Four Miles From Boring

For The Love Of Books, Part 2

When Nick and I planned our move to Boston three years ago, we did our research about the city. We took a week-long scouting trip to our new home. We read books and online sites, and one of the things we learned was Boston was a book city. That news made the thought of leaving our beloved Powell's a bit more bearable. And then we learned the harsh reality.

While there are pockets here and there with stores that hold books, we could not find anything with the quirkiness we'd come to expect from a good bookstore. We asked newbies. We talked to locals. And guess what? The hidden gem we searched for didn't exist in the Hub. It's one of the reasons both Nick and I had a hard time ever thinking this city could be "home."

Until today.

The New England Mobile Book Fair. Have you heard of it? Have you been? Dear New Englander, if you have heard of this and forgot to tell us...FOR SHAME! And, if you've never heard of it, travel outside of your neighborhood and explore your world for crying out loud!

This unassuming shop tucked away on a side street in Needham is almost everything we miss. Quirky? Oh, yes! The possibility of getting lost in the shelves for hours? Heck yah! Will I be back? Most definitely!

NEMBF sells new books, old books, and remainders. They offer no promises in stock. They organize their stacks haphazardly. Their staff is, ah, unique. And the ways you can get lost in here are endless!

Still, it's no Powell's. It's not even a Smith Family. But, for now, it will do.

posted by Allison @ 6:10 PM