Lorem Ipsum Books

This little used book shop in Inman Square is fantastic. It’s got a warm, spacious, relaxed atmosphere: bright, sunny, lots of wood, with chairs scattered throughout the store. For its modest size, they pack in a lot of great stuff. You won’t find valuable shelf space taken up with multiple hardcover copies of best-​sellers that everyone read last year and then decided to get rid of. What’s here is quality.
The layout is user-​friendly, well-​organized, tidy, and easy to navigate. All of your expected genres and categories are represented here, along with a few unique and imaginative subgenres. If you venture closer to the counter, you’ll find a section of rarer collector’s items (kept behind glass) as well as a little section called something like «We Do Not Endorse These Books” – mostly dubious material like Scientology tracts and books about how to cure homosexuality. Good for a laugh (or a gag gift).
They also have this great/​weird vintage «egg dispenser,» which (for a quarter) used to dispense plastic eggs filled with random things other customers would leave behind. Last time I was here there weren’t any eggs in it, though… sad. That is to say that this place is quirky, fun, and definitely worth seeking out.

Finally… They have their own sign! Nice going, friends.
Do stop in here when you are in Inman Square, one of the most interesting spots in Cambridge. Good coffee, food, beer, gifts and books surround you.

I’m hesitant to write this, but feel compelled. I like this store, and have been its neighbor for several years. When they started their fundraising campaign a month ago, I posted several places hoping to give them a signal boost. But then some questions were risen that no one seemed able to answer.
First, the story they give is they are $ 23,000+ behind in rent, and a previously patient landlord wants full payment suddenly. How do you get to be $ 23K in backrent without realizing there is a problem? Second, the owner himself (M. Mankins) gives an interview where he explains that he works in NYC and doesn’t live here, and wants to sell the store… but he touts how he wants the store to thrive for the community… that he isn’t part of.
Then I read the details of the fundraiser — you got incentives to donate certain amounts, such as the basic $ 25 for a random book. Read more into the details, and discover that only after $ 23K is raised will they use that money for giving out those incentives. So those items you thought you were buying are never coming. There’s a word for running your fundraiser like this: shady.
But every story has a few sides, so when I discussed my concerns with others on Reddit, the self-​identified store co-​manager Peter responded! He was happy to field questions. So I asked a few simple ones: Why wait until this last minute rush to save the store? If it’s such a community space are there classes or a list of shows they are hosting? What do they offer the community other than used books that sell for new prices? Most importantly, how are the donations more than just a quick fix, because at this rate, they’d need another fundraiser next year.
Silence. No response from the manager. A day passes, I see activity on his account elsewhere on the site, and still no answer. I walk by the store that night and see exactly one person inside, so its not like they were busy. So I ask a follow up the next day, and he deletes his posting.
Yes, its a community spot. But what do they offer the community? Do they have classes, lectures? Their site and social media don’t list any such events sans the occasional random picture.
I get the feeling this store was a fun project for the owner, who took off when he got a real job. Since, it feels like a place where friends can play «store». I don’t want a store that screams customer-​service, but I want a store where the employees offer more than a grunt at me if I say thank you.
Just to ensure I was being fair, I visited the store again last night. I looked for a specific book, which took a few minutes because I was unfamiliar with their organization. Despite being the only customer, the sole employee couldn’t be bothered to look up, say hello, or ask if I needed help. When I found my book, it was not in great condition, and cost $ 2.50 more than its brand new counterpart from Amazon.
I debated, because a quirky used book store is something I want to fully support. But a used book store doesn’t get my support solely on the fact that it’s a used book store.

I hands down love this bookstore. First of all, the hours are fantastic. I love a bookstore that stays open late!
Beyond that, the collection is truly unbeatable. There is enough weird/​quirky stuff to keep it interesting (ex — I bought a book called Redneck Heaven that chronicles the redneck lifestyle in America) but practical items like travel books and classics will ensure that everyone will go home happy.
Please support this wonderful neighborhood gem!

I appreciate having a used bookstore in my neighborhood and this one often has good selections and current books. However, I have two gripes. The first being that the store does not always open on time. Twice now I have walked to the store after 11am to find it closed — the second time this happened there were others waiting around the storefront, obviously also confused. The second gripe is the prices that are offered for store credit. I understand the economics of used book-​buying, however, I recently sold them 5 books, two of which are commonly used text books, and only received $ 12 in credit. I believe there should either be some more cheaply-​priced books on offer in the store, or a more incentivizing levels of credit.

