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Common Books: NYC’s Traveling Bookstore

Along the Lower East Side , discover New York Citys one and only traveling book cart. Brittany Bond, founder of Common Books , always wanted to open a bookstore of her own, and so she did- only on wheels. Bond sets up shop in Seward or East River Park , a common ground where all are welcome.  She maintains an ever-growing selection of female written paperback books, specifically curated for all people. Bond expresses a profound appreciation for her collection of poetry, prose, and novels, “there is something precious about them.” Unlike rare gems and stones, the universality of the books that Brittany Bond sells is what makes them so precious. 

The ingenious idea to create a portable bookstore hit Bond when she discovered the flexibility of New York’s Vending Policy . “Anything political or art-based or written matter, you do not need a business permit for… it cultivates a creative community.” She expresses particular gratitude for the First Amendment of the Constitution which, along with speech, religion, and peaceful assembly, has provided individuals with the freedom of imagination.

The little black cart is a treasure chest of knowledge. It houses powerful female authors, such as Jamaica Kincaid, Elizabeth Bishop, and Doris Lessing, to name a few. Bond is an advocate for the often marginalized voice of women in literature. “A lot of the stigma around female writers is that they just write pulp things.” Pulp fiction is a genre of literature that surfaced during the 19th-century but really became popular during the Great Depression for its cheap paper. Pulp stories are characterized by swift-moving, predictable plotlines, that usually consist of a masculine hero and a damsel in distress. Bond challenges this false presumption, utilizing the eloquent language of her female-written books as an arsenal. A current favorite of Bond’s is Alice Walker’s In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens ; a collection of essays that profoundly articulates womanism. This theory examines the struggle of women of color to broaden feminism during the 1970s Wom en’s Liberation Movement.

There is another criterion for the books Bond sells; They must be paperback. “ It might seem confusing why I sell paperbacks because a lot of pulp fiction is written just in paperback,” she says. However, the medium is perfectly suited for readers commuting on the subways , waiting in laundromats, or sitting in the park. Additionally, Bond says “in certain communities around literature, there is a snootiness,” which has made books unattainable to the general population. Bond wanted stories to be accessible to anyone and any lifestyle. “You shouldn’t have to break your back to read a book.” Paperbacks bridge the gap between knowledge and the people.

Like the progressive writers of the books she sells, Britany Bond is a pioneer. Utilizing Common Books as a vessel, Bond promotes the idea that literature is not designated to a specific place or person. Rather it is common; it belongs to the people.

Next, check out The Top 10 Hidden Bookstores in NYC and Hidden in Midtown Manhattan, Chartwell is the World’s Only Winston Churchill Bookstore

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New York City Travel Bookstores

New York is an excellent base for those with a strong case of wanderlust. There are international flights to every corner of the globe, restaurants serving cuisine from countries you’ve never heard of, and frequent gatherings of travel addicts .

But what I sadly didn’t realize during my years living in the city is that New York is surprisingly well-rounded when it comes to another travel-addict necessity: travel bookstores. While internet searches followed by frustratingly fruitless trips around Manhattan showed me that many of these shops have shuttered their doors in recent years, there are still a few going strong. Next time you need a guidebook, a great travel novel or just a bit of inspiration, skip the big chains and head to one of these independent New York City travel bookstores instead.

Idlewild Books

I must have walked by Idlewild Books, just moments from Union Square, a hundred times during my years in NYC. So how did I never know this place existed? It was probably best for my college years’ productivity that I didn’t because I could lose hours exploring this undeniably charming little space.

Books are grouped by geographic location, with a mixture of guidebooks, novels, memoirs, cultural studies and more. There is even a children’s book section, perfect for inspiring the young traveler. Idlewild also offers a monthly book club and foreign language classes in Spanish, French, and Italian. They’ve recently added a second location in Brooklyn, which I hope means they are doing well and will be around for years to come.

I was deeply impressed by the selection and layout at this store. This is a must-stop shop for New York City visitors or residents who love to explore.

Website / Address : 12 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011 / Phone: 212.414.8888

Store Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12-7:30 Friday – Sunday: 12-6

Complete Traveller Antiquarian Bookstore

The Complete Traveller bookstore takes specialization to a new level: They feature antique and rare books that are also of the travel genre.

Don’t come here looking for the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Glasgow. Come looking for a fifty-year old signed copy of a book featuring hundreds of tartan designs, a coffee-table tome of highland landscapes, or an age-worn antique map to hang on the wall. This is a place for gifts and keepsakes rather than practical guides or modern memoirs.

Website / Address : 199 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 / Phone: 212.685.9007 / Email: [email protected]

Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:30-6:30 Saturday: 10-6 Sunday: 12-5

Traveler’s Choice Bookstore

The Traveler’s Choice Bookstore, located in SoHo, is a sister company to Turon Travel. They carry all major guidebook series and a world-wide selection of maps, as well as a few travel accessories. The selection here is nothing to get over-excited about, but if you want a one-stop shop where you can fantasize about a trip and then book it, this travel agency – bookshop hybrid might be the travel bookstore for you.

Website / Address : 2 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013 / Phone: 212.941.1535 / Email: [email protected]

Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 – 5 Saturday – Sunday: Closed

While this company has an office in NYC that welcomes visitors, it is primarily an online travel bookstore… making it the perfect destination to round out this list for my readers not based in New York! I really love the idea of supporting independent booksellers even if you live miles from anything but a big box store or simply prefer to do your shopping online. You can search their catalog by destination or by curated reading lists. www.longitudebooks.com

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I really enjoyed my little tour of New York City’s travel bookstores. Each had their own highlight, but for me the one I will return to again and again is Idlewild. In fact, I love them so much that despite being on a book-buying ban (my suitcase overfloweth) I just had to support them in some way. So instead of buying a book, I bought something for one of you!

To win this $25 giftcard simply subscribe to this blog via RSS or email and then leave a comment telling me your favorite travel book (it can even be a guidebook!). I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner next week. This gift card never expires, so even if you don’t live in NYC, please feel free to enter. You never know when you might find yourself in my favorite city!

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I never realized there were bookstores dedicated solely to travel books. Is that just a NYC thing?

Well as a matter of fact I just re-watched Notting Hill on a plane today and remembered that Hugh Grant’s character is the owner of a travel bookstore in London! So they must have them all over….

When I was last in New York (in October/November) I wanted to visit Idlewild Books, but unfortunately never made it there. Now I am cursing myself for this oversight!

It’s funny that you mention that some of these places carry maps, because a while back Tony and I traveled all over Nashville trying to find a world map, and after visiting 3 different stores, gave up the ghost. It just wasn’t going to happen. Google Maps is great and all, but sometimes you just want a big wall map to plan your travels, you know?

Anyway, lately my favorite travel book is The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman. I actually reviewed it not too long ago on our site ( https://www.20yearshence.com/book-review-the-good-girls-guide-to-getting-lost-by-rachel-friedman/ ), and I think you would really enjoy it!

My parents have a whole drawer full of maps that they actually purchased and used to take on trips in their previous travels… guidebooks from another era, I suppose.

Loved your review of the Good Girl’s Guide… might have to pick up a copy myself! Thanks!

My “Bucket List” is filling fast. Idlewood Books is nearing the top

Oh my word how did I miss those while I lived in NYC??? I will have to check for the one in London when I go at the end of the month. Mmmh my favorite travel book is definitely the one I told you about last month. “Die Schmetterlingsinsel” (Butterfly island) It is set in England and Sri Lanka. Great book but unfortunately only available in German right now. =(

Well if it’s ever translated to English I’ll be the first to pick up a copy!

Interesting to see these type of bookstores. I would have never known about them or even thought to look for a bookstore solely related to travel.

As much as I’ve come to rely on blogs and my travel blogging friends for the best travel advice, I still secretly love getting lost in a travel guide or a book about someone’s lessons through travel. I don’t like being lost when I travel, but I could surely lose myself in a travel bookstore for days.

Great post and good share, Alex.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a travel addict, no matter how computer-dependent, who wouldn’t love these places! You’ll have to check them out if you are ever in NYC!

Great post Alex! For those of you going to London, also make sure to check out Daunt Books… They now have several locations around London but are a great indie bookstore and have a fantastic selection of books organized by country (where the action takes place and where the author is from)! The most fun you can have getting lost in a bookstore…

I’m currently doing a lot of travelling, and have really loved Alain de Botton’s “The Art of Travel” for interesting insight on why we travel.

Thanks for the recommendations, Jen! I’ll have to check out both Daunt and The Art of Travel!

thanks for the tip Jen!I am going in two weeks and I already wrote down all their locations and decided on a couple of books I wanna purchase there! =)

Taking note of these stores (especially Idewild) for next time I’m in New York. Sadly, I haven’t read a good travel book in way too long – Eat, Pray, Love not counting – so this will be the perfect opportunity to find some!

Confession here- I still haven’t read Eat, Pray, Love! It’s on my list though, and I’m also hoping to hear her second book, Committed.

This is a tough one! I’ll go with Bill Bryson’s In a Sunburned Country, an account of his travels in Australia. It had me laughing out loud on city buses! Definitely adding Idlewild to my NYC itinerary…Thanks!

Glad I could help, Heather! I’ve been meaning to try Bill Bryson for years, and I’m not sure how it hasn’t happened! Maybe this is the kick in the pants I need 🙂

Bryson’s writing is great! You might enjoy A Walk In the Woods as well; it’s his account of hiking the Appalachian Trail. And now I’m off to explore some of the books other commenters have recommended…

Ahh, that bookstore looks amazing! So far my two favorite travel books have been “The Lost Girls” and “Lonely Planet Tales from Nowhere.” But I also really liked Eat, Pray, Love…I love any book that makes me want to hop on a plane!

