Wellesley Books

Very good bookstore.
Key word, «very good»… not the BEST though.
I have heard Brookline Booksmith is comparable to this (which I may get to at some point… yet Brookline is a bit BUSY for my liking), yet this store is much better for adult books, and the used «basement» is really cool too, yet the store is large for Wellesley center, it’s small compared to Barnes&Noble & Park Street Books in Medfield. Overall, pretty good book store in Wellesley, that I would suggest for the area, yet I definitely prefer Park Street Books.

What kind of a bookstore has an author signing event and doesn’t order enough books? Complete disappointment and waste of time. I will never step foot in Wellesley Books again.

I really like this shop. It’s small, but I am happy to support any smaller book shop that’s not corporately run. I really enjoy exploring this store and love the small gift items they offer. I am a teacher in Natick and they have even ordered books for me that my boss has picked up and it was quick and efficient. I’ve been happy here!

Great independent bookstore on the main street in Wellesley.
The selection of current books is quite good in adult fiction and non-​fiction, and my children tell me that it’s very good in children’s and young adult literature. If you’re looking for books that are not new or are not classic, you might have to go elsewhere, although there’s a chance you can find older books and great gems in the used collection in the basement.
The store really shine in the people who work there. Here’s the reason for an independent like Wellesley Books, very friendly, very knowledgeable staff who love books. Just tell them what you’re interested in and someone there will be able to make better recommendations for you than the Amazon prediction algorithm.
The also carry a lot of cool gift stuff.

I love this little shop. They usually have the book I’m looking for, and if not, they are more than happy to order it for me. What’s cool is the used book section in the basement: tons of gently used books at a great price. There are also a fair amount of gifts, greeting cards and paper products which makes it a one stop shop! Friendly staff, too.

I love this book shop. I have «weird taste» in books, often seeking out books that are not currently on the best-​seller lists, but that have some je né sais quois that makes them stick in the reader’s mind. I find that the staff-​curated shelf of «staff picks» books always has something that I’m intrigued enough by to splurge on.
The staff is helpful and there are a lot of cute gift options and kids’ books. I would park in the back lot, as this area of Wellesley is busy and on-​street parking can be hard to find. Good place to stop into when you want to buy a little something for yourself, (but not a frappucino or pedicure.)

Anywhere my little furry friends are welcomed is good with me. I like being able to take my small well behaved dogs into a store and they are welcomed. When I lived in Wellesley for a short time I could actually walk to this store from my home. I enjoyed going here and browsing the complete selections they had. I enjoy how this locally owned store treated its customers and showed them by their welcoming manner.
Often I would purchase new book and when done I could trade in those for resale in the used book part for credit. I know people can do this online but there is something so satisfying as going into a store and actually holding the book in your hands. Flipping through the pages, reading snippets throughout to decide if it is interesting or not. Some if this is lost just clicking through pictures of books on a screen.
I have been trying without luck to find another bookstore similar to this in Boston or surround and I have yet to find one that has the cozy feeling this little store has. It is e easy to spend a bundle here but it is fun to browse too. When I lived down the road I used this store as my go to hostess gift or birthday gift store because they have nice small gifts that are thoughtfully stocked and I could most times find something brilliant to take as a gift.

This a a great little LOCAL book shop. The staff is friendly and will help you find the book (s) you’re looking for.
It’s a great place to shop for gifts, since the displays of books are very organized, and they have a section of jewelry and small non-​book gift options as well. (A solar powered waving Mona Lisa statue had me laughing — for an example of a small non-​book item.)
I stopped by looking for a specific book but I didn’t see it on the shelves. An associate found it for me quickly, brought it to the register, and gift wrapped it for free!
There is no downside to shopping here, and you can feel good that you’re helping the local economy by doing so!

Great local bookstore with employees that really know their stuff! They have specialists in all areas when it comes to recommending books. My kids love coming here. It’s always welcoming and comfortable. They also sell lots of fun extras for kids and adults. DOGS ARE WELCOME INSIDE and they even provide treats and water!!!

It’s a great local bookstore. For a serious shopper, they cannot compete with B&N but if your looking for bestseller or children s’ book, you have plenty of options. There’s a free parking lot behind the store.

This is a super little bookstore! Picture one of the bigger stores and then subtract all of the sub par books, you’ll end up with Wellesley Booksmith. I had to be careful because just after a few minutes I had a large stack of books in my arms to add to my already growing stack of Christmas book schwag.
The staff is also very knowledgable and helpful. They tend to remember you and can suggest books that you might enjoy which is always nice.
Parking in the BACK (and lots of it).

I love the Wellesley Booksmith. There’s a wide selection of new and used (check out their basement!) books and other media, and they also sell little witty tchotchkes and gifty design items. I have bought stocking stuffers here for the past few years. They’re independent, and there’s not much better than that in the world, and I’ve enjoyed their visiting authors nights for the past nearly two years. The staff pulls no punches, and will tell you whether a book or an author is honestly good, or if it’s/they’re honestly just a hyped-​up money-​maker.
Besides being a local independent bookseller, they sell books written and published by local authors. I have found several Wellesley-​specific books that have helped me to learn more about my immediate surroundings. This is the exact kind of value I’m looking for — the value of a local relationship. The hours aren’t always ideal, but so what? It’s not the internet.

