Harvard Book Store

I love this place!
— They have an extensive collection of good books!
— They have author signing or talk events once in a while!
— They have a used book store downstairs, where you can find old books!
— They give you frequent buyer cards with which you get a 20% off once you spend $ 100 there.
— They have an amazing ice cream place next to it, J.P.Licks, my favorite is vanilla sundae with extra hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry!

This is a cool bookstore, especially because of the massive used section downstairs and the wonderful children’s 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 other’s in the area. Very helpful staff.

Been going here since The Sixties and it still has a bit of the feel … It has a SUPERB used book section and it usually has an excellent selection of radical reading and Chomsky’s Galore… after all it is his home ground. One of the best searching experiences that you can get… YIPPIE!

When I NEED a book I come to the Harvard Bookstore. It’s a small independent bookstore with a helpful staff, extensive selection, and awesome used books section.
I’ll admit to sometimes getting lost but I can usually make my way to the science fiction area ok. This isn’t a huge bookstore but they have a great balance between new stuff and classics. My favorite thing about the store are the recommendations scattered about in the different sections. Either I discover a new book or series that I want to jump into or at least get a good laugh. I know it’s not unusual for indie bookstores to do that but I’ve found that the recommendations are on point and very honest. Once in a while you find a book that they have drawn up a new cover for because it’s original cover is so tacky that they’re afraid it might turn away people from an awesome book.
Like I mentioned earlier, there’s a used book section downstairs. Have some extra books lying around? You can call them ahead to see if they’ll buy your books. You can get cash or a little bit more if you get a gift card for the store.
Last but not least they have awesome events. These are definitely worth checking out. Keep an eye out and act soon as sometimes these events are so amazing the free (or very affordable) tickets run out in no time.

Excellent bookstore, wide range of books (not just educational)…for its size it really did have a varied and stimulating selection of books of all genres… yes of course they’re are lots of course work type books there (of course), but for the non students amongst us it was a pleasant and varied surprise.
I like book shops. I liked this one. A lot.

Like an old friend, I passed by it every day, sometimes stopped, watching people got drunk there; sometimes rushed, with capturing their quiet figures.

I love bookstores. Could honestly wonder around a good bookstore all day. This is a good bookstore. They’ve got a great selection upstairs and then used books downstairs. It’s not too big like the coop down the street which honestly gets overwhelming to me, but it’s big enough that it has a terrific selection and will likely have the book youre looking for. In fact, a couple years ago, I was looking for a book (long division by kiese laymon) and the coop didn’t have it but this store did.
Last week I came into the store to do some holiday shopping and saw this lady yelling at one of the employees. I don’t know exactly what happened to lead to her anger, but it doesn’t really matter– regardless, it was not cool for her to be so disrespectful. As I continued to shop a few min later, I heard some of the employees talking about how often people yell at them particularly during the busy holiday season. I wanted to hug them all and thank them for their work and for putting up with rude folks! Holiday season should not bring out the snobs! Keep up the awesome work at your awesome bookstore!

I love love love this place! When visiting I always make the rounds hitting every section. Even those in the basement. Which I might add is both scary and awesome all rolled into one. Never fails I end up in the cookbooks. Finding at least a dozen to take home, but force myself to narrow it down to one or two at the most. Every visit to this beautiful, peaceful bookstore is calming and fun. The staff is friendly, they are knowledgeable about books and genuinely come across as fans of both reading and writing. Recall visiting and wanting something new and untapped by myself. I was desperate to pick up a new author I had never tried prior. The young man that helped me made more than a few suggestions. He was beyond helpful by taking me to find each book he spoke of. I’ll visit again next time I’m in Cambridge

If you love an old authentic book store that you can get lost in this is the one, it has the old wood and the musty book shop smell you’d expect! Although there are obviously many university topic books that fill the shelves there are still many fascinating books, I found several on the mind behind finance! This book store is fantastic even though it may be busy it doesn’t feel over crowded, tucked in the corner opposite the university campus it has a great calming atmosphere to it! If visiting Harvard would recommend going and having a look!

I absolutely love this book store. Their staff is very friendly and helpful and they sell books on any topic you can think of. They regularly organize events where they bring very interesting people to speak and sign books. I periodically check their website so I never miss an event.
They even sell signed books from past events at regular price! Amazing.

Being a fan of indie bookstores really any brick and mortar bookstores is challenging these days. This is a Harvard Square veteran and I think it’s changed hands in ownership a few times but remains solid. They have a diverse selection of new books plus book-​stationary type gifts including the 7-​year pens I love to give as gifts, on the first floor and the second floor is used books – a very wide selection. The bookstore is carefully and lovingly curated. If I lived closer I would get a frequent buyer card. The staff always are very nice and take questions even when busy and setting up for a reading. I think the used book department has certain hours for selling books which is pretty typical and reasonable.

I was quite disappointed in the engineering section, especially as it relates to the «old economy». Clearly, there was little interest in populating books within topics involving industrial production and product development. Sorry.