Andrea, do you know that I work for the The Lost Girls website? So funny! Amanda, one of the authors and my boss, is absolutely lovely. I’ve never heard of Lonely Planet Tales From Nowhere, I’ll have to check it out!

I’m pretty jealous about that! I was on the waiting list for the Kindle version of The Lost Girls at my library FOREVER and when I finally got it, I couldn’t put it down for the next few days! How did you get that gig?

I think you’d like the Tales From Nowhere book, it’s a collection of stories about different people’s experiences with traveling to places that are considered “nowhere.” I read most of it while I was preparing to move to Korea, and it is definitely inspiring!

It all started when I was featured as their Lost Girls of the Week… I started up an e-friendship with them and when an editing position opened up they asked and I accepted! I’m really grateful for the opportunity, they are really inspiring girls.

Nice! Their site is really fun, I like how it has become so much bigger than the four of them. Awesome that you play a part in that 🙂

My trips to NYC are always so quick. I usually sneak in an o’dark-thirty run and last time I finally got to run in Central Park.

Maybe next time you can nip into one of these bookstores for a little more inspiration 🙂

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The 12 Best Bookstores in New York City

TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins

New York City has been home to some of the world's most prolific literary icons— like Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Dorothy Parke, Truman Capote, Toni Morrison and Edmund White—as well as some of the world's famed publishing houses. Unsurprisingly, NYC also offers a multitude of incredible, destination-worthy bookstores—including some of those publishers' flagships!

From familiar names like Barnes & Noble to secondhand shops and indie neighborhood faves like Brooklyn's WORD or Queens' Astoria Bookshop , these establishments don't just cater to literature lovers. Many specialize in niche publications and genres including photography, art, design, comics and graphic novels, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC works, mystery, feminism, eclectic self-published tomes and zines, and rare tomes. These stores also host guest author signings, panels, spoken word events, and community mixers. Quite a few have in-house cafes to boot!

Here are a dozen of our favorite bookstore to check out in New York City.

Strand Bookstore

Lawrence Ferber

Founded in 1927, the sprawling Strand is NYC's largest and most famous independent and family-owned bookstore, carrying a reported 18 miles worth of books. Like Portland, Oregon's Powell's , the Strand carries a combination of new and second hand tomes (treasures await in the stacks!), including many out-of-print and bargain priced titles - there's a floor devoted to rare, antiquarian and first editions - plus an expansive selection of Strand-branded T-shirts and merchandise. July 2020 saw Strand open a new, boutique-sized second location on the Upper West Side's Columbus Avenue , so add even more miles of books to their inventory - and browsing time to your itinerary.

Forbidden Planet

Located just a few storefronts from Strand, this first and only USA sibling to London's flagship store for all things related to sci-fi, horror, and comic books celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021. Besides its impressive selection of graphic novels and new/recent comic books and publications, you'll find action figures, T-shirts, DVDs/Blu-rays, and ephemera including self-published hard-to-find zines.

If you want more comic goodness, also check out Midtown Comics ' three Manhattan locations while Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Desert Island Comics stocks a particularly eclectic, curated selection including underground comics.

Dashwood Books

Courtesy of Dashwood Books

Photography fans and photographers have made this basement-level NoHo shop a buzzing must since 2005. Dedicated to contemporary photography books from around the world, including some under their own house imprint, from freshly released to extremely hard-to-find, out-of-print tomes. Dashwood often hosts signings by new, edgy shutterbugs and curated the Gucci Wooster Bookshop , located within Soho's Gucci store and worth a look for more fashion-centric (and vintage) selections.

Rizzoli Bookstore

Courtesy of Rizzoli Bookstore

First established in 1964, the fashionable, upscale Rizzoli has occupied several addresses over the decades. It also broke the hearts of many book lovers in 2014 when Rizzoli shuttered its six-story 57th street townhouse location with no set plan to reopen. Happily, July 2015 saw Rizzoli open an engaging and dramatic NoMad flagship story, which includes a children's section at the rear! The bookstore also publishes gorgeous art, photography, fashion, cuisine, decor, architecture, and other tomes.

McNally Jackson

Desiree Navarro / Contributor / Getty Images

Egalitarian in its breadth of selections, this spinoff of a Canadian indie bookstore chain stocks something for everyone, including a small curated selection of international niche magazines like gay bimonthly Elska . The buzzy two-level Nolita store on Prince Street is ideal for browsing all genres including its own "McNally Editions" hidden gem line of paperbacks, plus a great gift card selection. Other McNally Jackson locations include the Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and Williamsburg.

Printed Matter, Inc.

Courtesy of Printed Matter, Inc.

Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2021, this nonprofit organization's flagship serves as a two-level retail space and gallery for just about every type of art book and publication you can imagine (and in some cases, objects), especially self-published and obscure. Signings and receptions are frequent, and Printed Matter presents the annual international Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1.

Another excellent and new space dedicated to similar publications, with a particularly rich selection from Mainland China, is the Beijing import Bungee Space , which opened during Summer 2021 in the Lower East Side.

powerHouse Books

Courtesy of powerHouse Books

Brooklyn's buzzy and oft-Instagrammed DUMBO district is the home of a warehouse-style flagship store for this fine art, photography, pop culture and celebrity-centric book publisher. Besides its own releases (2021 titles included powerful photography and essay collection, " The Stolen Daughters of Chibok "), powerHouse stocks a super browsable array of progressive literature, biographies, graphic novels, and children's books. That's in addition to gift items and artwork like signed framed prints by acclaimed, local Japanese-American cartoonist Adrian Tomine .

Bureau of General Services—Queer Division (BGSQD)

One of only about three dozen LGBTQ bookstores in the world, and possibly the newest, the BGSQD was founded by couple Donnie Jochum and Greg Newton as a crowdfunded pop-up shop in 2012. Occupying a spacious room on the second floor of NYC's LGBT Community Center in the West Village since 2014, it stocks a deep, largely new selection of LGBTQ+-interest fiction, nonfiction, art, graphic novels, international magazines, self-published zines, and art, with a robust calendar of events, guests, screenings, and exhibitions.

Also be sure to visit the Lower East Side's 22-year-old Bluestockings Cooperative , a proudly queer, trans, and sex worker-run feminist bookstore that stocks plenty of LGBTQ+ work as well.

Argosy Book Store

Courtesy of Argosy Book Store

Seen in dozens of movies and TV shows including 2020 Netflix docuseries "Pretend It's a City," 2019's feature "The Goldfinch," and 2019 documentary " The Booksellers ," the Argosy is a near century-old destination for first edition and antiquarian book hunters and those seeking an old school NYC atmosphere. Besides coveted and rare books, the Argosy's whopping collection includes vintage maps, prints, posters, and autographs. Yes, Lee Israel actually peddled some of her infamous letter forgeries here, as reenacted in Oscar-nominated 2018 film "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" If you have old tomes that need some TLC, the Argosy also offers binding and restoration services.

Sister's Uptown Bookstore

Courtesy of Sisters UpTown Bookstore

The Black female-owned Sisters Uptown opened in Washington Heights in 2000 when founder Janifer P. Wilson and daughter Kori N. Wilson sought to bring a burst of vitality to the local community that would also offer educational, emotional, and spiritual support for the community. The store is dedicated to written and spoken word works by and relevant to African Americans and other talented authors. Some 2021 bestsellers include Sister Souljah's "Life After Death," Ibrim X. Kendi's "Four Hundred Souls," and Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents."

Other fantastic BIPOC-owned indie bookstores include the collectively owned Word Up , Harlem's Revolution Books , and Brooklyn's Cafe con Libros .

The Mysterious Bookshop

Courtesy of The Mysterious Bookshop

First opened in 1979 in Midtown, this is the country's oldest mystery specialist bookstore though you'll find dozens of others in states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, Illinois, and even bordering New Jersey. The Mysterious Bookshop eventually moved to Tribeca in 2005. Owner/founder Otto Penzler's passion for the genre (and subgenres) led him to write, edit, and publish books, with two Edgar Awards under his belt. One exclusive offering from the bookstore is its Bibliomystery series of short stories (authors have included Joe R. Lansdale and Ian Rankin), available in various editions and price points including signed and numbered.

Courtesy of Bookmarc

Located on Bleeker Street across from the Village's iconic Magnolia Bakery flagship (there's always a line even this many years post-"Sex And The City " ), designer Marc Jacobs' intensely curated arts-movies-music-design-fashion-centric bookstore opened in 2010 in the former space of Biography Bookshop. There's plenty to browse here, from massive coffee table tomes to the pocket-sized "33 1/3" series on classic albums, plus a selection of non-book merchandise including work by Marc Jacobs himself.

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New York City Bookshops: The Best Bookstores in NYC by a New Yorker

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no additional cost to you.

Are you a book lover that lives in or near, or is traveling to, NYC and you’re searching for the best New York City bookshops? Let me tell you that NYC really has some cool and famous places + other , off the beaten path spots that you should check out. In this post, you can find a curated list, per borough, of the Best Bookstores in NYC according to me, a Native New Yorker.

If there is one thing that you can say about New Yorkers is that they love books! New York City is a place where bookstores are still very much welcomed, especially the small, independent ones. Having some of the most educated citizens from all over the world living here has a tremendous impact on the reading culture in and around the city, and is continuing to leave a trail that wants to be emulated by younger generations.

So, if you happen to be in NYC, and are looking for new reading material, then you’ve definitely found yourself in the right place! Let’s go through the list, borough by borough, shall we?

The Best Bookstores in New York City

New York City Bookshops: Best Bookstores in Manhattan

Strand bookstore.

This one is one of the most popular bookstores in the city, and is known by almost every New Yorker who has spent more than a month living in the city. It’s a place where you can drop off your own books for donation, and browse through the classics, as well as more specialized sections, such as food-, travel-, or health-related books.

