Bunch of Grapes Bookstore

There is nothing quite as glorious in the world to me than a lovely independent bookstore. Bunch of Grapes ranks as one of my «must stop» places early in my trips to the Vineyard. Whether you are looking for something specific or just browsing, you will leave with a lovely book in your hand. I highly suggest checking out the staff recommendations!

If you are looking for a great book to read on a day at the beach, look no further than Bunch of Grapes. They have a wonderful selection, helpful staff, and a bunch of great kids books for the rainy days.

Thanks to the manager today. I asked for carly simons new book and if they had a signed copy. He checked and he got me signed copy and gave me the 20% discount too. Thumbs up !!

This is a wonderful independent bookstore, absolutely charming and full of books, old plank creaky floorboards, a friendly & helpful staff, amazing flower combinations adorning the front, what’s not to love? We meandered through every aisle, and just enjoyed… then purchased some real treasures.

I’m obsessed with books. I am obsessed with bookstores. The big chains killed the little guy and now Amazon killed the chains. However across the country a few fighters have remained and are still here and Bunch of Grapes is one of them! The location is really cool and has floors made of wide blank wood and has a nautical feel to it. (that probably goes without saying) I have really tried my best over the last few years to patronize small businesses especially bookstores because I want them to remain part of the world in which we live. By the register there was a sign that talked about Amazon smile (some of you may be doing this when you link to amazon via a non-​profit of your choice and some % of your purchase goes to that entity) well apparently according to research done by Bunch of Grapes not a whole lot of your amazon purchase money is going there and often the best and most effective way to support local is to shop there. I bought a small address book and my Mom got a few things. It was a genuine pleasure to walk around and look in this store!

One of the most iconic businesses on Martha’s Vineyard, and always worth a visit at any time of year. They have been stalwart over the past few years of changing business demographics facing the book industry. They also seem to be getting adjusted to their now not-​so-​new location in the former «Bowl and Board» store, while their original store morphed into «Midnight Farm.»
Has always maintained a notable and top selection of Vineyard affiliated authors and books. Their special events and VIP visits do not maintain the pace they had 5 — 10 years ago, but can still rise to the occasion when they want, as seen in Hillary Clinton’s visit last August, which I attended.
Bunch of Grapes is deserving of your support, ready to help you find the perfect book, and a critical cornerstone of Vineyard Haven’s local economy.

Legendary MV Bookstore.
Strong in Maritime & Local offerings. Staff pleasant & helpful.
Its not B & N, but its an excellent indy bookstore.

Wherever I go I search out the local bookstore. This one is a real treat. Nice mix of popular fiction and lesser known authors. Fabulous kids section — we found a number of books for my 9 year-​old who is a voracious reader. Also a fun selection of cards, journals, etc. Staff was friendly. Store is well organized.

I love independent bookstores! Can totally smell the wood interior of Bunch of Grapes as I write this.
Went to the Hillary Clinton book signing. Waited in line for about an hour then had a lovely French meal around the corner with some crème brûlée, which was the highlight of the outing. I had bought a couple books the day prior to the signing to support the store.
Support your wonderful local bookstores please!

One of several book stores on Martha’s Vineyard but the biggest with a huge selection of books. Also has a large children’s section, including toys. I love these independent book stores!

Bunch of Grapes is one of THE greatest bookstores I’ve ever dog-​eared. Absolute. Bar none. Hands down. (Insert your own cliched superlative here).
The organization, the featured titles (an appropriate mix of NYT best selling blockbusters and similar works by lesser-​knowns), the cover prices non-​jacked by premium placement in Vineyard Haven, the non-​book merch with alternatives to Moleskine out the wazoo, the cheeky signage and chipper staff — it’s what a bazillionaire Damien would want as his estate’s library. Practically to a tee.
Granted, it takes me three months to kill 300 pages because I’m classically conditioned to fall asleep when I start reading, in which case the only reason Bunch of Grapes doesn’t get the coveted sixth star is for lack of hammocks in which we the narcoleptic bibliophiles can catch forty winks. But Unilocal doesn’t have a sixth star, so five will do.