I walked past it, at least two or three times before I finally recognized it. Its a unique used book store with a unique display. It is well-​organized with lots of space to sit and browse. I noticed a group of people, who were happily seated and enjoying a serious conversation… looked like they were discussing a book or an idea… I’m not sure. The point is the environment is laid-​back and open. There is a restroom for public use… a feature that is missing in most other stores of similar category. Good collection of books. Bit expensive, but mostly matches the online sites, maybe a dollar or two more. When compared to Brattle, Harvard book store’s used section or the cellar of Brookline Booksmith, this stands out. I finally bought a rare book. Its definitely worth a visit.

Very cute place, nice just to pop your head in and see what kind of art they have on their walls because it’s always changing.
I love the chicken egg machine. I have never gotten anything I wanted out of it but it still hasn’t felt like a waste of 25 cent.
I only find the book I go in looking for about half the time. Which isn’t a bad hit miss rate, when I can’t find my sought after book I can usually find something else I want to read anyhow. They place great music and have some events worth checking out too. It’s just a fun funky place and a wonderful addition to Inman square. Please come give them a look, I fear for indentation book sellers these days, shopping here is way more satisfying than anything you’ll find online.

Standard used book prices for Boston. I found a few paperbacks there for about $ 8 each. The place has a pretty welcoming vibe to it. Though in the evenings, the fluorescent lighting doesn’t make me want to hang out and read in one of their chairs as I see others doing.
Love their window display though.

My favorite used book store, hands down.
The space is gorgeous, open, well lit and clean. The books are organized and clean. The inventory is comprehensive and exciting. You can grab some significant pieces of literature here including signed and first edition. The space is very conducive for discovery of authors and publications that are unfamilar.
It tends to be a little pricier than some of the dustier off the beaten track book stores but not entirely unreasonable.
Could possibly be a 5 star in the future if the staff become more engaging and friendly. At this point they are nothing more than detached cash register operators.

Simply put, my favorite used bookstore in town. I can almost always find something I’d like to read, and quite often I find something on «my list» at a reasonable price. Many used bookstores would be lucky to have a lone sad copy of «Hocus Pocus» by Kurt Vonnegut, but here you’ll find some of his best works for under $ 5 each. There’s some pretty odd things on the shelves, mixed in with best sellers.
Somehow, in a new location, they’ve managed to move into a spot that also has creaky floors, like their old spot down past the KFC/​Taco Bell. I’ve also awarded a bonus point because they frequently have BBC, XFM, or other cool British sounds coming out of the speakers.

Lorem Ipsum soothes my soul. I only found it (at its previous location) by accident while biking from my boyfriend’s place in Inman to my own place in Central through an alternative route because it was a beautiful evening. I couldn’t even tell that it was a bookstore at first, but it looked so warm and inviting that I parked my bike and walked in all the same. The interior is just so welcoming, so hushed (not in a library way, just in a respectful way), and the used collection is just wonderful.
With all the bookstores to choose from in the area, it’s nice to have a standby that I really love and that feels like home. This place is friendly, quirky, delightful, affordable, and has something new every time. I haven’t yet visited the new location but I couldn’t be happier that they are back, and hope they never ever leave.

Atmosphere: Cozy, Fun
Selection: Varied
Prices: Fair
Overall Quality: Pretty good

It’s a locally-​owned used bookstore that sells used books. So far so good. Well lit, tidy and about as clean as any used book store can get.
The new location and layout is a substantial improvement over the last one. Also, now they have vending machines that dispense cheap paperbacks. I’m a fan.

Honestly, I am just not as impressed with this place as the other reviewers.
Yes, it does have some charm, but the prices on most books are almost as much as you would pay at Borders. The staff are somewhat rude and stuffy. I have been in this place several times, usually the only one in the store, and they have never even once bothered to say hello. Friends who have been in there tell the same story, so I know it is not just me. Even when I bought something, the surly chick who rang me up couldn’t even muster up a smile or a «have a nice day.»
If you trade-​in books, be prepared to get about 50 cents each. I know it is a small business and they need to make a profit, but don’t tell me «these aren’t what we would normally carry» when offering me $ 1.50 for 3 recent, hardcover bestsellers in perfect condition, then turn around and put 2 of them in the window the next day for $ 2 less than cover price.
While they do have an interesting selection, that experience left a sour taste in my mouth. I’d rather take my business where it is appreciated.