It gets crowded fast, but it’s a great store and, occasionally, you’ll see people on the subway or walking along the street carrying their fandom of the store around, their Strand-shopping bag, with them. Because ‘yes,’ you can also buy gifts and souvenirs there!

You might also enjoy this: The best travel books of all time!

Namaste Bookshop

This one is ideal for all of your spiritual needs! It’s a specialized bookstore that has a wide variety of books on meditation, healing, spirituality, religion and various philosophies. And it happens to be very close to Strand, your first stop, in case you want to save time and visit one after the other.

Shakespeare and Co.

This bookstore is designed for textbooks, mainly for Hunter and Marymount Manhattan College, but everyone is welcome, and it’s a nice stop for non-textbooks browsing as well. It has a cute café inside, so it’s easy to get lost for a while and sip coffee while reading a page or two.

Westsider Rare and Used Books Inc.

Ah, one of my absolute favorites! It’s a haven for collectors, since they sell many precious first editions. We should all be happy that it’s still around, because in 2019, it was THIS close to shutting its doors for good!

But by sheer luck, and through a Gofundme page that raised enough money, they were able to stay open for business. Locals pulled together and wouldn’t let this gold mine of a bookstore die out. It also sells music albums; another rarity in this day and age.

Kinokuniya New York (Best Japanese bookstore in NYC)

I honestly would have never given this store a second look, if a friend wouldn’t have forced me to go inside. Located right across Bryant Park, it seemed like just another Barnes and Nobles type-tourist trap, but let me tell you, it is not!

It’s a Japanese bookstore with a Western twist. On the first floor, you’ll encounter all the modern, current books, and on the second floor you are entering Anime heaven. It’s a diverse and very unique store with a little bit for everybody. On the lower floor, you’ll find magazines, another small shop that is separate from the bookstore, language books, and stationery.

Argosy Bookstore

Did I just time-travel? This will be your first thought upon entering Argosy Bookstore. It’s a magnificent and majestic looking shop, straight out of a 1920s movie depicting the Roaring Twenties.

In a way, that makes sense, since the store has been around since 1925! It’s enormous, with its 6 stories, and sells mainly out- of -print, antique and rare books.

The Drama Bookshop Inc.

If you’ve ever been involved with an actor or have tried acting yourself, you know that there’s a whole niche of books related to acting. In acting school, teachers will tell you to read and study them religiously, and constantly give you assignments to read a play and do character work.

Well, the store to find all of these books quickly is The Drama Bookshop Inc. Mostly everyone you’ll encounter in this store are theater people and drama students and, if you have just one ounce of love and passion for acting and/or theater, then you will definitely want to pay a visit to this iconic shop.

Assouline has 3 locations around the City, but the one that I’m referring, which is my favorite, is the one located at the Plaza Hotel, mostly because of its great surroundings.

From the store’s balcony, you can see the beautiful lobby of the hotel and, while there, why not purchase some of the Plaza’s gifts, their coffee table book or one of their specialties? It’s two shopping opportunities for visiting this one location!

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Bluestockings

Some may call it radical, but I call it an essential bookstore that addresses some of the most important topics of the 21 st century, such as feminism, politics, inequality… you name it!

For an activist, this bookstore on the Lower East Side is a must visit. They even host regular workshops about these topics and, believe it or not, it is run entirely by committed volunteers. You go, Bluestockings!

Mysterious Bookshop

Located in the financial district, this is a true gem in the neighborhood. I’m sure that you’ve already guessed, based on the name, that its specialties are crime and mystery books, some of which are rare finds. It’s perfect for all the Sherlock Holmes lovers and hobby-detectives!

McNally Jackson

Wonderful, diverse bookshop with loads to offer, from book clubs to regular events, to the newest bestsellers readily available for purchase. The main location is in SOHO, with a café attached to it, but there are 2 more bookshops in Brooklyn.

Revolution Books (Cool Bookstore in Harlem)

It’s also a bit radical, but maybe in a less intimidating way for some than the Bluestockings.  It’s an indie-bookstore with a vintage feel to it.

Small, yet cozy, and it still sells the antiquated…here it comes: DVD’s! Harlem isn’t known for its bookshops, but this one definitely adds an element of curiosity to the neighborhood.

New York City Bookshops: Best bookstores in Brooklyn

Community Bookstore

Charming neighborhood store for the whole community, hence the inviting name! Very family-friendly, and its offerings are an array of books for adults, as well as adolescents and young children.

It has the classics and newest bestsellers, and combines both quite well. When in Park Slope, check it out!

Suggested reading: Best things to do in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Molasses Books

Bushwick is changing by the minute, and a new addition is this bookstore, which lets you trade in your own books for a glass of beer or wine at the bar. How amazing is it to find a bookstore that also has a great bar? It’s pretty unique, that’s for sure!

On a side note, they also sell coffee, just in case you’re not into mixing your drinking and book browsing. Must mention that they have a happy hour from 6-8pm, so keep that in mind when you plan your visit. Best of all, the majority of their books are dirt cheap, especially the $1 book selections in front of the store! It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

Quimby’s Bookstore

You would expect this store to be exactly where it is, which is trendy Williamsburg. It’s focused on books for and about the LGBTQ community, and it rocks!

It’s a refreshingly, fun place to visit, supporting self-published writers and local artists in every way possible. The owner is awesome. It gets 5 stars from me every single time!

New York City Bookshops: Best bookstores in Queens

Kew and Willow Books

It’s THE bookstore in Kew Gardens and perfect for locals to gather! It attracts a crowd of children, youngsters, as well as well-read academics. They accept online orders, which is a huge plus, and sell their own merchandise to support the store.

Another Favorite: A perfect day in Queens, New York

Astoria Bookshop

As small as the store is, it does great things with the space provided! It offers a ton of book clubs to join, hosts regular events, such as author readings and creative writing workshops, and has a weekly children’s hour that is very well liked by families and their little ones.

It’s very cute and makes it easy to fall in love with the quintessential, local bookstore!

Aladdin Books

This is the most authentic and unique book store in Flushing, Queens. It sells K-Pop albums for very decent prices, as well as Korean books.

For the ones who can’t read Korean, they also have a great collection of photobooks to admire (and buy, if you’d like). Staff is very friendly and helpful, as can be expected from such a nice mom-and-pop store without their own website.

New York City Bookshops: Best bookstores in the Bronx

The lit. bar.

This is the very first independent bookshop in the Bronx, with hopefully many more to follow! It’s a pioneer for a New York neighborhood that needs and deserves the same love and attention as Chelsea, Midtown, and gentrified Brooklyn!

Grab a book and get cozy with a glass of wine. Yes, it’s also a wine bar – check! It’s a beautiful little place that has already won over the hearts of many locals.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE LIT. BAR Bookstore & Chill (@thelitbar) on May 3, 2019 at 2:14pm PDT

New York City Bookshops: Best Bookstores In Staten Island

Every thing goes book café and neighborhood stage.

That’s the store to visit if you’re looking for book bargains on Staten Island. It’s unique because of its versatility: You can use their computers and study while eating one of their pastries, buy used books, and/or also attend regularly held events, such as readings and small art exhibits. This bookstore has a little bit of everything!

As you can see, there are plenty of bookstores to choose from when visiting New York City. Often one is different from the other, providing many surprises along the way, but they’re definitely all worth exploring!

You may find enough reading material and inspiration for an entire year, and then you can plan a return visit when you need to replenish your shelves and bedside table. Happy exploring!

As I like to say:

“Reading is fundamental – Emphasis on the fun!”

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The best bookstores in NYC

Find the best bookstore NYC has to offer from our favorite picks including specialty and used bookstores

New York’s one of the most literary cities in the world, and that’s never more evident than when wandering in its brilliant independent bookstores and specialty bookshops . And because Amazon’s recommendations have got nothing on a face-to-face chat with a professional bookseller, find the best bookstore NYC has to offer for browsing new fiction or picking up the year’s best books.

Here's a list of our favorites—listed alphabetically, of course.

RECOMMENDED: The Best Bookstore Cafés in NYC

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1.  Albertine

• Upper East Side

Albertine offers the largest selection of French-language literature in the United States, with more than 14,000 titles from 30 French-speaking countries. The two-floor space is truly an escapist's dream, with a designated reading room with lush sofas and armchairs, all housed in the French embassy on the Upper East Side.

2.  Astoria Bookshop

Independent bookstores are sadly rare in Queens, but Astoria Bookshop delivers a much-needed dose of lit to the neighborhood. Though on the small side, there’s a solid selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, and staffers are happy to hunt down anything you can’t find.

Events like readings, storytelling sessions and book clubs—many of which highlight local writers–prove that Queens is an artsy borough, too.

3.  Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore

• Lower East Side

A welcome counterpoint to corporate, big-box bookstores (though those are quickly disappearing too), Bluestockings is volunteer-run and resolutely radical. The Lower East Side shop is a social justice clearinghouse, specializing in books exploring race, gender, globalization, climate change and other pertinent issues of the day.

Its calendar features a wide range of events, with everything from a sewing circle to a discussion about working in adult entertainment, and there’s a café where you can fuel your visit—the goodies are vegan and organic, of course .

4.  Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks

• East Village
• price 2 of 4

If you know your Fuchsia Dunlop from your Irma Rombauer, hoof it to Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks. The East Village store, founded in 1997, is the place for chefs, gourmands and amateur home cooks to find literary inspiration. Slotnick offers a well-curated selection of cookbooks in the surprisingly spacious shop, and you’ll find fascinating, out-of-print relics of New York food history.

Oh, and there may be a tasting when you visit, if you’re lucky.

5.  Books Are Magic

• Shopping & Style

This beloved Brooklyn bookstore operates two shops in Brooklyn, one in Carroll Gardens and another in Brooklyn Heights. No matter which you choose, expect a cozy, well-stocked shop with great staff picks.

