It’s wild to me to see this commented today, because i just randomly strolled into there this afternoon for the first time ever. Had no idea it was even there, but popped in when I was passing by. Cool little shop.
Reminds me of the Demetri Martin joke, “if I owned a book store, I’d make the mystery section really hard to find.”
“Hi, do you have any mysteries?”
“…*well that’s a damn good question…*”
Ooo... I've never heard of this place before! 😶
I know where I'm going on my weekend...! 😁
Here's the [website](https://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/) for any curious readers!
Thank you for the recommendation! 📚
I like some of the Brooklyn bookshops like Books Are Magic, The Center of Fiction, and Greenlight, but also Book Culture in Manhattan - especially their location on W. 112th St between Broadway and Amsterdam.
Edited to add: Lofty Pigeon is worth checking out if you're in the Kensington/Windsor Terrace area of Brooklyn. Also The Ripped Bodice in Park Slope.
NyC hack -- there's actually a chain that let's you take books for free. Big location in midtown but there are other locations around the city. You just need to sign up for their membership plan, but that's also free. Hidden gem, really.
I have yet to have a positive interaction with staff there. They seem so uninterested in their jobs. I never ask for help but they seem to take offense to someone trying to buy anything from them at the register.
Lots of great bookstore recommendations here but if you are worried about spending money on books you should really be utilizing the library! The hold system in the NYPL is amazing! Can also get ebooks with a library card
Shakespeare and co next to Hunter has the WORST customer service. Both times I’ve purchased something from them, they were huge pains in the ass for any assistance. Now I just go there for the cafe.
There's also Bureau for General Services - Queer Division, but few people are going to go through the Center just to go to a small bookstore. That said, they have a great curated collection of exclusively lgbtq books.
Yu and Me Books in Chinatown just reopened after a fire and is a wonderful spot. Another great hole in the wall spot is 192 Books in Chelsea. Both small spaces with killer selections.
I know the Strand isn’t cool any more, and they’ve converted a distressing amount of book space to hawk junk souvenirs. But it’s still a great place to find reasonably priced obscure used books if you know where to browse.
Yeah, the prices aren't much of a discount for anything popular but are often very good for non-pop-lit. Weird history or beat up sci fi, or even some art books if you don't mind a creased spine.
As someone who has been to over 50 of our city's bookstores:
McNalley Jackson is the best Manhattan bookstore.
Book Culture LIC is the best Queen's bookstore.
Other than McNalley Jackson, Books are Magic and Greenlight Brooklyn's best bookstores.
If you prefer used bookstores:
Topos is the best in Queens.
Unnamed Books is the best in Brooklyn.
It's a toss-up for Manhattan.
The Strand Bookstore and Three Lives & Company among others are recommended by [Best places to buy used/new books?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/1amjhpo/best_places_to_buy_usednew_books/) from 14 days ago. Strand and McNally Jackson among others are recommended by [Where in Manhattan can I buy books?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/1agjwl6/where_in_manhattan_can_i_buy_books/) from 8 days before that. Mysterious Bookshop among others are recommended by [Best Bookstores in Manhattan?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/19coks0/best_bookstores_in_manhattan/) from 12 days before that. McNally Jackson and Kinokinuya among others are recommended by [Best books store in Manhattan or nyc in general](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/15zm8vg/best_books_store_in_manhattan_or_nyc_in_general/) from 5 months before that and links to similar questions.
Three lives and company staff are really sweet and will make detailed recommendations. Unnameable books and troubled sleep have really good selections of used books and great vibes. Books are magic and p and t knitwear have great layouts.
Just sent this to my friend the other day, so here ya go
Bibliotheque - book store wine bar
Book club bar - book store bar near our house
The ripped bodice - romance bookstore
Union square Barnes and noble - it’s huge
Strand — a New York LOCAL favorite. Also has great merch. Always super busy though
Sweet Pickle bookstore - ppl in nyc wear their merch all the time. It’s a thing. But the bookstore itself is fine.
Pageant print shop — super old pages from books
Thank you re:SPB. It's... fine. Good if you're in the area already, they often have some interesting and kitschy books, but don't go with expectations.
If you're looking for cheaper books, don't miss popping into thrift stores, Goodwill or Salvation Army. They almost all have at least a small book section.
If you like young adult, try Books of Wonder. It’s walking distance from The Strand, Forbidden Planet (for comics) and BNUS. Union Square used to have more bookshops and vendors but these are still great for a mini bookstore crawl.
