Brattle Book Shop — Local services in Boston

Honestly, I've never been into a book store like Brattle Book Shop and I think it has created a monster. Since returning home to Southern California, I've been on a mission to find any and all bookstores in the area (I've also purchased a decent amount of books to add to my pile of books I need to read since the trip).

The best part about Brattle Book Shop (aside from the number of books) was the average price per book. Having such cheap books available made me want to purchase every book that caught my eye (and trust me when I say there were SOO many books I wanted to immediately sit and read).

The alley next to the store with the super discounted books were organized randomly and it'll definitely take some time to get through. Once inside, each aisle will have different subjects and themes and will be organized alphabetically by author, but there are so many treasures within all of the rows of books. So if you're serious about finding some good books, definitely allocate a decent chunk of time in your day. I easily could have spent a good hour in one row of books.

Overall, this experience has made me realize how much I want to read so much more. It has definitely rekindled a fire I used to have burning for all kinds of books (the fire has definitely died down over the years of being engrossed in technology and work and school). I'm so happy that I took the time to visit this store and I highly recommend it to everyone...

Brattle Book Shop has an impressive collection of old and used books and is well laid out overall. However, the customer service really lets the place down.

An elderly female staff member (possibly the owner) came downstairs while I was browsing. Instead of simply walking around me, she pushed past and then told me — not kindly — to “watch my backpack in case it damages the books.” It wasn’t even touching anything.

Later, after spending $62 on books, there was no friendliness at checkout — not even a simple “thank you” or a complimentary paper bookmark. When I said goodbye, the man at the counter barely acknowledged me. Another female staff member I spoke to was polite, but overall, the atmosphere here felt cold and unwelcoming.

Customer service doesn’t cost anything, yet it makes all the difference. I even mentioned this on my way out, but my feedback was met with indifference. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this store. There are many other bookshops in Boston where the staff are much friendlier and make you feel...

Dropped in after seeing it listed as a place to visit whilst in Boston. Easy to find after a pleasant walk through Boston Common.

Straight away I knew this was the place to get my daughter’s birthday present. As she is a student of all things literature l knew the tome of Milton’s poetry would be just the thing. The translation of “the magic mountain” is also something I know she would love. For myself as an amateur historian of the 19th century Royal Navy, an original copy of the 1805 naval chronicles is something I am already enjoying ownership of. One of the more recent but out of print books I picked up was something I was specifically looking for.

If it wasn’t for the helpful staff I might have spent even longer looking for suitable books.

Reasonably priced. Even the 3rd floor of rare books.

If you want the newest coffee table book, go to amazon. If you want a 200 year old book or an out of print book then go to this bookstore. There is something for...