Where else can you travel back in time, traverse the globe, step into imaginary world’s or ponder the observations of the great historical and contemporary minds but in a fine-crafted, hardcover or soft textured bound BOOK!
In the words of the great creative genius, P.T. Barnum “literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity”
Below are a couple of my favorite independent book stores.
THREE LIVES & COMPANY
This cozy West Village book shop has been a neighborhood staple since 1968. The staff is highly literate, super helpful and really encourage communication. looking for a gift for your Aunt Mary? Explain to them what her interests are, what her personality is and a few minutes later you will have a stack of books in your arms heading to the register. Look for the staff recommendations, including new hardcover and paperbacks in the front. Books cover every surface of this tiny store and displays change continually so there is always the chance to discover something you have never noticed before.
Three Lives & Company, 154 West 10th Street
ALBERTINE
Tucked inside the historic Payne Whitney Mansion, ALBERTINE is the only bookshop in New York devoted solely to literature translated in the languages of English and French, featuring over 14,000 contemporary/classic titles culled from 30 French-speaking countries. This literary gem of a store is simply gorgeous! Spend an afternoon curled up in an old leather chair tucked under an exquisite vaulted ceiling painted with blue sky, gold stars and signs of the zodiac. The overall ambience conveys the vibe of being in a grand, private estate library vs. this precious independent book shop located in the heart of New York City.
Albertine Books, 972 Fifth Ave.
RIZZOLI
For over fifty years, twenty in its previous 57th Street location, Rizzoli Bookstore has been a literary landmark in New York City and a celebrated destination for important authors and book lovers from all over the world. Rizzoli specializes in illustrated books on architecture, interior design, fashion, photography, cookery as well as literature and foreign language books.
Rizzoli Bookstore, 1133 Broadway
WESTSIDER RARE & USED BOOKS
This tiny bookstore with its creaky floors, high-piled shelves and dark narrow isles is wonderfully crammed to the rafters with an excellent selection of used fiction, non-fiction, history, poetry, books as carefree or academic as you could want. Make sure to check out the bargain in front of the store.
Westsider Rare & Used Books, 2246 Broadway
BOOKS OF WONDER
At a time when book stores – or books for that matter – are disappearing at a rapid pace, it’s comforting to know that one of the rare city spots that first ignited my imagination as a child still stands. Over thirty-five years since opening, BOOKS OF WONDER continues to enchant new generations of young book lovers with it’s unparalleled collection of 1st and limited editions, rare signed antique books as well as art from children’s literature. With super friendly knowledgable staff, it’s no “wonder” that kids of all ages (this “kid” included) choose this oldest and largest independent children’s bookstore as their magical escape and retreat.
Books of Wonder, 18 West 18th Street
THE FOOD LOVERS BOOKSTORE’S
If you need anything that was ever written about food, these two stores either have it or can find it. They have books on the role of rice in art, cooking on a boat, cooking for children, 365 fish drawings and of course any ethnic food you can possibly dream of. Kitchen Arts & Letters has over 12,000 titles in stock which come from all over the world and if they don’t have something your looking for they will track down out-of-print or scarce books for their customers. Julia Child, James Beard and Laurie Colwin were among their early customers when they opened their doors in 1983. Crammed floor to ceiling with historic, vintage and contemporary cookbooks, Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks is a dangerous place for a cookbook enthusiast to browse. With over 4,000 books and an amazing selection of vintage kitchenware, aprons and artwork leave plenty of time to while away an afternoon.
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, 28 East 2nd Street
Kitchen Arts & Letters, 1435 Lexington Ave. (between 93rd & 94th)
DRAMA BOOK SHOP
Calling all drama Queens (and kings)! If theater is your game (and if you’re a TRUE New Yorker, it’s in your DNA) than the DRAMA BOOK SHOP has got your name. An integral hub for the performing arts community since 1917 and containing everything in print related to show business. An important destination for the aspiring thespian and fans alike. They also have a cafe with a wonderful selection of coffees, teas and pastries.
Drama Book Shop, 266 West 39th Street
McNALLY JACKSON BOOKS
McNally Jackson launched in 2004 by a former book editor this book store is always packed. It may be because every section is meticulously curated. British Literature, gardening, arts and crafts, poetry or possibly it’s the comfy chairs, or maybe it’s the interesting literary events held but personally I think it’s the amazing staff. Whatever your bookish preference is you’ll find it here.
McNally Jackson, 134 Prince street, 1 Rockefeller Plaza, 4 Fulton Street