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June 2024 by Eugene Slaven
I am ambivalent about giving a negative review to one of the few remaining book stores, and one that's generally well managed and organized at that. However, the non fiction section--particulalry History and Politics--is so unbalanced that I think a review is warranted.Virtually every book on every shelf depicts the U.S. and its political order through a hard left lens. The usual buzzwords, "racism", "injustice", "inequality", etc., pervade the entire non fiction collection. Books by Tim Alberta, Rachel Maddow, and of course, Ibram Kendi, are given the most prominent placement, while mainstream authors appear to be entirely excluded (I say "apparently" because it's possible I may have missed one buried in the corner of a lower shelf).Anyone interested in a non-sensationalist, dispassionate history of the U.S. would be hard pressed to find anything remotely resembling objectivity; every book is ideological.It's unfortunate that the owner/manager chose this route. Perhaps the choice reflects their own political views or maybe they think customers aren't interested in books by mainstream historians like David McCullough and Gordon Wood or right-of-center political analysis.Whatever the reason, the glaring omission of non-neo Marxist non fiction is a black mark against an otherwise excellent bookstore.
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May 2024 by Meredith Gao
I LOVE that we have such bookstore in our town, it’s really amazing. When I couldn’t find my book in store you can always pay first and they will order for you , once your item been filled you will get notification to go pick it up, it’s super convenient. I highly recommend this bookstore. Such wonderful store
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April 2024 by Karoline Alicea
Great book offerings.
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April 2024 by Alan Kirk
Great service at Belmont! I ordered a book to be mailed as a gift, and hoped they would include a note with it. They not only did this, but they also offered to wrap it! Thank you, Belmont Books!
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March 2024 by Kathleen Morris
An interesting store. It is very beautiful, local, and well thought out for a particular set of readers. For looks and comfort competes with Beacon Books in Boston. The cafe is grand. Well, if you are not diabetic, that is. But this is Belmont, not to many overweight people here. So that’s OK.But the book selection is narrow. The audience is educated, liberal women.Not much real world enters here. But if that’s what you want, this place is for you. And it does this very well.I almost never see men in here. I never see ratty shoes that have been in use for extra year or so.But, why would I, of all people, write a review like this for a badly needed local store? Today’s quote is a Martin Luther King quote. It is one of the quotes that implies that peace will never be possible. That there will always be bad guys and the bad guys are white. And you know something, every single customer is a wealthy white, upper class, expensively dressed, woman. All of them. Even I feel uncomfortable here (I’m not from Belmont). I cannot imagine the local metco students shopping here. I certainly do not expect to see any of Belmont’s many cleaning ladies here.
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February 2024 by Emily Keith
I love their system for pre-paid pick-ups on books in their outdoor lobby area.
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November 2023 by Marsha Neuendorf
Such a great bookstore. Great atmosphere and staff. Can sit in there read a book and have a coffee. It's beautiful little store.
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November 2023 by BELVIDERE SCULLY GROUP & AFFILIATES
Great experience every time...
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October 2023 by Lily Shannon
lovely little bookstore and cafe! i had the french toast bagel which was so tasty. I really enjoyed the staff picks book section because sometimes its just hard to know what to read. will definitely be on my list if im in the area again
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August 2023 by Steve T
Remember local bookstores? You won’t forget this family-owned gem right in Belmont Center. They have a great selection, can quickly order you anything they don’t, and have a cafe as well. Check it out to be reminded what book browsing was like before Amazon.
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August 2023 by Karen H.
A beautiful store with great selection! It still was requiring masks last time I was in.
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August 2023 by David Silvia
Great selection of books.
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August 2023 by Anastasia Polina
This is wonderful. A great place to work, do homework, or read books for hours on end. The cafe is great, I especially suggest the hot chocolate. Belmont Books has a great variety of not only books, but also journals and a nice little reading spot upstairs near the staircase. This is a great place for books gifts, especially for young children. It's a wonderful bookstore, and I absolutely suggest going to it to buy books or even just to browse.
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June 2023 by Sarah Montague
My favorite local independent book store. Support independent bookstores. Good curation if books and you support your local community.
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May 2023 by James Watanabe
My daughter and I love coming here. It’s her happy place.