6.  Book-Off

• Midtown West

This used bookstore in Midtown is the NYC outlet of a Japanese chain, and the discounts are particularly deep—check out the selection of $1 books. The manga selection is extensive, and folks interested in learning Japanese can pick up a number of language books or simply immerse themselves in the culture via video games and movies from the island nation. Thrifty sorts can get an even bigger bargain by selling old books and obsolete CDs and DVDs.

7.  Community Bookstore

• price 1 of 4

What does Park Slope's Community Bookstore have over most other New York bookstores? First, the shop's a great place to find literary journals. Second, in addition to its knowledgeable staff and well-stocked shelves, it's got a bookstore turtle. Need we say more?

8.  Dear Friend Books

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @dearfriendbooks

At   Dear Friend   in Bed-Stuy, a bar runs through the space selling hot, iced, and fermented teas, and owner  Anna Sergeeva hopes to sell natural wine, beer and sake soon. In addition to the cafe, Dear Friend has hosted open mic nights, poetry readings and meditation in the building's large backyard since the shop opened this summer at 343A Tompkins Ave.

Those who take the time to browse the shelves at Dear Friend will be rewarded with a curated collection of vintage books ranging from $5 to several thousand dollars. They're organized thoughtfully in categories based on the seven chakras. The crown section contains poetry books, for example, while the throat section features books about language and communication. 

9.  Greenlight Bookstore

• Fort Greene

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Greenlight Bookstore (@greenlightbklyn)

10.  Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

• Toys and games

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christina (@thatbookwitch)

One of New York's most endearing spaces, this two-level Soho shop stocks an ever-changing selection of donated books, records and collectibles, and is also a peaceful spot for reading or meeting friends over coffee or wine. And since all proceeds go to fighting the dual crises of homelessness and HIV/AIDS, every purchase is a good deed.

11.  McNally Jackson Books

McNally Jackson features one of the city's most thoughtfully curated selections of nonfiction, novels, hard-to-find magazines, children's books and, most notably, poetry. Their staff picks are always impeccable, as are the tasty pastries offered in the in-store café. 

Gliding through the stacks in the multi-story Seaport location offers serious main character energy.

12.  The powerHouse Arena

Dumbo darling powerHouse publishes its own coveted photo books, but the company's loftlike space and gallery sells everything from cheeky birthday cards to the hottest memoirs. Its built-in stadium seating also provides the perfect venue for readings from authors like  Gary Shteyngart and Tavi Gevinson.

13.  The Ripped Bodice

A romance-only bookstore aptly called The Ripped Bodice is now open in Brooklyn, and it's stocked with scores of books you’ll want to add to your bookshelf. Expect a diverse and inclusive section of romance books, including historical romance novels and LGBTQ+ stories. The Ripped Bodice is also planning a robust calendar of events with author signings, book clubs and writing workshops. Find it in Park Slope. 

14.  Strand Book Store

As the Strand's tagline boasts, this store's got 18 miles of books, almost all at discounted prices. If you spend enough time here, you can find just about anything, from that out-of-print Victorian book on manners to the kitschiest of sci-fi pulp.

The original location is near Union Square, but there's now a smaller satellite location in the Upper West Side, too.

15.  Troubled Sleep

Troubled Sleep in Park Slope grew from a collective of street-side book sellers. Troubled Sleep focuses on art and leftist books, along with history and philosophy where "we try to keep it radical," owner Alex Brooks said. It sells both new and used books with a mix of popular titles along with more obscure authors.

16.  Unnameable Books

• Prospect Heights

This haven carries a wide variety of genres—though owner Adam Tobin namechecks its poetry and philosophy sections as being particularly good—and can satisfy any lit craving. If you’re on the hunt for bargain tomes, hit up the shop's selection of used books, many of which can be found on carts outside the Prospect Heights store for as little as $1.

17.  WORD

You won't mind braving the G train to make it to Greenpoint's friendly literary outpost. With another store recently opened in Jersey City, WORD is living proof that a genuine devotion to good books can defy economical odds.

18.  The Word Is Change

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Word Is Change: Books (@thewordischange)

19.  192 Books

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 192 Books (@192books)

Owned by art dealer Paula Cooper and her husband, editor Jack Macrae, the bright and airy 192 is one of the best places to pick up beautiful books, from art tomes to style encyclopedias and gardening picture books to film studies. Find it in Chelsea.

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New York City

The 24 coolest bookstores in nyc to support.

There are dozens of bookstores in New York City with their own mission, story, and personality. They’re also community third spaces, as they host events for people to connect. As a local New Yorker and bookworm, I want to encourage you to support your local NYC bookstore. Since, New York’s bookstores are actually disappearing! According to the Gothamist, in 1950 we had 385 bookstores, just in Manhattan! Today we have less than 100. Here is my list of the coolest bookstores in NYC worth the visit.

I. The Best and Coolest New York Bookstores

1. mil mundos books .

This activist Spanglish volunteer-run community bookstore in Bushwick is dedicated to celebrating the Black, Latinx, and Indigenous heritage. Aside from hosting events such as readings, book clubs, and school trips, Mil Mundos Books also provides 6-week online Spanish language classes suitable to all skill levels for those who want to master the language in a fun and engaging way! The bookstore is also a space where teenagers can do their homework and has a non-profit arm, Mil Mundos en Común , which accepts donations to support families in need!

• Location : 323 Linden St., Bushwick, Brooklyn
• Hours : Daily (12 PM – 7 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Bilingual, promotes Black, Latinx, and Indigenous heritage preservation, offers Spanish language workshops, and supports families in need.

2. Yu & Me Books

This woman-owned bookstore in Manhattan’s Chinatown includes Asian and Asian-American literature, allowing visitors a unique opportunity to explore diverse perspectives and cultural narratives. I also love their queer selection of featured books. With its friendly staff, cute coffee bar stand, reading nooks, and carefully curated collection, Yu & Me Books is one of my favorite bookstores in NYC. 

• Location : 44 Mulberry St., Chinatown, Lower Manhattan
• Hours : Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, (11 AM – 7 PM); Thursday – Saturday (11 AM – 11 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Yu & Me is the first woman Asian-American-owned bookstore in NYC!

3. The Center for Fiction 

Aside from having a GORGEOUS collection of towering bookshelves, this bookstore is a non-profit organization that supports emerging writers. In fact, they have a beautiful writer’s studio space. With its welcoming atmosphere and strong mission, The Center for Fiction offers a diverse array of events, workshops, programs, and readings dedicated to celebrating the art of storytelling!

• Location : 15 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn
• Hours : Daily (11 AM – 8 PM)
• Why visit this bookstore : Besides having a stunning interior, this bookstore advocates for emerging writers and has a beautiful writers’ studio! 

4. Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore

This SWer, queer, trans and activist bookstore offers unique insights into progressive movements. It features an extensive collection of books that focus on women, LGBT, and other marginalized groups and social justice topics. With its inclusive space, Bluestockings provides a dynamic, safe environment where visitors can participate in dialogue, education, and training for positive change.

I love their Give-and-Take Wall which allows visitors to pledge at least a dollar, which is used to share cash, a book, or a cup of coffee with strangers! 

• Location : 116 Suffolk St., Lower East Side, Manhattan
• Hours : Tuesday – Sunday (12 PM – 7 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Bluestockings is a queer, trans+SWer cooperatively-owned activist bookstore. 

5. The Ripped Bodice

Romance lovers, this is your spot. This queer, women-owned bookstore in New York City is a must-visit for its diverse collection of romance fiction titles for all ages. In addition to its cool decor and reading nook, The Ripped Bodice hosts various events such as book launches, writing workshops, and book clubs. You can also find cute gift items by independent women-owned businesses available for purchase!

• Location : 218 5th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn 
• Hours : Monday – Friday (11 AM – 7 PM); Saturday (10 AM – 8 PM); Sunday (10 AM – 7 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Focuses only on romance books and it is queer women-owned.

6. Cafe con Libros

This intersectional feminist community bookstore and coffee shop owned by an Afro-Latinx couple offers a space for exploring literature that amplifies diverse voices and perspectives. The cafe hosts community events, book clubs, and discussions centered around social justice and empowerment, fostering meaningful dialogue and connections. With its inclusive environment, delicious coffee, and thoughtfully curated book selection, Cafe con Libros provides a haven for those seeking intersectional feminist literature and vibrant community engagement in the city.

Bonus : If you need a constant supply of feminist readings or want to diversify your book choice, you can avail their monthly Feminist & Bookish subscription !

• Location : 724 Prospect Pl, Crown Heights, Brooklyn
• Hours : Monday, Wednesday – Friday (9 AM – 3 PM); Weekends (9 AM – 5 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Afro-Latinx-owned, feminist-focused, has a cafe, and outdoor street seating.

7. Books Are Magic

Another cute independent bookstore in NYC, Books are Magic has a carefully curated yet diverse selection of books for all ages and various interests. Some of their categories include banned, LGBTQ+ books, and signed books. Aside from a decent-sized section for kids, they also have seasonal recommendations such as Black History Month.

With its cozy atmosphere, Books are Magic also hosts book events, creating a welcoming space for readers to discover new reads and engage with the literary community! They also support Brooklyn Book Bodega , a non-profit that provides underprivileged kids with access to books.

Bonus : Books are Magic is owned by author Emma Straub.

• Location : 225 Smith St., Cobble Hill, Brooklyn / 122 Montague St., Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
• Hours : Daily (10 AM – 6 PM) 
• Why visit this bookstore : Supports Brooklyn Book Bodega, great location, has a nice kids’ section.

8. Dear Friend Books + Bar

This NYC bookstore bar is home to a selection of artsy and vintage books and vinyl records. Dear Friend Books is a great date night bar where you can order a glass of wine, beer, tea, or kombucha. Escape into its wooden, cozy interiors or relaxing patio, for some solace. They also host various events such as writing workshops, exhibits, and Halloween nights!

