Narrative — Local services in Somerville

Yes! Yes! A bookstore in Davis Square again! And a COOL bookstore at that.

We need a bookstore every mile or so. You know it. I know it. But THEY (whoever they are, the non-bookish types) don't want you to have that bookstore density.

And then Narrative popped into being, and we have one more house of joy in our neighborhood. Bookstore density inches back to where it should be.

The quality of curation is high. If you consider how many books you can read in a lifetime, in a year, or even in a month, you'll realize that even in a cozy book store like Narrative there are more books than you're likely to have time to read. So quality is important. If you don't know what to read, you'll find something you'll realize you want to read.

Hardcovers. Paperbacks. "Pre-loved" books. Books by and for people of color. Books for kids. Books for people with curious minds. Signed copies by local author / dynamo R. F. Kuang!!!

And a personable, engaged, and driven owner.

It's your...

Narrative Bookstore is an absolute gem. The space feels warm and welcoming the moment you walk in. Mila, the owner, has an incredible knowledge of every book on the shelves and is always refreshing the selection with new titles, especially from under-represented authors. If she doesn’t have the book you’re looking for, she’ll happily order it, and if you recommend an author, she’ll often stock their work so others can discover them too.

What makes the experience truly special is the personal touch: if you’re not sure what to read next, Mila will guide you to a book you might never have picked up on your own—but will end up loving. It’s the kind of place where you can’t help but imagine curling up on the sofa by the front window and diving right into your new book.

Narrative is more than a bookstore—it’s a place that makes you want to linger, explore, and fall in love with reading...

An absolute gem--great and varied selection of highly curated and wonderful books, fiction and nonfiction, uplifting marginalized voices and experiences; really really cute space with plenty of room to lounge and appreciate books (also local earthenware by local artists, and more). They have a monthly open mic night that is very much worth going to if and when you can. I hope Narrative stays in this neighborhood for a...