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

On Monday, April 7, Harvard Book Store (1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-661-1515) will welcome Michael Holley. The current co-host of radio’s Dale & Holley Show on local sports station WEEI is also the author of Patriot Reign and Never Give Up — books that both made the New York Times bestseller list — as well as a former sportswriter at the Boston Globe for ten years.

Holley’s free talk will focus on his latest book, the March 25, 2008, release Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston’s Rise to Dominance. According to the publisher description, “[w]ith the exclusive cooperation of [Boston Red Sox manager] Terry Francona and stories from the clubhouse and the conference room, Holley reveals the private sessions and the dugout and front-office strategies that have made the Boston Red Sox a budding dynasty.”

Enthusiasts can get an even closer look inside the Red Sox organization by attending Holley’s presentation tomorrow at 7pm EST in Cambridge. [More Information]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

When Dee Dee Myers served as White House Press Secretary from January 1993 to December 1994, the first two years of then-U.S. President Bill Clinton’s administration, she was not only the first woman to hold that position, but also the second youngest person ever, male or female, to function in that capacity. (The youngest White House Press Secretary in history was Ron Ziegler, who served during President Richard Nixon’s administration, from 1969–1974, starting at the ripe old age of 29; Myers was 31 when she began the job.)

In the years since that impressive achievement, Myers, currently a Washington, D.C.-based political commentator on NBC and MSNBC, has reportedly served the world in another way — as the presumed inspiration for no less than two characters in popular works of entertainment: President Josiah Bartlet’s White House Press Secretary C. J. Cregg on NBC’s now-defunct The West Wing and presidential campaign adviser Daisy Green in the novel and subsequent movie adaptation Primary Colors. The first character was played by actress Allison Janney on television and the second was portrayed by Maura Tierney in the feature film.

Last month, Harper published Myers’ autobiographical book Why Women Should Rule the World: A Memoir. The 288-page novel recounts pertinent events in her rise to such a public and successful career, not to mention the hurdles that other women have had to jump to accomplish a measure of greatness in their own lives.

Boston residents, particularly those of the female persuasion, are no doubt in for an empowering treat when the former White House insider makes a stop at Cambridge’s Brattle Theatre (40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617-876-6837) on Thursday, March 13. The event, sponsored by Harvard Book Store (1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-661-1515), will focus on the title theme of Myers’ book as she and audience members contemplate what would likely happen if women did rule the world.

Myers has obviously thought long and hard about the possibility; thus, it’s not too farfetched to assume she believes the world would be better in many ways under those circumstances. If you’re curious to learn how and why, join other eager attendees on Thursday at 6pm EST for a little hypothetical discussion.

Entry to the event is just $5. Even better, tickets can be redeemed for $5 off the purchase price of one item either at the talk or at Harvard Book Store within one month of March 13. Purchase tickets at Harvard Book Store or by phone with a credit card at 617-661-1515.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

At 7pm EST on Tuesday, January 29th, the popular and well-stocked shop will host an appearance by African-American author and Harvard Law School professor Randall Kennedy, a leading researcher on race relations. In his latest book, Sellout: The Politics of Racial Disloyalty, the attorney examines what it means for a black person to be burdened with the label “sellout,” a term denoting someone who has engaged in “racial betrayal.”

Keep in mind that Randall’s previous book, Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word, was both a timely and controversial bestseller. With Democratic Illinois Junior Senator Barack Obama—a public official who’s no stranger to the stereotype of selling out—currently making significant, historic headway in presidential politics, the follow-up is arriving at yet another auspicious moment in the United States’ development as a society.

Read more about the free scheduled Kennedy talk at Harvard Book Store’s website. Directions to the 1256 Massachusetts Avenue location in Cambridge are here.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Although registration is required for her 5:30pm EST joint appointment with Harvard Professor of International Relations Joseph Nye at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and tickets are sold out for her 8pm appearance at Harvard Book Store, there’s certain to be plenty of local media coverage once both engagements are over.

The occasion of Albright’s visit is the January 8th publication of her new book, Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership, which comes at a time when hostile opinions of the United States are rampant around the world. Many admirers are looking forward to what Albright has to say on this matter given her longstanding reputation as a dedicated diplomat.

If you’re eager to hear the former United States Ambassador to the United Nations (1993–1997) speak, it still might be possible to do so at the earlier JFK forum. And even if not, anyone who cares to can visit MSNBC to read a nice-sized excerpt from Memo to the President Elect, as well as view video footage recorded during Albright’s appearance on Today last Tuesday.

Post from: The Boston Traveler