• Location : 343A Tompkins Ave., Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
• Hours : Weekdays (4 PM – 11 PM); Weekends (11 AM – 11 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Woman-founded, cool interior bar space and patio.

9. Book Club Bar

This bookstore bar is the perfect cozy getaway for book lovers to relax in the company of fellow book nerds. The Book Club Bar welcomes readers with its cute atmosphere, shelves of books, and bar. Tea, wine, locally roasted coffee, or New York State craft beers—they have it—and at a reasonable price! Their cocktails are creatively named after famous authors and novels. 

Additionally, the bar hosts engaging book-themed events and readings. If you wish to sit outdoors, their backyard is available, too!

• Location : 197 E 3rd St., East Village, Manhattan
• Hours : Sunday – Wednesday (9 AM – 12 AM); Thursday – Saturday (9 AM – 1 AM)
• Why visit this bookstore : Book Club Bar is a bookstore/bar, making it a cool third space for readers who want to hang out with a book and drinks!

10. Sweet Pickle Books

Sweet Pickle Books is one of the most unique bookstores in NYC. Here, you can trade your used books and records for a jar of pickles (which come in different flavors)—a wonderful and sustainable way to promote reading! The staff is nice, and if you cannot find the book you’re looking for, you can request it from them! Check out their cute branded caps.

• Location : 47 Orchard St., Lower East Side, Manhattan
• Hours : Daily (11 AM – 7 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : You can trade your books for pickles at this woman-owned bookstore!

11. Sister’s Uptown Bookstore 

This NYC bookstore is a Black-family-owned bookshop slash community resource center that fosters connections through its diverse selection of Black-American-focused books. They also host engaging events such as author readings, book clubs, and discussions, creating a vibrant space for intellectual exchange and celebration of black voices. With its welcoming and warm atmosphere and commitment to representing underrepresented voices, Sister’s Uptown Bookstore stands out as a vital cultural cornerstone in the city, making it one of the best bookstores in Manhattan!

• Location : 1942 Amsterdam Ave, Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan
• Hours : Tuesday – Saturday (12 PM – 6 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Sister’s Uptown Bookstore is a women and Black family-owned bookshop slash community resource center with meetups!

12. The Lit Bar 

This Afro-Latina owned establishment is not only one of the best independent bookstores in NYC, it is the first one in the Bronx! With a unique fusion of books and wine, The Lit Bar creates a cozy retreat where literary exploration meets socializing over a glass of vino, making it a perfect place for readers who also love the drink! Not only do they feature books mostly written by writers of color, they also host events for them, too!

• Location : 131 Alexander Ave., Mott Haven, Bronx
• Hours : Tuesday – Saturday (12 PM – 7 PM); Sunday (12 PM – 5 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Only indie bookstore in the Bronx. Afro-Latina owned. Great location. Spacious bar in the back.

13. World’s Borough Bookshop 

This community-driven, first-generation Latino-owned bookstore features only books written by people of color, further representing the neighborhood of Jackson Heights. True to its mission of amplifying the voices of  BIPOC, World’s Borough Bookshop hosts community discussions and book launches. 

• Location : 3406 73rd St., Jackson Heights, Queens
• Hours : Monday – Sunday (11 AM – 1 PM; 2 PM – 8 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Latino-owned and features only books by BIPOC writers. 

14. Bauman Rare Books

This bookstore has housed an exquisite collection of rare books since 1973. With its expert staff and curated selection, Bauman Rare Books offers a unique opportunity to discover ancient, rare, and first-edition books. If I am being honest, the place looks more like a museum library than a bookstore! Make sure to check in with them first before visiting because their availability is by scheduled appointment!

• Location : 485 Madison Ave Suite 402, Midtown East, Midtown Manhattan
• Hours : By Appointment
• Why visit this bookstore : Rare and antique books + one of the old bookstores in NYC.

15. McNally Jackson

This woman-owned independent bookstore has an expansive selection, a knowledgeable staff, and a bustling calendar of events catering to diverse interests and tastes. With its GORGEOUS atmosphere and curated collection at every location, McNally Jackson provides a vibrant literary hub where book lovers can discover new reads, attend book signings, and engage with the literary community.

• Multiple Locations : SoHo, *Seaport, Rockefeller Center, Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn
• Hours : Daily (10 AM – 8 PM); *Seaport branch closes at 9 PM
• Why is this bookstore special : Beautiful locations, a stunning interior with a seating area, an expansive collection of books, and it is woman-owned.

16. Astoria Bookshop 

This small, queer-woman-owned Queens gem intentionally celebrates Black voices, features banned books, as well as LGBTQIA+, native, and indigenous reads. Some of Astoria Bookshop ’s book clubs cater to those who support and practice feminism and mindfulness. To make the most of your experience here, you can join their events such as writing workshops as well as book readings and discussions.

• Location : 36-19 30th St., Astoria, Queens
• Why is this bookstore special : Queer, woman-owned and one of the few indie bookstores in Queens!

17. Word Up Community Bookshop

Word Up Community Bookshop provides book access to underprivileged communities. They also provide other resources such as free COVID tests and keep a “People’s Fridge” stocked outside for those who need them. This bookstore is also a volunteer-run bookshop and an art space is a hub for literature and community events! This makes it one of the coolest bookstores in NYC. 

• Location : 2113 Amsterdam Ave., Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan
• Hours : Tuesday – Thursday (12 PM – 6 PM; Friday – Sunday (1 PM – 4 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Word Up is a woman-owned, non-profit, volunteer-run bookshop that serves the community.

18. Argosy Book Store

If you love antiques, this 6-story bookstore might be the best spot to browse antiquarian out-of-print and rare books or maps. The place is well-maintained, and the vintage books are in great shape. Established in 1925, Argosy Book Store is the oldest independent New York City bookstore, making it an institution in the city. If you’re looking for a signed copy of an old book, their knowledgeable staff might find it for you!

• Location : 116 E 59th St. Midtown East, Midtown Manhattan
• Hours : Weekdays (11 AM to 6 PM); Saturdays (September 30th – Mid-May) (11 AM – 6 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Argosy is the oldest independent bookstore in NYC.

19. Housing Works Bookstore 

This bookstore has a dual appeal: it offers a large stock of used books and supports a worthy cause, as ALL proceeds from book sales go towards fighting homelessness and AIDS. With its inviting atmosphere and community events, Housing Works Bookstore provides a space where book lovers can make a positive impact while enjoying literary exploration. It also has a cafe and a small thrift store inside.

Bonus : Housing Works Bookstore has a nice interior, making it a setting for one of Taylor Swift’s music videos.

• Location : 126 Crosby St., SoHo, Lower Manhattan
• Why visit this bookstore : Housing Works Bookstore is a non-profit fighting homelessness and AIDS + have a cafe and small thrift shop.

20. The Mysterious Bookshop

Enter another world in this bookshop, which has boasted an extensive collection of mystery fiction titles since 1979. Whether you’re searching for classic whodunits or the latest suspenseful thrillers, The Mysterious Bookshop allows you to immerse yourself in the world of mystery fiction. In addition to book signings and other events, they also have a book subscription club.

• Location : 58 Warren St., Tribeca, Lower Manhattan
• Hours : Monday – Saturday (11 AM – 7 PM)
• Why visit this bookstore : The Mysterious Bookshop is the oldest and largest mystery fiction specialty bookstore in the country.

21. Albertine

This French bookstore sells… you guessed it, books by French authors! Many are in French and some are translated into English. It is located above the French Embassy and therefore can also serve as a spot for French and American cultural exchange. Another thing that makes Albertine a special place is the gorgeous hand-painted ceiling mural of stars and planets. 

Bonus : Albertine is a great stop if you’re visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art (right in front).

• Location : 972 5th Ave., Upper East Side, Manhattan
• Hours : Daily (10 AM – 6 PM)
• Why visit this bookstore : A project by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, it’s a great place to get books by French authors. 

This NYC class was established in 1927. The Strand has almost 23 miles of shelves and over 2.5 million used, rare, and new books, covering topics from the occult to romance and finance. Today, the Strand is a cornerstone of New York City’s literary culture and is the largest bookstore here! 

If you get too overwhelmed by the many books in this place, you can always grab one from their blind date with a book section! They also buy gently used books.

• Multiple Locations : 828 Broadway, Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan (Main) // 450 Columbus Avenue, Upper West Side, Manhattan
• Hours : Weekday (10 AM – 8 PM) // Monday – Saturday (10 AM – 8 PM); Sunday (10 AM–7 PM)
• Bonus : The Strand has a kiosk at Central Park (10 AM – dusk) and a branch at LaGuardia Airport Terminal B (3:30 AM – 7 PM)
• Why visit this bookstore : The Strand is the largest bookstore in New York City. And a classic!

23. Adanne Bookstore

This Black woman educator-owned bookstore in Bed-Stuy is a great place for readers to browse titles written by authors of color on its carefully curated shelves. Aside from hosting a book club, they also hold events such as creative and educational workshops. Check out Adanne Bookstore’s Instagram page for more info!

Committed to being an inclusive, accessible, and educational space, where readers can share knowledge and understanding, Adanne Bookstore is currently revamping a part of the bookstore to make space for reading.

• Location : 115 Ralph Avenue, Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
• Hours : Tuesday – Thursday (11 AM – 7 PM); Friday – Saturday (11 AM – 8 PM); Sunday (12 PM  – 6 PM)
• Why visit this bookstore : Black woman-owned + promotes works by authors of color.

24. Greenlight Bookstore

Located in the heart of Fort Greene, Greenlight Bookstore has been a part of the neighborhood for 15 years now! They offer big-name book events (I once walked by and saw Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie doing a talk) and they also host four monthly book clubs, differing from reading type and audience: fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and tween. Don’t miss all of the amazing restaurants in Fort Greene while you’re in the neighborhood!

