Open List Home >> Cambridge, MA >> Shopping >> Book Stores >> Book Stores (New) >> Porter Square Books
5.0 of 5 stars.
I'm not here nearly enough. This bookstore is a real gem and while they do not have the vast selection that a Boders or Barnes & Nobles has, you can find many interesting books and order anything they...
yelp.com - user review - 10/05/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Great atmosphere, something simple. Cannot compare to big stores like Barnes & Nobles, but I kind of like it that way. Little coffee shop that adds to the simplicity, which isn't THE greatest, but...
yelp.com - user review - 10/05/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm going to treat this as a separate entity from its cafe (Zing Cafe - review forthcoming) and just talk about the bookstore - which is awesome. I've never had a bad experience here. They've got all...
yelp.com - user review - 09/29/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
It really makes Porter Square a nicer place, no doubt. Good selection, really friendly and helpful staff. Great little bookstore. I'd rather give them my money than Borders, ya know? But they...
yelp.com - user review - 09/24/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
You know those days where everything just sucks? You wake up with a discontent stemming from some unknown origin... and nothing goes your way? Yeah, on those days you totally need to take a detour...
yelp.com - user review - 09/13/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Like bookstores of old (pre-Amazon) where every employee is a true bibliophile and they encourage you to sit a spell to make sure you really love that book before you dole out the cash. It has a...
yelp.com - user review - 08/19/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
A new discovery from me, ridiculous given how often I walk through Porter, I never saw it hiding behind the Qdoba and CVS! So glad I did. Good selection, would give 4.5 stars if I could because the...
yelp.com - user review - 08/12/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Porter Square Books is conveniently located close to where I live, so it's usually the first place I'll check if I'm looking for a book. Sometimes it's the only place I have to look, but often I have...
yelp.com - user review - 07/06/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I REALLY wanted to like Porter Square books. It's independent. I love their cafe and their selection of teas and coffee drinks. they're really nice, and they have live poetry and book signings, and...
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I am here right now, hiding from the rain. I am happy. Coffee shop: Staff nicest coffee people ever. I tend to hate coffee people. In good, small coffee shops, they can be pretentious and often mean....
yelp.com - user review - 06/22/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I stepped in today since I decided I was caught up on all my shows and my poor Macbook needs a break. Porter Sq. Books is really just a simple book store, a few chairs scattered about for reading, a...
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2009
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1.0 of 5 stars.
We had high hopes for this place. Its a reasonable walk from our place and it was rumored to have a great kids section. We went out for a walk this evening with a mission of acquiring a few new...
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Love keeping it independent, love it even more that the staff knows books and actually helps you--I like being led through the shelves, furtively touching titles of books I've either read, dreamed...
yelp.com - user review - 05/09/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. In my dream world, I would work here and only have to leave to sleep. I will now say that I am a book addict. It is a problem, and it is serious. I need to buy books,...
yelp.com - user review - 05/04/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
this place offers a sort of neighborhood vibe to a shopping center that is like 95 percent concrete parking spot and 4.9 percent ugly concrete slab suburban strip mall. besides that, they have a...
yelp.com - user review - 04/19/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is a great bookstore. It's right in the middle of the shopping disaster that is Porter Sq Plaza, but once you're inside, the bustle dissipates into a serene atmosphere full of happy people...
yelp.com - user review - 04/18/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I'll admit it -- I'm a bookstore snob. I'd rather shop at a place like Porter Square Books in Cambridge or Politics & Prose in DC or Schwartz in Milwaukee (may it rest in peace) than a soulless...
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Support our local book store. Do you recall not having a book store with new books? Lets not let that happen again. It is cheaper to go with Amazon, but try to support this wonderful book store. Maybe...
yelp.com - user review - 03/31/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm so glad to see Porter Square Books thriving-- it's a hard time for indie bookstores, and this place seems to have found the right combination of cafe and bookstore (though I often describe it as a...
yelp.com - user review - 03/20/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Boston (more specifically Cambridge) has the best book stores of any city that I have ever encountered, The New York bookstores just can't compare, they aren't bad, they just lack the same character....
