 |
| brattlebookshop.com |
Chances are if you enjoy reading at all, bookstores are a
personal heaven of yours. The smell of paper and the comfortable silence shared
by fellow booklovers is intoxicating. However, large chain bookstores are
unreliable—Is it okay to still be mourning the loss of Borders?—and companies
like Barnes & Noble, coupled with the effects of Amazon, are making
independent bookstores more rare and precious than they’ve ever been before.
So, if you’re interested in supporting small business owners and spending a bit
of your time relaxing in the company of books, consider making a point to
explore Boston and find those little hole-in-the-wall independent bookshops.
A noteworthy bookstore in the heart of downtown Boston is
Brattle Book Shop on 9 West Street, off of Tremont and across from the Commons.
As you walk down this quiet little street away from the hustle and bustle of the
main road, you may be surprised to find an alley to your left filled with
shelves and shelves of books. This draws you in; the books are right there,
outside, with signs reading $1, $3, and $5 – how could you resist?
Upon entering, your eyes are drawn to several things: first,
the rows of neat and orderly shelves directly in front of you. To your left, a
white board featuring Boston Literary trivia. Upwards, a staircase leads to a
second floor. On the first floor, fiction and science fiction rule the shelves.
As you peruse your way to the end, a tiny alcove becomes visible, framed by
pictures of the covers of children’s and YA books. Two sides hold recently
published books while one holds an impressive array of antique children’s books
anywhere from 50-75 years old.
The majority of the books in the store are reasonably priced
and accessible to visitors; the selection is wide, so if you decide to bring
around a buddy you’ll know that there will be something that each of you can
enjoy. The genres range from pulp to Opera, cultural studies to chemistry, and
there’s even the “Review Shelf” – if you’ve heard an interview with an author
or read a review recently, it will be here.
Looking for antiques and rare books?
Follow the stairs up to the second floor, but just a warning, because it might
get distracting. Lining the wall along the staircase are dozens of posters
featuring antique books, paintings, and pictures held in the rare book room on
the third floor. Listed along with the title are their prices, which may make
you feel like someone just punched you in the stomach. A few examples include a
first edition copy of Catcher in the Rye for $3,500, and a first edition of
Gone With the Wind for $5,000. One of the absolutely amazing things that caught
my eye was an original photograph of Abraham Lincoln, signed by the man
himself. Asking price? $75,000. Though this may seem a little steep, it is nice
to know that these guys have some good taste and an appreciation for history.
And speaking of history, Brattle has an impressive one of
its own. Its origins go back to 1825, when Brattle was first established in the
Scollay Square area. In 1949, current proprietor Ken Gloss’ parents bought the
store, which then moved around until it settled in its current location off of
Tremont. The store and its owners have been through their fair share of ups and
downs, culminating in a fire in 1980 that destroyed everything in their 5-story
building. But through perseverance and community support, Brattle was able to
start afresh and survive into the 21st century, becoming one of an
estimated 10-15 remaining independent booksellers in the entire city of Boston.
So if you’ve had a busy week and have an open Saturday or
Sunday afternoon, go for a walk, get some air, and make a stop at a local
bookstore like Brattle.
By Madelyn Reese
