Godine

Godine Godine is an independent publisher for independently-minded readers. At Godine, quality has remained foremost. Many hardcovers are still bound in full cloth. A.

Godine is a small publishing house located in Boston, Massachusetts, producing between twenty and thirty titles per year and maintaining an active reprint program. The company is independent (a rarity these days) and its list tends to reflect the individual tastes and interests of its president and founder, David Godine. Our aim is to identify the best work and to produce it in the best way possib

le. All of our hardcover and softcover books are printed on acid-free paper. The list is deliberately eclectic and features works that many other publishers can't or won't support, books that won't necessarily become bestsellers but that still deserve publication. In a world of spin-offs and commercial "product," Godine's list stands apart by offering original fiction and non-fiction of the highest rank, rediscovered masterworks, translations of outstanding world literature, poetry, art, photography, and beautifully designed books for children. The company was founded in 1970. After receiving degrees at Dartmouth College and Harvard University, David Godine worked for Leonard Baskin, the renowned typographer and printmaker, and Harold McGrath, his master printer. David Godine opened a printing shop the following year in a deserted barn in Brookline, Massachusetts. His first books, printed on his own presses, were nearly all letterpress, limited editions printed on high-quality rag or handmade paper. Many of these early volumes are now collector's items. In 1980, the company initiated its children's program, publishing a number of books that have become classics: Mary Azarian's A Farmer's Alphabet; Dylan Thomas's holiday classic A Child's Christmas in Wales, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone; the Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome; and of course, the Godine editions of Frances Hodgson Burnett's timeless works, The Secret Garden and A Little Princess, which together have sold close to half a million hardcover copies. More recently, Godine has launched two new series: Imago Mundi, a line of original books devoted to photography and the graphic arts; and Verba Mundi, featuring the most notable contemporary world literature in translation. Volumes in the Imago Mundi series, which has received praise from reviewers and booksellers alike, include Jean Cocteau: The Mirror and the Mask by Julie Saul and Small Rooms & Hidden Places by Ronald W. Wohlauer. Verba Mundi has so far published works by world- renowned authors Georges Perec, Jose Donoso, Isaac Babel, and Anna Seghers, and has introduced new voices such as Sylvie Germain (whose Book of Nights was named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times) and the acclaimed Swedish novelist Göran Tunström, author of The Christmas Oratorio. David R. Godine, Inc., has received numerous awards, including the Carey-Thomas award for Excellence in Publishing (1976), the Boston Globe Literary Press Award (1987), the first New England Booksellers Annual Award (1989), and the Leipzig Internationalen Buchkunst-Austellung (1989). In 1984, Bookbuilders of Boston awarded Godine the W. Dwiggins Award for maintaining standards of excellence in book production. Additionally, on July 1, 2002, John Martin, the founder and for thirty-six years the publisher of Black Sparrow Press, closed down his shop in Santa Rosa, California. After finding new homes for four of his authors—Charles Bukowski, Paul Bowles, John Fante, and Wyndham Lewis—he entrusted the rest of his backlist to a fellow publisher, David R. Godine. The agreement was simple: Godine would keep Black Sparrow's offerings available to the trade, keep the best-selling titles in print, and keep the house's spirit alive through judicious acquisitions. In short, Black Sparrow Press would be reborn—as Black Sparrow Books at David R. Godine, Publisher. "David Godine is a remarkable publisher.... He is determined to prove that the day of elegant books has not vanished. And he does prove it. Elegantly."
— The New York Times

"Godine books are not 'beautiful' in the glossy fashion of the coffee-table books that flood the market at Christmastime. They are instead flawlessly produced examples of the arts of printing and bookbinding, exquisitely understated."
— Newsweek

"Thank God some publishers, such as David R. Godine, march to a different drummer. So long as publishers copy one another . . . the trend of the moment dominates. Initiative and courage are necessary to battle mass thinking, and Godine, a small Boston publisher, has them."
— Cincinnati Enquirer

*We reserve the right to remove any posts with profanity.

