It’s no secret around here that I’m a lifelong bookworm. I’ve got a whole (rainbow) wall of books in my apartment, plus piles on various end tables, and an ever-rotating cast of library reads. And though I adore my bookish retreat, when I need to get out of my apartment, I often find myself heading for a destination where I can likewise be surrounded by books.
There’s something comforting to me about walking into a room full of stories, whether it’s a bookstore, a library or even a book-lined Airbnb. I’ve always thought of books as friends, and I love both the familiarity and the potential for new discoveries when I dive headfirst into the shelves.
I adore visiting bookstores on vacation, of course, but I’m frequently just as happy with a jaunt to my local library here in Eastie or the main branch downtown. I don’t always even have to buy anything: I am among those people, to quote Jane Smiley, “who feel better at the mere sight of a book.”
Several times recently, when I’ve found myself at a loose end – waiting for an appointment, plans falling through, in need of a place to perch and work – I’ve headed straight for the nearest bookish destination. A long browse at the Booksmith, a visit to the new Fabulist cafe at the Seaport branch of Porter Square Books, or a nose around the Brattle – the first bookstore I discovered in Boston – have set me right again. I spent a happy afternoon on Valentine’s Day working at the Boston Public Library, sipping Earl Grey under book-shaped lamps, surrounded by shelves of new releases, and a contented hour there yesterday, writing in my journal and enjoying the buzz.
Tell me: do you delight in bookish spaces as much as I do? What are your favorites?
I do delight in bookish spaces as much as you!! Bookstores are always on my must visit when I travel. It’s hard to pick one favorite…Prairie Lights in Iowa City is definitely a favorite. The connection to the Iowa Writers Workshop means they carry lots of titles you won’t find in other stores. BookPeople in Austin-mainly because it was my first independent bookstore experience. And Beacon Hill Books just because I appreciate the deep attention to aesthetic details.
Such good choices! I’ve never been to Prairie Lights, but hope to make it there someday.
Hi Katie – libraries forever! The library in St. Johnsbury Vt and in Ogunquit ME enchanted me, the library in Oxford NY intrigued me and the one where I grew up in Montrose PA stole my heart… there are so many more as well. Bookstores; if a place I visit doesn’t have one, I’m probably not visiting!
Oh yes – I hear this! I adore libraries.
I’m the same!
Yes! Bookstores, used bookstores, libraries everywhere, and Little Free Libraries – love them all! My favorite used bookstores are Used Book Superstore in Burlington, MA and the Bookmans chain in Arizona. Favorite bookstores in New England are Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont and Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, New Hampshire (any relation to you, Katie??!). Because of mobility issues, I very rarely get to a bookstore or library these days (but my library now has an outdoor book locker pick up that makes it easier to get books from the library), but I’ve been having fun finding books at some of the Little Free Libraries in the area (you never know what treasures you’ll find!). If you go to the Little Free Library website littlefreelibrary.org you can find little libraries near you. Last year, my husband and I went on a Little Free Library driving tour that we mapped out for the many different towns in our area and it was so much fun! Seeing how differently each little library was decorated, what kinds of books each one had (and sometimes extras like book markers, sun glasses, and even canned food in some) was so interesting. Sometimes the little library matched the house it belonged to, sometimes it had an ocean view, sometimes they were decorated for an upcoming holiday, etc. But my favorite one had an old rotary wall phone attached to the outside of the little library with a sign that said, “Dial 0 for the reference librarian!”
I do love a Little Free library – what fun to do a tour! And I do like Bookmans. Haven’t been to Gibsons yet (no relation!) but maybe sometime soon.
Bookish spaces are the best. I would rather have 10 small bookstores in a row than a large cavernous one. There’s just something about the cozy denseness of a small shop where you know the owner has touched every book that’s fun to explore. I’m off to Google “book-shaped lamps Boston” now. Those sound really cool!
I love the library across from my apartment. I walk over there every week to pick out a stack of books for my preschool class. I love searching the shelves for something new I think the children will like or picking up an old favorite that I know they’ll be excited to reread. The children’s room is always busy with kids studying or getting extra help, and there are always little ones running around playing. I love that parents choose this place to meet up and connect, and that they’re establishing the library as a place to spend time with their children. Even when the parents aren’t watching their kiddos and the toddlers are wreaking havoc on the activities the librarians have set up, it’s such a happy, cozy place to be.