My favorite bookstore of all time. New books + remainders + used books + smell of books (not coffee!!!) permeating the store and putting you in the book mood + cozy and almost romantic setting that would actually be great for a date= it is IMPOSSIBLE to leave this store without something you’ve purchased. Because you will find something you want to buy.
New books of all genres take over the main floor, while a small section near the door is dedicated to fiction remainders, which are extra stock sold well below retail just to get them out of the store. I’ve found some gems here, including books I’ve wanted to check out for a while and forgot about until they wound up here. It’s not unusual to see a brand-​new hardcover fiction or non-​fiction book go for $ 7 or $ 8.
Downstairs is the pleasantly exhaustive used section, which covers everything from fiction to travel to kids’ books, and the rest of the remainders, which are mainly non-​fic and reference guides down here. I have picked up some awesome cookbooks from the downstairs remainder section– I grabbed The Organic Cook’s Bible for $ 15, and as of this writing, they still have a few copies left for this price. Wowza.
Give yourself some time to explore the entire store– I always end up spending way longer than I think I will when I walk in the door.
**Note: Not affiliated with Harvard University in any way, except that it’s across the street from it. Looking for the official Harvard University Bookstore? Head to the Coop a few blocks down.**

This bookstore is so organized and is always so nice and clean. Love their Staff’s Choice section. There are used books and books on sale downstairs. Barnes & Noble may have a similar amount of books, but Harvard Bookstore feels like a local bookstore where kids and moms buy books they like, not books they are required to buy.

I could spend hours here– sometimes I do! Huge selection, great staff, amazing prices. I’m not sure I’ve ever walked out empty handed. Support local!

Awesome. Ginormous, with extensive selections of the notable newly-​released as well as the classics.
I generally spent my time downstairs, in the huge used books section. Everything’s well-​priced, and you’ll definitely find many a gem, especially if you’re a lit major or the like. I also sold a few books here, and the process was seamless.
The store also features talks pretty regularly, which I believe are all free. This afforded me the opportunity to troll Amy Chua (of Tiger Mom fame) and her husband, and though experiencing their misguided messages firsthand was infuriating, I’m glad I got to question their ways IRL. Thanks for that, Harvard Book Store.
A must visit, if you’re in the square anytime!

If you’re sick of the mainstream bookstores like Barnes and Nobles, this is definitely the place to be! I came across Harvard Book Store after eating at Santouka. I have a thing for cute little bookstores so I decided to stop in for a quick look. However, it didn’t turn out to be a quick look because I think a spent more time here than I should’ve. The store isn’t too big, but there are definitely A LOT of things to look at! I love how organized the store was — it’s separated into genres (like any other bookstore) and it wasn’t too crammed.
I ended up buying postcards and two books — both biographies of Coco Chanel and Whitey Bulger. They have a great selection of postcards! There are scenic ones and silly ones. I am a sucker for postcards so I ended up buying [only] seven. I wanted to buy every single one on the shelf.
On top of everything else, the staff is SUPER friendly too! They are so cute and funny :) I felt so welcomed and that makes me want to go back again. They also have a rewards program that you can sign up for free — you spend $ 100 and get 20% off your next purchase. Considering the fact that I ended up spending $ 50 in one visit, I decided to sign up for it. The books are kind of on the pricier side, but you leave the store end up feeling satisfied and excited to indulge in your new purchases. I can’t wait to be back!!!

I have been shopping here when I am in town for the past 20 years. It is somewhat closed up with all the books, but as soon as you enter, life is good, it has a comforting feel. You will find every genre there and can easily be lost in your reading while it will take you back in time, the present or the future. Urban studies, western philosophy, stage and theatre, food and everything in between. I love finding an obscure book like the pictures below that I didn’t know I wanted.
The Harvard Book Store has prominent authors discussing their books at different venues in the area throughout every month. This indy store has been there since 1932. A reviewer was upset that it was pretending to be affiliated with Harvard and not the real deal. It is not pretending to be affiliated with Harvard the school, it is across the street from Harvard Yard. That would be the Coop that sells text books etc. Yes they don’t offer a discount like Amazon, but they do have a rewards program. Amazon does not give you the experience you will get here.
Oh by the way I almost forgot, the lower level has remainders and used books if you have an interest. A tip, it is a large space down there but somewhat cramped. Can be crowed on the weekends.

Calendars were $ 3 each yesterday! Yes, I know it’s April, but I did get some cool coasters that double as a calendar, marked down from $ 25. I also grabbed a signed copy of BJ Novak’s book for $ 15 and a $ 10 paperback copy of State of Wonder which I have been looking to read. Pretty reasonable.
They have used books in the basement which I tend to peruse when I stop in. Sometimes the prices are a bit high compared to Amazon, but if you don’t want to wait or just like supporting local business it’s a good option. There were a few books/​authors I looked for, but didn’t find — not a big deal. I am sure I could have asked for more info. as the staff seemed friendly, but this was just a leisurely trip.

I have never actually bought anything here but I do pop in here pretty often. Amazing selection but cramped space. They recently had Hilary Clinton come and sign her book!
If the coop is too touristy for you then this might be right up your ally.