On the Road – Books, Food, Antiques & More!

By Arts & Culture Editor Joan Kirschner

I cheerfully admit to collecting a LOT of books over the years, despite donating cartons-full to libraries and organizations, but now, almost always, when I am enticed by new books, I “shop” my town library. Every visit turns up more tempting titles. It never ends, but that’s a good thing!

Despite my best intentions, I can’t resist a library sale or browsing used bookstores for exceptional values and rare finds.

Massachusetts

In early June we hit the Harvard Book Store Warehouse Sale in Needham. My fellow shoppers seemed energized by the Motown music (though everyone’s arms were too full of books for much dancing), and I left happy with my modest haul of new and used books. You’ll want to pencil in a reminder to watch for upcoming sales, and their remarkable line up of programs, both free and ticketed, in Boston and Cambridge. After our mini spree, sustenance was required, and Bettina’s Bakery in nearby Newton Upper Falls was a delicious find.

Other Massachusetts favorites for used books: the Brookline Booksmith basement and More Than Words, a non-profit organization that trains at-risk youth to work in and run a business. Two locations: Waltham and the main store in Boston’s South End.

Rhode Island and Connecticut

On another June excursion we headed to Providence, first stopping at Seven Stars Bakery. It has several branches, but in Mt. Hope there’s a lovely, shaded patio. Check out the cluster of unique shops on Hope Street for clothing, home décor, gifts, toys, and gourmet kitchenware. Providence is compact, so the Wayland Square neighborhood is not far away – Green Ink boutique, with regular and plus sizes, is eclectic and artsy.

Afterwards it was Westward Ho! to Connecticut for used bookstores and other attractions.

The Niantic Book Barn (shown in the main photo) has three locations in and around that waterfront town. I loved the cookbook selection in the Downtown store, where I found a long-coveted title on mushroom dishes. The real action, however, is at the sprawling indoor-outdoor “Main Barn”, which could occupy a dedicated book hunter for days. The great bargains here include a huge assortment of titles for just $1.00 each.

For a possible side excursion, the Florence Griswold Museum, which focuses on American Impressionism, is just east of Niantic in Old Lyme. The museum is one of the key attractions on the Connecticut Art Trail, which could in itself encompass several day trips, or a weekend expedition.

Our final stop of the day was Traveler Food and Books in Union, Connecticut. This quirky place serves good quality diner food in a dining room that looks and feels like the 1960s –but with books, some free and some for sale. We got there early, but by 6:00 PM, it was unexpectedly full.

For an alternative day of antiquing, browsing and country lunching, head west on Route 44 from Providence and check out the shops clustered near Greenville and Glocester (yes, that’s the spelling). Crossing into Connecticut, tour Victorian Roseland Cottage near Woodstock, and shop Logee’s in Danielson for an eye-popping array of unique indoor and outdoor plants. Route 6 east will take you back to Providence. Wrap up the day with dinner at an Italian restaurant in Federal Hill before heading back.

I cannot mention Providence without touching on the prolific writer Ann Hood, a Rhode Island native. Her latest novel, The Stolen Child, is one of her best. Like most of her work, Providence and Rhode Island figure prominently, though much of it takes place in Italy – and who wouldn’t want to go there?

Joan Kirschner is a Boston area writer/blogger who reviews books, museum exhibitions, theater, film, music, and travel experiences. Her commentary previously appeared on SonsiWoman.com, UllaPopken.com, WomenofGloucesterCounty.com, Trazzler.com, and IndieReader.com. She attributes a lifelong love of reading and cultural events to parents who encouraged her interests early on. Joan began as a retail and mail order catalog copywriter when typewriters, carbon paper, X-Acto knives, and hot glue were found in advertising offices everywhere. She advanced through the ranks and changes in technology, eventually taking on corporate communications, social media, and digital advertising and promotion. She managed and mentored younger writers, acquired skills in art direction, and had responsibility for print and digital communications reaching millions of customers. Surrounded by the babble of languages in Manhattan and Brooklyn and sympathizing with the challenges of non-English speakers, she earned a certificate in the Teaching of English as Second Language (TESOL) and began teaching and tutoring adults and college students. Joan now works part-time in grants administration, freelances occasionally, and covers books and the arts at No Shortage of Words.