Listen now! Author Ward Farnsworth joins Christopher J. Scalia to discuss his Classical English series, as well as his b...
12/27/2024

Listen now! Author Ward Farnsworth joins Christopher J. Scalia to discuss his Classical English series, as well as his books on Stoicism and the Socratic Method. What—and how—can we learn from the style, rhetoric, and argument of great writers from the long 19th century? How are the ancient Stoics comparable to modern cognitive psychologists? And how can the Socratic method be an antidote for stupidity?
https://bit.ly/3VToGgo

Godine is celebrating Small Business Saturday with Free Shipping! This Saturday, November 30, 2024, use the code SMALL3...
11/29/2024

Godine is celebrating Small Business Saturday with Free Shipping!

This Saturday, November 30, 2024, use the code SMALL30 to get free shipping on all U.S. orders. And no minimum purchase is required.

Visit Godine.com to find hundreds of titles and see our recent Fall catalog.

A very nice review for Brian C. Black's Ike's Road Trip in The Wall Street Journal yesterday! Read the full article at t...
11/02/2024

A very nice review for Brian C. Black's Ike's Road Trip in The Wall Street Journal yesterday! Read the full article at the link below!

https://on.wsj.com/40t4p4o

This is just a reminder that THE CHARTERHOUSE OF PADMA by Padma Viswanathan is available in stores now! This is an incre...
10/29/2024

This is just a reminder that THE CHARTERHOUSE OF PADMA by Padma Viswanathan is available in stores now! This is an incredible book, full of delicious surprises, revelations, and sharply observed truths about what is to be brown, a woman, a wife, a mother, and an artist. Exhilarating, electrifying, charged with incisive intellect and humor, this is a novel for anyone who ever wondered how, or if, they ever chose the thing they love. Get your copy today!

A huge congratulations to John Yau, whose been selected as a winner of the 2024 American Book Awards! These awards are p...
09/10/2024

A huge congratulations to John Yau, whose been selected as a winner of the 2024 American Book Awards! These awards are presented by the Before Columbus Foundation and recognize works of literary excellence from the entire spectrum of America's diverse literary community. We are delighted to share this news!

We are delighted to announce that WINTER SOLSTICE has been chosen as the 2024 Massachusetts Books Award Winner in nonf...
09/04/2024

We are delighted to announce that WINTER SOLSTICE has been chosen as the 2024 Massachusetts Books Award Winner in nonfiction!! Congratulations Nina Maclaughlin and thanks to everyone at the Massachusetts Center for the Book!

The exhibition must be seen to be believed! Shameless plugging, the same is true of the book from Godine!
06/24/2024

The exhibition must be seen to be believed! Shameless plugging, the same is true of the book from Godine!

Praise for Hardly Harmless Drudgery, on view through July 26 at The Grolier Club.

Proud to be the publisher of Bryan A. Garner’s and Jack Lynch’s HARDLY HARMLESS DRUDGERY and to help support the Grolier...
06/22/2024

Proud to be the publisher of Bryan A. Garner’s and Jack Lynch’s HARDLY HARMLESS DRUDGERY and to help support the Grolier Club’s exhibition! Come see for yourself!

Noah Webster’s dominion over American dictionaries did not come without its detractors and dilettantes. As Curators Bryan A. Garner and Jack Lynch write, "Once Americans thought the name Webster to be synonymous with ‘the dictionary,’ other dictionaries began to appear as ‘Webster’s.’ The name began losing the distinctiveness that might have allowed it to serve as a trademark.”

Throughout the mid-20th century, Merriam’s public-relations campaign urged people to think of Merriam’s dictionaries as the only ones legitimately called Webster, as seen here in a 1930s advertisement. Their efforts were largely successful among the intelligentsia, but the road to reclamation was neither clear nor smooth. Today, “Webster’s” is now available to anyone who might create or publish a dictionary of any kind or quality.

