Find Used Books in Boston

With chain stores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders pushing aside independent booksellers, where can you go for books without feeding an impersonal corporation? Many shops in Boston, Massachusetts sell used books, offering diverse alternatives to the mega-stores.

Ars Libri, Ltd. 500 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. (617) 357-5212. http://www.arslibri.com. According to its Web site, Ars Libri houses the country's largest collection of rare and out-of-print fine art books, but it's more than just a bookstore. With books covering all periods of art history, rare-book exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts and published catalogs of its arrivals, Ars Libri serves as a reference library for scholars and art enthusiasts the world over. Prices of Ars Libri's unique titles may daunt the casual shopper, but you should certainly stop by to admire this spacious, well-laid-out and artistic resource.

Boston Book Annex. 908 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215. (617) 266-1090. http://www.rarebook.com. Unlike its sister, the Boston Book Company (see below), the Annex is a general-interest used book store. The Annex and the Book Company buy private collections (perhaps even yours) voraciously, so the Annex showcases volumes across all disciplines. Its strengths include general literature, political history and art. This rambling shop delights residents and local students alike with its wide scope and diversity.

Boston Book Company. 705 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. (617) 522-2100. http://www.rarebook.com. In Boston's offbeat Jamaica Plain neighborhood is the equally funky Boston Book Company, which specializes in antiquarian books and English literature. It's also your source for books about China, Japan and Korea. Staff will perform assiduous searches if, for some reason, you cannot find what you want.