papercuts bookshop

by nina fauci

Sitting proudly in the heart of Jamaica Plain is a bright, inviting bookshop that beckons bookworms and wanderers across the city with its labyrinthine floor plan and handwritten summaries of books on neon paper cards. Papercuts Bookshop, a women-owned, independent bookstore, has made its name as an award-winning treasure trove of knowledge and adventure, and stepping into this unique establishment is truly a transcendent experience.

I walked to the Chinatown station with service toward Forest Hills and embarked on my journey to Papercuts Bookshop. After a 25-minute ride on the Orange Line to Forest Hills, I got off the train and walked for ten minutes down the street until I arrived. The green and purple building stood out vividly against the overcast sky above me and the sidewalk’s concrete. When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by tall, vertical shelves filled with books. I perused the sections, ranging from fiction to non-fiction, to poetry and mystery books. The staff curates a selection that caters to every imaginable hybrid taste in literature. Carefully analyzing each spine, it seemed as though the books were handpicked by every person in Boston, embodying the city’s diverse spirit. 

Owner Kate Layte opened the doors of Papercuts in 2014, embarking on a mission to foster a vibrant literary community in Jamaica Plain. Her passion for books and dedication to the art of storytelling is communicated through the atmosphere’s warm, ambient stage lights illuminating display tables in windows, where each one is so full of books that a maze of them leaves a clear path toward more shelves deeper into the store.

Before the pandemic, Papercuts Bookshop hosted incredible authors like Morgan Parker, Min Jin Lee, Lindy West, Celeste Ng, Eve Ewing, Paul Tremblay, and Michelle Tea. The team behind the store published The Papercuts Anthology to commemorate their first year hosting author events, including short pieces by authors who visited them. Since then, they have published three more books under their house imprint, Cutlass Press. The second volume of The Papercuts Anthology is currently in the works.

It isn’t just the books that make Papercuts such a hit. It has a warm, inviting ambiance and a sweet-natured puppy, Sammy, who roams about, pausing now and then to accept a pat or ear scratch from customers. It was easy to get drawn into one of the shop’s several cozy nooks and lose track of time  browsing the shelves, immersing myself in a book that caught my attention, or checking out some of the one-of-a-kind gift items displayed artfully around the store. I stumbled upon a small basket with a cardboard sign that read “Blind Date w/ A Book! $5” and it instantly grabbed my attention. I began sorting through the books, each wrapped in gift paper with a description of what each book was about in three keywords or short phrases. I ended up choosing a book with the following description: “adult, nonfiction, memoir, overcoming social pressure, motivation.”  As a 21-year-old currently navigating life in a big city, this mystery book spoke to me the loudest. Also, it was the biggest book in the basket, so I figured I’d be getting more than my money’s worth.

I resisted the urge to unwrap the book from the paper on the train ride back and waited until I was in my room so I could snap a picture of it for this post. I ended up with Nicole Walter’s memoir Nothing Is Missing, which narrates a powerful journey of self-discovery and resilience and how Walter created the life she always wanted using the inner strength she had built from a long road of hardships. It looks great, and I’m excited to start reading it!

After savoring the shelves of books, crafts, and other intriguing knick-knacks, I headed to the counter to make my selections official. Leaving Papercuts Bookshop was bittersweet, but I left with a small journal with a cover that made me laugh: it has always been my desire to write poetry, but I find it incredibly fucking difficult, because I ironically picked up writing in high school by writing a ton of poems. 

 Papercuts Bookshop is more than just another place on the corner to buy books; less than two miles away is Forest Hills Cemetery, where many notable writers–like poets Anne Sexton and E. E. Cummings–are buried. Sylvia Plath's childhood home is located just half of a mile from the store on Prince Street. The connection to local writers is felt throughout the store to this day, brought alive by Kate Layte’s dream and her team’s dedication. Their hard work has not only made Papercuts a testament to the enduring magic of independent bookstores, but a must-visit for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in Jamaica Plain’s rich literary history. 

Whether you come to Papercuts in search of your next literary treasure or a blind date with a book, the store promises a memorable experience that will linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the final page of your latest read. If you ever find yourself in the enchanting streets of the area (where there are many other unique locally owned businesses to shop at), don’t miss the chance to embark on a literary journey like no other at Papercuts Bookshop.

A Literary Life: Official Bookshop Rating Scale

Title Selection: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Atmosphere: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Location: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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

Revisit? Yes, definitely! The atmosphere and staff book recommendations made it perfect.