Since Boston is a college town, bookstores abound wherever you go, some even housing convenient cafes where customers can grab a cup of coffee or tea to go along with their reading distraction of choice. Coming Up: Ten Boston-area bookstores worth visiting, in alphabetical order.

Borders

Helpful staff; nice prices with ample bargains; occasional events; good selection of books, movies, and music; one of those aforementioned cafes; and located near several subway and bus lines, not to mention directly down the street from the central Downtown Crossing shopping area. It’s not the only Borders in town, of course, but it is one of the better situated ones.
[10-24 School Street, Boston, 617-557-4476 | website]

Brattle Book Shop

Have a thing for rare and antique books, not necessarily just used ones? Search no more because this antiquarian bookstore founded in 1825 is the place to find more than you could ever imagine possible. The selection is simply tremendous, and they buy used books, too. Even better, you’ll never mistake it for a chain bookseller either.
[9 West Street, Boston, 617-542-0210, 800-447-9595 (toll free) | website]

Brookline Booksmith

New books, used books, and author readings. What’s not to like? Patrons recently voted the independent business the #1 Regional Favorite and the #1 Choice in Brookline for bookstores.
[279 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-566-6660 | website]

Comicazi

Yes, comics are books, too, and if that’s your thing, check out this full-service comic book retailer run by three guys who know the industry inside and out. You can even pick your preferred location — Davis Square in Somerville or Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington — and arrange to have new releases from your favorite comic book line(s) mailed directly to your home as they come out, often with no shipping charge. Now that’s what I call customer service; it almost makes me wish I was a comic book geekette.
[407 Highland Avenue, Davis Square, Somerville, 617-666-COMIX (2664) OR 1305 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, 781-641-2700 | website]

Harvard Book Store

One of many well-respected booksellers in close proximity, this particular Harvard Square bookstore — which isn’t affiliated with Harvard University across the street, mind you — is a browser’s heaven, complete with excellent author events and plentiful bargains on both new and used titles, whether academic or general interest.
[1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-661-1515, 800-542-READ (toll free) | website]

McIntyre and Moore Booksellers

This bookstore that specializes in well-priced and uncommon used books recently moved a hop, skip, and a jump from its previous Davis Square location in Somerville to nearby Porter Square in Cambridge. A poster child for dedication, the business employs four book buyers who will even make house calls if they’re not too busy and a potential seller has an enticing collection that meets strict standards.
[1971 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-229-5644 | website]

Raven Used Books

A specialist in scholarly used books, this Harvard Square seller purchases used scholarly books, as well.
[52-B JFK Street, Cambridge, 617-441-6999 | website]

Schoenhof’s Foreign Books

Not a native English speaker, learning a new language, or brushing up on your second, third, or fourth language skills? This is the place to find everything you need, no matter which group you fall into or which language you seek in a book (the store stocks learning materials in over 700 separate languages!). Yes, it’s yet another bookstore in the Harvard Square location, and with an establishment date of 1856, it also claims to be the oldest foreign language bookseller in the United States, period.
[76A Mount Auburn Place, Cambridge, 617-547-8855 | website]

The Children’s Book Shop

All children’s books, all the time, plus relevant titles for those who rear and teach young people.
[237 Washington Street, Brookline, 617-734-7323 | website]

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

More into magazines than books, perhaps with a side snack, beverage, or full meal? Located right in the bustling Newbury Street shopping district, this bookstore can’t be beat … even if you secretly like books, too. Free WiFi is available, as well.
[338 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-267-8688 | website]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Officially called a “demonstration kitchen and cookbook library” on its website, Stir opened last fall. The combination cooking school, culinary bookstore, and eatery aims to educate patrons about the best approaches to cooking techniques and ingredients in order to maximize individuals’ experiences in the kitchen.

To achieve that goal, Lynch and her colleagues offer a number of options to both the general public and private parties. They include regular cooking classes and demonstrations, as well as the ability to make reservations for special functions.

On Mondays, Stir hosts seminars on beer, wine, and spirits. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are set aside for cooking demonstrations. All of the events are led by top teachers in the industry, as are the culinary courses that range in price from $85 to $165 each. The most recent addition to the course calendar is February 23rd’s Classic Bistro Cuisine Chez Stir, which costs $125.

Every one of the other classes held this month is already sold out — such as February 18th’s World of Pinot Noir and February 26th and 27th’s Breads of the World — indicating just how popular Stir’s attractions are. In fact, interested attendees are required to register beforehand with a credit card due to space limitations (the 300-square-foot space has just ten seats).

To be honest, all of this is a little upscale for me. Wine is something I drink when I want to go to sleep, and I’m perfectly happy eating only those foods with names and ingredients I can pronounce correctly without having to guess. There’s definitely no harm in craving fine food, though, and a little instruction from pros beforehand, either by class or by book, can’t possibly hurt.

Read more about Stir and owner Barbara Lynch in Clara Silverstein’s informative Misstropolis article “Barbara Lynch Stirs Up a Gem.”

And, if you’d like to browse the bookstore area of Stir, it’s open Monday through Wednesday from 12pm to 6pm EST and Thursday through Sunday from 12pm to 8pm.

Post from: The Boston Traveler