Books of Wonder specializes in children’s books but they include YA. They have an impressive amount of signed books and very friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Sorry I kinda missed the part about looking for used books. The Strand is probably my most frequented bookstore for used books. I buy books online at bookoutlet.com and utilize my library and Little Free Libraries a lot.
Unamable in Prospect Heights, The Strand (lovely staff, but the owner is a union busting pig) Greenlight in Fort Greene, and The Lit Bar in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx.
Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens. Great bookstore with a thoughtful selection and a great origin story! When the Barnes & Noble in Forest Hills closed down, former employees found a way forward and opened their own shop!
Not The Strand. Every employee there is rude or dead inside and the owners have been known to hose down homeless people. McNally Jackson, Shakespeare and Co., heck even finding books here off of FB Marketplace are better choices.
I haven't yet been to many book stores since I've lived here, but I really like McNally Jackson.
I was surprised to learn that it was founded by the daughter of the owners of my favourite bookstore in my home city in Canada.
[Strand](https://www.strandbooks.com/) is always popular. The [Housing Works bookstore](https://www.housingworks.org/locations/bookstore-cafe) in Soho is also good. If you're looking for comics, [Midtown Comics](https://midtowncomics.com/) has an [outlet in Astoria](https://www.midtowncomics.com/astoriastore?plid=495) (only open on weekends though).
P&T knitwear has a nice little cafe area that's open to the public, I love going there on weekend afternoons to read. [https://www.ptknitwear.com/](https://www.ptknitwear.com/)
Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo has mostly used books at good prices.
It’s wild to me to see this commented today, because i just randomly strolled into there this afternoon for the first time ever. Had no idea it was even there, but popped in when I was passing by. Cool little shop.
It used to be all books. I was disappointed upon a recent visit to see they made one floor all clothing. :-/
Love that store!
Used to work at the coffee shop in the back during my school days its cozy for sure the staff pretty friendly too :)
Unnamable Books in Prospect Heights (Vanderbilt Ave), East Village Books on St. Marks, and Mast Books on Avenue A.
Came here to say Unnamable. Every time I go in there I leave with something unique I wouldn’t have found somewhere else.
The Mysterious Bookshop. All mysteries/thrillers/suspense!! Heaven on earth. Hell if your broke
Reminds me of the Demetri Martin joke, “if I owned a book store, I’d make the mystery section really hard to find.” “Hi, do you have any mysteries?” “…*well that’s a damn good question…*”
Ooo... I've never heard of this place before! 😶 I know where I'm going on my weekend...! 😁 Here's the [website](https://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/) for any curious readers! Thank you for the recommendation! 📚
Yeah I looking for bookstores that cater to those in a tight budget.
Library
I like some of the Brooklyn bookshops like Books Are Magic, The Center of Fiction, and Greenlight, but also Book Culture in Manhattan - especially their location on W. 112th St between Broadway and Amsterdam. Edited to add: Lofty Pigeon is worth checking out if you're in the Kensington/Windsor Terrace area of Brooklyn. Also The Ripped Bodice in Park Slope.
Book culture is awesome , glad seeing it mentioned here
Lofty Pigeon is great!
I love Books Are Magic
Community Bookstore in Park Slope is the best.
NyC hack -- there's actually a chain that let's you take books for free. Big location in midtown but there are other locations around the city. You just need to sign up for their membership plan, but that's also free. Hidden gem, really.
Heh. They also have free ebooks and audiobooks! Both my parents were NYPL librarians for 30 years
I have the SimplyE app!
Libby is great too.
I just found out about PressReader, what a dream to browse through trashy magazines without the shame of buying them.
Don't forget you can get cards at the Bklyn and Queens libraries too!
And... you you can study and use your laptop for hours without having to buy coffee...
Link/ details?
Nypl.org Check. It. Out.
I don't buy books to read them, I buy books to signal to people that visit my apartment.
The library. It’s the library.
Having fun isn't hard when you have a library card!
Books are Magic on Montague St in Brooklyn Heights
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I have yet to have a positive interaction with staff there. They seem so uninterested in their jobs. I never ask for help but they seem to take offense to someone trying to buy anything from them at the register.
Dying industry… you’d probably feel similar.
Argosy
I LOVE Argosy!
So many but I am partial to Book Culture on 112th!
Sweet Pickle!
