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

Started in 1969 by a compassionate Catholic priest named Patrick Hughes, the Walk for Hunger is a 20-mile pledge walk, the oldest one in the country, through Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, and Watertown. The purpose of the trek is to raise money to fight hunger among Bay State residents.

Although it’s hard to believe that starvation could possibly be a constant worry for inhabitants of the United States — that only happens in faraway, third-world countries, right? — a recent Boston Globe article by columnist James Carroll sets the record straight.

Government studies suggested in 2007 that nearly half a million residents of [Massachusetts] do not have enough to eat. In a place where the income gap between the richest and the poorest is vast, the high cost of living puts the supply of basic nutritional needs beyond the reach of many. If a silent tsunami has struck the globe, a quiet Katrina rolls in on Massachusetts families every day. In many households, three meals have become two.

The first Walk for Hunger in 1969 had about 2,000 participants who raised $26,000 together for local food programs. Last year, 43,000 participants in the 39th annual Walk for Hunger raised a record-breaking $3.4 million as a result of donations from every state in this country and twenty additional countries around the world.

Clearly, those who are concerned about the shocking disparity between the quality of life for people who have enough to eat and those who don’t can do something about it. Two options are to donate to Project Bread’s worthy cause or join other Walk for Hunger participants on Boston Common this Sunday, May 4, between 7am and 9am to go on one of the best walks of your life. [More Information]

Take a look at the official Walk for Hunger video below, as well, to see what an extremely uplifting and incredibly diverse experience the annual walk is.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

I suggest checking out an interesting feature offered at Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Theatre (290 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-734-2500) in conjunction with the Museum of Science and New Scientist magazine, namely the monthly Science on Screen series. Designed to make good use of the abundant scientific talent in the area, thanks to Boston’s uncommon number of top academic institutions, the film series offers movies with a science theme, introduced by real scientists who know their stuff.

On April 21, viewers will have a chance to enjoy the classic Alfred Hitchcock suspense yarn Vertigo, as well as a revealing discussion beforehand with Harvard Medical School professor and practicing psychiatrist Catherine Kimble, MD. Dr. Kimble will talk about vertigo and anxiety and what both entail for sufferers, such as the main character of the film, a former San Francisco police detective and acrophobe (someone with an abnormal fear of heights) portrayed by James Stewart.

Tomorrow’s screening and discussion of Vertigo take place from 7pm to 9:30pm. Tickets purchased online or at the door cost $9.75 each for the general public, with a discount to $7.75 for students, seniors, and members of the Museum of Science. Members of Coolidge Corner Theatre are admitted free of charge.

Need help deciding whether Vertigo is your cup of tea? If so, just take a look at the original trailer for the 1958 double Oscar nominee following the jump.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

If you’ve got a thing for Jackson and aren’t afraid to show it, you might want to check out the Coolidge Corner Theatre (290 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-734-2500) on April 5th. That Saturday at midnight sharp, the independent popular movie destination will host the one and only Michael Jackson Sing-Along.

Oh yes, you read the last sentence correctly — in 2008, you can go to a theater full of fellow Jackson lovers and belt out some of his more beloved tunes of old … without a single person telling you to shut up.

The classic song lineup — with accompanying music videos, of course — includes the full-length, 18-minute, Martin Scorsese-directed version of “Bad”; the originally controversial Macaulay Culkin and George Wendt complete cut of “Black or White” that was banned from television after airing one day in November 1991; the non-3D version of “Captain EO” directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive-produced by George Lucas; and the entire 14-minute “Thriller” masterpiece co-written with and directed by John Landis. I hope they throw in my personal favorite, “Billie Jean,” as well.

Jackson traveled in some pretty distinguished circles when it came to his pioneering music videos. What does his music amount to without the moves, though? Not quite as much.

Fortunately, Coolidge Corner Theatre reps thought ahead to arrange for a little dance instruction before the belting begins in earnest. So, make sure to bring along your comfortable dancing shoes, in addition to your vocal chords and lack of embarrassment. Packing a camera to snap a few pictures before and after might be wise, too, especially if you’re just passing through town, because this is one opportunity that’s not likely to present itself frequently either here in Boston or elsewhere.

Tickets for the big event go on sale today, and they’re priced at a uniform $12 per seat. The option to buy them online isn’t available as I write, but it’s possible it will be soon on the Showtimes and Tickets page.

Post from: The Boston Traveler