A beautifully filled bookshelf is something to admire, but it takes a lot of work to get there. And for anyone who enjoys owning books rather than checking them out from the library, a visit to a used bookstore can be a way to fill those beautiful shelves without spending too much.
but a good used bookstore is also usually a great repository for rarities and rarities. Sure, you can find a copy of a recent bestseller that someone has already read and discarded, but at its best, used bookstores offer the perfect opportunity to browse and discover the treasure you didn’t know you needed.
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From nonprofits to diversity-focused vendors and bargain warehouses, these used bookstores around Boston are paving the way for voracious readers to have the book collections of their dreams.
wonder of the book
Don’t be fooled by this bookcase’s diminutive appearance (it occupies a corner of Medford’s 4goodvibes gift shop). his collection of graphic novels and books for all ages is mighty. Book Wonder’s selection focuses on stories that highlight underrepresented communities, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities, to name a few, from children’s picture books to young adult fiction. All sales help fund their small free diverse library in downtown Medford, as well as donations to local classrooms and libraries.
4goodvibes, 392 main st., medford, 617-312-2660, facebook.com/bebookwonder.
brattle bookstore
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Probably the most photographed bookstore in Boston, Brattle’s open-air carts filled with used books on sale are instantly recognizable. in the warmer weather, there’s no reason not to spend an hour or more sifting through tomes to find a hidden gem. If you want a little more organization, inside the three-story store you can find everything from fiction to history, cookbooks and biographies, and a rare book room filled with first editions, collectibles and more. there are also maps, prints, and postcards, if you like pictures rather than just words.
9 west st., boston, 617-542-0210, brattlebookshop.com.
brookline bookseller
if you’re up for a scavenger hunt, head to the brookline bookstore. You may not even realize there’s a treasure trove of leftovers (or excess books from publishers), children’s books, and more right under your feet, in the used book basement, to be more specific. affordable finds range from recently published popular reads to classics, collections of essays, feminist literature, graphic novels, memoirs, we could go on and on. browse the stacks (or their website, if you don’t want to leave the house) and be sure to check back often for updates.
279 harvard street, brookline, 617-566-6660, brooklinebooksmith.com.
commonwealth books
A wide selection of old maps and prints is yet another reason to visit Commonwealth Books. The first reason is the collection of more than 40,000 titles, ranging from mysteries to architecture, arts and philosophy, to pages of medieval manuscripts (yes, you read that right). you probably won’t find many modern romance novels here as it leans towards the classics. but who knows, there might be some bestsellers hiding among the shelves. But you’re more likely to find some leather-bound Charlotte Brontë novels, vintage children’s books, magazines and comics, or specialized history and reference books that you never knew you wanted to put on your to-read list.
9 spring ln., boston, 617-338-6328, commonwealthbooks.com.
harvard bookstore
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A book cellar with deep discounts on everything from how-tos to science fiction to self-help to psychology? Count on us. the aisles of this harvard square store are always packed, but stake your claim in front of the racks and scan the spines at your leisure. Several times a year, the Harvard Bookstore also hosts a big tailgate sale at its Somerville warehouse, so be on the lookout for an invitation to shop its carefully curated selection of sale books, including surplus volumes in like-new condition.
1256 massachusetts ave., cambridge, 617-661-1515, harvard.com.
raven used books
Beyond the hub of activity at Harvard Square lies a literary oasis. head down church street and find a store with red awnings waiting for you to peruse its shelves in racks of novels, poetry, and an entire wall dedicated to art books (if you’re in the market for a nearly mint coffee a reasonable price). there are also plenty of surplus and leftover books, which, for the non-bibliophile, are almost new excess inventory from publishers. your literary snobs friends won’t notice when you add some to your shelves.
23 church st., cambridge, 617-441-6999, ravencambridge.com.
more than words
what’s even better than used books in good condition? those who return More Than Words is a non-profit organization that employs Boston’s youth to run its wholesale, retail, and online book sales programs. empowers people who are homeless, in foster care, or involved in court to gain professional experience and even benefit from a professional services program after their job is done in more than words. Every purchase, whether it’s a secondhand classic purchased on the organization’s website, or a previously owned best seller from its South End or Waltham storefront, benefits the nonprofit’s mission. plus, its light-filled space is outfitted with plush desks and chairs perfect for speedy reading.
242 east berkeley st., boston; 56 Felton St., Waltham; 781-788-0035, mtwyouth.org.
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