1. BY MEGHAN K. HILL • PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL BLACKMORE
A
cross the country, the ever-growing e-book market continues
to push chain bookstores to their demise.Yet the smaller, niche
independent bookstores are seemingly thriving. This is espe-
cially true on the Cape, where local bookstores are proving print is not
dead, thanks in large part to a dedicated core of readers who have a
penchant for offbeat proprietors, alternative establishments and Cape
Cod lore.There’s no denying that there’s just something about an indie
bookstore that leaves one thinking, “If these shelves could talk …”
Cape Cod bookstore owners, heralded for their excellence in the
business of curating exceptional, thoughtfully culled collections,
have been hard at work establishing a competitive advantage over
their online competition. Local stores offer something offline that the
e-market could never compete with, rendering their services irreplace-
able: the ability to cater to the individual needs of their customers.

2. Books by the Sea
Owner: Tom Phillips
Biography: Joyce Phillips fulfilled a lifelong dream of
opening the store, which is best known for its collection
of Cape Cod, New England and nautical books. Readers
seeking local authors’ works will also fare well here, as
the store has partnered with nearby Cape Cod Writers
Center, and has become an important part of the Cape
Cod artist community by spotlighting authors, musi-
cians, artists and photographers. “We give our local
authors a home,” says owner Tom Phillips, who is ac-
companied to work by Emily Dickinson, his soft-coated
wheaton terrier.
Store’s speciality: Books by the Sea lends itself well
to “serendipitous browsing,” says Martha Powers, the
store’s assistant manager, who welcomes special re-
quests and offers a collection of half-priced paperbacks.
Tom’s picks: “A Spool of Blue Thread: A Novel,”
by Anne Tyler, and “All the Light We Cannot See,” by
Anthony Doerr.
Most memorable customer request: “Wrinkles
Don’t Hurt: Daily Meditations on the Joy of Aging
Mindfully,” by Ruth Fishel.
874 Main St., Osterville, 508-420-9400,
www.booksbythesea.net
“We give our local
authors a home,”
says Books by the
Sea owner Tom
Phillips, who is
accompanied to
work by Emily
Dickinson, his
soft-coated
wheaton terrier.
Booksmith Musicsmith
Owners: Matt and Cherry Reid
Biography: Matt and Cherry Reid met while working for the
Musicsmith store, originally located in the Cape Cod Mall, in
1978. After many years in the industry, the pair eventually took
ownership of the store in Orleans in 1995.
Store’s specialties: Cape Cod titles and rare and out-of-
print books. Booksmith Musicsmith holds a reputation for
accommodating customers’ requests. “Special order service is
our strongest point—we can find any book, CD, record or mov-
ie in the world—in print or not,” says Matt. “We have a large
magazine selection, many ‘boutique’ items to browse, and we
are dog friendly!” On the music side, the store supplies sheet
music, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, T-shirts, guitar strings and
other musical and electronic accessories. The store also offers a
custom CD and DVD service, restoring old tapes, records and
videos to CD or DVD.
Matt and Cherry’s picks: “The Girl on the Train,” by Paula
Hawkins, and “On Pluto,” by Greg O’Brien.
Most memorable customer request: A hands-free magnifier.
Booksmith Musicsmith relocated in February from Skaket Cor-
ners to the Staples Plaza, Rt. 6A, 508-255-4590.
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3. Titcomb’s Bookshop
Manager: Vicky Titcomb
Biography: Family-owned and -operated since 1969, Tit-
comb's Bookshop boasts a popular book club as well as “Meet
the Author” book signings. The store encompasses three floors
filled with thoughtfully chosen new and old books, creative
toys, puzzles and cards. Store manager Vicky Titcomb is partic-
ularly proud of the children’s selection. During its 40-plus years,
Titcomb’s has fostered a very close relationship with customers
and authors alike. “We are very fortunate to have such a loyal
customer base,” says Titcomb. “We have generations of families
who come year after year from all over the country. We are re-
ally, truly grateful for that.” At Titcomb’s, customers can browse
new releases, used, rare and bargain books.
Vicky’s picks: “All the Light We Cannot See,” by Anthony Do-
err, and “The Secret Wisdom of Earth,” by Christopher Scotton.
Most memorable customer request: To stage a wedding
proposal in the store, placing the ring inside an antique book
that had been purchased here years before.
