Finding a Good Book Store in Jamaica Plain in Boston

Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood of the city of Boston, is a great, funky, artsy little area where the residents come out in droves to support local art, political causes, community issues, and any number of the myriad festivals and events that are staged throughout the year. There is a strong emphasis on independent business, as well. With the exception on one garishly obvious and out of place Foot Locker monstrosity, the closest thing the main streets in the heart of town have to a chain store was the enormously popular JP Licks ice cream parlor which has been so successful they have recently opened a few other locations in the Boston area.

And so there are no Border’s or multi level Barnes and Noble giants where you can find just about anything on the shelves. In Jamaica Plain, we have to work a little harder to find what we’re looking for, and we like it that way.

There are two bookstores in Jamaica Plain, both very different from one another, and both absolute gems. And if you didn’t have the inside skinny that they were bookstores, you would never know it from the street without careful examination of their signs.

Rhythm and Muse is quaint little book and music store located in a small grey and white colonial house where South Huntington meets Centre Street. The only indication that the building is a retail establishment is a modest sign. Inside are rows of books, magazines, and new and used CD’s. There are listening stations, a cozy fireplace, and tables and chairs where patrons are encouraged to hang out, chat, and check out the books and magazines before they buy. The setting is warm and comfortable, and you can even get a great cup of coffee. The store is small, but they can order what you’re looking for, if they don’t have it in stock, and the ambiance more than makes up for the size and selection of their books.

Rhythm and Muse is open from 1:00pm to 10:00pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1:00pm to 11:00pm on Thursdays, 1:00pm to midnight on Saturdays, and 10:00am to 9:00pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays.

Rhythm and Muse Books and Music
403A Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: (617) 524-6622

Just up Centre Street a few blocks you’ll find Jamaicaway Books and Gifts. From the front of the store, the Jamaicaway looks like a tiny art and gift store, with its narrow store front and simple, tasteful sign. Displayed in the windows are pieces of art, mostly African, and usually a small display promoting literacy.

Inside, the store makes one feel like they’ve stepped into an optical illusion. Suddenly the diminutive entrance opens up into a surprisingly large and open area beautifully decorated in dark hues and hardwood floors. African carvings, masks, paintings and other mediums of art adorn all the walls and bookcases, and the selection of books is an impressive and eclectic collection of new releases and popular works mixed with a great assortment of African American authors. The staff are friendly and the store is wonderful to browse, but beware- even if you aren’t looking for anything in particular you will generally find something you can’t resist buying.

Jamaicaway Books and Gifts is open from 10:00am to 9:00pm Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00am to 10:00pm Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon until 8:00pm on Sundays.

Jamaicaway Books and Gifts
676 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: (617) 983- 3204