Brookline Booksmith

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279 Harvard St
Brookline, MA 02446

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(617) 566-6660
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Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Brookline Booksmith - Brookline, MA
Reviews
( 10 )
( 5 )
( 1 )
( 0 )
( 1 )

Best

I can spend endless hours just hanging out in Brookline Booksmith. The selection is amazing. The used books section downstairs is a virtual treasure trove. I never have a probl...

Worst

One of the most charming bookshops I have ever walked into, Brookline Booksmith has something for everyone. The selection is great - diverse and creative, and the atmosphere is re...

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Fabulous atmosphere 7/9/2006

I recently went to this bookstore for an author signing event (Chuck Palahniuk, my hero!), and spent over an hour just taking in the wonderful atmosphere of this store. This is definitely a place for book lovers, and not just a store aimed towards people who are looking to buy the latest tabloid or fad diet book. This place really has character! The Booksmith has a great selection of books (from every genre) to choose from. I was thoroughly impressed with their huge wall section of literary "magazines". They have a downstairs area filled with videos to rent and used books to browse through. There's also a really cool gift section where you can buy something unique for yourself or for a friend. Lots of greeting cards, as well. I was extremely impressed with this little bookstore, and will definitely be returning. They have great events, with many famous authors, which is a definite plus. You can even bring your dog in with you! I highly recommend this place. more
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I love bookstores like this one 7/3/2006

I started shopping at Brookline Booksmith while attending college in Boston. I head back there these days when I'm in the Boston area. There is a noticeable difference between the two large chains (you know which two!) and stores such as this one. Independent bookstores are superior, in my opinion. The offerings at Brookline Booksmith reflect the typical shopper there, which I notice tends to be educated and intellectual. The store has a regular schedule of readings, as well, drawing well-known authors. Prices are similar to the big chain stores; book prices don't vary much since they tend to be set by the publisher. more
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Great Indie Bookstore, Excellent Used Books 5/13/2006

Brookline Booksmith is a pleasure to poke into: laid out in an inviting fashion, always tables of discounted remainders (ones you really might want, not just rejects) up front, friendly staff and random fun tchotchkes near the register. The addition of an extensive, packed cellar of used books is cause for excitement. The selection is terrific and you can often find newer, bestselling literature down here for half the cost of upstairs. The place gets packed on weekends and after the movies get out across the way, so go in the morning or on a weeknight if you want to not get agitated. Open late every night - hooray! more
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Super Events and Fun Staff Selections 3/19/2006

One of the best things about Booksmith is looking out for the little shelf cards advertising their staff selections. The staff are avid readers, so it's fun to read their comments and recommendations. The store is kind of small, so they might not have everything you're looking for (it's not very good for travel books, for example, unless you're looking for a popular series for a popular location). They have a good selection of cards and little gifty items. For years they have had a great lineup of author and special book events. They give a small discount for your book group selections if you tell them up at the front counter. more
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New/Used Bookstore 10/1/2005

The Brookline Booksmith is fabulous. They have an extensive new book collection that includes several sale tables with bargain books. There is also a used bookstore downstairs with great deals on previously read books. There is great card/gift section of the store, and they offer complementary gift wrapping. The store is truly welcoming and a great place to spend a few leisurely hours on a Sunday afternoon. Additionally, they host frequent readings and other events... Check out the website for more details! more
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Want a good book 9/22/2005

Although the chain stores may be bigger, none is friendlier than the Booksmith, which welcomes you and your dog to browse, sit, read, and buy. A used book section has great selections for the thrifty, while a small section of well chosen gift items, cards, and wrapping materials rounds out this comfortable shop. more
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A genuinely great independent bookstore 9/3/2005

Brookline Booksmith - there is also Wellesley Booksmith - is a treasure in this era of chain stores and superstores. It is a quirky, readers bookstore wit tons of atmosphere and character. It's a place where the wood floors creak just a little and the staff puts up little notes that reflect how much they love books. The selection of books is wonderful. They are selected with great intelligence. Their fiction section is huge. Their history, social studies and women's studies sections are deep and interesting. Understand that this is not a small corner shop, but a full sized bookstore. Booksmith also has a wonderful, very quirky gifts section. And of course, they have free biscuits for dogs - who are welcome in the store at all times. As a real community bookstore, they hold many special events and readings. more
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Unique and Fun 8/18/2005

Part of what makes a store great is if it has something unique about or original, this store definitely has that. They are just really unique, and they are really nice (they also let you bring pets in the store, in fact they encourage it). This is definitely a great place to go pick out a book and read for a while. It is also open until 11p.m. more
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Great place 8/18/2005

This is a fine independent bookstore. While the prices aren't all that discounted (but there is a big used section downstairs), the atmosphere is scholarly and intelligent, the staff recommendations great, and the whole experience superior to the megastore feeling of Barnes and Noble. A very nice mix of clients -- students, bookish Brookline folks, old ladies with umbrellas -- very cozy. There are some chairs to read by, but overall a standing up store. They have many literary novels, and a wide selection of local authors. Also a full menu of readings and special appearances. Highly recommended. more
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A great independent bookstore 8/17/2005

The Booksmith has wide floorspace, good selection of new and (downstairs) used books, covering the gamut from childrens to spirituality to Times bestsellers. They will order books for you. They have a very extensive magazine rack and a nice mini-gift store and card shop with a pretty good selection. Their prices are competitive with Barnes and Nobles. The staff are well-read and well-informed. The spirit screams 'independent bookstore" and I have loved the place for a long time. more
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Just better! 8/16/2005

You can't find a better bookstore. Despite the fact that there is a Barnes and Noble (evil empire!) just a block down the street, Booksmith is the place to go and find great new reads. They always seem to have the best books on display on the tables near the entrance, and the staff recommendations are always spectacular. They offer a number of books at a discounted price, and also have a small area near the back for gifts, trinkets and other assorted goodies. If you happen to be in Coolidge Corner stop by, and you won't be disappointed! more
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Brookline Booksmith 8/12/2005

In Coolidge Corner, down the street from the Barnes and Noble, there is a seemingly independently owned bookstore called Brookline Booksmith. Its selection is not much different from a national chain such and B&N or Borders, but down the stairs there is a used book/video rental store that is willing to buy your used books. Be ready to be turned down though, because what they buy depends a lot on what cashier receives you. Also, if your book is underlined or highlighted, they will not buy it. more
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Anyone care for a read? A gift 8/9/2005

In this age of megastores it's nice to have a neighborhood bookstore. Brookline Booksmith offers new and used books, kitschy gifts, beautiful cards and more. They also host book readings by local and world-renowned authors. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. They offer gift-wrapping on all purchases and dog biscuits to their 4-legged customers. more
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Brookline Booksmith 7/20/2005

One of the most charming bookshops I have ever walked into, Brookline Booksmith has something for everyone. The selection is great - diverse and creative, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Avoid the chain stores in Downtown Crossing and take the T to Coolidge Corner to experience it for yourself. more
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Editorial

  • In Short
    It's hard to pick a favorite aspect of this popular bookstore. For some it's the renowned reading series that packs heavyweight authors into the subterranean reading room or the...

  • 12/10/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon - Thurs 8:30am - 10pm; Fri, 8:30am - 11pm; Sat, 9am - 11pm; Sun, 9am - 9pm
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: North Brookline
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