A chilly winter day full of snow and ice plus a comfy couch next to a cozy fire . . . the only thing missing? A good book, of course!

When everything quiets down in the winter months, we Cape Codders tend to hibernate a little. What better way to help pass the time until the next sunny beach day than to cozy up with a good read! We are fortunate to have a number of amazing bookstores in the vicinity. Here are some our favorites:

The Upper and Mid-Cape:

Titcomb’s Bookshop of Sandwich offers a thoughtful selection of books for every age.

Titcomb’s is a book lover’s paradise. This family-owned bookstore has been serving customers since 1969. The store has been managed by the Titcomb family since its opening and continues to receive renovations and love from members of the family. The iconic colonial man statue, located outside of the store for all of 6A travelers to see, was created by the owner’s eldest son. This fun statue is a favorite of visitors and receives a fresh paint of coat every other year!

Titcomb’s features two floors of trinkets, gift items, and an endless variety of books, including a variety of collectible and vintage books. This is a great spot for a family trip and the perfect place to find a special book!

Market Street Bookshop is conveniently located in Mashpee Commons and offers visitors a large array of books to browse. While the Market Street Bookshop offers an assortment of genres, our favorite selection to browse is the wide array of published books by local Cape Cod writers. You are sure to leave with an amazing book, potentially written right here on Cape Cod!

Parnassus Book Service, Inc of Yarmouth Port is one of the most unique book stores on Cape Cod. Established in the 60’s, it is home to a variety of new and old books for sale. This family-owned business has been owned by the Muse family for decades. A spokesperson for the store said “Over the years we have been ably assisted by children, grandchildren, and cousins, as well as Isobel Grassie, Lilian Dykstra, and Paul Noonan among others.”

Visitors are often amazed by the variety of books and rare finds lining the walls. Topics include Americana, Asia, Cape Cod, Antiques, Europe, and more. If you’re looking for a book you can’t find anywhere else, check out Parnassus Book Service, Inc.

The Lower and Outer Cape:

A small neighborhood bookstore, the Brewster Bookstore has been a part of the Brewster community for over 36 years and is the perfect family spot. The store offers a variety of books, games, toys, greeting and note cards, and more. Visitors can attend storytime, book signings, and other events throughout the year.

Open since 1980, Chatham’s Yellow Umbrella Books offers a large selection of children’s books, literature about Cape Cod, as well as vintage and rare finds. According to their website, "Yellow Umbrella Books is no ordinary bookstore." This independently owned bookstore has been in operation since 1980 and is known for selling out-of-print books that can't be find anywhere else. Collectors of all ages are sure to be delighted at the books available for purchase!

Offering used books in a great variety of subjects, Herridge Books of Wellfleet is a shop that is claimed to be “a reflection of Cape Cod—just right for serendipitous browsing.” This small store has an impressively large collection of used books. Not sure what book to take home? The friendly staff is sure to help you find the perfect book!

Located right in the middle of town, Provincetown Bookshop is P-town’s oldest bookstore. This local gem has been delighting Cape Cod visitors for over 90 years. It offers a plethora of fiction titles and has an extensive Cape Cod section. The store also worked diligently to support the work of local authors, selling a variety of their publications in store.

The Islands:

Offering used books in a great variety of subjects, Mitchell’s Book Corner is Nantucket’s iconic bookstore. They say the fixtures and the design of the store haven’t changed much since opening day, but the inventory is always up-to-date and relevant! Looking for a unique item that you can't find anywhere else? Mitchell's Book Corner sells a variety of locally published books in store, including author signed copies! The store even sells autographed book sets. The helpful local staff is sure to help you find the perfect book for your collection.

Located in Vineyard Haven, Bunch of Grapes Bookstore is comprised of a “community of writers and readers” and has been Martha’s Vineyard’s locally-owned, independent bookstore for over 40 years.

The owner of the store, Dawn Braash, says "Every time I hear, ‘I'm just so glad you are still here!’ it makes me so happy. I will always believe in the power of reading, and it has now been proven that reading the physical book vs an ebook is so much better. I'm excited about our future!"

If you’re looking for gifts or just shopping for your next great read, these shops will definitely have the perfect book for you!