Year Picnic, where you could stay, reading comics forâÂ?¦well, a million years.
Porter Square Books. 25 White Street, Cambridge, MA 02140. (617) 491-2220. http://www.portersquarebooks.com. Conveniently located right by the Porter Square T stop, Porter Square Books is my current favorite. With stationery, bookmarks and coffee available as well as books, they offer a rather small selection of titles. However, their astutely chosen array includes the latest bestsellers as well as local poetry, all arranged loosely by subject matter for pleasurable browsing. Anything not on their shelves can be ordered, a process that they seem to accomplish much more speedily than other indies. The patient, humorous staff will joke with you and help you out as you try to remember the title of the new book you’d like to order. In a competitive market, Porter Square Books stands out for its attentive customer service.
Rodney’s Bookstore. 698 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. (617) 876-6467. http://www.rodneysbookstore.com. I’m a sucker for unfinished furniture, so Rodney’s, which sells unfinished bookcases of all shapes and sizes, immediately draws me in. I just hop off public transportation at Central Square and submerge myself in literary goodness. (There’s also a location in Brookline, but that’s outside the scope of this review.) While they cover everything from children’s books to bird guides, the used books at Rodney’s center around literary fiction and non-fiction. As a bargain hunter, I like Rodney’s because it often offers several copies of the same book at varying prices. Rodney’s also boasts an entire second floor devoted to prints and posters, but I must confess that I’ve never been up there. I’m still searching for the perfect find downstairsâÂ?¦.
