Categories: Literature & Arts; Humor

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Reading is Sexy: Where Bostonians Do Their Reading

By jilliancyork
updated 5 months ago

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If intelligence = sexiness, then Boston is way at the top of the sexy list. Find out where Bostonians do their reading.

1. Bookshops

What with Boston being the nation’s education capital and all, you shouldn’t be surprised at the number of sexy readers around.  One completely obvious place to find them is in the city’s bookstores.  Cambridge, of course, being home to MIT and Harvard, has the best selection (used and new), but every neighborhood has its favorites.  Personally, I hit Brookline Booksmith when I need my fix.  

Independent Bookstores in the Boston Area

Some Favorites

Brattle Book Shop

9 West St, Boston, MA 02111

The first time I went into Brattle I did so because they tout themselves as “one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian booksellers.” I went in to find a dictionary and look up “antiquarian” and walked out with a first edition of “A Clockwork Orange.” Real horrorshow.

The first time I went into Brattle I did so because they tout themselves as “one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian booksellers.” I went in to find a dictionary and look up “antiquarian” and walked out with a first edition of “A Clockwork Orange.” Real horrorshow.

Brookline Booksmith

279 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

The main floor houses a pretty typical selection, but the bargain basement is the best. There is (was?) a creepy little video rental section that is most likely dying like all of the other VHS places, but the used books that come in here are awesome. I’ve nearly completed my Kundera collection by shopping here, and if older tomes are your thing, this is the place.

The main floor houses a pretty typical selection, but the bargain basement is the best. There is (was?) a creepy little video rental section that is most likely dying like all of the other VHS places, but the used books that come in here are awesome. I’ve nearly completed my Kundera collection by shopping here, and if older tomes are your thing, this is the place.

Brookline Booksmith

Brookline Booksmith

Jamaicaway Books & Gifts

676 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

How many bookstores do you know that have live music, art on the walls, and an entire local selection (and by local, I don’t mean Ben Mezrich)? Jamaicaway calls itself Boston’s “multicultural bookstore,” and I’ve found that to be pretty true. Don’t come here if you’re looking for the latest chick lit though – that’s what Borders is for.

How many bookstores do you know that have live music, art on the walls, and an entire local selection (and by local, I don’t mean Ben Mezrich)? Jamaicaway calls itself Boston’s “multicultural bookstore,” and I’ve found that to be pretty true. Don’t come here if you’re looking for the latest chick lit though – that’s what Borders is for.

Raven Used Books

52 Jfk St, Cambridge, MA 02138

I got into used-book collecting after this awesome little spot in my hometown opened up in an old bank (shout out to Baldface in Dover, NH!), but have rarely found anything elsewhere to measure up…Raven does. Not only is it clean (if you’ve been in as many used bookshops as I have, you know what I’m talking about), but the selection is sheerly amazing.

I got into used-book collecting after this awesome little spot in my hometown opened up in an old bank (shout out to Baldface in Dover, NH!), but have rarely found anything elsewhere to measure up…Raven does. Not only is it clean (if you’ve been in as many used bookshops as I have, you know what I’m talking about), but the selection is sheerly amazing.

Borders Books Music Movies & Cafe

24 School St, Boston, MA 02108

I dig this Borders in particular because of its three awesome floors of good lit (and the fact that they carry not one but TWO copies of my book!). They also get some really famous authors for readings – Bill Cosby, anyone? And this year, they were the only bookstore to get the Red Sox Championship trophies!

I dig this Borders in particular because of its three awesome floors of good lit (and the fact that they carry not one but TWO copies of my book!). They also get some really famous authors for readings – Bill Cosby, anyone? And this year, they were the only bookstore to get the Red Sox Championship trophies!

Harvard Coop

1400 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Since 1882. The coop (that’s co-op, not coop) has several book-filled floors and an excellent staff. As for reading, their cafe – though crowded – is a great place to sit back and relax with your new purchases.

Since 1882. The coop (that’s co-op, not coop) has several book-filled floors and an excellent staff. As for reading, their cafe – though crowded – is a great place to sit back and relax with your new purchases.

3. The Boston Public Library

Despite the homeless folks and the strange smell, the BPL is a pretty cool place.  It has many branches, but you really only need the one.

Boston Public Library (ii)

Boston Public Library, Copley Place

Boston Public Library

700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

For a huge city, the BPL seems bare at first, but that’s because it’s got branches in every neighborhood. The good thing is that if there’s a book you really need, you can have it sent it from whichever branch it resides at.

