History
We are the bookstore of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition that affirms the individual search for truth and meaning. We have a long tradition of providing reading material for our denomination and its members, which included such literary luminaries as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller, among others. There has been a bookstore at Unitarian headquarters since 1886 at two different locations on Beacon Hill. We carry books from Beacon Press and Skinner House Books, both publishing imprints of our organization, as well as books from other publishers that promote our values of respect for all people and our environment.
Specialties
The word inspirit is rich in meaning. It can mean to fill with spirit, to encourage, to exhilarate, or to bestow with strength or purpose. We offer books to support people of all faiths and seekers alike to engage with spiritual questions. Unitarian Universalists have been on the forefront of social justice movements such as marriage equality, immigration rights, and the Movement for Black Lives. We carry books that provide inspiration, grounding, and practical help on a variety of justice issues. We are especially proud of our selection of books for children and youth. We also offer beautiful fair trade and locally sourced items that make perfect gifts, as well as cards and gift bags.