Books By The Sea was the realization of a lifelong dream of Joyce Phillips to own a specialty bookstore that promoted local authors and catered to a unique, book loving community. After owning a book store in Kingston, New York with her husband Tom, appropriately called "Wellspring", Joyce and Tom moved to Cape Cod in the nineties where they opened a used bookstore in Sandwich still fondly remembered to this day, called The Well Read Book. You might say "third time's a charm" as Joyce and Tom's 3rd bookstore, Books By The Sea, building as it does on the success of the first two, has firmly established roots in Osterville and South Yarmouth. The Original Books By The Sea was located in Sandwich.

Books By The Sea has become an important part of the Cape Cod artist community providing public exposure for many authors, musicians, artists and photographers through signings, readings, lectures and music performances. The Cape is an incredibly rich source of inspiration for authors and artists and the bookstores are literally packed with fascinating works from highly talented individuals.

Joyce Phillips was a source of inspiration for many. Customers would often say how she took such a warm and loving interest in them and that they felt she had the "best" book store on Cape Cod. She passed away in 2007 but her memory lives on in the hearts of her customers and the authors whose lives she touched. In fact, the book, Good Night Beach by local author Adam Gamble, is dedicated: "To the memory of Joyce Phillips, bookseller extraordinaire and founder of Books By The Sea, Cape Cod, MA". Her husband, Tom, along with a dedicated and committed staff, have continued the two stores as her legacy to Cape Cod.

The staff welcomes special requests and keeps in close contact with regular customers. They enjoy carrying on Joyce's special vision of a local, friendly full-service independent book store with an added niche of all things coastal - specializing in Cape Cod, New England and nautical. Books By The Sea is delighted to bring local, regional, and national authors to visit year round! Some of our recent visitors have included Martin W. Sandler, Patrick Robinson, Patti Page, Sally Gunning, Jim Coogan, Dave O'Neill, Cynthia Riggs, Anne D. LeClaire, Tim Sweeney, Carol McManus, Marcia Monbleau and Catherine Kelly-Mahon.

Open year-round in Osterville and in South Yarmouth (save a few weeks in the winter in our South Yarmouth location) and seasonally with The Barnstable Historical Society - located at the Daniel Davis House on historic Route 6A in Barnstable -- Books By The Sea looks forward to welcoming you!

Please visit the websites below to learn more about a few of the organizations we partner with on events.

Catania Hospitality Group

Cape Cod Writers Center

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod

The Barnstable Historical Society

Osterville Historical Museum

WMVY Radio