Hummingbird books

by nina fauci

Located inside a swanky, modern outdoor shopping plaza in Chestnut Hill, Hummingbird Books is the (woman-owned!) destination of any book lover's dream: thoughtfully curated displays, unique events and initiatives, and of course, the Great Oak Tree.

You know those moments when you're driving through the rain, windshield wipers keeping time with whatever's on the radio, hoping the destination will be worth the traffic-filled journey? That was me last Friday night, in my mom’s Subaru with my younger sister, Maya, on our way to begin our girl’s night out. As we drove, I watched sheets of rain turn Boylston Street into a blur of headlights and reflections. Though sometimes, the universe has a way of making even the most frustrating commute worth it.

Hummingbird Books appeared like a beacon of light in the darkness – literally. The warm glow from its windows spilled onto the wet sidewalk, and I swear my heart skipped when we finally pushed through those doors. Some places just feel right from the moment you step inside, and this was one of those places.

The first thing that hits you isn't just the books–it's this incredible Great Oak Tree installation that's the heart and soul of the store. Picture this: a massive, realistic, artfully crafted tree that seems to grow right through the center of the space, its branches creating these perfect little reading nooks underneath. There were kids sprawled out on cushions, completely lost in their stories, and honestly, I really wanted to join them.

The store itself opened in 2022, and it has a pretty cool backstory. Wendy Dodson, a Boston native and previous Boston bookstore owner, decided to bring her magic back home after running the legendary Valley Bookstore in Jackson Hole for what felt like forever, with 80+ years of family history there. But she didn't do it alone. She partnered with two local powerhouses, Andrea Chiang and Rachel Walerius, creating this all-female dream team that is actively redefining what a neighborhood bookstore can be.

Let's talk about the books themselves because the curation here is something else entirely. You know how some bookstores feel like they're just trying to push whatever's trending on BookTok? Not here. Don't get me wrong, they have the bestsellers, but they're thoughtfully placed alongside hidden gems and classics that make you want to cancel all your plans and just read for the next month straight. Their displays are like little works of art, and I kept finding myself taking photos of book arrangements for inspiration of how I can recreate my own aesthetic reading corner in my apartment next semester.

On this particular rainy night inside the bookstore, I was torn between a reading journal and a Maya Angelou writer’s journal. I ended up walking out with the Maya Angelou journal that was calling my name from the moment I saw it, not only because she’s one of my favorite authors, but because she is who my parents named my sister after. There was something about the combination of the rain pattering against the windows, the soft lighting, and the quiet murmur of families browsing together that made it feel like the perfect purchase.

What really made me fall head over heels for Hummingbird Books is their strong stance on banned books. Today, we live in a time in which book banning is becoming disturbingly common, but Hummingbird Books isn't just talking the talk. They're actively supporting readers in Beaufort County, South Carolina, where an astounding 97 books are currently being challenged. They're partnering with Families Against Banned Books and Lowcountry Pride to get books into the hands of people who need them. Their motto, "Books unite us, and censorship divides us," isn't just a catchy slogan; it's an exclamation of reader equality and rebellion against censorship.

Hummingbird hosts weekly storytimes every Sunday at 11 am, and they have something called Silent Write Night on the second Monday of each month that sounds absolutely dreamy. Just imagine a bunch of writers sitting together in comfortable silence, creating their own worlds on paper. They've also got author talks coming up in March and April, and their book club (which they run with JCC Greater Boston) seems like the perfect excuse to finally make some bookish friends.

For all my fellow book hoarders out there, they have this rewards program that's basically enabling my addiction in the best way possible. Spend $300 (which, let's be honest, is way too easy to do in a place like this), and you get a $20 voucher. They also offer monthly book subscriptions where they'll send you curated new releases in your favorite genre, like having a really well-read friend picking out books just for you.

If you're thinking of visiting Hummingbird (which you absolutely should), they're open Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. You'll find them at The Street Chestnut Hill, 55 Boylston Street, Suite 5510. I was only able to get here because my mom drove me, but if you’re really eager to visit, an Uber ride should only be about fifteen minutes. Some places are worth obstacles like a little rain and frustration to reach.

In a world that feels increasingly digital and disconnected, Hummingbird Books is a reminder of what we're missing when we limit our reading to screens and algorithms. It's not just about the books, even though their selection is incredible – it's about the magic that happens when you create a space where stories and community intersect. It's about believing, as they do, that "if everyone was a reader, the world would be a better place."

And you know what? After spending an evening there, I'm pretty sure they're right.

As the three of us made our way out of the store and to the Showcase Cinema for dinner and the new Mufasa movie, I snapped a picture of the storefront and took a moment to look back before I left. There was something about the way the light spilled out onto the wet pavement that made it look like the whole place was glowing with its own kind of magic.

A Literary Life Official Bookshop Rating Scale

Title Selection: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Atmosphere: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Location: 🌟🌟

Prices (rated by a broke 21-year-old college student): 🌟🌟🌟

Revisit?: When I have access to a car and/or enough money for an Uber, YES!!