yelp.com - user review - 03/05/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I always forget this is here. It is in the same shopping center with Cambridge Naturals, a place I always enjoy going, so it's fun to have this next door. I mainly buy used books,`but I enjoy browsing...
yelp.com - user review - 03/03/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
So, I love books. And bookstores maybe even more so. I live right around the corner from Porter Square books. I frequent this quaint little store a few times a month on average mainly because of...
yelp.com - user review - 02/21/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I used to go here a lot more, but I honestly can't stand the parking situation at that shopping center (I'm tired of seeing large SUVs in the "compact car" space in the lot). But having said that, I...
yelp.com - user review - 02/19/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The selection isn't huge, but the staff is friendly and the cramped coffee shop is a huge draw to the store. It seems more accessible and popular than a typical independent bookseller (except maybe...
yelp.com - user review - 02/10/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Full disclosure: I use the hell out of my library card and don't buy books all that often, except when I find something I absolutely must add to my collection. However, I really enjoy browsing through...
yelp.com - user review - 02/04/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This review is based (almost) entirely on the fresh spring roll I ate there. SO GOOD. Perfect balance of flavors, and an excellent mouth feel. The peanut sauce it came with was delicious and just a...
yelp.com - user review - 01/23/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
My mom loves to come here for their great selection of mysteries and crime novels; I like the magazine and journal section. The coffee and towers of baked goods are great (scones from Petsi Pies!) and...
yelp.com - user review - 01/23/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
These people give running a book store (and an independent, locally-minded bookstore at that) a good name. Knowledgeable & friendly without being intrusive, and clearly someone there is a really great...
yelp.com - user review - 01/19/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Yeah the selection isn't Amazon within 4 walls, but you can tell what they do have caters to the local population. Anyone slightly-left-of-center and very much From or Living Around Here will find...
yelp.com - user review - 01/10/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
If given the choice between hitting the Starbucks that's about a minute from my house, or walking the 6 minutes to PSB, I'll always choose the latter. Not only do I feel great about supporting a local...
yelp.com - user review - 12/25/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is the closest book store withing walking distance of Tufts, I like it but they need better coffee. Way to small, but nice people and they will bend over backwards to help you.
yelp.com - user review - 12/04/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is such a fantastic book store! While it may not be as big as, say, a Borders, it's loaded with charm and warm fuzzies. And I sure do love me some warm fuzzies! They have a pretty good selection...
yelp.com - user review - 11/13/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Great book stores don't have to be huge. They don't have to stock every book you could ever want, or have the classic unique look/store cat/big comfy chairs. All of these things can be well and good,...
yelp.com - user review - 10/30/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Once upon a time porter square books had a choice, they could have a wider selection of books or add a cafe. Sadly, they added a cafe. Now, I have nothing against local bookstores with limited...
yelp.com - user review - 09/08/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I absolutely adore Porter Square Books. I love independent book stores in general, but I must admit that this one pretty much takes the cake. They have a great selection of books in stock, and they...
yelp.com - user review - 08/23/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I live in the area and am so glad this place is here and thriving, despite the woman who drove her gargantuan SUV into the front window. But that was in the past! Moving on... The store has a great...
yelp.com - user review - 08/15/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Theres nothing more delightful than a bookstore. Especially a small, independently owned bookstore in a city filled with Barnes and Nobles and Borders. Stepping into Porter Square books is like a...
yelp.com - user review - 07/31/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I'm such a big fan of this place. I'm a sucker for independent bookstores anywhere, and this is a good one. They have signings or readings going on nearly every time I wander in, which gives me a...
yelp.com - user review - 07/18/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Impressive selection and event roster - lots of signings. Store blog is informative, staff knowledgeable, customers pleasant. The book buyer's club is a great value. They have some daily newspapers....
yelp.com - user review - 07/07/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
So yeah, "Yay! I'm a fan" of their cafe. It's pretty good stuff, I keep ordering the iced soy chai latte. Sometimes it tastes better than other times, but I still come back for more. It's just too...
yelp.com - user review - 06/22/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I was directed to the self help/psychology section the other day when I was looking for some music therapy books. "Look around here while I check the computer." Shouldn't it be the other way around?...
yelp.com - user review - 06/21/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I like this place for being independent, but the sections aren't very clear. I never know what section I'm really in and many sections blend one right into another.The two things about this place...