Visit “Hardly Harmless Drudgery” to learn more about the trademark troubles of the Webster’s name. Open to the public free of charge, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, or visit the online exhibition: https://grolierclub.omeka.net/exhibits/show/lexicography

Credit
“Warning! When you say ‘Webster’s Dictionary’ you mean MERRIAM-Webster.” 1930s. Advertisement. Ex coll. Karolyne & Bryan A. Garner. Image courtesy of Bryan A. Garner

So grateful to be an independent New England publisher surrounded by such outstanding New England bookstores! Visit one ...
06/22/2024

So grateful to be an independent New England publisher surrounded by such outstanding New England bookstores! Visit one of your choice today!

Summer in Vermont 🌸

📸

Any interested applicants? Besides everyone at Godine?
06/22/2024

Any interested applicants? Besides everyone at Godine?

Empty chair looking for sitter.

Ideal candidate:
🪑Enjoys a good book as much as they enjoy a good rest
🪑Appreciates comfort and sunlight
🪑Has a love for impartial furniture that won't judge how long your TBR is

Interested parties please visit the Corner Stone Bookshop.

So happy to say that Simon Van Booy's SIPSWORTH is now on the ABA (aka, Independent Bookstore) national bestseller list!
05/17/2024

So happy to say that Simon Van Booy's SIPSWORTH is now on the ABA (aka, Independent Bookstore) national bestseller list!

Just down the road from Godine's warehouse is the wonderful Gay-Kimball Library in Troy, New Hampshire. Our friends rece...
05/09/2024

Just down the road from Godine's warehouse is the wonderful Gay-Kimball Library in Troy, New Hampshire. Our friends received signed copies of SIPSWORTH, courtesy of author, Simon Van Booy. This is why we work: the joy of putting books in the hands of readers.

Address

Boston, MA
02108

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+1 800-344-4771

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Godine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Godine:

Videos

Remainders of the Day flying off the shelves!
Remainders of the Day flying off the shelves!

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Shaun Bythell, author of REMAINDERS OF THE DAY, which is literally flying off the shelves. Get yourself or a loved one a copy for some holiday cheer here: https://godine.com/book/remainders-of-the-day/ Video courtesy of author Shaun Bythell The Bookshop

Remainders of the Day coming out December 6!
Remainders of the Day coming out December 6!

AVAILABLE TOMORROW! REMAINDERS OF THE DAY, the latest from Shaun Bythell, the author of Confessions of a Bookseller and Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops. Another hilariously grumpy year behind the counter at The Bookshop! Available here: https://godine.com/book/remainders-of-the-day/

Simon Van Booy & Billy O'Callaghan
Simon Van Booy & Billy O'Callaghan

Simon Van Booy was joined by Billy O'Callaghan recently, (event and video courtesy of Carmichael's Bookstore), to discuss Simon's latest novel, NIGHT CAME WITH MANY STARS, now available at Carmichael's Bookstore or at https://www.godine.com/book/night-came-with-many-stars/ Enjoy!

Chaney Kwak Ports of Call
Chaney Kwak Ports of Call

ALL ABOARD! Catch 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 author Chaney Kwak live at one of these virtual Ports of Call. Event details: https://bit.ly/3uer41r Turn sound on! 📢 JUNE 8 San Francisco: Green Apple Books with Daniel Handler JUNE 10 Minneapolis: Magers & Quinn Booksellers with Lori Ostlund JUNE 18 Denver: Tattered Cover Book Store with Nathan Hake JUNE 30 Brooklyn: Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn with Paul Lisicky Animator: Lisa Marie Grillos

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Family Historian
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Family Historian

COUNTDOWN 7/7 - THE FAMILY HISTORIAN Author and bookshop proprietor Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives TODAY! Enjoy Shaun reading an excerpt from @thebookshopwigtown in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we offer you “The Family Historian." BUY: http://www.godine.com/book/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/ #shaunbythell #sevenkindsofpeopleyoufindinbookshops #bookstagram #wigtown #bookshop #booklovers #booklover #booklove

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Young Family
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Young Family