I love this bookstore. Its great. The people that work here are super helpful. They offer great advice on books and will order anything that do not have in stock. They wrap your gifts.
They surprisingly have a great card selection. Sometimes better than Paper Source. They also have some great small gift ideas, interesting games and stationery. They have a wonderful childrens section in the back of the store and a used book area in the basement.
I am always amazed at the great authors they bring into the store. They are the perfect local booksmith, a real part of the community.
I gave it four stars because the book selection in comparison to Brookline Booksmith is a little weak. Check out both!

Wellesley Booksmith prides itself on being an independent book dealer that can provide the services that all the major sellers do. The store itself is rather small, but they do have an expansive selection of children books, bestsellers, and titles for young readers. I came here on a Thursday night for a reading and book-​signing by one of my new favorite authors. There were chairs set up in the downstairs area of the shop with a table set up with light refreshments. The event itself wasn’t highly publicized which I found odd, but the space itself was small, so I could understand. A small space made the event much more intimate and we were given the opportunity to ask questions about the book. The event itself was fantastic.
But the staff leaves much to be desired … I came to the event early (with a copy of the book to get signed that I purchased from Barnes and Noble since the price was much cheaper than what Wellesley Books offered). I perused the racks and ended up purchasing some cards and tchotchkes. As I was leaving with my signed book, I showed my receipt to one of the staff working there to ease my conscience as I play-​by-​the rules and that I didn’t swipe the book. I then had to deal with the snide comment and look about purchasing a book from one of the major booksellers. When I first showed up, I stood in line and was ignored before one of the staff asked, «do you have a question?» No, I just like to stand and stare. I can deal without the rude staff and the stuffy atmosphere.
Overall, will I be back? Nope. Although I’d like to support the local independent shops, if they can’t compete with the major sellers such as B&N and Amazon, why should I? Cheaper prices, larger selection, and much better service. Saving a dollar here and there over time adds up.

I called the store looking for a particular Moleskine planner that nearly every bookstore in the Metrowest area was sold out of.
Wellesley Books happened to have ONE left which they held for me and even discounted because the exterior wrapping was a bit worn. I also picked up holiday cards as well while I was there, they have a wonderful selection.
I will most definitely be back!

The place is cliquey. There’s really no denying it. I go there often, because they do have good selection, and they will do special orders.
However, the people are not very friendly to people who are not their friends. I was worried the cashier wouldn’t ring me up today and just keep talking to her (must have been) regular. She didn’t say hello, she just cashed me out and vaguely asked me if I wanted a bag, while the other person kept nattering on about some sob story that she «didn’t like to talk about.»
Sure.
It’s a good place, lots of different books, great used books section. Just don’t expect to make friends if you’re not 50+.
And I’m a local, and a regular. Way to connect with the neighborhood, guys.

Quintessential independent community bookstore. Large selection of best-​sellers and special sections. Knowledgeable, friendly staff – they’re very patient and you’re welcome to sit and read a bit before you buy.

I know it’s all about amazon and yes, I give them a lot of $. But support the local guy too. Great when you actually want to IRL browse. Super nice people. Great place to pick up a gift.

The Wellesley Booksmith is the perfect place to shop for children’s books. I’ve been a fan of the Brookline Booksmith for a few years now, and was eager to check out the Wellesley branch since I heard they have an excellent children’s section and my husband and I are expecting our first child in about 5 weeks. We stopped by today and the store was absolutely wonderful. A very sweet woman showed us around the children’s section and pointed out where the board and picture books were, signed us up for emails, and told us all about the special book signings and readings that the store has.
It makes me so happy that a store like this is only one town over from where I live. I look forward to shopping here for many years to come.

One of my favorite bookstores of all time. It’s small, but the staff has carefully chosen its stock and almost always has what I want (and will happily order what they do not have.) The staff is very helpful and pretty knowledgeable. I am always surprised by how familiar the staff is with their stock and with current literature. They can often tell you right where something will be without even looking it up!
In the back is a nice area for little ones — a small table is surrounded by kids books placed at their level so they can browse and read on their own. There is a bean-​bag like bear to lounge on, too. They have all the popular kids books, and a good selection of educational, non-​fiction stuff for children as well.
Downstairs is an area for used books, where you can find some great deals.
Up front are great gifts and other non-​book items.
Finally, like all Booksmiths, they have lots of events and programs, all of which are listed in a newsletter. When authors come, they have them sign extra books so you can still find an autographed book, even if you missed the event.
The Booksmith is everything your local bookstore should be and more. It is a book store that loves books and the people who read them. So come support your local bookseller! It is not just a store — it is a community.