A Guide to Independent Bookstores in Cambridge, Massachusetts

According to the Cambridge Office of Tourism, Cambridge, Massachusetts boasts the world's largest number of bookstores per capita. Sure, it's a bibliophile's dream come true, but where do you start? Find out below with this idiosyncratic, nowhere-near-complete overview of my favorite independent bookstores:

Barefoot Books. 1771 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. (617) 349-1610. http://www.barefoot-books.com. Halfway between Porter and Harvard squares, Barefoot Books showcases the children's books published by Cambridge-based Barefoot Books Press. The titles range from cheerful, beguiling alphabet books to romantically illustrated folktales from around the world. As a woman and as a world traveler, I appreciate Barefoot Books' strong female characters and their celebration of multiculturalism. Your kids, on the other hand, will appreciate the throne-like reading chairs, the puppet theater and the crafts table in the back of the store. With a full calendar of readings and activities for kids from 2 to 11, Barefoot Books entertains and enchants all ages.

Center for New Words.186 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. (617) 876-5310. http://www.centerfornewwords.org. Not far from Central Square and major bus routes lies the Center for New Words. Focusing on women's writing, New Words offers feminist classics as well as the latest by up-and-coming novelists. Though it has a reading room, the Center for New Words is more than just a bookstore. As the center's Web site states, its goal is "to use the power and creativity of words and ideas to strengthen the voice of progressive and marginalized women in society." To that end, New Words sponsors readings, performances, contests and discussion groups for those who want to turn their reading into activism.