Book shopping in New York City
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A
Strand Book Store
Book fiends (or even those who have casually skimmed one or two) shouldn’t miss New York’s most loved bookstore, selling new, used and rare titles. Operating since 1927, the Strand is New York’s most famous bookstore, with an incredible 18 miles of books (over 2.5 million of them), spread among three labyrinthine floors. Check out the staggering number of reviewers’ copies in the basement, or sell off your own tomes before you get back on the plane, as the Strand buys or trades books at a side counter on weekdays. There’s also a kiosk on the southeastern edge of Central Park, weather permitting.
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B
Citystore
This small, little-known city-run shop is the perfect place to find all manner of New York memorabilia, including authentic taxi medallions, manhole coasters, silk ties and baby clothes bearing the official ‘City of New York’ seal, Brooklyn Bridge posters, NYPD baseball caps, actual streets signs (‘No Parking, ’ ‘Don’t Feed the Pigeons’) and baseballs signed by famous Mets and Yanks. There’s also a great collection of city-themed books – including the unique Greenopia, the definitive guide to more than 1300 ecofriendly businesses.
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C
Idlewild Books
One of the best new indie bookshops to open in recent years, Idlewild is a great shopping destination when planning or even daydreaming about travel. Books are divided by region and cover guidebooks as well as fiction, travelogues, history, cookbooks and other stimulating fare when wanting to delve into a country. The big windows overlooking the street, high ceilings and world globe display (all for sale) add to the charm. Check ‘Events’ on the website for Idlewild’s lineup of readings and book-launch parties, sometimes with drinks, music and dance.
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D
St Mark’s Bookshop
Actually located around the corner from St Mark’s Pl (it moved long ago), this indie bookshop specializes in political literature, poetry, new nonfiction and novels and academic journals. There’s also a superior collection of cookbooks, travel guides and magazines, both glossy and otherwise. Staffers are a bit on the unsociable side, but hey, they’re bookish and they really know their stuff.
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E
Gotham Book Mart
Overflowing with choice lit since 1920, the Gotham Book Mart is just how a bookstore is meant to be. It's historic too (despite having recently moved a block from its original location). Frances Stelof (who died in 1989) founded the James Joyce Society here in 1947, and snuck some of his books, and other naughty ones like Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer, past US obscenity laws.
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F
Printed Matter
Printed Matter is a wondrous little two-room shop dedicated to limited-edition artist monographs and strange little zines. Here you will find nothing carried by mainstream bookstores; instead, trim little shelves hide call-to-arms manifestos, critical essays about comic books, flip books that reveal Jesus’ face through barcodes and how-to guides written by prisoners.
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G
Hue-Man Bookstore
The largest independent African-American bookstore in the country offers a good selection of works from literary heavyweights and pop writers alike. Most books are by or about African Americans, with shelf space dedicated to writers from the Diaspora. There’s a cafe onsite and a regular lineup of book signings, poetry readings and other events.
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H
Powerhouse Books
An important part of Dumbo’s cultural scene, Powerhouse Books hosts changing art exhibitions, book-launch parties and weird and creative events in its 5000-sq-ft space. You’ll also find intriguing books on urban art, photography and pop culture – all imprints of the critically acclaimed publishing house.
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Murder Ink/Ivy's Books
The city's first shop devoted to crime and mystery fiction has been stocking everything of the genre, plus stacks of out-of-print titles, since 1972. Its space-partner, Ivy's Books, carries a broad selection of new and used books, with tasteful journals, greeting cards and kids' books in the mix. Gus the dog works here.
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J
Shakespeare & Co
This popular New York bookstore is one of the city’s great indie options – with other locations including the Upper East Side. You’ll find a wide array of contemporary fiction and nonfiction, art books and tomes about NYC, plus a small but unique collection of periodicals.
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K
192 Books
Located right in the gallery district is this small indie bookstore, with sections on literature, history, travel, art and criticism. A special treat is its offerings of rotating art exhibits, during which the owners organize special displays of books that relate thematically to the featured show or artist. Weekly book readings feature acclaimed (often NY-based) authors.
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L
Jumel Terrace Books
Housed in a historic private home, this shop specializes in tomes on Africana, Harlem history and African American literature. You have to call to set up an appointment outside weekend hours, but if you’re fascinated by rare books, and rare opportunities to shop at a beautiful home, it’s worth it.
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M
Revolution Books
The Rev has New York’s biggest and most outstanding radical collection of books, leaflets and journals. You will find bookshelves devoted to Lenin, Mao and Marx, many books in español, as well as cute red-star earrings. The shop also hosts radical discussions.
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N
Housing Works Used Book Cafe
Relaxed, earthy and featuring a great selection of fabulous books you can buy for a good cause (proceeds go to the city's HIV-positive and AIDS homeless communities), this spacious cafe is a great place to head to if you're looking to while away a few quiet afternoon hours.
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O
Spoonbill & Sugartown
The ’burg’s favorite bookshop has an intriguing selection of art and coffee-table books, cultural journals, used and rare titles and locally made works not found elsewhere. It’s best to avoid weekends when the place can get overly crowded.
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P
Rizzoli
Set in a charming townhouse on W 57th, the US flagship store of the Italian publisher sells great art, architecture and design books (as well as general-interest titles). There’s also a good collection of foreign newspapers and magazines onsite.
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Q
Shakespeare & Co
This popular New York bookstore is one of the city’s great indie options. You’ll find a wide array of contemporary fiction and nonfiction, art books and tomes about NYC, plus a small but unique collection of periodicals.
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R
East-West Books
With a calming effect that takes place upon entering, this groovy bookstore stocks a wide array of books on Buddhism and Asian philosophies, plus chill-out music, yoga mats and earthy-crunchy jewelry.
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