Boston's best independent bookstores

Living in an era of stores such as Barnes and Nobles, Starbucks, and the Gap around every corner, students often feel the need to shy away from large chain stores. The many independent bookstores in the Boston area are fulfilling alternatives.

In the heart of Davis Square is McIntyre and Moore Booksellers, located on 255 Elm Street. Students, locals and book collectors flock to McIntyre and Moore for its convenient location, relaxed environment and friendly staff. "It's a scholarly bookstore," Rachel Rosner, an employee at McIntyre and Moore said.

Will Kurtz, another McIntyre and Moore employee, believes that the store's unique selection attracts diverse groups of people.

"It's kind of different," Kurtz said. "It has something you're not really expecting to find. We might not have the exact title you're look for, but we'll have something cool and interesting that you don't know exists."

Despite lacking places to sit, students and locals can be found reading among the wooden bookshelves. The store's down-to-earth environment is comforting, and the small space makes everything easy to find.

Slightly farther than McIntyre and Moore is the well-known Harvard Bookstore, located in Harvard Square at 1256 Massachusetts Avenue. Harvard Bookstore was voted "Best Bookstore" by Boston Magazine in 2002 and 2003. Harvard Bookstore offers 20 percent off their "Select Seventy," the store's 70 most popular books. Harvard Bookstore also buys and sells used books, and a variety of authors come there often to discuss their latest work.

Trident Bookstores & Caf?© at 338 Newbury St. in Boston provides a cozy atmosphere for its customers. Trident is half caf?© and half bookstore. The bookstore section does have a small selection of used books as well as gifts and cards. The cluttered shelves and chalkboard signs give the store an artsy, youthful atmosphere.

Freshman Emily Brambilla likes Trident Bookstore because of its in-store caf?©. "I can read a book while having a snack," Brambilla said. "They have really good smoothies, too."

Another unique Boston bookstore is Brookline Booksmith, found at 279 Harvard Street. Brookline Booksmith was voted "Best Bookstore" by Boston Magazine in 1999 and 2001. Brookline Booksmith has an assortment of new and used books. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is helpful in finding the perfect manuscript.

Similar to Davis Square's McIntyre and Moore, Brookline Booksmith offers a relaxed atmosphere. Customers with varying interests search among Brookline Booksmith's old wooden floors and read between its bookshelves. Like Harvard Bookstore, Brookline Booksmith also hosts authors in discussions about their work. A more library-esque environment can be found in used bookstores such as Avenue Victor Hugo. At 353 Newbury St., Avenue Victor Hugo was named "Best Used Bookstore" by Boston Magazine in 2002 and 2003.

The store contains a true potpourri of books -- it's hard not to get lost among the high wooden bookshelves filled with novels and stories from virtually every century. Benjamin Hosig, a junior at Boston Conservatory, shops at Avenue Victor Hugo because of its distinctive collection. "You don't see many bookstores like this around anymore," Hosig said. "You can come in here and buy a classic for three dollars."

Leaving the new bestsellers up to larger chain bookstores, Avenue Victor Hugo is able to offer used books ranging from one-third to one-half off publishers' prices. The wooden bookshelves, small space, and old-fashioned books give Avenue Victor Hugo a vintage feel.

If used books are not your fort?©, Buck-A-Book is a bargain option that's also close to campus. Located on 276 Elm Street in Davis Square, Buck-A-Book offers best sellers for 50 percent off the publishers' list prices. Their selection is limited, but their prices are significantly cheaper than those of large chain bookstores. Buck-A-Book also has a selection of cards, calendars, small gifts and party accessories.

Sophomore Lei Bausinger shops at Buck-A-Book before going on trips. "[Books there] are so much cheaper than books at the airport," Bausinger said. Also, "it's really easy taking the shuttle into Davis Square."

For mystery and suspense fans, Kate's Mystery Books in Cambridge is a special trick-or-treat. Located on 2211 Massachusetts Avenue, Kate's was voted "Best Specialty Bookstore" by Boston Magazine in 2001. The bookstore, which occupies a Victorian red brick house, offers a thrilling atmosphere with sculptures of black cats on the bookshelves. Students can search for books as rock music blares off the walls for spine-tingling fun.