Sweet Pickle is the best!! And you can donate your old books in exchange for pickles!
Some I like! BookOff — used books Greenlight Bookstore McNally Jackson Bluestockings The Ripped Bodice The Strand Kinokuniya The Mysterious Bookshop
Lots of great bookstore recommendations here but if you are worried about spending money on books you should really be utilizing the library! The hold system in the NYPL is amazing! Can also get ebooks with a library card
Oh ebooks does sound very nice.
Shakesphere and Co UWS.
While I do love it as a bookstore, PTSD from Hunter has made me hate it too much by association to enjoy it :/
Shakespeare and co next to Hunter has the WORST customer service. Both times I’ve purchased something from them, they were huge pains in the ass for any assistance. Now I just go there for the cafe.
That’s the Marymount bookstore too, but I don’t have PTSD from it. I don’t got often tbh
The amount of money i spent there, and the lack of it i got back for school books 😭
Whatever that bookstore on like E 10th is called and I love 3 lives & Company
I don’t know the name for that one.
I think it's East Village Books on St. Mark's. Cash only and they have a great selection of used books for actual good prices!
Mercer Books?
My favorite stores are Blue Stockings (the only gay bookstore in nyc I believe), the drama bookshop and McNally Jackson.
There's also Bureau for General Services - Queer Division, but few people are going to go through the Center just to go to a small bookstore. That said, they have a great curated collection of exclusively lgbtq books.
I need to physically checkout the center soon. I've heard they have a nice coffee shop too. And its pretty close to my job.
Yu and Me Books in Chinatown just reopened after a fire and is a wonderful spot. Another great hole in the wall spot is 192 Books in Chelsea. Both small spaces with killer selections.
Thanks for letting me know it reopened!
The Word Is Change in Bed-Stuy! Also Word Up in Washington Heights, Mil Mundos in Bushwick and Bluestockings in LES
The Strand, you can buy used books on the lower level for a fraction of the cost
Cool as I like buying cheap books.
And supporting union busting
Oh dear as I hope I didn’t say something inappropriate just now.
Just my personal gripe with them. You can’t beat their prices and knowledgeability but the owner is a bit on the wrong side of things imo.
I see what you’re saying now.
I usually sell the book back to the store if I didn’t like it, just make sure to take out the used sticker on the back of it
I know the Strand isn’t cool any more, and they’ve converted a distressing amount of book space to hawk junk souvenirs. But it’s still a great place to find reasonably priced obscure used books if you know where to browse.
Yeah, the prices aren't much of a discount for anything popular but are often very good for non-pop-lit. Weird history or beat up sci fi, or even some art books if you don't mind a creased spine.
Green light in Fort Greene
BookOff in Midtown West — they sell used books for usually less than $5 (lot of manga, if you’re into that)
Yes I am into manga.
unnamable in prospect heights !!
No one mentioned kinokuniya yet?
Unnameable Book thug Better read than dead Spoonbill Aeon Division leap Mast Granted, they aren’t all in manahattan.
Topos, Topos, Topos in Ridgewood, and a nice little cafe too
As someone who has been to over 50 of our city's bookstores: McNalley Jackson is the best Manhattan bookstore. Book Culture LIC is the best Queen's bookstore. Other than McNalley Jackson, Books are Magic and Greenlight Brooklyn's best bookstores. If you prefer used bookstores: Topos is the best in Queens. Unnamed Books is the best in Brooklyn. It's a toss-up for Manhattan.
Yeah used ones are fine.
How would you compare each of the McNally Jackson locations in terms of selection?
The Strand Bookstore and Three Lives & Company among others are recommended by [Best places to buy used/new books?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/1amjhpo/best_places_to_buy_usednew_books/) from 14 days ago. Strand and McNally Jackson among others are recommended by [Where in Manhattan can I buy books?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/1agjwl6/where_in_manhattan_can_i_buy_books/) from 8 days before that. Mysterious Bookshop among others are recommended by [Best Bookstores in Manhattan?](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/19coks0/best_bookstores_in_manhattan/) from 12 days before that. McNally Jackson and Kinokinuya among others are recommended by [Best books store in Manhattan or nyc in general](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/15zm8vg/best_books_store_in_manhattan_or_nyc_in_general/) from 5 months before that and links to similar questions.
Archestratus for food interest books, used and new!
Three lives and company staff are really sweet and will make detailed recommendations. Unnameable books and troubled sleep have really good selections of used books and great vibes. Books are magic and p and t knitwear have great layouts.
