The Best Bookstores in Boston? (Waltham, Brookline: hotel, floor, shop)

[Infinite_heights77]

Need some assistance in finding excellent bookstores with rare collections outside of Boston's academic industrial complex?

Thanks.

[raider21]

Coup? " Boston's academic industrial complex? " never heard that term before but it fits. Short road trips, Providence and Hanover NH. 2 Ivies both in easy day trips from Boston metro, no clue about libraries they have and contents but its worth the trip.

[timberline742]

the two bookstores at downtown crossing are all I know
one is a large sponsor/driver of the antiquarian book fair
honestly, i'd look up the exhibitors of that fair and work from there

[chicagoliz]

I like Brookline Booksmith, in Coolidge Corner. They have a floor of used books, but I don't know how many rare collections they have.

You could call and ask them. I know that it is a bit of a problem here -- there was an article in the Globe not too long ago about how older people die with extensive book collections, including rare and desirable books, but there isn't a large enough market for them, and the heirs have trouble finding people to take them. They don't want to just throw them out because they are, in some cases, rare and valuable (in a sense) but only for the right person. I'm not sure where they end up going. It might be worth a visit to More than Words, who have locations in Boston and Waltham.

[G-fused]

Brookline Booksmith is a great independent bookstore that is decent in size and buzzing with activity. It's a great local place to support and give one's business too. However, they don't have rare collections that I'm aware of. There are indeed used books downstairs but they aren't rare.

[495neighbor]

Concord MA has a few antiquarian book sellers.

Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street used to have very rare books on art and miscellaneous esoteric topics. I haven't been in there for a few years, so can't confirm if they still do.

[pandas&presents]

The Brookline Booksmith is also my favorite area bookstore although I do not think they specialize in antiquarian books. Re: new books, they always have the best selection in the Boston area IMO. Their basement contains used books although generally nothing collectible. I personally do not care for the Harvard Bookstore, which also sells mostly new books with a non-collectible used selection in the basement. It's larger than the Booksmith but not as well curated. The Harvard Bookstore staff are nasty IME (as well as trashy - can you tell we had some issues?)

Maybe the Brattle Bookshop, which is a short walk from either the T stops at Downtown Crossing or Park Street near the Common? Brattle Book Shop

When I went out to Tanglewood recently, the hotel had a pamphlet of Massachusetts antiquarian booksellers. I wish I could post that here for you. You may want to try SNEAB or MARIAB (unsure if the latter is still around) for similar listings.