We both live in Brooklyn, but when it comes to bookstores, we do not discriminate by borough. We’ve gone on excursions just to visit a bookstore and consider ourselves to be quite the connoisseurs. We will continue to update this list as we discover more of New York City’s best bookstores, so keep checking back in!
Books Are Magic— Carroll Gardens
The best kind of bookstore is one owned by an author, and Books Are Magic does not disappoint. It’s owned by Emma Straub, author of Modern Lovers, The Vacationers, All Adults Here, and Lara Lamont’s Life in Pictures. The big pink mural on the outside of the building doesn’t hurt either! The store itself is beautiful and has a great selection. A lot of the books are signed because they host a lot of author events. I’ve always wanted to buy tickets to one of their readings- they’ve hosted people like Taffy Brodesser- Akner, Ocean Vuong, and Jia Tolentino. They are still doing events during COVID, and adding that to my 2021/2022 bucket list! While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Clover Club for a drink, grab a sandwich at Court Street Grocers or dinner at Frankie’s Spuntino 457, and check out Article& for some cute clothes!
225 Smith Street, Brooklyn NY 11231
McNally Jackson— Prince Street Location, NoLita
There are four locations of McNally Jackson, but Prince Street is the original and the best. There’s good people watching, great book selection, particularly for coffee table browsing, a cafe, and a magazine stand with every issue imaginable. I like to spend an hour wandering around with an iced coffee listening to music that makes me feel like I’m in a movie. In a dream world, I follow that up with a slice from Prince Street Pizza and a reading session in the Elizabeth Street Garden.
52 Prince Street, New York, New York 10012
Word— Greenpoint
Word is on one of my favorite streets in Greenpoint. Even though the store is small, they have a good selection of up and coming books and the best sellers, and usually have a good sale section. Pick up a good book and explore some of Greenpoint’s other great shopping, grab lunch at Frankel’s, and go read in McCarren Park! There is also another location in Jersey City.
126 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Cafe Con Libros— Crown Heights
Cafe con Libros is a feminist bookstore and coffee shop in Crown Heights! In non-COVID times, Cafe con Libros is a great community resource and gathering place. They recently launched another book club called “Read What You Sow” with New York Liberty WNBA player Jocelyn Willoughby. She will explore the injustices that faces Black and Brown people and particularly womxn of color within the systems of healthcare, education and other public systems. We are both subscribers to Cafe con Libros’ Womxn of Color Book Club, and really enjoy the selection and that a book comes right to our door once a month! Pro tip- if you’ve already read the month’s book, you can ask to swap it out for something else!
724 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216
The Strand — Union Square
The Strand is a New York institution; it has made appearances in a several movies and tv shows, including Julie & Julia, Master of None and Sex & The City. Located in Union Square, it’s a great place to waste a few hours, people watch and browse their 18 miles of books. I love the big sales racks outside as well! The owner is also an advocate for local bookstores and has been outspoken about the importance of supporting small businesses during COVID-19. Wander around for an hour, buy a book off the used books rack, and wander over to Daily Provisions for a life-changing sandwich or grab a piece of babka from Breads Bakery before reading in the park!
828 Broadway, New York, New York 10003
Bookstores on Our List…
Our list of to-visit bookstores is never-ending. Here are some of our top picks!
The Lit. Bar — Mott Haven, The Bronx
We haven’t made it to the Lit Bar, but this is high on our list! The Lit. Bar is a bookstore and a wine bar, which is the ultimate combination. Located in Mott Haven in The Bronx, The Lit. Bar is the only bookstore in the borough. The space also serves as a community center, and they offer great (virtual) programming. Hoping to make it over the Lit. Bar in 2021!
131 Alexander Avenue, The Bronx, NY 10454
Mysterious Bookshop — FiDi
Located alllll the way downtown, Mysterious Bookshop is just what is sounds like- a bookstore that only carries mystery fiction. It claims to be the world’s “oldest and greatest” mystery fiction store. A loves mysteries and thrillers, and is planning to take a fun ferry ride over sometime this spring and stock up on some new spooky thrillers.
58 Warren Street, New York, New York, 10007
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks — East Village
This is one of those things that would only exist in New York City, and feels right at home in the East Village. Bonnie Slotnick’s shop is dedicated exclusively to antique cookbooks and is home to more than 5,000 cookbooks from the 19th and 20th century. Most of them aren’t even in print any more! While I’m probably not investing in an antique cookbook anytime soon, I can’t wait to stop by for a visit and do some serious browsing.
28 East 2nd Street, New York, New York 10003