Stopped in and browsed the shelves. Would have given a 5 star but didn’t have any luck locating a fun beach read. Normally, I have 3 books with me but forgot mine at hotel. The décor was beautiful inside and out. My husband loved the comfy chairs in the AC in summer while I browsed. Lovely spot to stop off on the island and of course Obamas have been here :)

I walked right in looking for specific book as a gift. I couldn’t find it on the shelves, so I went up to the register and the girl immediately knew where to find it. She brought it right over, rang me out and gift-​wrapped it for no cost. This was amazing as the place was PACKED and to have this kind of service. THANK YOU! I wish I had more time to look through the shelves.

I am never a big fan of casual books, unless it is academically related. But, This is more of a character in Main Street Vineyard Haven. Even the presidents shop here during the summer days;) And, I love visiting the store, chatting with the locals and the owners.
Sadly, their rent went up last time. They decided to move to another building just across the street, where Bowl and Board used to be, which vacate the location over a year. After several weeks of replacing windows, re-​fitting the bookcases and lighting, now the new place is revamped by the MV Bookworms!
The transformation was fast and they really opened before Memorial days 2012. what an impressive job!
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Now, in the new space, everything is all on one floor, but from the previously carpeted upscale bookstore, the new décor is a little compromised– it is not quite easy to get around yet. And, there are visibly too many people with less nook spaces. crowded. It doesn’t have the tranquility that the previous one had.
But I am sure they will figure out soon to modify the décor (mainly color-​wayfinding/​noise control/​coverings on the floor/​dedicated seatings) I know this building is/​was not insulated and I wonder how they will cope in the winter.
But, thinking about the open foreground, and next to the cinema, they are more visible and bring more positive impact to the street, without doubt. I will probably buy more from the shop. This is one of the few open-​all-​year-​round stores I support on the island.
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And, (some) shoppers, please, don’t be cheap by checking the book price in the store and buy yours on-​line. They are not charity. And it will be an insult to the independent local business owners.

I do love this bookstore, but I don’t like how much their books cost.
If your looking for a certain author, that doesn’t originate from the island, don’t get your hopes up in this book store.
They do have a lot of books though, so if your not the picky type, like I am. This is a good bookstore, but there is better on the island. It’s worth the walk through.

Not a serious bookstore.
Huge maritime section; no philosophy, psychology, criticism. One bookcase of poetry (same as «romance»). No apparent awareness of the distinction between popular and literary fiction. No Proust, scant Beckett, only Infinite Jest on the Wallace front. Come here for your «beach read».
Plus one star for Regina Spektor playing FAINTLY on the speakers.

So many books, so little time. I needed broad stroke history concept books, and first stumbled upon Germs, Guns, and Steel, a history of cultural development here. If it is trendy, or intellectual, or interesting, you will find the book at Bunch of Grapes.
They also have great book signings by local and visiting authors, as well as activities for writers and readers.
A good hide out on a rainy day with a cup of hot chocolate.

We were so happy to see BOG returning to Main Street after last summer’s fire. In a world of Borders-​Barnes and Noble-​etc., it’s such a treat to walk into an independent bookstore where the books are intelligently displayed, where the booksellers actually read (and recommend books!), and where the bookstore is committed to bringing authors to the island.
As a small personal aside, many many years ago, I met my then-​personal hero, Judy Blume, at a BOG booksigning. I was about 9, and I didn’t have a clever bone in my body so I stood in front of Judy shaking and clutching my copy of Fudge-​a-​mania. Finally, my mother elbowed me and I said «I really, er, like your books.» Despite my lack of social grace, the experience was transformative, and I’ve always been grateful to BOG for making it happen.

They are currently located on Church street near Beadniks.
This bookstore is great, and has a lot of personality. All of the bestsellers were present, as is required, and a very interesting selection of other material for such a small bookstore.

The BOG is not a bookstore. It’s an old friend who I met when I was 10 years old who introduced me to great authors, many of whose autographs I collected while on island. It’s just amazing.
My heart broke when the fire gave out last summer. We were there, and it was awful. Walter Cronkite was devastated. However, I know the new BOG will be better than ever.