yelp.com - user review - 06/11/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This book store is awesome. Great selection, friendly employees, and a great little cafe with espresso drinks, freakly-baked organic pastries and freshly prepared vegetable rolls and other food...
yelp.com - user review - 06/09/2008
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Nice independent bookstore but not the best kids book selection. Unique gifts and adult books, though.
lilaguide.com - user review - 05/22/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm so happy I have this place so close to home! They don't have the largest selections- especially when it comes to magazines.. but I love it anyhow. Unfortunately, the scifi section is lined with...
yelp.com - user review - 05/03/2008
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I went there with my friend and our little ones to have some coffe. Our strollers were bothering one of the bookstore employees who made a comment about the fact that we were in the middle of the way. We were sorry about the room limitations but it was not our call, they should have more places to sit. Five minutes later a lady, maybe the manager told us "we can not take it anymore" and basically invited us to leave the place due to lack of space. This is the way they treat customers with strollers. I have never been treated like this before. Afterwards they try to apologize but it was already too late for that!. I will never go there again and I will make sure that nobody that I knows goes there again.
openlist - user review - 03/25/2008
4.0 of 5 stars.
I spent a snowy morning here perusing kid books whilst my better half was doing yoga up the street. This book store has a small cafe with free wi-fi. The book selection looks pretty typical but they...
yelp.com - user review - 03/10/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This place adds some character to Porter Square. Without it (along with my beloved Cambridge Naturals next door), this particular shopping center it resides in would be nothing special, a mere strip...
yelp.com - user review - 02/10/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is my favorite place in Porter Square to sit and drink tea and read when I have a half an hour to wait for a friend or an appointment. It's a quiet and friendly new-books store and small...
yelp.com - user review - 01/16/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I wanted to skip & dance when this opened. It has a cafe...! With yummy hot chocolate that is spicy. It's not my favorite bookstore because I like em used and cheaper...but it makes my heart happy...
yelp.com - user review - 01/12/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Great Bookstore, Amazing cafe with the best munchies and quality coffee...love this place.
yelp.com - user review - 01/11/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Nice, cute, independant bookstore. No much of a selection and they are pricey for any paper goods. Some of a cashiers are a little strange. This place always seems busy with older hippies. But I like...
yelp.com - user review - 12/30/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
Hmm, all of these good reviews perplex me. This bookstore rarely actually has the book I need. If it does actually have what I need, it seems like whenever I come in there is some lame book reading...
yelp.com - user review - 12/25/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I love small presses. I love that there are a lot of up-and-coming neat science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers being published by the small presses in this area. Occasionally, those writers...
yelp.com - user review - 11/27/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff, a great calendar of events, an outstanding cafe with outside tables. The selection is just what you'd expect in a smaller bookstore, but five times out of six they...
yelp.com - user review - 11/01/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Note: I am not rating the bookstore, while its cute and a decent place to browse, I buy all my books on-line these days so that parts not so applicable. Instead I am sending up the awesomeness which...
yelp.com - user review - 08/21/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Like in any small bookstore, the selection is limited, but to pick up popular books, it's great, and their Booksense/staff picks have opened my eyes to some interesting new stuff. Plus they have...
yelp.com - user review - 07/09/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I love almost all the bookstores in Boston, but this one just doesn't excite me. The cafe is pretty good, but the stacks just seem so generic. As someone else said, it manages to feel like a chain...
yelp.com - user review - 04/22/2007
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I have no idea why I don't like it here. I haunt bookstores like Noah Webster in a room full of dictionaries...but this place freaks me out. I only come here when I have to. the cafe is lame....
yelp.com - user review - 04/12/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Impressive art book selection featuring various new artists. Although expensive, the section is definitely worth browsing. Check out their website for various events, they appear to have an author...
yelp.com - user review - 03/11/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I love independent bookstores, and always want to support them, but honestly this place just doesn't do it for me. I didn't really like the layout or the organization of books. It was way more...
yelp.com - user review - 02/13/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
The best--excellent books, very friendly people and well ,located. Perfect!!!!It's a mystery to me why anyone would give it less than 5 stars, probably because they didn't live in Porter Sqaure when...
