Graphic Jieru Ye '23
By Anastasia Branas ’24
Staff Writer
As a first-year at Mount Holyoke, being able to handle the isolation of campus life during the pandemic can be difficult. My personal outlet has been finding places in and around campus to explore. One of the many places to find comfort during the pandemic for me has been bookstores. To be surrounded by physical books and people in real life seems like such a fantasy now, but it is slowly becoming reality again. Luckily for me and other Mount Holyoke book lovers, there seems to be a surplus of bookstores around the Pioneer Valley. Whether you’re on campus or just happen to be in Massachusetts, here are some local bookstores to explore.
Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley
A classic choice for any Mount Holyoke student is the Odyssey Bookshop, located in the Village Commons across the street from campus. “Odyssey Bookshop reminds me of my own hometown bookstore and makes me feel at home,” Mara Gregory ’24 explained. She’s found a safe haven there for all of her scholarly and recreational needs. Odyssey even carries personal care items like toothbrushes and tampons to use in a pinch. From professors’ publications to independent books, Odyssey has a wide selection to appeal to every reader.
Amherst Books, Amherst
Another bookstore I’ve loved visiting while living on campus is Amherst Books in Amherst, just up the street from Insomnia Cookies. This bookstore is one 25-minute bus ride away from campus on the 38 bus — get off at the Amherst Common stop. Amherst Books closes at 4 p.m., so be careful how late you go.
The store has a great selection, including lots of indie books. Any possible niche is marked on their dark wooden shelves — from books about music to books about nature photography, they have everything. The entire basement has used books in all subjects. Amherst Books also has a wide selection of Shakespeare’s plays, so if you ever have to read Shakespeare for class, I’d recommend going there and buying a $5 copy of “Othello” instead of using Amazon. A great way to support a local bookstore is by buying your course texts from them.
Tim’s Used Books, Northampton
When you stop by Northampton, take a book break at Tim’s Used Books. Located near Pita Pockets at 183 Main St., Northampton, Tim’s is open Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from “11ish to 6ish,” according to northhamptonlive.com. On my trip there, I was able to talk with the cashier about our mutual love of “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Ottessa Moshfegh, which I snagged for $7. Check out Tim’s if you’re looking for a cozy gem of a store with more books inside than you might expect.
Montague Bookmill, Montague
Another popular Pioneer Valley bookstore is the Montague Bookmill, a bit out of the Five College area, at 440 Greenfield Road in Montague. In 1842, it was a gristmill, but now the store contains thousands of books, two restaurants, an artists’ collective and a music and movie store all nestled into two buildings.
The bookstore itself takes up the majority of the larger building on two floors, each room home to a different genre. Every nook and cranny is host to something interesting — the day will easily fly by before you’ve discovered it all. With the tongue-in-cheek slogan, “Books you don’t need in a place you can’t find,” the bookstore embodies an indie aesthetic. The website proclaims, “If we can’t find the book you’re looking for, we’ll find you a better one you didn’t know you wanted.” The Montague Bookmill has recently reopened, allowing 12 patrons in at a time Thursday through Monday. It remains closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
These four bookstores are just a few of the many located near Mount Holyoke’s campus ready to be discovered. Grab a mask and some hand sanitizer and take the time to enjoy yourself and some books.