For a huge city, the BPL seems bare at first, but that’s because it’s got branches in every neighborhood. The good thing is that if there’s a book you really need, you can have it sent it from whichever branch it resides at.

Boston Public Library website

5. Boston Common

I’m pretty sure there’s a city statute somewhere that marks this as required reading.  If not a statute then perhaps a statue.  

Provocation and Privacy

Even the statues are sexy readers!

The history behind the statues

Boston Common

BOSTON, MA 02111

Walk through the Common any day mid-summer and you’ll see people sprawled for miles (okay, yards) tanning, sleeping and, of course, reading. Granted, you’ll also have to dodge all the people playing soccer/catch/frisbee, but hey – if you get tired of your book, you can always watch the hot athletes!

It's a Reader Treasure Hunt!

 

2. The T

Red line, green line, orange line, blue…the T’s got some sexy readers for you!

Brookline - Coolidge Corner: Green Line - C Branch

A green line T rolls by…

My lovely Boston’s got the fourth highest cost of living in the country – so free papers are a common sight on the T.  All the news you can read…at no cost:

  • Metro
  • BostonNOW
  • The Improper Bostonian
  • Skirt!
  • Lola
  • The Boston Phoenix
  • El Planeta
  • The Weekly Dig
  • Stuff@Night

Metro

My personal favorite freebie.

A Local

Reading Metro

4. The City's Cafes

I’m a Starbucks reader myself, but that doesn’t mean you have to go all corporate.  This reader (photo below) is hanging out at the Venice Cafe – can’t say I’ve ever read there, but the pizza’s damn good.  

serious reading at the venice cafe and restaurant

Note the copy of Weekly Dig in the forefront

The Venice Cafe

Rare is a pizza joint that doubles as a reader’s cafe, but this is one of ‘em. Great for late-night studying.

Second Cup Cafe

111 BRIGHTON AVE ALLSTON, MA 02134

Aside from the obviously unsmoky atmosphere, 2nd Cup reminds me of a place in Amsterdam I once whiled away a few hours in…automatic 4 stars from me. They also have good mochas and free wi-fi.

Starbucks Coffee

1 Federal St, Boston, MA 02110

This is my Starbucks, so be on your best behavior. Be sure to see Joe for the best mocha around.

This is my Starbucks, so be on your best behavior. Be sure to see Joe for the best mocha around.

Starbucks

Starbucks:Books::Boston:Sexy Readers

Cafenation

380 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135

This place is right down the street from my house but it took me over six months to discover it. They have all sorts of insanely good crepes (banana and nutella – it’s like Europe all over again!) and give a free refill on the coffee. And of course, free wi-fi.

This place is right down the street from my house but it took me over six months to discover it. They have all sorts of insanely good crepes (banana and nutella – it’s like Europe all over again!) and give a free refill on the coffee. And of course, free wi-fi.

See Menu

Diesel Cafe

257 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been here, but a Somervillian friend of mine raves about it so much I almost want to slap her. I think it’s because they have a photo booth, judging by the looks of her bulletin board.

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been here, but a Somervillian friend of mine raves about it so much I almost want to slap her. I think it’s because they have a photo booth, judging by the looks of her bulletin board.

6. Bathrooms

What list of reading spots would be complete without my favorite place and yours…the bathroom!  Personally, I think this practice should be restricted to home, but if you’ve gotta go, here are the best places to um, do so.  

Dominic Reading JPG Magazine

Future Bathroom Readers of America

Boston's Best Bathrooms

Bathroom readers, take heed!  Here’s Boston’s top 5 public restrooms:


  1. Copley Plaza Hotel (Back Bay): No one will know the difference between you and the hotel’s guests, so head in and head straight down the stairs to the public restrooms.
  2. Lord & Taylor (Back Bay): As is to be expected by a high-end retailer, these restrooms are clean and easy.
  3. Starbucks: Almost every Starbucks I’ve been in has a great bathroom – the key is that they’re full-door, single-stall (great for reading!)
  4. Boston Visitor’s Center (Theater District): Very clean, very readable.
  5. Borders (Downtown Crossing): A bookstore AND a great bathroom?  Just don’t take unpurchased books in with you, they frown on that.


Your Guide to Bathroom Reading

For the uninitiated.

Other Reading Guides to Check Out

Juliette's guide to reading in San Francisco

Guidespot's jatnola shows you where to read in NOLA

Brought to you by Guidespot.com Copyright 2008 - Local Matters Inc.

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