Harvard Book Store

Category:	Book Store
Address:	1256 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Phone:	+1 617-661-1515
Site:	harvard.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–11PM 9AM–11PM 9AM–11PM 9AM–11PM 9AM–11PM 9AM–11PM 10AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Hope Sadler

DO NOT GO HERE. I just left the store... I was so excited to be visiting Cambridge, for its academia as well as fun businesses I expect from a college town (living in one myself). I tend to go out of my way to spend a substantial amount of money at independent bookstores, especially when traveling, because I have worked at our local store and understand how much it is appreciated due to chains tend to be easier to locate, sometimes cheaper, etc. The draw of independent book stores is the knowledgeable service, the aiding of a community, and bonding with other book lovers. I experienced none of that here, which was a surprise of such a well-known, long-running store. Everyone I came in contact with was either disinterested or outright rude to both myself and my mother. I approached someone to ask about a local section and was waved in a general direction with no directions or further help and then when I returned to the information desk asking for help with a specific title was met with an eye roll and sigh. It wasnt dead but it wasnt overly busy to the point where there was a line but even if there had been-- that isnt an excuse to treat a customer that way. I wasnt attempting to bond or mentioning my working at an indie store. I simply stated I was looking for a specific title and the authors last name. They remarked that they didnt have it but could order it; I said thank you but that I was traveling and again was met with an attitude. They suggested I look downstairs in their used section and once down there I was met with no help either. I have been to Shakespeare and Company in Paris (famous as well), and even with the stereotype of the French not liking Americans or tourists in general, still got the same treatment I expect from an independent store. Huge disappointment overall. A student directed me to try The Coop and the staff there was fantastic. They didnt have the book either but were helpful and friendly. Take your business there!

Stavros Macrakis

A real independent bookstore which actually chooses the books it offers -- much more than current bestsellers. A great place to browse, with a friendly atmosphere, helpful staff, and late evening hours. Excellent collection of remainders and decent used books downstairs. Compared to the Harvard Coop down the street, it is much smaller, but manages to have all the *best* books on a topic, while the Coop just has lots. Harvard Coop is better for technical books (comp.sci., math, stats, business), MIT Coop much better. Schoenhofs, a block away, is the definitive place for language learning and foreign language books. The book robot lets you print and bind at a very reasonable price a huge variety of texts from Google Books -- or your own PDF. This is a fantastic service for those who are interested in pre-1920 books in particular, almost all of which (!!) are available. Massialots Nouvelle instruction pour les confitures, les liqueurs et les fruits (1705)? -- its there. Redhouses classic Simplified grammar of the Ottoman-Turkish language (1884)? -- its there.

Victoria Sandbrook Flynn

If I could only shop at one bookstore for the rest of time, Harvard would be it! I never fail to find the best books here. I trust the employee reviews more than any store Ive been to before, and I am always lost in the selection of books on shelves that get so little attention elsewhere. Im also often drawn downstairs to the used book selection where I make just as many amazing discoveries as I do upstairs. And if I need something specific, I know that between the staff and their well-updated inventory computer, Ill be able to find out quickly if its there and where itd be. Add to this the events they hold--the author signings, the local business nights, the member-only events--and Im hooked. It doesnt matter that I live 45 minutes away: its it 100%!

Angel Zazueta Muñoz

Si bien no compré ningún libro y sólo uno que otro recuerdo. Me gustó la experiencia de conocer esta librería y ver la gran variedad de libros que tiene. Para aquellos que gozamos de visitar librerías sólo por el gusto de hacerlo, venir a este lugar es una excelente decisión.

Zyg Furmaniuk

Yes you now buy most of your books online. Now think about why you want to read a book in the first place and go to the nursery where they are raised and nurtured. You will find others of the kind you like or maybe even never dreamed of in close proximity to the ones you need. Combine that with the chance to actually hear one of these authors talk.... in your presence... while you are there... perhaps even interact with them in real life and real time.... why woud you not do this????? Go to the Harvard Book Store. You will not regret the experience.

Cynthia Montague

Heavens and earth, yes. My first flying visit (1972) asked about a paperback Lattimore translation of Odyssey. Clerk at the cash pointed at the two dollar hardback on a remainder table. Visiting ten years later, flying through town again, asked about Hookers Laws of Ecclesiatical Polity. Again, clerk at the cash pointed to a two dollar hardback on the remainder table. Perochoresis, those weirdly timed serieses of events that dance and swirl around us as we move through our lives.

Jill Lisa

The first thing you notice is the ambiance of this store. It feels and smells like a library, and is staffed by helpful library employees.Most of the selection is from the public library, so you know they will always have a good collection, a wide variety and new stuff every day. Find time in your weekend schedule to stop by.Youll be shocked by what you find, who you meet, how much you go home with, and how little you spend.

Polina Khabibulina

Dear Harvard Book Store, Curse you! I shake my fist at your near infinite selection of awesome used and discounted books. The savings become insignificant when I use bargain prices as my justification for buying 50 or so of them. I could get lost in your cavernous basement for hours, in fact I have. And I will continue to do so again and again with little remorse because youre worth it to me, darling. -Love Polina

Patrick Sullivan

Harvard Bookstore has a great selection from the popular to the esoteric. The staff is good and know their books and will find anything you need. Their used books selection is great as well and they buy old paperbacks with the option of a store credit or cash. I love browsing and spend hours there. Their author readings are extensive and very broad appealing to all kinds of interests. A great independent store.

Linda C

This place, which is absolutely not affiliated with the Harvard University, claimed itself to be a "Harvard Book Store." It is very misleading and also provided me the wrong information the other day when I asked them where I could find an official Harvard book store that was affiliated with the University, they deliberately pointed me to the wrong direction. Very bad taste.Other people should be aware.

Oliver Ames

This is a cool bookstore, especially because of the massive used section downstairs and the wonderful childrens section. It can get very crowded during their busy hours, but if you pass on it the first time because of the crowd, come back later and just browse their excellent collection. Bonus that this store is locally owned unlike the others in the area. Very helpful staff.

Angela Chen

This is a great, small bookshop. Knowledgable staff. The used book basement is great to browse through but it definitely has a dark, actual old basement feel to it. Upstairs, their childrens selection isnt as diverse as some other area stores, and it would be awesome if they had the space for some chairs to sit at but obviously real estate is at a prime in the square.