Cambridge has a wealth of bookstores and Lorum Ipsum is my favorite one. Its tucked away in a cozy little corner just off Prospect with one of those charming interiors where you feel like you could walk out with a mogwai on a Christmas eve.
The selection here is wonderful with a myriad of odd and interesting books. This is the only place where I’ve been able to find used Murakami, albeit they don’t stay on the shelves long.
My favorite thing about Lorum Ipsum is the fact that they have a vintage «Hen Egg» machine that I remember from my childhood. Pop in a quarter and get a plastic egg with a treasure inside. There’s a sort of community aspect to this, however, the shop relies on the customers to fill the little plastic eggs that go in the machine.
There’s really no telling what you might find inside one of those eggs, a secret message, a handmade toy, a treasure map, magnets; its kind of amazing.
The last time that I was there the lady behind the counter told me that some people throw «egg filling» parties. The thought of this is comforting, and every time I walk by on my way to work I contemplate some magnificent trinket that I can hide in a tiny plastic egg for some stranger to find.

Lorem Ipsum is a cozy, cute bookstore filled with interesting stuff– I always score when I look on their «new arrivals» shelf, they have a good selection of academic texts and fiction, and they even have kids books.
Moreover, they are always doing cute stuff like rainy day promotions.
Why three stars?
–It’s a bit pricey for a used book store (and the prices are always curious … $ 9.33? $ 5.52?)

A truly awesome used bookstore. The air is filled with the scent of aged paper, fantastic stories, deep thoughts, and primal wonder.
Okay, that last is a bit of an exaggeration, but whenever I enter the door, I know my far-​too-​much-​to-​read list is about to get even longer. A great place to trade in your old volumes and find something unexpected to occupy your T riding hours.

There is nothing bad about this place, certainly — but that elusive 5^th star means that in my opinion, there’s nothing they should do differently.
When we moved from Beastie to the South End, I knew I had to get rid of 80% of my books. I had read most of them 4 – 5 times, and there was no way I was moving 690 lbs. of previously read material into another apartment, so I figured I’d find a good used bookstore. After reading the reviews here, I knew this was my spot.
A locally owned and operated business, with a fabulous selection of books, priced wonderfully for readers, with a real open-​door policy with regard to trade-​ins? Count me in.
I’m a giant sci-​fi whore, and this was one of the best aspects of the place for me. Great cookbook section, a huge array of fiction and non-​fiction. Cool music playing; friendly, helpful, knowledgable staff…
…you absolutely cannot go wrong. I, for one, will be giving every future reading dollar possible to these folks. A great business run by great people.

Lorem Ipsum is the perfect place for a book slut to score. Let me put it like this; I came up the other night to offload a pile of books I know I’ll never re-​read. I browsed while the store guy processed them and in that five minutes managed to find 3 books I really wanted to read. Cue offsetting of store credit…
It’s the only second hand book store I’ve found that always has something I want to read. I’m also big on the fact that it’s a small locally owned business that’s a pleasure to spend time in; the staff are intelligent and friendly and they tend to play cool music on the stereo. They also are highly likely to have a book by decent authors; I’ve found stuff there by Neal Stephenson, Oscar Hijuelos, Carl Hiassen — it runs the gamut, basically.
It’s true it’s not especially cheap, but honestly, would you rather give your money to Borders? If you’re watching the $ the dollar boxes are worth a look as they usually have something worth reading.
I defy you to spend 20 mins in here and not find something you want to read.

Total book-​gasm. Seriously. I get a lil hot and bothered just thinking about this place.
I walk in and immediately spot the $ 1 classics box. And raid it. Wind around to the back to the Fiction section. And raid that too. They had a GREAT selection! And give a 10% discount if you buy a book by an author whose birthday is that month (Rand, Carroll, AND Woolf– SCORE). And even though it’s in a location TOTALLY inconvenient to me (Kendall Square), I’ll be sure to go back time and time again. Definitely my favorite used bookstore in the area. Any and all bibliophiles need, and I mean NEED, to go here.