Books On the Square

Books on the Square is a good, solid local bookstore with a large variety of books. Everything is clean, organized, and easy to navigate. It’s less so the «floor to ceiling of books» kind of store and more the casual, easy to browse bookstore where you can quickly find something interesting. The selection seems to lean more heavily on novels/​fiction rather than non-​fiction, but they still don’t slack in that department.
Most of the books are new books, but there’s a few racks of used books you can pick through for some winners.
They also have gifts, notebooks, and stationery available, which is convenient if you’re gift shopping.
Everyone is really nice too. Definitely my go-​to for newer books in Providence!

Love this place. Reminds me of the library I grew up with. It’s clean, comfortable and not ultra creepy quiet or mega super loud. It’s just an awesome place okay. I wish I could work here and just browse books all day.
Also — I’m so glad we have author events here — thanks Books On The Square :)

A true local gem. With the convenience of online shopping bombarding our sensibilities, it is wonderful to have the simple, quaint neighborhood bookstore. Whether one goes there to browse, listen to a visiting author, or participate in a stimulating book club discussion, I will always support the independent book store. Books On The Square offers all of these experiences. The bookstore is small yet cozy. Not large and impersonal like Barnes and Noble. I will continue to support this bookstore visa a vis buying from Amazon (which has atrocious labor practices) or any virtual bookstore. I’d rather go back to basics, do my homework by first researching on authors and titles, and buy a book if I feel it’s worth reading.
Additional pluses: good location, free parking in the back, nice card selection, cell-​phone free policy, and supportive of LGBT writers. Staff is friendly as well.
Keep up the good work!

Introducing my kids to a life less digital.
I’m torn when it comes to Amazon. I hate that they are destroying the local shopping experience, yet I love that I can order windshield wipers, cereal and a school supplies for my kids in two clicks at 9pm and get them delivered next day.
Why am I saying this on the review for a local bookstore?
Because you should support your local bookstore. While groceries, auto parts & office supplies are all now pretty much exclusively available through huge chains, there are still a few good locally owned bookstores.
I recently moved to this part of town and over the summer took my kids on a walk to their local bookstore. They loved it, I loved it and now every couple of months we are back.
The staff and knowledgeable and friendly and help all my kids — ages 9,12,15,17 — (yes, I’m a busy guy) all get a book that they love.
Really, go in buy a book, you can consider it atonement for your last 50 Amazon purchases.

I love this bookstore. My last two visits had me asking for recommendations for my sisters who I’m not quite sure what they read but had a couple clues. Was pointed in the right direction each time, with very little to go on. Staff are great here, always helpful and informative. Great selections in kids books– where I am spending most of my time these days. I look over new novels but as a new mom I know I’m not going to be reading them anytime soon, but board books and picture books I’m all over! Great local bookstore, well worth your support over the holidays and all the time! Go enjoy, read some of those books in neglecting right now. Tell me about the good ones when you are done!

We’re so lucky the few good book stores of the world are still surviving if not thriving after the digital has taken over their terrain. This is one of those great little stores. Not big, but bigger than it seems from the outside. The selection of books has always been well curated. They often have readings for children. Also, as a useful tip, there is parking available at the lot in back, which is good to know because parking in Wayland Square can be a headache and a half.

This is a pretty neat little neighborhood bookstore right on the east side of Providence. I remember the day when I was younger when I would be able to go into a store like this or even bigger and just enjoy the smell of new books. Oh, that was just me, you say?
While street parking is a little difficult being located next to a busy shopping area, this little bookstore has most of the books that you would probably be looking for with your typical sections broken down by book types. They have a decently large children’s section which is probably their largest seller and they also have a section completely devoted to Rhode Island/​New England area.
I believe they also manage to get quite a few authors to come by and do book readings here as sometimes I walk in and there is someone surrounded by a large crowd of people.
Anyways, this is a cute little bookstore that I like to stop by at times just to breath in that new book smell.

