What makes a good bookstore? A wide selection of titles, of course, a knowledgeable staff, a solid roster of literary events, that bookstore smell — all mandatory. But these shops, including some exceptional new players on the scene, made The Boston Globe‘s Best of the Best list because they offer something extra, whether it’s the serendipity of browsing through rows upon rows of worn titles, a special tie to the community, or an exceptionally cozy cafe. Bookmark away. (Afterward, grab a quick bite for $20 or less.)
Brattle Book Shop
This 200-year-old antiquarian bookseller is crammed, top to bottom, with rare and secondhand titles. You could spend hours inside thumbing the creased spines of thrillers, romances, and classics, or in the adjoining alley outside the store, hunting for $1 and $3 deals on the shelves. The Brattle made a cameo in the Oscar-winning movie The Holdovers, starring Paul Giamatti as a classics teacher, filmed flipping through the stacks. Giamatti was apparently so enamored with the bookstore that he returned later to do some shopping off-camera.
Brookline Booksmith
No Boston book lover needs to be told about six-plus-decade-old Brookline Booksmith — it’s beloved for a reason. It’s huge, with more than 50,000 books including the used book cellar, and holds stellar events in-store or across the street at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. Buy a book recommended by the veteran staff or a gift from the way-above-average bookstore tchotchke section. Then hit the cellar and join the people standing, heads cocked, scanning the classics bookcase for something they’ve been meaning to read.
Frugal Bookstore
Frugal Bookstore Erin Clark/Globe staff/File
In the heart of Roxbury, Frugal is the place to buy popular anti-racist titles, deep dives into the history of the African diaspora, and children’s books that feature characters of color. Come for the readings with poets and thinkers, then stay for the expansive clearance section. Frugal also regularly hosts clothing drives, library story times, and book club meetups for the community.
Harvard Book Store
Harvard Book Store Michael Casey
No, this 93-year-old stalwart is not affiliated with the Ivy League school across the street that shares its name. But the 5,500-square-foot shop — co-owned by John Henry, owner of the Globe — still has a hallowed, scholarly feel, thanks to floor-to-nearly-ceiling shelves packed with bestsellers, academic titles, and much more. For extra credit, catch a big-name author doing a reading near the sizable children’s section, or descend into the used book cellar, where the walls are festooned with bookmarks and other relics discovered inside pre-loved titles.