Even in today’s age of e-books, Kindle, Nook and iPad, there are few solaces in life like holding a good printed book in your hand.
With multiple stores, Barnes and Noble is the King of Books Heap in NYC.
But there are a few other brick and mortar bookstores as well.
Strand
828 Broadway
(Between E.12th St and E.13th St)
New York, NY 10003
Ph: 212-473-1452
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30AM-10:30PM Sun 11AM-10:30PM
Subway: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to Union Sq
If you haven’t been to Strand, then you’re missing something.
The place is huge. To borrow a line from the Strand web site, “18 miles of new, used and rare books. Since 1927.”
What are you waiting for?
Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby Street
(Between Prince St & Jersey St)
New York, NY 10012
Ph: 212-334-3324
Hours: Mon–Fri: 10 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 10 AM–5 PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to Broadway-Lafayette; N, R to Prince St
For books, coffee, free WiFi and some quiet.
Note: No electric outlets. So make sure you get there with a full battery on your laptop.
Unnameable Books
600 Vanderbilt Ave
(At St.Marks Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Ph: 718-789-1534
Hours: Mon-Sun 11AM-11PM
Subway: B, Q to 7 Ave; 2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza
Small used bookstore in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Eclectic collection of books.
Bookstands
There are also several street-side bookstands across New York City.
I’ve seen several stands on Broadway at 72nd St and 110th St. and also on 6th Avenue in Greenwich Village between Waverly Place and Washington Place.
Used Books Vendor on Broadway at W.72nd St
Unless you wear blinkers, you can’t miss these vendors with a pile of books on one or two tables.
Often, the collection at these makeshift book stands is esoteric.
I’ve seen books on European history jostling with pulp fiction.
Sociologist Mitchell Duneier has written a well-received book on some of these book vendors of 6th Avenue in Greenwich Village. The book is Sidewalk and can be found at your local library or Amazon.