A Book Store Like No Other
When people hear “Harvard Book Store,” some might think of The Coop. But those in the know understand that Harvard Book Store is its own beloved institution, standing proudly on Massachusetts Avenue near Harvard Square. Since 1932, this independent bookstore has been a cornerstone of Cambridge’s literary scene, offering an unparalleled selection of books and a deep-rooted commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning.
I have to admit, before moving to Mid-Cambridge, I wasn’t always sure which bookstore people meant when they said “Harvard Book Store.” It was easy to assume they meant The Coop. Now, I know exactly which store they’re talking about, and I often find myself explaining to others: No, not The Coop—the one down Mass Ave toward the Hong Kong. (Yes, the one with the scorpion bowls. 🦂)
The Magic of Harvard Book Store
The Harvard Book Store website describes its collection as “thoughtful curation,” but to me, it’s more like a serendipitous discovery that turns a quick browse into an afternoon rabbit hole of literary obsession. It starts before you even step inside—with the windows.
I don’t look at these displays and see the usual selection you’d find at an airport bookstore. Instead, I see title after title that’s thought-provoking, unusual, and deeply interesting. My eyes bounce between them like a Pachinko machine, and I feel changed and challenged just by reading them. Even if I was in a hurry, these books stop me in my tracks.
I try—sometimes—to resist going in. To stick to my original plan, to keep walking. But the moment I pause, it’s over.
🎶Where is that the book in the window?
Once inside, you can hear it everywhere. A chorus of people asking the staff, Could you help me find the book in the window? Because everyone has seen something they want. And while they’re looking for that, they inevitably find so much more.
And then, the real question arises: Where to go first?
Downstairs: Where the Real Action Is
For me, the answer is almost always downstairs.
I have absolutely never made it to every room, every table, every wall downstairs. There is just so much. The conveyor belt that tilts from the street down into the basement should be a sign of what awaits—a book lover’s paradise filled with used, remaindered, and discounted books. It’s a place where time slows down, where every shelf holds something unexpected.
I’ve often wondered how I would even begin to explain what’s down there in a blog post—but the store itself provides a map of the lower level.
Some books are new, some are remainders, some are used. I don’t personally buy books based on their provenance, just on their content (and, let’s be honest, sometimes the cover). While they do sell signed books and some collector’s editions, if you’re looking for truly antiquarian finds, Bryn Mawr Book Store might be the better stop.
Downstairs: Sex and Real Estate
I found the gem in the photo in the downstairs.
📚Catchy title.
📚Local Author.
📚Relevant local content.
📚“[F]iendishly clever….”–Boston Herald (and I couldn’t agree more!)
Marjorie Garber (William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English and Visual and Environmental Studies at Harvard University, Emerita) wrote this analysis of the psyche of real estate (it’s general, but lots of details from Cambridge and New York) 25 years ago.
“Marjorie Garber’s Sex and Real Estate explores the deep, often unspoken desires that drive our obsession with homes. From the dream of the perfect house to the psychological allure of property ownership, this book unpacks the fascinating relationship between real estate, identity, and aspiration.”
I didn’t know about her book or how much it was for me until I saw it at Harvard Book Store. And so it is with so many books on my shelves.
More Than Just a Bookstore
Harvard Book Store isn’t just about selling books—it’s about building a community of readers and thinkers. With programs like the Frequent Buyer Program and the Harvard Science Book Talks, this bookstore continues to be an essential space for literary engagement in Cambridge. Plus, their partnership with Libro.fm allows readers to purchase audiobooks while supporting independent bookstores.
Harvard Book Store: How to Get Here
📍 Location: 1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138
📞 Phone: (617) 661-1515
🌐 Website: harvard.com
🚇 MBTA: Harvard Square (Red Line)
Whether you’re a lifelong bookworm or just passing through Cambridge, Harvard Book Store is a must-visit destination that continues to inspire, educate, and delight. Stop by, browse the shelves, and experience the magic of one of Cambridge’s most cherished independent bookstores.
📚 For more local insights on Cambridge, visit Cambridging.com where I write about moving to Cambridge, moving out of Cambridge, and my life in The People’s Rebublic.