• Location : 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene, Brooklyn
• Hours : Daily (10 AM – 10 PM)
• Why is this bookstore special : Greenlight Bookstore is women-owned. Great location. Live events. 

II. Best Bookstores NYC: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: what is the most famous bookshop in new york.

The Strand Bookstore is the most famous bookshop in NYC. Although it has different branches today, the original bookstore near Union Square remains the most popular.

Q: What is the oldest bookstore in New York City?

Argosy is known as the oldest independent bookshop in NYC. But the Drama Book Shop may actually be the oldest bookstore in NYC, as it was technically founded in 1917.

Q: How many bookstores are in NYC?

In a 2019 report by The Guardian , according to the Strand Bookstore, New York City is home to less than 80 bookstores. We’re losing bookstores! This is why it’s great to support these spaces.

Q: Where is the biggest bookstore in NYC?

The Strand near Union Square is the biggest bookstore in NYC, with nearly 23 miles of books on display!

III. My Other New York City Blog Posts

• 18 Uniquely Fun Things to Do in Bushwick, Brooklyn
• 34 Amazing Things to Do in NYC in August

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NORTHERN FRANCE From Belgium and the English Channel to the Loire. Excluding Paris and its Environs. Handbook for Travellers

BELGIUM AND HOLLAND Including the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg

Price:   $35.00

CINCINNATI A Guide to the Queen City and its Neighbors

By: Wpa [Federal Writers' Project]

GNADENSEE The Lake of Grace. a Moravian Picture in a Connecticut Frame

By: Dyer, Edward O.

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THE CHICAGO

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LOWER MISSISSIPPI

By: Carter, Hodding

KENNEBEC Cradle of Americans

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CARIBBEAN COCKTAIL

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AMONG ENGLISH INNS The Story of a Pilgrimage to Characteristic Spots of Rural England

By: Tozier, Josephine

AFRICAN GAME TRAILS [TWO VOLUME SET] An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist

By: Roosevelt, Theodore

Best Sellers in New York City Travel Books

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The Ultimate New York Travel Guide 2024

Our new york travel tips for first time visitors.

Are you traveling to New York for the first time and want to get an overview of what you should pay attention to? Here, I show you step by step the most important information you need to know for your New York trip. There’s a lot to see and do in New York, from world-famous landmarks like the Empire State Building to a wide selection of unique museums and New York-style foods that you should definitely try.

You may also like:

Where in new york should you stay.

• The 33 Absolute Best New York Attractions
• New York on a Budget

Now, sit back and enjoy our New York Travel Guide to help you have a wonderful time in New York City!

By the way, we now have over 1,600 spots in the city on our site. So, if you’re looking for suitable tours, bars, restaurants, and awesome spots to visit, then you’re in the right place!

Everything you need!

Hello you 👋 Here you will find everything you need for your New York trip!

These are our best New York Travel Tips for first time visitors:

Table of Contents

New York at a Glance

Best time to travel to new york.

Visiting New York is worthwhile at any time of year, but I personally like the warm months best. Summer in New York can be very hot and humid. So, for many, the best times to visit New York is April and June, and September and October.

Spending Christmas in New York or enjoying the pre-Christmas season in New York City is also a wonderful experience.  The ice rinks are open, the city is beautifully decorated, and, if it snows, the dream vacation at wintertime is perfect!

Paying in New York

You can pay for almost everything with your credit card, even the smallest amounts. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, stores, restaurants, and bars. Don’t have one yet? Then, check out the best credit card to have in the USA here.

New York for First Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know for Your Trip (70+ pages)

Best Way to Travel in New York

Finding your way around New York is quite easy, even if it doesn’t look like it at first. The streets’ checkerboard pattern makes finding your way around easy. These are the best ways to get around New York:

Metro / Subway: If you have longer distances ahead of you, then the Subway is your friend, because here you can travel really cheap. It’s easy to use! The MetroCard is available at every Subway station. You can buy single rides or the popular MetroCard for 7 days; that way you can travel for a week in New York at a fixed price. You can learn more about using the  Metrocard in New York here.

Taxi:  In New York, you can choose between the Yellow Cab and Uber. You can check out our tips and all the information you need to know in our following blog:  Taxi in New York City .

By bike: With many of the New York sightseeing passes (you can find out more about this budget tip in my New York Pass comparison ), the bike rental is included. We ourselves really love using New York’s Citi Bikes. This city bike program has over 1,000 stations throughout New York City, and it’s super-cheap. We’ll show you how it works in the Citi Bike New York article.

On Foot: You’ll be surprised how much walking you’ll do in New York. After all, there’s something to see on every corner. So be sure to bring comfortable shoes!

Where to Stay in New York?

Which neighborhood is best for you depends on several things: your interests, how close you want to be to the attractions and what your travel budget is. In the image below, I’ve drawn you my favorite neighborhoods of New York including the main attractions nearby.

And, on the subject of safety: In all of Manhattan, the Bronx , Brooklyn, and large parts of Queens, you don’t have to worry about being out and about in the evening. New York City is one of the safest cities in the world!

More than 100 hotels and over 70 neighborhoods to choose from –and after just 4 quick questions, I’ll show you which hotels in New York are best suited for you!

Where Should you Stay in New York?

Manhattan – it doesn’t get more central than this: Manhattan is the most famous borough of them all. Plus, it contains 95% of all the attractions New York is known for. Everything is within easy reach, and you are right in the middle of it all. On the other hand, the hotels are a bit more expensive than in Brooklyn or Queens .

Here, you can find my 33 hotel tips for Manhattan .

Brooklyn – urban and relaxed: For a long time, Brooklyn was the insider’s tip: now it’s “completely” normal neighborhoods. However, you’ll quickly notice one thing: life is much more normal, because it’s more of a residential area. It’s super relaxed, pleasant, and just as diverse as Manhattan. Above all, you can enjoy the Manhattan skyline from here!

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Brooklyn .

Queens – the new trendy neighborhood: Queens is a bit more “normal” than Brooklyn is, but, lately, we’ve noticed that it is getting more and more gentrified. The hotels in Long Island City (not to be confused with Long Island!) are especially popular because they are cheaper compared to Manhattan—and they have a perfect connection to the Subway, which makes Queens a great alternative to Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Queens .

What to See in New York?

One thing to know in advance: just because there is so much to see in New York, a little planning makes absolute sense. For highlights like the Empire State Building ( here ), the Edge Hudson Yards observation deck ( here ) or the One World Observatory ( here ), I recommend buying the tickets online in advance. This will not only save you waiting time on site, but you can also be sure that you will actually be able to visit your desired sights.

👉 These are our 33 best attractions in New York .

These are my tips after more than 20 visits to New York:

• Observation decks:  New York City has no less than five (!) major observation decks to offer, and each one is a dream in itself. My two favorites are The Edge Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory , because from here you have a sensational view of New York from above and you can see the Empire State Building . From the end of 2021, another cool option will be added with the glass One Vanderbilt . One more thing about the Empire State Building: It’s the most visited observation deck in New York, so it’s always busy. Avoid the crowds in the morning – and if you really want to go to the Empire State Building in the evening, choose Thursday, Friday or Saturday. During those times, a saxophonist plays on the observation deck. Important: book the Skip-the-Line-Tickets (you can do that here). Then, you can easily save 1-2 hours of waiting time!
• Visit the Statue of Liberty : The trip from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty is super-popular. To save yourself long waiting times, make sure you take the first ferry of the day. Here, you can find the best Statue of Liberty Cruises right now.
• Definitely take a boat tour , because seeing New York from the water is like being on vacation. Choices range from the free Staten Island Ferry or the NYC Ferry ($2.90 each way) to sailing tours (gorgeous) and the classic sightseeing tours that are included with all major New York passes.
• Walk along the High Line from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards .
• Visit Times Square in the evening – that’s when it’s at its most impressive.
• Relax in Central Park or Bryant Park .
• Plan a maximum of three attractions per day . After all, you don’t want any sightseeing stress.

The 41 Absolute Best New York Attractions In 2024

10 FREE Things to Do in New York City

The 36 Absolute Best Museums in New York

The 9 best observation decks in new york city, new york budget tip.

With the right New York sightseeing pass , you can easily save a lot of money on up to 100 tours and attractions. To find out if a New York Pass is worth it (or not), check out our free New York Pass Advisor to find out which New York Pass is best for you.

And on this page you’ll find our New York Pass comparison .

Itineraries in New York

You don’t know where to start? Then let us inspire you! We have some suggestions for you. By the way, the most popular is the 1 week New York itinerary .

The Perfect Itinerary For Your New York Trip

This itinerary contains over 50 spots and highlights of the city, including a map that shows you the best way to travel each day, taking you to or past the many big attractions. In addition, we‘ve added our favorite places, from great breakfast spots to start your day right to small bars and restaurants and hidden insider spots.

What awaits you here now is the perfect New York week, because this is what my itinerary would look like if I were visiting the Big Apple for the first or second time right now!

What to Do in New York?

For me, an unforgettable New York trip includes the following things in addition to visiting the main sights:

Go Shopping

New York is also really good for shopping. There are many small shopping spots and addresses, but also the big brands can often be found with flagship stores. If that’s not enough, you can go shopping in one of the outlets and flea markets of New York.

The best shopping areas in New York are Broadway, SoHo , Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. And, of course, 5th Avenue!

Avoid Times Square for shopping!

A real tourist trap are the stores around Times Square – they are not only overpriced, but also the quality is not right in most cases!

Here you can find our Guide to Shopping in New York  with everything you need to know!

Shopping in New York: The Ultimate Guide 2024

The Best Outlets in NYC – The Ultimate Guide for 2024

The 15 Best Flea Markets in NYC – Shop Vintage and Rare to Find Items

Shopping in SoHo NYC: The 25 Best Stores Right Now

Visit a rooftop bar.