Alright. so reading through some other reviews makes me second guess myself with the two star rating. But I will say that the times I have been in this store, the Gentlemen that work there have been quite the opposite of friendly and or knowledgeable. Terse, rude, one word answers (whose questions clearly demanded more). Patronizing, jerks, that’s what I would call both of the guys that I have seen in there. The store itself is great, nice selection, good organization. The customer service, however, really needs to be improved. I like bookstores, I like spending time in bookstores, which usually leads to me spending money in said bookstores. I can’t say that I won’t go back because it is within walking distance to where I live, but, I can possibly say that without some customer service genie wacking these to guys over the head with some manners, or something, I can say that my time there will not be enjoyable. Makes me sad as I really do enjoy a great afternoon just perusing the shelves.

I should only bring cash when I come here because when I have my credit card with me, I spend too much money. Why is that? Because somehow they know exactly what I need that I didn’t know I needed — and they leave me to wander and browse and kneel and sit to my heart’s content — yet when I ask for help, the staff has great suggestions and can answer any question. The used book selection is small but the books are in excellent condition. The children’s section has fantastic variety for all ages of children. The bestsellers are here but so are the bit more obscure titles that you really should peruse because this bookstore buyer knows what she’s doing. Besides the books, you’ll find stationery and oddball little gifts and items that are just plain fun. This is probably one of my favorite spots to visit… I cannot wait until my grandson is old enough to realize that Nana will take him here anytime he wants and always buy him a book.

Great items for kids and adults. More than just great books.
A smaller bookstore that has a lot to offer. They have things well organized and for some reason, whenever they have a featured book or books with a featured subject matter, I am interested. I am sure it’s just the power of suggestion right? Whatever it is, it works, because I have bought something from these displays in the several times i have been here.
There is a kids section towards the back of the store — GREAT gift buying ideas and a great way to keep the next generation interested in books and reading. My friend’s daughter was delighted and it was hard to get her to leave.
I have enjoyed buying the little toys and gadgets. Harmonica’s, Kazoos and Wooden Flutes! Yes! and I love the stationary options, single cards, blank stationary made from local artists. So much to look at, hence the multiple visits.
In my most recent visit, they offered gift wrapping service, which was nice, didn’t need it, but good to know it could have been an option. I like the «no cell phone» policy because it is a small store, anyone on a cell phone would be a huge distraction. The staff moves quickly and efficiently. Not award winning friendly customer service, but they are quick, which prevents bottle necks in the center of the store.
I definitely try to stop every time I am in the neighborhood.

This is my go to place for birthday gifts. Really, kids these days have way too many toys, but there is no way to have too many books! Books on the Square has a great kids book section. From children’s poetry, to the classic Velveteen Rabbit and Madeline, to the newest Caldecott award winners… they are well stocked. Oh, and let’s not forget about their large selection of game books, sticker books and «Klutz» activity books! On the occasion I could not find what I was looking for the sales people are more than happy to special order what I needed. The staff there is always pleasant, polite and very helpful.
These are the days that small bookstores are disappearing. Yeah, I could very easily order what I wanted from that behemoth website that carries all these books much cheaper. But there is something very heartwarming about going into your neighbourhood bookstore, flipping through the tangible pages and checking out some of the wonderful illustrations prior to picking out that special gift.

It’s increasingly difficult to find a great local bookstore that not only has a wide selection of books but also a knowledgeable and helpful staff.
I recently went in to look for a book on fairytales, not the Disney variety, something a bit more interesting and educational. They had an incredible selection of the classics for a variety of reading levels, and they also had selections of fairytales from around the world. The gentleman in the store was very helpful, and even recommended a cd from a local storyteller.
They are always incredibly helpful at finding exactly what you’re looking for, and also for suggesting other products that also would fit your interests.

I love a local bookstore and not being forced to mail order or go to the massive box store. I recently discovered the small used book section (really a couple of tables). I like being able to order online and pick the book up in store. I often agree with some of the «Staff’s Pick» book choices.
I have discovered many books that I would not otherwise from the shelves at this store. You are welcome to browse and peruse as long as you would like. You are not hounded to purchase quickly and leave.
They also host author events/​signing (sorry that I missed the recent one with Anne Hood), as well as lead a variety of book clubs. The local neighborhood watch group meets there — which tells me that Books on the Square acts like one of your favorite neighbors.

I really like Books on the Square, it’s a relaxing book store & they have a lot of neat other objects — like for gifts or for adding onto a gift. Staff is super nice & they even have wrapping supplies for gifts. I’m so glad there’s a place to buy books outside of the Brown Bookstore &
in PVD.

