Wide selection of new and used books across various genres, with a focus on quality and curated picks.
Personalized book suggestions via handcrafted shelf talkers and knowledgeable staff assistance.
Hosting book signings, discussions, and literary events with diverse authors to engage the community.
Cozy seating areas and a spacious layout for comfortable browsing and social gatherings.
Assistance in locating and ordering specific books not currently in stock.
Love Boswell! The shelf talkers are guaranteed to help you find a book. Daniel, Chris and the rest of the crew will help get a book (or two or three ... ) into your hands. And they have the best author events.
Boswell is a gem in Milwaukee county and both MKE locals and visitors should go out of their way to stop in!!!! The staff is always happy to help and recommend titles; the layout is cozy and has a delightfully personal atmosphere; the broad range in genres carried means less quantity with a focus on quality, so the experience is more intimate than at a huge chain. The variety in genre of authors Boswell hosts is superb! It's a very everyone-friendly store but feels particularly comforting and safe as a queer person. I love shopping local, and this store will always be my #onetruelove brick-and-mortar bookstore. (Shout out to Oli for always being on top of the queer releases, specifically the weird and unsettling ones, I always know to trust a rec from them!)
If I lived in Milwaukee, there wouldn't be an excuse to ever go back to Barnes or Noble because this store has everything you could possibly want to find in a bookstore. I spent about 4 minutes just trying to get a sense of all the different categories that they had in the store without looking at any of the books. Parking was a bit difficult because it was a busy day, but I would recommend anyone stop in here when visiting Milwaukee.
Great independent bookstore with a wide selection of new books and a more limited selection of used books. Love how the store is set up with lots of room to move around and a handful of places to sit down during your browsing. I was particularly impressed by the gorgeous hand-made staff recommendation cards seen frequently throughout the store.
First time at Boswell Books. Came for a book discussion/signing. Very impressed with the spaciousness, the book selection and the staff. The discussion was well organized. Lots of chairs, setup and engagement. Nice to see a local bookstore flourishing.

Your cozy literary haven in Milwaukee, where every book finds its reader.
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Boswell Book Company is a beloved independent bookstore located at 2559 N Downer Ave in Milwaukee, WI, celebrated for its warm, inviting atmosphere and curated selection of new and used books. With a 4.8/5 rating from 879 reviews, we pride ourselves on personalized service, including handcrafted staff recommendation cards and a diverse range of genres. We host engaging author events and discussions, creating a community hub for readers of all backgrounds. Our spacious layout offers cozy seating areas, making browsing a delightful experience. Committed to quality over quantity, we ensure a welcoming environment for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, and are dedicated to supporting local culture and literary exploration.
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