I love the rooftop bars of New York . You can sit and relax, enjoy a sensational view of the city and listen to relaxing music. All this mixes with the so-typical sounds of the city in the background, and if you have something delicious to drink or eat on top of that, it can’t get any better! You can see where we like to go in our article on the 43 best rooftop bars in New York .

By the way, if you want to experience the view of New York when you get up early in the morning, check out my list of the 26 best New York hotels with a view !

Visit a Broadway Show

New York is known for its many musicals and Broadway shows – most of which are performed in the Theatre District around Times Square. Here are our tips on the  best Broadway Shows in New York . If you already know which Broadway show you want to see, I recommend ordering the tickets in advance ( here ). If you’re still flexible, you can buy leftover tickets at TKTS in Times Square, for example.

Attend a Parade or Special Event

OK, hotel is booked, attractions are on the list, the myNY itinerary is ready, shopping spots are sighted and the first restaurants and bars are also noted. Now comes the last step on the list to the perfect travel planning for New York: the events, parades, and holidays.

They are the icing on the cake of every New York vacation and, therefore, could not be missed in our New York Travel Guide! Just check out our monthly specials that are relevant to you:  January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , November and December .

Enjoying the Gastro Scene (in the Evening)

Now comes one of my favorite parts of planning our New York trips: the city’s many bars, restaurants, rooftop bars, and food markets. In our travel guide and insider guides on the website, we put a lot of emphasis on finding the best gastro spots and rooftop bars. So, feel free to browse through them, and if you like something, just add it to your myNY itinerary. Just click on the heart symbol, and you’re done!

The 24 Most Beautiful Bars in NYC Right Now

The 12 Best Food Markets in NYC

The 23 Best Waterfront Restaurants & Bars in New York Right Now

The Best Burger in New York City

Marvel at grand central station.

Be sure to take the time to see Grand Central Station . Not only is it the setting for many series and movies set in New York, it’s also very impressive and has a fantastic ceiling!

The 50 Absolute Best Things to Do in New York (90+ pages)

Walking through DUMBO and Soho

The neighborhoods of DUMBO in Brooklyn and Soho in Manhattan are among the most iconic neighborhoods in the city and are fascinating for their combination of old New York with new New York.

Things to Do in DUMBO

The 15 Best Things to Do in SoHo NYC – The Complete Guide 2024

What to eat in new york.

What should I start with first? With the New York pizza slice, the New York cheesecake, the wonderful pastrami sandwiches at Katz’ Delicatessen, or at the Pastrami Queen? In addition, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Luger are two really good steak restaurants waiting for you and if you want to eat really good burgers: go to J.G. Melon, the hidden Burger Joint or Shake Shack!

Get personal tips & tricks, specifically tailored to your trip!

We will provide you with individual tips & tricks as you prepare for your trip. How to plan, save money and make sure you experience the most of NYC are only some of the topics covered!

Specify dates

I hope my New York Travel Guide helped you plan your first trip to New York. Was there anything missing? Feel free to write it in the comments!

I wish you a wonderful time in New York City!

New York on a Budget: The 19 Best Money-Saving Tips for 2024

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Get exclusive content, real insider tips, and the best deals in NYC for FREE!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

Travel Books And Other Good Reads For Wanderers

I f you’re looking for reviews of the latest and best new travel books, I don’t have you covered. But if you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip, actionable travel advice or a better understanding of the world you’re exploring, this list is for you.

This running list of books has given me valuable insight into places and cultures, inspired me to travel or made me think more deeply about the way we move around the world. I’m lucky to count lots of excellent writers among my friends, and you’ll find some of their books—and mine—here.

Happy reading!

You can support this site by purchasing books through our partner links . We may earn commissions on these purchases, but the reviews and recommendations here are independent, not paid for by publishers or authors and not subject to external review.

Beginner’s Guide To Japan by Pico Iyer

I read this while cruising through Asia and ahead of a 12-hour layover in Tokyo, my first visit to Japan. If you’re looking for a practical guide with train tips and sightseeing recommendations, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking to better understand Japanese culture and Japanese people, A Beginner’s Guide to Japan is a must-read.

By sharing his perspective as a sort of local, Pico Iyer helped me better understand the sleeping businessmen I encountered on the train from Haneda International Airport, the giggling schoolgirls I came across in Shibuya and the unwritten rules I observed being followed all around me. Reading this before stepping off the plane in Tokyo helped me get more out of a short trip and has me inspired to head back to Japan already.

This isn’t a travel guide by any means. It’s more of a cultural guide, and it’s a must-read for anyone traveling to Japan.

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

If you’re into architecture, true crime or like to dive deep into the cities you visit, this book is for you. The Devil In The White City tells the stories of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and H. H. Holmes, widely believed to be the first serial killer in the U.S.

This book is historical nonfiction that reads like a murder mystery novel. As a Law & Order addict, I was all in. Reading feels like walking through the streets of Old Town, a neighborhood filled with opulent mansions built in the late 1800s around the time of the World’s Fair. This book will transport you to Humboldt Park’s idyllic boat house, the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier and a shadier time in Chicago history.

Chicago Scavenger Hunt by Jessica Mlinaric

For a more up-to-date guide to Chicago, check out this interactive guidebook to the best of Chicago’s hidden treasures. With Chicago Scavenger Hunt , Chicago-based author Jessica Mlinaric takes visitors on an interactive adventure across the city. This journey will take you to 17 neighborhoods in search of 300 pieces of local treasure.

Use the clues in this book to find little-known museums, vibrant examples of public art and historical markers worth the stop. Have a drink at Chicago’s smallest bar. Walk the Yellow Brick Road. Visit the nation’s first Black art museum or stay in the city’s most unique accommodations—a Bed & Breakfast run by monks.

Lonely Planet Iceland

If you’ve asked me for Iceland travel tips over the years, I’ve now got an entire guidebook for you. I wrote several introductory chapters and chapters on Reykjavik and southwest Iceland for Lonely Planet Iceland . A couple of Icelandic colleagues and an American colleague covered the northern and eastern parts of the island and taught me so much more about the country.

For my sections, I dove deep into Icelandic history and nature. I visited the LAVA Center, which has turned out to be an especially insightful experience considering how many volcanic eruptions have happened in southwestern Iceland since. What I’m most proud of, however, is getting an entire section of reasons travelers shouldn’t mimic Justin Bieber by editors and having the perspective to mention Bollywood films shot here as well as Hollywood blockbusters.

We also include lots of money-saving tips and demystify everything from Iceland’s unusually broad array of milk choices to its cultural fascination with elves.

Lonely Planet New York City

New York is a beast of a city to have to find your way around even as a seasoned traveler. This Lonely Planet New York City guide from a team of expert writers and current/former residents is designed to help.

I wrote the Toolkit and History of New York City in 15 places for this guide, and am so glad I got to put all the research I’ve done on Stone Street, the city’s museums and countless points in between over the years. I’m also thrilled to have my work alongside others whose work I admire and to see mentions of several of my favorite places across the boroughs.

A few key tips for your trip to New York City:

• Don’t accept rides from airport hustlers.
• Don’t plan to experience everything in one trip. It took me about eight years of living in New York to experience most of the things I wanted to do in the city, and I still have a few upstate day trips to make.
• Expect to spend more on accommodations than in other cities, but remember many of the best things to do in New York City are free.
• Never pay full price for Broadway tickets.

The post Travel Books And Other Good Reads For Wanderers first appeared on Travel With Meena .

New York's A Book Place: Meet the charming bookstore that also hosts candle magic workshops

Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have Jocelyn Kaleita, owner of A Book Place in Riverhead, New York!

What’s your store’s story?

Opened in the summer of 2022, A Book Place is an indie bookstore in the middle of Long Island's North and South forks with carefully selected book collections and local handmade gifts. The shop is warm with its natural light and white-washed beams, making you instantly want to discover what's on the shelves, chat and relax. It is steps away from the Long Island Aquarium and connected to the local favorite restaurant Jerry and the Mermaid .

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

What makes your independent bookstore special?

Instead of a bestsellers section, A Book Place has a local author area for both adults and children. It sells locally crafted items, like candles, crochet gifts, bags, coffee and jewelry. We offer classes by artists and crafters, host book clubs, arrange events and work closely with local businesses, schools and libraries to support additional events, fundraisers and our community.

What's your favorite section in your store?

This is hard to answer as we change displays and settings around so often. I would have to say one of the most fun things we've gotten to do was to supply a patron with her reading books for a fun challenge: "reading through the alphabet." We were asked to select a book for each letter of the alphabet, wrap it and write clues as to what it was, but not tell what it was.

What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?

My favorite book is "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," but most of my patrons are adults, who read either romance or thriller. The first week I was open the two authors who sold out instantly were Stephen King and Dean Koontz, both of whom I have only read one book of. I was seriously rethinking my choice of location.

It all worked out and now I do have a healthy mix, with mostly patrons who love for me to recommend a good book. I believe books choose you, so playing this game is often just a walk around the shop and talking to the patron about what they have read, enjoyed, or maybe haven't enjoyed.

Currently, my favorite book to recommended is "The Lost Bookshop" by Evie Woods.

What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up this quarter that you would like to share?

We've had author events, birthday parties, Bestie Night and a few mini–Maker Markets. Most recently we have started crochet classes: beginner, advanced, adult and child's and home school. The shop has a book club that has been meeting for just over a year. We also host candle magic workshops, which offer a tranquil evening learning about aromatherapy, crystals and meditation.

Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?

There is the obvious reason: you're investing in your own community's longevity and economic stability. Your support directly supports local non-profits, causes and affiliates through donations, research and community events.