yelp.com - user review - 12/28/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Five stars for having a great coffee counter AND a great kid's section!Yay!
yelp.com - user review - 12/25/2006
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I prefer to go into smaller book stores as opposed to a Borders or Barnes and Noble only because I find those stores too overwhelming. Porter Square Books is perfectly sized for afternoon browsing and...
yelp.com - user review - 10/31/2006
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I'm not sure why people expect to find obscure books in such a small bookstore, however it works well for picking up some fun reads. They put out a great selection of new and interesting books and...
yelp.com - user review - 09/11/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
An adorable book store, great place to browse for hours, or to go see a reading (which happen quite often). The little cafe is perfect, and the staff are great.
yelp.com - user review - 09/07/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place. It's great for browsing, or sitting and reading while drinking coffee. The cafe space is small but pleasant. Free internet in the evenings only. They have a frequent book buyer...
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2006
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Porter Square Books may seem small from the outside, but the shop unfolds as you walk into its spacious aisles and easy-to-browse displays. The newest independent bookstore in the area is a welcome a...
judysbook.com - user review - 05/18/2006
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I had no issue with the layout of the store. It actually looks similar to the B&N in Burlington. What I had an issue with was the angry woman working there. I asked if they were hiring and she dealt...
yelp.com - user review - 05/10/2006
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Now I have a place to hang out and calm my nerves after the Porter Square parking lot has jangled my nerves. They are starting to have special events, and I love that they have a cafe. I work out a...
judysbook.com - user review - 05/03/2006
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4.0 of 5 stars.
The physical layout is not pleasing. It feels like a bland mall bookstore. It took me a while to get past that.However, the bookstore has a lot of pluses: an interesting selection, a very kind and...
yelp.com - user review - 04/24/2006
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Since I moved to Somerville a few years ago, I was amazed at the lack of a bookstore in the area! I was so relieved that we finally got one and it's in a perfect spot. I often stop by for a quick brow...
judysbook.com - user review - 04/12/2006
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I truly hope that this indie book store can make a go of it. The area definitely need a good book store, I just hope that people continue to shop there instead of always turning to the bigger stores o...
judysbook.com - user review - 03/22/2006
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The area needed an indie shop with new books, and now we've got it and a cafe to boot. The selection is terrific, the staff are knowledgeable, they'll order anything and there's also a nice selection...
judysbook.com - user review - 03/18/2006
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The bookstore sucks, let's face it. But the people are wonderful, the espresso is tasty, and they serve good scones from Petsi's Pies. I get a warm feeling amidst the sterility. Thus I spare the...
yelp.com - user review - 02/28/2006
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With the addition of Cafe Zing, Porter Square Books has become a quintessential, near-perfect local bookseller. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable. The vibe is friendly and relaxed. They may not h...
judysbook.com - user review - 02/23/2006
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what a great bookstore!! Their selection is fantastic and well laid out. They get some great speakers to come in and sponsor great book events, such as book fairs. They do story hour for the kids a...
judysbook.com - user review - 11/11/2005
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I was so glad when Porter Square Books opened up in Porter Exchange -- what an improvement for the neighborhood over Dress Barn. Of course their selection does not come anywhere near that of the big ...
judysbook.com - user review - 09/02/2005
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Cute little book store. They have a pretty good selesction considering their size. It is conveinent becuase there are no big book stores in the area. They are also very nice there and aim to please.
yelp.com - user review - 08/29/2005
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This place is cozy and the staff is great, extremely helpful and relaxed. I hope this place makes it because I would much rather support a local independent bookstore any day.
yelp.com - user review - 08/28/2005
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Nice little independent book store with helpful staff and a good selection. It's a great local spot and a good place to just sit quietly and browse--the staff are really nice about letting you take...
yelp.com - user review - 07/29/2005
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This place is new and still finding its footing. I'm so happy there's a bookstore in Porter Square, I want to see it succeed.Its strengths are in fiction, new releases and cookbooks. Since they're...
yelp.com - user review - 07/12/2005
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Amazing that an independent book store can survive during times like these. Porter Square Books is a cozy store with the best of both worlds-- a local-store feel with the chain-store smarts. Their...
yelp.com - user review - 06/28/2005
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