Home Page: Books and New York City Bookstores

[ NEW YORK, NY - NYC - 3/13/2010 - www.Littleviews.com ]

>>  No matter where you are in the U.S., you're never far from a Barnes & Noble, which might make shopping for books in New York City seem like an unnecessary exercise. But with all of New York's ultra-huge book emporiums, specialty stores, and charming, independently-run book shops, an afternoon spent browsing can be as absorbing as visiting a museum, attending a play, or going shopping; perhaps more so.

Barnes & Noble and New York City, of course, have a strong connection. In 1917, the Barnes family and Noble family collaborated by founding the City's first, extra-large bookstore. Their original flag ship store on 5th Avenue and 18th Street, in fact, is still there! For more information about the company's history, visit the firm's corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Today, Barnes & Noble's omnipresence throughout the city encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to explore books and literature, listen to readings, and, as Barnes & Noble is also a publisher, be exposed to book deals available nowhere else.

While Barnes & Noble stores are mindboggling, we also encourage you to explore the smaller, more electic bookshops. (Actually, some aren't even that much smaller - check out Strand Books at 828 Broadway.)

In non-chain shops, you're bound to find more of a "collection," meaning specific books chosen by book-loving individuals based on relevance and caliber.

Shop at the Three Lives bookstore in the West Village, for example, and ask any salesperson what's on his or her booklist. You'll find that their knowledge and enthusiasm for books is contagious!

If mystery and detective books are your thing, stop by the Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca, where you'll find more titles related to that genre than you could have ever imagined.

Or if it's a beautiful day and you'd rather enjoy the weather, simply browse one of the many sidewalk vendor's collections (located throughout the city) for some terrific bargains on overstock and secondhand books.

To get you going, below is a short list of my NYC bookstore recommendations. Click here for a longer bookstore list and additional suggestions on how to find even more engrossing bookstores!

Barnes & Noblel (multi-level, Union Square location) • Useful for finding many books of various genres • Great bargain books section • In-store author events and readings.

Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway at 12th Street, Ph: 212-473-1452) • Largest second-hand bookstore in New York • An excellent collection, all-around—both for browsing and for finding something specific.

Shakespeare & Co. (716 Broadway between Washington and Waverly Places, Ph: 212-531-1330; other locations throughout city) • Six locations throughout the city, though you wouldn't suspect the store of being a chain, with its small size and somewhat eclectic selection • Hardcovers are always 10% off.

McNally Robinson (52 Prince Street between Lafayette and Broadway, Ph: 212-274-1160) • Canadian alternative to Barnes and Noble—has all the titles from the "bestselling" lists, while maintaining that small, independent bookstore charm.

Three Lives & Co. (154 West 10th Street at Waverly Place, Ph: 212-741-2069) • On a quiet corner in the west village • "A haven for people who read" • Knowledgeable and incredibly well-read staff - will help you pick out your next favorite book.

Housing Works Bookstore (126 Crosby Street between Houston and Prince Streets, Ph: 212-334-3324) • An affiliate of the Housing Works secondhand shops (throughout the city), which donates profits to homeless people living with AIDS/HIV) • Quiet, backstreet location; the cafe's a great perk.

Bluestockings Bookstore (172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets, Ph: 212-777-6028) • The Activist's bookstore (politics, gender studies, liberation movements and revolutions, etc.) • Hosts events, meetings and performances, too • Cafe serves fair-trade coffee and organic, vegan treats.

Ivy's Books & Curiosities (2488 Broadway between 92nd and 93rd Streets, Ph: 212-362-8905) • Assortment of both new and used books, all arranged together • Specializes in children's foreign-language books • No website available

Urban Center Books (457 Madison Avenue at 51st Street, Ph: 212-935-3595) • Design and architecture books • Great alternative to the nearby MOMA design store (which also has a fantastic art book collection); the space browsing without being jostled by crowds • This shop's location is reason enough to visit! Housed in the palace across from St. John's Cathedral that is known as the Villard Houses, you'll find many interesting areas to explore.

The Mysterious Bookshop (58 Warren Street between Church Street and West Broadway, Ph: 212-587-1011) • A intriguing little shop that specializes in police/detective mysteries • Classics like Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, as well as rare, signed first editions and collectibles are also on hand.

Kinokuniya Bookstore (Rockefeller Center, 10 West 49th Street between Rockefeller Plaza and Fifth Avenue, Ph: 212-765-7766) • Magnificent selection of books (in English and Japanese) devoted to Japanese literature and culture (food, art, gardening) • Abundance or architecture and design books as well • In-house coffee bar.