Shopping at an independent bookstore can offer better service that is more customizable and helpful. You are given more of a diversity in products and brands, as well as, reading material. Many of their vendors are local and can customize a product or arrange for a small batch to be delivered directly, saving the customer money. Getting to know small business owners is like making a new friend. Small businesses seamlessly grow a sense of community, recognition and trust you never build within a big box.

Last, and maybe the biggest, supporting a local indie bookstore makes everyone feel good! Instant serotonin boost when you buy something meaningful and special and are supporting something someone's dream!

Check out these titles recommended by A Book Place owner, Jocelyn Kaleita:

• "Lost to Dune Road" by local author and librarian Kara Thomas
• "Finlay Donovan is Killing It" by Elle Cosimano
• "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" by Elle Cosimano
• "Expiration Dates" by Rebecca Serles
• "Beartown" by Fredrik Backman
• "The Leftover Woman" by Jean Kwok
• "Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair" by June Gervais

The Best Books of the Year (So Far)

The nonfiction and novels we can’t stop thinking about.

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By The New York Times Books Staff

• May 24, 2024

Fiction | Nonfiction

We’re almost halfway through 2024 and we at The Book Review have already written about hundreds of books. Some of those titles are good. Some are very good. And then there are the following.

We suspect that some (though certainly not all) will be top of mind when we publish our end-of-year, best-of lists. For more thoughts on what to read next, head to our book recommendation page .

James , by Percival Everett

In this reworking of the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck down the Mississippi River, is the narrator, and he recounts the classic tale in a language that is his own, with surprising details that reveal a far more resourceful, cunning and powerful character than we knew.

Local bookstores | Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Good Material , by Dolly Alderton

Alderton’s novel, about a 35-year-old struggling to make sense of a breakup, delivers the most delightful aspects of romantic comedy — snappy dialogue, realistic relationship dynamics, funny meet-cutes and misunderstandings — and leaves behind clichéd gender roles and the traditional marriage plot.

Martyr! , by Kaveh Akbar

A young Iranian American aspiring poet and recovering addict grieves his parents’ deaths while fantasizing about his own in Akbar’s remarkable first novel, which, haunted by death, also teems with life — in the inventive beauty of its sentences, the vividness of its characters and the surprising twists of its plot.

The Hunter , by Tana French

For Tana French fans, every one of the thriller writer’s twisty, ingenious books is an event. This one, a sequel to “The Searcher,” once again sees the retired Chicago cop Cal Hooper, a perennial outsider in the Irish west-country hamlet of Ardnakelty, caught up in the crimes — seen and unseen — that eat at the seemingly picturesque village.

Wandering Stars , by Tommy Orange

This follow-up to Orange’s debut, “There There,” is part prequel and part sequel; it trails the young survivor of a 19th-century massacre of Native Americans, chronicling not just his harsh fate but those of his descendants. In its second half, the novel enters 21st-century Oakland, following the family in the aftermath of a shooting.

Headshot , by Rita Bullwinkel

Set at a women’s boxing tournament in Reno, Nev., this novel centers on eight contestants, and the fights — physical and emotional — they bring to the ring. As our critic wrote: This story’s impact “lasts a long time, like a sharp fist to your shoulder.”

Beautyland , by Marie-Helene Bertino

In 1970s Philadelphia, an alien girl sent to Earth before she’s born communicates with her fellow life-forms via fax as she helps gather intel about whether our planet is habitable. This funny-sad novel follows the girl and her single mother as they find the means to persevere.

Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder , by Salman Rushdie

In his candid, plain-spoken and gripping new memoir, Rushdie recalls the attempted assassination he survived in 2022 during a presentation about keeping the world’s writers safe from harm. His attacker had piranhic energy. He also had a knife. Rushdie lost an eye, but he has slowly recovered thanks to the attentive care of doctors and the wife he celebrates here.

Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis , by Jonathan Blitzer

This urgent and propulsive account of Latin American politics and immigration makes a persuasive case for a direct line from U.S. foreign policy in Central America to the current migrant crisis.

The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook , by Hampton Sides

By the time he made his third Pacific voyage, the British explorer James Cook had maybe begun to lose it a little. The scientific aims of his first two trips had shifted into something darker. According to our reviewer, the historian Hampton Sides “isn’t just interested in retelling an adventure tale. He also wants to present it from a 21st-century point of view. ‘The Wide Wide Sea’ fits neatly into a growing genre that includes David Grann’s ‘ The Wager ’ and Candice Millard’s ‘ River of the Gods ,’ in which famous expeditions, once told as swashbuckling stories of adventure, are recast within the tragic history of colonialism .”

The Rebel’s Clinic: The Revolutionary Lives of Frantz Fanon , by Adam Shatz

This absorbing biography of the Black psychiatrist, writer and revolutionary Frantz Fanon highlights a side of him that’s often eclipsed by his image as a zealous partisan — that of the caring doctor, who ran a secret clinic for Algerian rebels.

Fi: A Memoir , by Alexandra Fuller

In her fifth memoir, Fuller describes the sudden death of her 21-year-old son. Devastating as this elegant and honest account may be — it’s certainly not for the faint of heart — it also leaves the reader with a sense of having known a lovely and lively young man.

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

An assault led to Chanel Miller’s best seller, “Know My Name,” but she had wanted to write children’s books since the second grade. She’s done that now  with “Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All.”

When Reese Witherspoon is making selections for her book club , she wants books by women, with women at the center of the action who save themselves.

The Nobel Prize-winning author Alice Munro, who died on May 14 , specialized in exacting short stories that were novelistic in scope , spanning decades with intimacy and precision.

“The Light Eaters,” a new book by Zoë Schlanger, looks at how plants sense the world  and the agency they have in their own lives.

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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At least 15 killed as powerful tornadoes devastate texas town, blast oklahoma and arkansas.

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At least 15 people, including two young kids, are dead after a powerful tornado barreled through rural Texas Saturday night and caused a crowded gas station where people were taking shelter to collapse — leaving an additional 80 people injured as officials warn the death toll is likely “going to go up.” 

The tornado in Valley View — about 60 miles north of Dallas — was just one of several devastating twisters reported across the Lone Star State, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

Seven deaths were reported in Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado Saturday night plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park, officials said. Storms also killed two people and destroyed houses in Oklahoma, where the injured included guests at an outdoor wedding. Tens of thousands of residents were without power across the region.

At least five people were killed in Arkansas, including a 26-year-old woman who was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey, a small community in Boone County, according to Daniel Bolen of the county’s emergency management office. Another person died in Benton County, and two more bodies were found in Marion County. In Oklahoma, two people died in Mayes County, east of Tulsa, officials said.

A deadly, overnight tornado ripped through Valley View, TX. Our @FOX4 crew is on scene at an AP Travel Center/Shell Gas Station where dozens took shelter Saturday evening. #txwx @Fox4Weather pic.twitter.com/x32qVlf8wT — Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) May 26, 2024

Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed seven people were killed in the severe overnight storm that struck a trailer park and the AP Travel Center, which includes as Shell gas station and restaurants south of town — injuring between 60 and 80 people taking shelter inside.

At least two children, a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old were among the dead, Sappington said Sunday morning, according to Fox 4 News. 

Dozens of panicked drivers had pulled into the gas station to get off the road during the dangerous weather, only to be caught directly in the path of the tornado.

Numerous people had to be rescued after being trapped inside, but everyone survived.

“I can also tell you that number is going to go up,” Sappington  told WFAA  of the death toll. “I don’t want to speculate and give you a number.”

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Search-and-rescue efforts remain underway at the gas station and in a nearby neighborhood.

“It took some time to get back in there because of all the damage with the power lines, and trees were down. It was kind of a monumental task just to get back to where they were,” Sappington added.

The mobile home park was especially devastated by the twister.

“This took a major hit. There is not much left of it,” he said. 

Elsewhere, in Pryor, Oklahoma, outside Tulsa, least two people were killed and five others were injured,  News on 6 reported .

In Claremore, about 17 miles away, a tornado devetated the town and wrecked a KOA campground, though only minor injuries were reported there, according to the station.

In Texas, Sappington urged locals to stay away from the storm damage, noting numerous reports of downed power lines and gas leaks that could cause serious injury if encountered.

Still, the sheriff was confident in their ability to come back from the serious deadly storm.

“We’ll rebuild,” he said. “It’s Texas. We can rebuild property, and as horrible as this looks, in two or three months, it won’t look like this [then]. It’ll be better. But the loss of life is just tragic. It’s always tragic. That’s what hurts the most.”

Two children were also reported missing in Cooke County following the storm, Sappington said.

Wow. This is terrifying cell phone video of two women caught in a tornado Saturday evening in Valley View, TX – close to Sanger. @FOX4 @Fox4Weather @foxweather #txwx 🎥: Valenia Gill pic.twitter.com/1PabgpBZxz — Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) May 26, 2024

Forecasters had issued tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of both states Saturday, as heat records were broken over the long holiday weekend.

As the storm moved through the region it overturned motorhomes brought down powerlines and trees and made some roads completely inaccessible.

On Saturday night the National Weather Service’s office in Norman, Oklahoma, warned areas north of Oklahoma City to “take cover now!” In a follow-up post at 10:05 p.m., the agency noted the storms had left the area and were headed across north Texas.

We're flying across part of the damage in Claremore this morning. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/c0M0gEL4fx — Alan Crone (@alancrone) May 26, 2024

By 10:24 p.m. the weather service office in Fort Worth began to warn of the storm moving through the region, issuing a severe thunderstorm warning with possible “golf-ball-sized hail.”

The Norman office had compared conditions Saturday to “ a gasoline-soaked brush pile” and forecasters warned storms would likely come with large hail, dangerous winds and tornadoes.

The storm system was expected to move east as Memorial Day weekend continues, bringing rain that could delay the Indianapolis 500 auto race Sunday and more severe storms in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky.

The risk of severe weather is expected to move into North Carolina and Virginia on Monday, forecasters said.

With Post wires

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