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

The renowned downtown Boston branch of Filene’s Basement might have closed last year, following in the footsteps of the flagship Filene’s department store in the Downtown Crossing area, but that’s not going to stop one of its most popular events. If you’ve been wondering what would become of the twice annual Running of the Brides wedding gown sale, wonder no more, because the savings sprint will go on.

Filene’s Basement has made arrangements to hold 2008’s first installment of the legendary event at Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston Street, Boston) this Friday, February 22. As usual, doors open at 8am sharp. But also as usual, expect for eager brides-to-be and their helpers to begin arriving in the wee hours of the morning to make sure they get a decent shot at a gorgeous designer wedding gown.

For those who aren’t familiar with the yearly ritual that both engaged and non-engaged women make plans to attend far in advance, the Running of the Brides refers to a unique sales tradition at Filene’s Basement that offers designer wedding gowns at phenomenal discounts. We’re talking about garments that normally sell for thousands and thousands of dollars priced at only $249, $499, and $699 each.

So, what’s the catch for a discount that unbelievable? Well, you kind of have to do exactly what the sale’s nickname states: literally run to the racks to grab as many gowns as possible. Leisurely browsing isn’t involved unless you want to go home empty-handed. And, you and your cohorts had better be quick, too, because the lightning-fast competition will claim ownership of hundreds of available dresses within seconds, as in less than sixty of them.

According to the Filene’s Basement website:

The day of the sale, brides-to-be and their helpers line up early. When the doors open, they run full speed towards the racks. In less than 60 seconds, the racks are stripped bare (store employees have to hold on to the fixtures so they don’t topple). The women grab whatever gowns they can, haul them off to a corner, strip down to their underwear and start trying on dresses. Minutes later the trading begins. Every dress, no matter what size, style or color, gets bartered for another, as each bride tries to find the gown of her dreams at a cut-rate price.

I have a couple of older relatives who just live for that kind of shopping action. If you’re also game for a feverish experience that will most likely result in one of the biggest bargains of your life, plan to be at Hynes Convention Center bright and early on Friday morning.

Filene’s Basement’s bridal gown sale takes place once annually in other locations nationwide, as well, including Atlanta (March 21), New Jersey (March 28), New York (February 29), and Virginia (April 4) this year. Just remember to make sure your final choice is what you really want because with prices like those that the store offers, there are no returns or exchanges.

The good news is that the flagship Downtown Crossing Filene’s Basement re-opens in 2009, where future brides will have the chance to run through the racks in the event’s historic location. Combined with the divine automatic markdowns and bargains on regular clothes and accessories, what more could a shopping girl wish for? Not much.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

At 6pm, the Downtown Crossing branch of the retailer will welcome Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Judith Jamison and dancers Renee Robinson and Kirven J. Boyd for a Black History Month-related event on the Main Level.

Although the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is scheduled to perform at the City Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre from February 7–10, tonight’s event will be much more relaxed. The dance company representatives will offer personal insight into founder Alvin Ailey’s legacy and the history of his widely respected, world-famous company, as well as its relationship with Boston.

The store will then serve refreshments after the discussion is over and will also give attendees the rare opportunity to meet the dancers in the flesh. I don’t know about everybody else, but that sounds like a darn fine time to me, and for free to boot. You can’t beat it.

Who knew Macy’s was such a hotbed of culture and interesting free events? I didn’t, or maybe I just haven’t been paying close enough attention when I’m in there shopping.

Post from: The Boston Traveler