There are many wonderful bookstores located in the 15 towns that make up Cape Cod plus the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. For the purposes of this article we will focus on the upper Cape area.
Titcombs Bookshop
This eclectic bookstore sits on route 6A in Sandwich, MA. It offers everything you need, from toys, to gifts and of course many wonderful books. Sandwich is the oldest town (1639) and the bookstore just so happens to be the oldest on Cape Cod, established in 1969. A few years ago they celebrated their 50-year anniversary. It is run by Vicky Titcomb and family. They have a wonderful staff that are all very knowledgeable. There are three levels to this property. Kids toys in the lower area, more modern books on the first level which also includes a nicely curated bookcase of modern first editions. There is also a third floor which I personally love. It has modern books but also an area where more of the vintage and modern first are shelved. I have pick up many great books here including works by T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Robert Frost, Ernest Hemingway and James Jones to name a few. The top floor as well as outside are spots where many authors no come in to do speak and have book signings. I was one of those authors back in 2018. Living just a few miles from this location is better than great!
This particular bookstore is a mustn visit and if you can't make it in, just give them a call and they will check to see if a book is available in store and if not they'll order it for you. Sign up for their bookstore newsletter too.
Address: 432 MA-6A, Sandwich, MA 02537 / 508-888-2331 / titcombsbookshop.com
Isaiah Thomas Books and Prints
You can't miss this great bookstore because of the pink accent color of the house. It's located in Cotuit which is actually part of Barnstable, MA. There are seven villages that make up this town. The store owner, Jim Visbeck, has probably the biggest collection of books on the Cape, with more than 70,000 volumes. There are two floors of books in the house. There is every type of genre and author imaginable here. They also have a huge Cape Cod and children's section on the first level. The time passes very quickly here! I can attest, having spent many an hour there upon visiting. Over the years I have found some wonderful first editions. Open 7 days a week, check the website for weekend hours before heading over.
Address: 4632 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Cotuit, MA 02635 / 508-428-2752 / isaiahthomasbooks.com
Parnassus Book Service
On one visit to this eclectic bookstore, they were setting up to do a movie shoot. This location is so utterly charming and filled with New England appeal that it even caught the eye of director Hans Canosa, who cast it in a leading role in his film “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.” As for the books, there is plenty. On a recent visit I walked out with a few books for me as well as a few for a Florida bookstore I was bookscouting for. Including four copies of books by T.S. Eliot. The word on the street is the real good books are upstairs but this is off limits. The store was originally established in 1957 in nearby Hyannis by Ben and Ruth Muse. In 1961 they moved to their present location. As you check out, take time to look at the great first edition offerings which is some of their best inventory, if you collect.
Address: 220 MA-6A Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 / 508-362-6420 / parnassusbooks.com
Friends of Library Bookstores
in addition to many great bookstores, there are also these quaint, little Friends of Library bookstores operated by extremely nice volunteers. Many of which are ex-librarians who can offer a wealth of information when asked. One such location is FOWL. The Friends of Wheldon Library.
FOWL
This little book book is located in the basement of the Wheldon Library. Check hours online. They are open during the week and every other Saturday.
Address: 2401 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA 02668 / 508-362-2262 wheldenlibrary.org/info/bookstore
Sturgis Library
Has a beautiful library and when you first walk in they showcase their small, but well stocked bookstore. This spot always has some great editions. Recently, I was informed by Lucy the Librarian about John C. Lincoln, a Cape Cod author, and ended up getting a copy of one of his early works.
Address: 3090 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630 / 508-362-6636 / sturgislibrary.org
Friends of Sandwich Public Library
Love this place. Offers more modern edition books rather than older editions as with many of the other bookstore libraries. But a great staff and wonderful books and, as with all these locations, books are typically two dollars a book.
Address: 142 Main Street, Sandwich, MA 02563 / 508-888-0625 / sandwichpubliclibrary.com
Jonathan Bourne Library
This small little library has an area when you walk in the back door dedicated to used books. It's basically one big book shelf and at times some nice finds.
Address: 19 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA 02532 / 508-759- 0600 / bournelibrary.org