Without books, airplane passengers would be forced to read safety instructions for seven hours, and blockbuster films would be based off the most popular nutritional facts label. Experience pristine prose with very little saturated-fat content with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 toward books and retail goods at Barrington Books, located in Barrington.

Named Rhode Island Monthly's best bookstore, Barrington Books carries a cache of adult fiction, nonfiction, children's stories, and works of local and regional authors. Bibliophiles and literature enthusiasts can capitalize on the customer dedication of the store's purveyors, who go beyond the realm of their own wares and can easily track down a hard-to-find title via the out-of-print market. Enjoy the work of local literati, such as Good Night Rhode Island ($9.95), penned by Adam Gamble and Anne Rosen. Aspiring wordsmiths can also explore fictional worlds with a staff selection, such as the Dickens-inspired Girl in a Blue Dress ($25.99) by Gaynor Arnold, or by reading up on Prussia, which cartographers recently proved doesn't exist.

Reviews

Barrington Books won Readers' Picks awards for Best Independent Bookstore from Rhode Island Monthly for 2008 and 2009. It won Editors' Picks awards for Best Play and Story Hour in 2009 and for Best Shopping and Bookstore in 2010.

• Revamped and redesigned, this shop is now more than just a place to find something great to read. The kids' department has been given a makeover with cute puppets and toys. On the grown-up side, there are Lilly Pulitzer note cards and pens, gifts and fashion accessories, as well as local foodie treats. – Rhode Island Monthly