The weather is warming up, reviving both the grass and students alike. Although it might seem like reading season is over, with fireplaces extinguished and sweaters folded up until next winter, I disagree. While perhaps not as idyllic as reading outdoors in the fall, picking up a book and taking it outside is a wonderful way to greet the spring.
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to go inside, even for your book buying experience, then I recommend Brattle Book Shop. The iconic storefront is a short walk from Park Street station and the Boston Common. It’s hard to miss — its name is carved into a massive, eye-catching No. 2 pencil hanging above the entrance.
To the right of the door is their outdoor section, which houses discounted used books ranging from $3 to $5. It’s an eclectic mix, with people browsing in all seasons. I’ve never been able to find something I wanted to take home, but there is always an intriguing title or two. While I recommend visiting while Brattle is open, if you happen to pass by after they close, you can always admire the giant murals of bookshelves and famous book spines on either side of their outdoor collection.
If you’re someone who prefers their book browsing to be indoors, then this can still be the store for you. As you walk inside, you are immediately struck by the sheer number of books in the space. To your left is a collection of vintage paperbacks, and to your right is a table stacked high with books. I’ve never been quite sure why certain books end up on the table — if it’s meant to be overflow, holding or another reason — but that never stops anyone from perusing.
In the back are a series of shelves housing fiction, poetry, speculative fiction and some non-fiction, including art and local history. The fiction section is always stocked with both literary favorites and lesser-known editions. These shelves do demand some careful attention to find your next read, but that’s part of the fun of a used bookstore.
If fiction or literary criticism isn’t doing it for you, then a trip to the second floor is in order. Up there is the majority of Brattle’s non-fiction collection. They have the usual collections of world and U.S. history, alongside sections dedicated to psychology, religion, Black studies, business, gardening and much more. There are also unique categories, like magic and circus. I have always loved Brattle’s collection of ‘Books on Books,’ but I know that might not be an appreciation I share with many others.
The third floor is easily forgotten, at least for me, as it took me multiple visits to even realize the building went up that high. But once you go up there, it’s fascinating. The staircase up is tucked near the circus books and will take you up to the rare book section. While I don’t know much, if anything, about rare books, it’s still a unique experience to wander through the space. There are gorgeous, aged book spines and funky editions of famous stories. I am likely quite biased, but I think this floor is worth visiting for anyone. And if books aren’t your cup of tea, then there is also a collection of vintage ephemera to file through.
Brattle Book Shop is a — if not the — quintessential Boston bookstore. Located in the heart of Boston, it stands as one of the oldest bookstores in the country. For those reasons, it is definitely worth a stop on your next bookcrawl. It easily fits into a day spent out in the city, perhaps in between some shopping on Newbury Street and lunch in Chinatown. That said, if you’re looking for a specific book or hoping for a bargain on newer releases, this may not be the store for you.
My visit did not end in a purchase, as I didn’t have enough time to explore Brattle this time. But if this glorious weather persists, then I’m sure to be back there, picking out my read to take to the Boston Public Garden.