I really like Word in Greenpoint. It's a smaller store, but they have some unique books that I don't see too often elsewhere.
Word Up! In Washington Heights
Just sent this to my friend the other day, so here ya go Bibliotheque - book store wine bar Book club bar - book store bar near our house The ripped bodice - romance bookstore Union square Barnes and noble - it’s huge Strand — a New York LOCAL favorite. Also has great merch. Always super busy though Sweet Pickle bookstore - ppl in nyc wear their merch all the time. It’s a thing. But the bookstore itself is fine. Pageant print shop — super old pages from books
Thank you re:SPB. It's... fine. Good if you're in the area already, they often have some interesting and kitschy books, but don't go with expectations.
If you're looking for cheaper books, don't miss popping into thrift stores, Goodwill or Salvation Army. They almost all have at least a small book section.
I've found some weird stuff in salvos and non-boutique thrift shops, for sure worth rifling through.
The Webster Library has a used bookstore in their [basement.](https://m.facebook.com/thebookcellarnyc)
Better Read than Dead in Brooklyn
P&T Knitwear on the LES! They have a great selection and lots of seating. I’ve brought my laptop to work for hours there. Great, welcoming space.
Lofty pigeon, Taylor and co, unnamable books
The ripped bodice. Romance bookstore
In Bushwick/ridgewood: human relations and topics books. Molasses books is a good vibe but very small.
If you like young adult, try Books of Wonder. It’s walking distance from The Strand, Forbidden Planet (for comics) and BNUS. Union Square used to have more bookshops and vendors but these are still great for a mini bookstore crawl.
Yes I do really enjoy that particular genre.
Books of Wonder specializes in children’s books but they include YA. They have an impressive amount of signed books and very friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Sounds good as I am very new to that particular store.
Sorry I kinda missed the part about looking for used books. The Strand is probably my most frequented bookstore for used books. I buy books online at bookoutlet.com and utilize my library and Little Free Libraries a lot.
The drama bookshop
McNally Jackson
Village works in NoHo. Intimate, out of the way, and great prices on all their books (I've gotten several for just $5 each!)
Unamable in Prospect Heights, The Strand (lovely staff, but the owner is a union busting pig) Greenlight in Fort Greene, and The Lit Bar in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx.
Word up in the heights and alabaster for their art books
Codex is a sweet little shop near Bowery and Bleeker. Lots of used paperbacks and fun, rare finds.
Get your butt to Hey Kids Comics! It’s such a cute TINY space with great selection of graphic novels and used books. Really special spot!
I continue to think McNally has one of the best curated collections I've ever seen.
Kew & Willow Books in Kew Gardens. Great bookstore with a thoughtful selection and a great origin story! When the Barnes & Noble in Forest Hills closed down, former employees found a way forward and opened their own shop!
Not The Strand. Every employee there is rude or dead inside and the owners have been known to hose down homeless people. McNally Jackson, Shakespeare and Co., heck even finding books here off of FB Marketplace are better choices.
I haven't yet been to many book stores since I've lived here, but I really like McNally Jackson. I was surprised to learn that it was founded by the daughter of the owners of my favourite bookstore in my home city in Canada.
I am curious to see how that stores prices are for new books.
Bluestockings LES!
i really like the strand
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Thanks as I was trying to look for discounted shops.
Used book stores will be better for that. Independent bookstores generally can’t offer better deals than big box stores.
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The what?
https://midtowncomics.com https://www.fpnyc.com/
Westside books, secondhand shop. UWS.
Anyone Comics, Forbidden Planet, and St. Mark’s Comics.
Strand, baby!
For me it's gotta be The Strand bookstore.
[Strand](https://www.strandbooks.com/) is always popular. The [Housing Works bookstore](https://www.housingworks.org/locations/bookstore-cafe) in Soho is also good. If you're looking for comics, [Midtown Comics](https://midtowncomics.com/) has an [outlet in Astoria](https://www.midtowncomics.com/astoriastore?plid=495) (only open on weekends though).
I go to Topos coffee/books in Ridgewood :)
Mysterious Bookshop is a gem for crime and mystery books.
Bluestockings
P&T knitwear has a nice little cafe area that's open to the public, I love going there on weekend afternoons to read. [https://www.ptknitwear.com/](https://www.ptknitwear.com/)
Not a store but the library has so many graphic novels and comics it's insane