432 Route 6A, East Sandwich, 508-888-2331
www.titcombsbookshop.com
Vicky Titcomb, with her parents,
Ralph and Nancy, credits a loyal fan
base for the bookstore’s success
over the past 40-plus years.“We
have generations of families who
come year after year from all over
the country,”says Titcomb.
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4. Provincetown Bookshop
Biography: Founded in 1932, the bookstore has been coined
a “good old-fashioned bookstore” by devoted customers.
Owner Joel Newman turned 96 in September, and is revered by
locals and seasonal customers as “a gentleman and a scholar,”
says store manager Nan Cinnater, at right. “We see customers
return who bought their first book here 40 years ago in our
children's section—that happens all the time. And they bring
their kids and their grandchildren. It is incredible.”
Store’s specialty: Titles that examine Cape Cod, Provinc-
etown, history, natural history and art. The shop is well known
for its vast children’s section as well as its wide array of local
authors’ works and numerous classics. Cinnater says, “People
think we have old and classic books—and we do—but we also
have the newest books and the bestsellers.”
Nan’s picks: “The Hare with Amber Eyes,” by Edmund de
Waal, and “The Days of Anna Madrigal: A Novel,” by Ar-
mistead Maupin.
Most memorable customer request: “Prayers That Rout
Demons: Prayers for Defeating Demons and Overthrowing the
Powers of Darkness,” by John Eckhardt.
246 Commercial St., Provincetown, 508-487-0964
Yellow Umbrella Books
Owner: Eric Linder
Biography: A gatherer of out-of-print books, Eric Linder
has been in business for 35 years, and hosts numerous weekly
author events during the summer. “We have an extensive col-
lection of books in almost all categories,” he says.
Store’s specialties: Featuring an exhaustive selection of new
and used books, Yellow Umbrella’s shelves are home to contem-
porary fiction, nonfiction, literature, poetry, Cape Cod titles
and children's books. “Everything is unique about our store,”
says Linder. Not only does Yellow Umbrella offer bestsellers,
but also rare, vintage and out-of-print books. “If someone is
looking for any Cape Cod title—brand new, used or out of
print — they’d be likely to find it in our store,” adds Linder.
“And, if what a customer is seeking is not in stock, we'll make
every effort to get it.”
Eric’s picks: “The Lightkeeper’s Wife: A Novel,” by Sarah
Anne Johnson and “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans
and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics,” by
Daniel James Brown.
Most memorable customer request: A dictionary of horol-
ogy in four languages.
501 Main St., Chatham, 508-945-0144, yellowumbrellabooks.net
Yellow Umbrella owner Eric Linder says his store carries bestsellers,
but also rare, vintage and out-of-print books.“And, if what a
customer is seeking is not in stock, we’ll make every effort to get it.”
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5. Eight Cousins
Owners: Sara Hines, Mary Fran Buckley and
Eileen Miskell.
Biography: Carol Chittenden started Eight
Cousins with her mother, Betty Borg, in 1986. The
bookstore opened at 630 Main St. and then moved
in 1992 to its current location at 189 Main St. Two
bookstore employees, plus an area business owner,
took over ownership of Eight Cousins in the first
week of January this year.
Early beginnings: Eight Cousins was originally a
children’s specialty store, but its stacks have swelled
to a more diverse collection of books for teens and
adults as well. “The store has grown so much,” says
Chittenden, who was excited to pass ownership on
to some of her devoted staff members. Comprised
of academics, nature lovers, foodies and adventur-
ers, the staff places tremendous emphasis on chil-
dren’s literacy and have partnered with local schools
in support of the schools’ book clubs.
Store’s speciality: “Our staff hand-picks every
book you’ll find in our store. We are all active read-
ers and extremely passionate about the integrity of
independent stores, the industry and the commu-
nity,” says Hines. She also points to their signature
wrapping as a unique perk that customers love.
“We’ll customize the wrapping for the taste of the
recipient, at no extra charge.”
Staff picks: “The Secret Wisdom of the Earth,” by
Christopher Scotton, and “The Girl on the Train,” by
Paula Hawkins.
Most memorable customer request: “Poetry for
Young People: Edgar Allan Poe,” by Brod Bagert.
189 Main St., Falmouth, 508-548-5548
www.eightcousins.com
From left: Mary Fran Buckley,
Eileen Miskell and Sara Hines.
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