Chez Henri
With its festive vibe, quaffable cocktails, and imaginative Franco-Latin fusion fare, Chez Henri is easy to love. For those who live within walking distance—or have a Cambridge parking pass—it's also easy to visit regularly for the $39 prix fixe dinners or the justifiably renowned Cuban sandwich. One Shepard St., Cambridge, MA chezhenri.com.
International Poster Gallery
Why? Because no one else can hook you up with an original art-nouveau Mucha on silk, or a first-edition movie poster from Stanley Kubrick's Lolita. Lolita, 205 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Children's Book Shop
Our first choice for children's books is your local public library. That said, this wee shop in Brookline is a close second for its thoughtful mix of classics (of the Make Way for Ducklings, Charlotte's Web, and Eloise ilk) as well as blockbuster newcomers like the Harry Potter series. The selection runs the gamut, from the newly released works of 1940s author Louis Lenski's "little" books to volumes that speak to contemporary teens. The store is nearly childproof, too, with huge stuffed animals and pop-up books on shelves strategically lower in height, so little ones can let themselves, and their minds, wander. 237 Washington St., Brookline Village, MA thechildrensbookshop.net.
The Boston Money Tree
The Boston Money Tree, by Russell Adams. How the founding families made their fortunes and what they did with them: well-researched and fascinating. Thomas Cromwell, $11.95, March. MA
El Tiante
A probing and well-written portrait which humanizes the Red Sox myth.
<em>Vanished</em>, by Mary McGarry Morris
This hard and heartbreaking story of the itinerant life of a simpleminded man, a sexually abused woman, and a child they have kidnapped was written in near secrecy by Morris, a 46-year-old housewife in Andover.
<em>The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon</em>
Talk about the Curse. Shortly after the book came out this spring, Gordon had his record consecutive-save streak snapped, then blew out his arm. As for King he got hit by a van on the road near his Maine home.
<em>One Strike Away</em> by Dan Shaughnessy
The Globe's baseball writer gets inside the 1986 season effectively.
David Godine Press
In a world of quickie books and runaway cost-cutting, Godine remains one of the few houses with a commitment to uncompromised quality. 51 Sleeper St., Boston, MA .
(tie) Dave D'Alessandro and Sumner Redstone
John Hancock CEO Dave D'Alessandro had the company help promote his book, Brand Warfare: 10 Rules for Building the Killer Brand. Meanwhile, Newton's Sumner Redstone's book, A Passion to Win, was published by the Simon & Schuster division of his Viacom company, prompting S & S publisher David Rosenthal to joke that the promotional efforts would comprise nothing less than "a passion to keep our jobs."
Jeremy Ogusky
You get a CSA box from your local farm and you’re on a first-name basis with your butcher, but what about the plates and bowls you set the table with every day? A worthy addition to any Boston cabinet, potter Jeremy Ogusky’s durable, unpretentious pieces can be purchased on Etsy; biannual open-studio days at his J.P. workspace, meanwhile, welcome all to come learn the art of pottery. claycrocks.com.
International Poster Gallery
For fine original vintage posters from all over the world, this shop is a great choice for the collector or even the first-time buyer. A tip to the greenhorn: Don't equate vintage with cheap. Most of the desirable posters we eyeballed were $1,000 and up. 205 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Turtle Swamp Brewing
Gone are the days when Sam Adams was J.P.’s only claim to brewery fame. Opened in 2017, Turtle Swamp serves IPAs, porters, sours, and ales all made with local ingredients. turtleswampbrewing.com.
Record Hog
The Hog is for vinylphiles who want record buying to be an unpredictable treasure hunt. Looking for a mint copy of a Fugs LP? A stack of Scottish Indie rock? Come on over. Records, CDs, and cassettes are piled waist-high. Gig posters run three-deep along the walls. The store sells everything from rare 45s to back issues of the British psych-rock bible Bucketfull of Brains. 368 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA .
Hollywood Express
Searching for an obscure miniseries by Brit playwright Dennis Potter? Or is Japanimation more your taste? You've come to the right place if you're looking for those unrated, non-blockbuster, hard-to-find videos. And if the store doesn't have that special something in stock, it will order it for you—or give you an informed recommendation for a similar flick. 1740 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .