Beantown Bookworms discussion

I've lived in the area for a couple of years now, having moved down from Vermont, and one thing I really miss is a comfortable shop to sit down and read with a hot beverage. I don't like coffee, which limits my options, and have yet to find a tea house with comfy chairs and a nice atmosphere. I live out in Brookline near Coolidge Corner, which makes it just that little bit tougher.

Anyone have any favorite spots they'd care to share?

Thanks, Cat! My most recent attempt was the Tealuxe in Back Bay, near where my old office was. I knew they had a sit down area downstairs but had never been in. So I tried it. It's actually more of a cafe down there. They have benches and very small, still chairs. It's not nearly as inviting as I'd hoped it would be, despite the fact that they'll bring you lovely pots of tea.

I may have to swing out to Davis and check out Diesel. I do enjoy taking a day and reading, so a small trek like that isn't so bad in the long run.

More than Words in Waltham has a new cafe. I plan to try it out tonight and will let you know what I think. It is easy to reach Waltham by public transportation.

The Harvard Coop has a cafe on its second floor in Cambridge but I am not sure whether the chairs are comfortable.

I prefer to read at the Copley Boston Public Library with the comfy blue chairs on the third floor. Quiet and if the book you are reading.....is how we would say....horrible: You can get up and find a new one.
You did not hear this from me. :D

The BPL is great! It's got amazingly huge chairs for reading, and a giant Harry Potter-esque study room for "real work." I don't know how you feel about Starbucks, but there are at least six in the Back Bay area alone and I have to say their sofas are pretty comfy.

I grew up in Boston and I'm accustomed to do a much of my reading during my commutes. My wife's amazed I'm able to read while standing in a crowded moving subway bus/train/trolley.

I recently moved to Bridgewater and take the commuter rail into Boston. I spend more time commuting, but now I enjoy the extravagance of a quieter and more comfortable commute. My reading has increased dramatically; I'm able to read 4 - 6 books a month.

Weekend and evenings I spend on my other pursuits: movies, art, and my wife.

I know this is a really old discussion, but if you live near coolidge and want to do some lunch reading hit up the Paris Creperie. It's small so don't go on the weekend. But on an off day go get a crepe and hunker down with a good book.

How about bookstores for author reading events? I'm returning to the Boston area, and I'd love to find out about local events.

Welcome back! Brookline Booksmith seems to have Author readings every week. The Harvard Coop is also really awesome for that. Boston.com usually has daily updates on these events as well. Hope that helps :)

Very helpful! The Harvard Coop is one of my favorite T-station-exit sights.

That said, I always liked reading by the Harbor in the summer. Something about the salty air and the movement...

I maintain a list of Children's author events on my blog for any of you who read YA, but I can tell you that the Harvard Book Store, Porter Square Books, and Newtonville books (in addition to Brookline Booksmith) host tons of phenomenal T accessible adult author events.

(and oops I see that this thread is several years old...why did I just get the notification?)