Best of Boston

The Boston literary culture may actually exist on the opposite side of the Charles, but that hasn’t kept the folks in Coolidge Corner from thinking big. Writers like Dave Barry, Isabelle Allende, Frank McCourt, and Barbara Kingsolver have been featured in the “Writers and Readers Series” since it was founded six years ago. The readings, which take place either in the store or across the street at the larger Coolidge Corner Theatre, are frequent and usually free, and feature up-and-coming local scribes. Plus, the Booksmith is an independent, dog-friendly store with a smart and helpful staff.