Bookshop Love from Boston
After writing to you from Bermuda last week and reliving my favorite vacay moments by sharing a whole week of reels on my Instagram page, I’m on the road again this morning. Coming to you from Boston today where I’m celebrating a big birthday milestone for my littlest kiddo. And since I’m a lady who doesn’t find herself in big cities very often (but has oddly found herself in Boston three times over the past year), I’m swooning over the gorgeous bookshops that have stolen my heart each time I’ve visited and wanted to share them with you today. Here are my favorite Boston bookshops (and why I love them so much) ⤵
#1 ~ Posman Books
It’s a tiny shop with a beautifully curated book selection that made me feel like they knew I was on my way there. And while I’m normally not a book table or knick-knack kind of shopper, the book tables in this shop are drool-worthy and the knick-knacks are the cutest I’ve ever seen. Posman Books is my favorite bookshop in Boston by far.
(photo from Posman Books)
#2 ~ Beacon Hill Books
With perfectly appointed built-ins and furniture, tiny spiral staircases, and even a working toy train in the kids’ room, it’s the swankiest bookshop I’ve ever been in. And although my insecurities make me want to apologize for disturbing the book displays every time I remove one from the shelf (I actually did apologize during my first visit), Beacon Hill Books is booklover heaven and 100% a must-visit spot.
(photo from Beacon Hill Books)
#3 ~ Trident Booksellers
It’s the biggest and busiest of my favorite Boston bookshops, and although the hustle and bustle can be challenging for bookish introvert types, I love this place. Trident Booksellers is the kind of ideal third place we need in all our towns, if you ask me (which is probably why they have such a beautiful third place tribute on their website).
I’ve found so much joy in these bookshops this week. And as so often happens whenever I visit local bookshops (especially the local independent ones) with so many bookish people milling about and so many great ideas floating in the air, I get inspired. Here are a few inspirations floating around in my heart this morning ⤵
#1 ~ Gratitude changes everything.
I’ve been thinking about the power of gratitude a lot since recommitting to my daily gratitude practice this year. Usually I hit a wall of anxiety in February. Usually Februarys are extra difficult in all sorts of ways (not to mention because tax season is just around the bend). But after starting the past 54 mornings with this thought: “I can write down something I’m grateful for, at least something ~ if I can’t, then I’ve got an attitude problem” and then watching myself write pages and pages of things that come to mind day after day after day, this February seems a lot lighter. I realize gratitude doesn’t solve all problems and this concept goes much deeper than writing down things in a list, so I’m gathering thoughts and wisdom from other places about this. Stay tuned for more in the coming months. . .
#2 ~ Taking the pressure off is essential.
A friend shared this thought in her email group earlier this month, and it’s really sticking with me. It makes me wonder why in the world we’re always putting so much pressure on ourselves anyway. Why does everything have to be so serious? Why does every moment of every day have to be so darn productive and why do we think it matters that we’re perfect in every way all the time? While there’s certainly something to be said about responsibility, consideration for others, and professionalism (for those of us who are serving the world in professional capacities right now), there’s also something to be said for recognizing our humanity and the humanity of the people in our world and hitting the pressure release valve. Personally, I’ve found a million times more joy in my work life this year since leaning out of pressure and into humanity. More on this later too. . .
#3 ~ Spring is gonna be springing in no time!
I can tell spring is coming because my ebike has started calling to me from her dusty garage corner, my hiking boots have let me know they’re sick of ice tracks and ready for mud puddles, & registration is FINALLY opening this week for the May 10-13 women’s retreat I’m hosting at Acadia and Bar Harbor. I’m SO EXCITED—and I’d love for you to be there! If you’d like to have the details in your inbox as soon as those slots open, pop your email address into our waiting list here and you’ll hear from me this week! If it’s anything like last year’s retreat, it will be a weekend we’ll never forget.
Wherever you are this morning and whatever’s on your heart, I hope this message sends a shot of hope, inspiration, and encouragement into your life (& if you need a little extra, I hope you can get yourself into your local indie bookshop and find it waiting there for you).
All the love, gratitude, and books for you, my dear.