COUNTDOWN 6/7 - THE YOUNG FAMILY Author and bookshop proprietor Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives TODAY! Enjoy Shaun reading an excerpt from @thebookshopwigtown in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we offer you “The Young Family." BUY: http://www.godine.com/book/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Erotica Browser
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Erotica Browser

COUNTDOWN 5/7 - The Erotica Browser Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives tomorrow! Enjoy Shaun reading an excerpt from his shop in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we offer you “The Erotica Browser” BUY: http://www.godine.com/book/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/ Author Shaun Bythell is the proprietor of @thebookshopwigtown in Wigtown, Scotland. #shaunbythell #sevenkindsofpeopleyoufindinbookshops #bookstagram #wigtown #bookshop #booklovers #booklover #booklove

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Sniffer
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Sniffer

COUNTDOWN 4/7 - The Sniffer Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives in just 3 days! Enjoy Shaun reading an excerpt from his shop in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we offer you “The Sniffer” BUY: http://www.godine.com/book/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/ Author Shaun Bythell is the proprietor of @thebookshopwigtown in Wigtown, Scotland. #shaunbythell #sevenkindsofpeopleyoufindinbookshops #bookstagram #wigtown #bookshop #booklovers #booklover #booklove

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Occultist
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - The Occultist

COUNTDOWN 3/7 - The Occultist Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives in just 4 days! Enjoy Shaun reading an excerpt from his shop in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we offer you “The Occultist.” *Boo! BUY: http://www.godine.com/book/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/ Author Shaun Bythell is the proprietor of The Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland. #shaunbythell #sevenkindsofpeopleyoufindinbookshops #bookstagram #wigtown #bookshop #booklovers #booklover #booklove

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - "The Pensioner"
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - "The Pensioner"

COUNTDOWN 2/7 - "THE PENSIONER" Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives in just six days! Until then, we're posting one video a day of Shaun reading an excerpt from The Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we offer you “The Pensioner.” *Please note the attention to footwear detail at the 13-second mark! BUY: http://www.godine.com/.../seven-kinds-of-people-you-find.../ #sevenkindsofpeopleyoufindinbookshops #bookstagram #wigtown #bookshop #booklovers #booklover #booklove #shaunbythell

Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - "The Expert"
Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops - "The Expert"

COUNTDOWN 1/7 - "THE EXPERT" Shaun Bythell’s hilarious SEVEN KINDS OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN BOOKSHOPS arrives in just seven days! For the next week, we’ll post one video a day of Shaun reading an excerpt, from The Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland. Today, we kickoff with “The Expert.” BUY: http://www.godine.com/book/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/ #shaunbythell #sevenkindsofpeopleyoufindinbookshops #bookstagram #wigtown #bookshop #booklovers #booklover #booklove

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

David R. Godine, Publisher is a small publishing house located in Boston, Massachusetts, producing between twenty and thirty titles per year.

The company was founded in 1970. After receiving degrees at Dartmouth College and Harvard University, David Godine worked for Leonard Baskin, the renowned typographer and printmaker, and Harold McGrath, his master printer. In collaboration with Lance Hidy and Martha Rockwell, Godine opened a printing shop the following year in a deserted barn in Brookline, Massachusetts. The press’s first books, printed on their own presses, were nearly all letterpress, limited editions printed on high-quality rag or handmade paper. Many of these early volumes included original wood-engraving by Hidy and are now collector's items. David R. Godine, Publisher has received numerous awards, including the Carey-Thomas award for Excellence in Publishing (1976), the Boston Globe Literary Press Award (1987), the first New England Booksellers Annual Award (1989), and the Leipzig Internationalen Buchkunst-Austellung (1989). In 1984, Bookbuilders of Boston awarded Godine the W. A. Dwiggins Award for maintaining standards of excellence in book production. In 2002, Godine acquired much of the backlist of the Black Sparrow Press. Both Black Sparrow and Godine are now directed editorially by Joshua Bodwell.

In January 2020, David Godine retired after 50 years directing the publishing house he co-founded. Taking his place was David Allender, the current publisher of Godine.

Together, Josh and David are creating a new tradition of excellence.