This is my favorite bookstore, ever. Like, ever.
This place is what every bookstore wishes it was: perfectly organized, helpful staff, cozy atmosphere, and an enduring business model. They have been around since I was a little kid, and since graduating from the children’s section (a whimsical and adorable spot for kids… highly recommended!) to the adult section, I have been just as content. They have every book you could want, and if they don’t they will order it for you and it arrives in no time.
It is a total joy to frequent this bookstore. The staff is great to chat with, and the atmosphere is perfection. Also… SHOP LOCAL!

This place is an utter joy, and I’m writing this review to spread the word about how lovely it is.
If you ever frequent the Wayland Square area, you’ve probably perused their used books on the sidewalk – GO INSIDE and drop some cash. This is exactly the type of small business people need to patronize. They have many of the offerings of the larger box stores, but the service is bend-​over-​backwards accomodating. They will find and search and recommend and talk shop with customers as long as necessary.
Take your kids – there are great selections for young readers (and cool toys, as well). Take your dogs – its pup-​friendly,.
Also, free (and well done) gift wrapping during the holidays!

This is one of the loveliest, most well-​curated and interesting bookstores I’ve been to in quite a while. Heavy on novels and travel books, they also carry a great selection of stationery and journals.
I picked up a lovely Moleskin flip-​top notebook, which I haven’t seen before and am extremely excited about. I was also able to find a great Mother’s Day card for the momma in my life.
Proces are reasonable, and the staff is super-​friendly and helpful. They seemed to have a very comfortable banter with the regulars that were milling about the shop, which was charming. Hooray for locally-​owned bookstores!

Love the atmosphere and the staff. Great children’s section.

I had an excellent experience at Books on the Square. I had been passing this bookstore for months, but always seemed to walk on by for whatever reason. I finally stepped in today, and boy was I glad that I did. I was super impressed with their selection. For a pretty small place they had a great collection of books of all varieties. Not only did they have the usual best sellers, but also a nice selection of more obscure titles. This includes the one that I picked up, which I was surprised to see waiting for me beneath the New England travel section (nabbing the last copy, if there had been more than one in the first place).
I admit that I agree with the one and two star people that they are not overly enthusiastic in their customer service approach (as in no, hello!, what can I help you with today?), but I actually appreciate this in the local bookstores. I am wondering if those reviewers tend to frequent the big box stores who generally have a hundred rules of customer service etiquette that they have to abide by. I prefer the stores that let me be until I have a question or am ready to check out. The service was more than friendly and appreciative when I finally made my purchase.
I was very happy with my visit today and due to it’s selection, location, and overall cool vibe, will most likely frequent Books on the Square for all of my future literary needs.

I’ll have to be honest with you. My experience at Books on the Square was much different than a couple of one-​star comments on this cute bookstore. While I’m not yet prepared to give it five stars — I’ve only been there once, after all — I am confident in saying that this is a wonderful and adorable independently owned bookstore. I will be returning for all my future purchases.
Immediately when you walk into the store you see a wall full of top-​sellers for fictions and non-​fiction, hardcover and paperback. I stopped into the store on a Saturday morning to pick up the second novel in Stieg Larsson’s series, and the store was fully equipped with a full selection of the series. It was easy to find what I was looking for, and it was easy to browse through the other genres and feel satisfied with the overall library of books.
There were also some really nice greeting cards, which was perfect since I had to pick one up for a wedding. (The ones in CVS were so incredibly tacky. It’s too bad there is no humor in wedding cards. The wedding I went to was for two people who have already been married and divorced. A card that said, «Better luck this time» would have been ideal, but alas, my humor is not the same as those who are paid to write the cards. I digress.) I was able to find a lot of adorable cards that were overly sentimental and cheesy, and finally settled on one that was pretty, simple and sweet without making me vomit.
The next thing I was impressed with was the children’s section. I love children’s literature (it’s our first exposure to books, after all) and I get really upset when there isn’t a decent section for children’s books in a store. I found this one to be nice. It wasn’t huge, but it was organized and it offered a lot of our favorites and then some independent, local authors.
Long story short (too late!) I highly recommend this bookstore. Why go to Border’s when you have a wonderful option right in your backyard? Take a look and check it out. You’ll be glad you did :)