World of Books: Gaby + Boston, Massachusetts

 Everyone has their neighborhood bookstore or their local library they call home. Maybe both even. I know I do - in TWO different cities! So how's this going to work? This week I'm going to share my bookish hotspots in Boston, the city I went to college in. I'm visiting for the week and thought this would be the ideal time to share with all of you. Then in two weeks, someone else will come on the blog and feature THEIR beloved local bookstores/libraries. 

I spent 3 and a half years in Boston. I wasn't AS bookish as I am not back then - I was too busy doing I can't even remember what. But I still had those times when I would break off from my friends and just go do my thing. 

THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CENTRAL BRANCH

The Boylston Street Entrance

The Dartmouth Street Entrance

The Boston Public Library Copley Branch is a STUNNING place. Admittedly, the main library is big, but pretty standard looking. If you keep going, though (considering this library is HUGE), you'll make your way through the prettiest of all courtyards. It's very much inside the library but still outdoors and in the spring and summer it's the best place I can think of to read a book. There's even a restaurant within the library, right next to the courtyard, in case you get a little peckish and didn't bring a snack. 

If you walk through the courtyard, to the other side of the library, you'll see stunning arches, giant lion sculptures, beautiful paintings, rare book rooms, study/reading lounges and other areas of amazing. Honestly, it's like a museum and a library in one.

There are also a bunch of conference rooms. One of my high school English teachers wrote a book and we went to a reading and a signing there. NaNoWriMo also occasionally has events there. 

TRIDENT BOOKSELLERS & CAFE

Located on Newbury Street, Trident boasts the reads and the eats. Their selection isn't HUGE, but as a whole, the concept is genius and it's one of my very favorite places to go when it's just a bit too cold out. There's free wifi, caffeine and a really adorable atmosphere where I can actually get things done. They also occasionally have fun bookish events!

BOSTON UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE

SO MANY FLOORS

I didn't only go to my university's bookstore of my school books (most of which I got for cheaper on Amazon - SORRY BU). After a particularly hard exam or day or whatever, I'd sometimes head over to the bookstore, which was never more than a fifteen minute walk from my dorm, and see what goodies looked interesting. A lot of the times I'd leave with nothing, but I always enjoyed the trip. 

BROOKLINE BOOKSMITH

The Brookline Booksmith is an independent bookstore in Coolidge Corner and you guys know how great independent bookstores are. Well, this one in particular is extra amazing. Mostly because I have emotional attachments to place. Then again, emotional attachments ARE the bread and butter of independent bookstores. Either way, they have a lot of fun events, used books AND the store itself is just a mile away from campus - aka the best combo for the Manhattan girl who loves a good walk and a good books. PS: Just down the block from Brookline Booksmith is J.P. Licks and I swear you haven't had ice cream until you've had some J.P. Licks.

Are YOU interested in sharing your bookish haunts? To the right of this post there are a bunch of little round, black icons that take you to my different social media. One of those icons is an envelope - click on that and shoot me an email if you want to share your hangouts with the world! I hope to feature as many of you as are interested!