Raven Used Books

10/08/2007 Posted by petermarshal

I have been impressed with Raven's colleciton since they opened 2 years ago. Not only do they have the best collection of scholarly books, but they also stock great Art, Architecture and Fiction used books as well. As other reviewers have said, the shop is on the small side. But the very density of really good books here makes the shop seem so much larger. It usually takes me about an hour to get through the philosophy section and I usually buy at least 8 books on any visit. Further, they tend to price their books cheaper than other used bookstores in the area. Most of their stock seems to fall in the 50 to 80% off the cover price range. Definitely my favorite shop in New England.

Pros: friendy, knoweldgable staff. Books are amazing. Prices reasonable

04/24/2007 Posted by johnbauman64

With the addition of Raven used books into Harvard Square, i go to Cambridge a lot more often now. The shop stocks a surprising number of exciting used books. Though a bit smaller than other shops in the Boston area, I find more books there than all the other shops I go to combined. It is really "dense" with good books. Their tag line is the they "specialize in scholarly used books", but i go mainly for their amazing Art book and fiction sections. Like some of the other reviews, I also find it very pleasant to shop there as well. They have really nice people who work there and the manager is very knowledgeable about books and what he has on the shelves. Oh yea, one more thing.....the prices are very fair. Most of the books appear to be better than half off the cover price. I recently got an Art History book that was $40 new for $9.00. Anyway, i totally recommend this place.

Pros: friendly, knowledgable staff, prices, location, quality of books

Cons: parking sometimes tough

11/04/2006 Posted by jenmorrison75

Recently moved here from new york and am so very pleased to have found Raven Used books in Harvard Square. As a book junkie, the first thing i did upon moving in was to check out all the shops in the boston area. Raven is my favorite, not only because it has really well selected books, but also because their prices are better than most other used bookstores and they have friendly staff as well. These things are all to uncommon these days as most used bookstores have alot of stuff that no one wants or too many books to reasonably look through. Anyway, It is simply a pleasure to shop there.

Pros: friendly staff, great prices, unbelievably good selection

07/29/2006 Posted by rbb1787

I'm a historian and used book dealer, and on both sets of standards I was delighted with Raven Used Books. The staff is courteous and knowledgeable, the stock is amazingly thorough and well-presented, the condition of books offered for sale is uniformly high, and the store's space is cozy without being oppressive. I went to law school here, and this is my first visit in over 20 years. I was deeply saddened to discover that all of the used book stores I used to remember are gone, but Raven is a sign of hope. It's a wonderful store, easily among the best I have ever visited anywhere, and I plan to go back again before I have to leave for home tomorrow morning.

Pros: selection, service, atmosphere

Cons: none

05/04/2006 Posted by robertayer

I really like Raven Used Books. They have really good books and great prices. Atmosphere in the shop is pleasant and employees are extremely helpful. I cannot think of another shop in boston that has a good a selection for academic used books as the Raven. Though smaller in size than other shops, the books are well selected so they have no junk on the shelves. Most books are recently published (alot of brand new releases and books published in last 5 years). The turn over is amazing as every week that i go in there are lots of new stuff on the shelves. I just pray that they can survive the high harvard square rents.

Pros: book quality, prices, friendly atmosphere

04/24/2006 Posted by ricksanchez33

Though i live in cambridge and have heard from others that the Raven has really good used books, i cant believe it took me months to actually go. I was surprised at how good the selection was given that the shop is not large. book for Book, no other shop in boston compares and their prices are better than other used book stores. The stock seems to move in and out pretty quickly as I have been there three times now and keep finding new books I want. but the shop wont be for everyone. It tends to be much more scholarly than others -- though has alot of art books and good fiction.

Pros: selection, price, customer service

12/26/2005 Posted by rduncanjr

Just discovered Raven used books and was very pleased. Though not a large shop, they have a great selection of books and good prices. Leaning toward the scholarly, they also have large sections for architecture and art books. I really like that they dont have boring books on their shelves -- making brousing a lot more enjoyable. Most books priced better than the standard 50% off (alot of their books range from 50% to 70% off the cover price). Also, the two people i have dealt with there were both very helpful and friendly. Robert.

Pros: atmosphere, selection

Cons: parking

11/01/2005 Posted by jamielaw

Over the past few years, many shops in harvard square were forced to move due to the extraordinarily high rents. With that in mind, it is exciting to see a used bookstore open in harvard square.....and not just any used bookstore, but one that has unbelievable great books. They have tremendously good sections in history, political theory, philosophy, photography, architecture, art theory and history and also stock good selection of legal theory, economics, social theory, cultural studies, literature, poetry, religion and more. Definitely worth checking out for high quality scholarly used books at great prices.

Pros: location, good prices, great selection

10/26/2005 Posted by robinyounger

In the past, I made it a prioity to visit Raven Used Books in Amherst and Northampton. I was very excited to learn that they opened in Harvard Square. The store stocks some 13,000 used books in excellent condition and price. As opposed to other shops, the Raven seems to only have good books on the shelves. No boring or slow selling titles here. Atmosphere is pleasant. Great to have another excellent shop in the Square -- particularly an independent one!

Pros: well-selected books, prices very good, location

10/24/2005 Posted by silvie2

Great little shop! Great selection of academic and general used books. Very good prices.

Pros: good titles, good prices