Best place to read without paying

The Boston Public Library in Copley Square has a surprisingly good little lunch spot called Novel, which you might know about if you'd actually gone to the library to research that term paper. Along with a good sandwich, you get peace and quiet. (We're not sure whether the librarians have authority to shush the diners, but who wants to risk it?) And almost any book you can imagine is available for browsing over lunch. Read what you want, then drop the book on one of those "to be reshelved" trays on your way out. Just please don't drip mustard on the pages.

Novel, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 385-5660.