the top 10 bookstores in nyc
Selecting a book to read at a bookstore is a much more fulfilling process than ordering one online, especially when it’s at a local bookstore. Carefully curated, each book shop has its own unique perspective on the various authors and titles it carries, lending itself as the perfect book recommender. There’s no better way to support local businesses and talented authors while feeling the pulse of NYC than buying a book from an independent bookstore. Here is a roundup of the ten best independent local bookstores in New York City!
chelsea / non-profit / $
This eclectic, independent bookstore in Chelsea is an arts’ space that publishes and distributes artists’ books. Their multi-level space on Chelsea's 11th Ave has a variety of zines, posters, books, and records by artists.
west village
While they have temporarily relocated from their iconic red building (due to building work), to a new location in the Village, Three Lives is still a thriving neighborhood bookstore. A fixture in the city since 1991, Three Lives has old school charm mixed in with touches of modernity, and a caring and knowledgeable staff.
various locations / independent / $$
I love browsing this multi-level store with a wide selection of books. With locations in SoHo, Seaport, downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and more, McNally Jackson has a large selection of magazines, cards, journals, and more. If you’re looking for a new book to read or searching for the one your book club picked out, Mcnally Jackson will have it.
upper west side / rare and used books / $$
Walking into this bookstore on UWS is like walking back in time. You can tell that this cramped store with floor-to-ceiling crowded bookcases and old covers has been around for a number of years. But that all adds to the charm of this place. They even have a devoted cat that hangs around the shop!
west village / coffee table + gifts / $$$
This book store from Marc Jacobs brings together a curated selection of books on photography, fine art, fiction, music, pop culture and more that make for great coffee table books.
williamsburg / new + used / $$
A specialty bookstore offering new, secondhand, and rare books, Spoonbill & Sugartown has a cozy vibe and a wide variety of titles to choose from.
east village + upper west side / independent / $-$$
A long snaking line can usually be found down the block from the renowned Strand bookstore, but there’s a reason why so many people want to go in to browse. Shelves of cheap used books line the exterior of the store so you can browse while you wait. With three floors and every possible book you could imagine from fiction, cookbooks, children’s books, comics, textbooks, guidebooks etc., floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked full with books, gifts, and more, you can easily spend hours in this bookstore.
upper east side / french-american / $$
This French-American bookstore on the Upper East Side is hidden off of Central Park and right by the Met Museum. Housed in an old mansion, this vast two-story bookstore is absolutely stunning.
The ceiling of the upstairs reading room pictured here contains a hand painted mural of constellations that’s modeled after the ceiling of a music room in Munich! It’s also very much a juxtaposition to the ornate marble columns you’re greeted by upon first entering this magnificent building.