Best of Boston

A working fireplace and mismatched, well-worn furniture make the Andover look more like a private library than a retail store. The atmosphere at this 200-year-old spot (the second-oldest bookshop in the country) is neither modern nor musty—just wonderfully comfortable. The selection, meanwhile, is something you’ll never find on Amazon—an essential collection of both classic and contemporary work, enhanced by a highly educated staff with an enthusiasm for the written word that is nothing short of contagious.