I second Twenty Stories, and KowKow is right across the street so that’s an inevitable stop. I love Symposium as well because it has a huge bookstore feel due to its unique selection of both new & used finds. It’s always pretty quiet and I’d say the comfiest I’ve been to in prov, if that’s what your wife is looking for

mineinhusdson t1_irgn52o wrote on October 7, 2022 at 11:39 PM

#54,945

Replying to hoeliness_ (#54,823)

Sounds like she’d love it!

[deleted] OP t1_irgpnim wrote on October 8, 2022 at 12:03 AM

#55,059

Replying to Radiant-Walrus-4961 (#54,503)

[deleted]

RJC02134 t1_irgpufs wrote on October 8, 2022 at 12:04 AM

#55,064

Replying to andy83991 (#54,190)

Love them both. A friend is into vinyl, I am into books. We visited symposium and were both happy.

Slow_Hard_Curve t1_irgypp0 wrote on October 8, 2022 at 1:27 AM

#55,417

Not a bookstore, but the Providence Athenaeum is not just one of the best library spaces in Providence, it's one of the best spaces I've been to in the country.

majikpencil t1_irgz8hf wrote on October 8, 2022 at 1:32 AM

#55,439

Cellar Stories and Paper Nautilus

is_missing t1_irgzg6d wrote on October 8, 2022 at 1:34 AM

#55,449

cellar stories for used and twenty stories for new/contemporary!

Mister___K t1_irh7pjh wrote on October 8, 2022 at 2:53 AM

#55,825

Yes to RiffRaff, Books on the Square, Symposium and 20 Stories.

Paper Nautilus does a good selection for second hand books, just be aware as the people who run it are kind of snobby and arrogant, especially if you’re looking for something in particular and they deem it “lowbrow”. You’re best off going to Books on The Square which is nearby and is run by very friendly people.

PVDPoetry t1_irh82ei wrote on October 8, 2022 at 2:57 AM

#55,838

Heartleaf in Federal Hill just opened.

https://heartleafbooks.com/home

Stella430 t1_irhefgv wrote on October 8, 2022 at 4:06 AM

#56,143

Not in Providence but An Unlikely Story is a really cool little bookstore. If you’re kids ever read the Diary of Wimpy Kid books, the author owns this store. They have all genres, not just kids and a really good little cafe

AltruisticBowl4 t1_irhkuxl wrote on October 8, 2022 at 5:27 AM

#56,380

Cellar Stories!!!!! Truly an unsung favorite—my favorite used bookstore of all time. I have been dozens of times and never left without buying something. It's full of interesting nooks and crannies and has books on literally every subject. Some good spots for sitting too.

mineinhusdson t1_irhlkcf wrote on October 8, 2022 at 5:37 AM

#56,412

Replying to AltruisticBowl4 (#56,380)

That sounds amazing!! I think a bookstore HAS TO have cool places to sit to make it great

mineinhusdson t1_irhmiey wrote on October 8, 2022 at 5:50 AM

#56,451

Replying to Stella430 (#56,143)

Does the owner actually work there?

mineinhusdson t1_irhmphx wrote on October 8, 2022 at 5:53 AM

#56,460

Replying to PVDPoetry (#55,838)

Their site looks amazing! Thank you!

mineinhusdson t1_irhms3e wrote on October 8, 2022 at 5:54 AM

#56,461

Replying to PVDPoetry (#55,838)

There may be hope for this world if a brick and mortar bookstore can actually open in this digital world.

mineinhusdson t1_irhmwuq wrote on October 8, 2022 at 5:56 AM

#56,471

Replying to Mister___K (#55,825)

Books on the Square sounds much more her speed. Thank you!

Stella430 t1_iri0i7t wrote on October 8, 2022 at 9:32 AM

#56,858

Replying to mineinhusdson (#56,451)

I know he does signings/events. Don’t know if he does any “behind the scenes” work. The store also just has a really cool vibe and the fact that he owns it is secondary.