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From: [e-mail] (Evelyn C. Leeper)
Subject: Bookstores in New York City (NYC) List (rec.arts.books)
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Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1992 22:37:22 GMT
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Last change:
Fri Dec  4 16:50:48 EST 1992

Additional comments on:
    The Mysterious Book Shop (129 W. 56th)
    Doubleday (5th Ave & 53rd)
    Strand Books (828 Broadway & 12th)

Copies of this article may be obtained by anonymous ftp to
pit-manager.mit.edu (18.172.1.27) under
/pub/usenet/news.answers/books/stores/nyc.Z.  Or, send email to
[e-mail] with the subject line "send
usenet/news.answers/books/stores/nyc", leaving the body of the
message empty.

[Note 1: Yes, I realize that I have covered only Manhattan and New York City
covers four other boroughs.  Further listings are welcome.]

[Note 2: I collected these comments from a variety of people.  I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy.  :-)   Phone numbers and precise addresses can
be gotten by calling directory assistance at 212-555-1212.  Call ahead for
precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]

[Note 3: I am cross-posting this to rec.arts.sf.written, but the bookstores
listed include *all* types of bookstores, so please don't tell me that a
particular store has a limited SF section unless I have specifically claimed
otherwise.]

Working south:
==========UPTOWN=============
NRS Books (used) (118th & Amsterdam, across from Columbia U)
    Cavernous, twisty store; small but often interesting.  Mixed
    salespeople--some very good.  A gamble.  Identify the
    mystery quote of the day and get an additional 20% off your
    purchase.  Paul, the owner, used to have a weakness for
    complete sets--old encyclopedias, bound collections of
    American Heritage, and so on.
    Extensive humanities and soc. sci. sections, very
    reasonable prices, and lots of gems.

??? Used Books (115th & Amsterdam, above the post office)
    I've never been there--I think they have a lot of used
    course books.

Columbia Univ. Bookstore (Barnes & Noble) (Broadway and 115th)
    The usual Barnes & Noble selection as well as textbooks for
    courses at Columbia.  Higher prices than many other stores,
    but a very large selection, even for B&N.  The downtown store
    has textbooks for NYU.

Barnard Bookforum (Broadway and 115th)
    A very good bookstore with many of Barnard's textbooks, plus a
    generally strong selection and helpful staff.  Surprising
    Russian-language section in the back.

Papyrus (Broadway & 114th)
    A fairly large collection of left-wing books and magazines
    (on film, literature, etc., as well as politics).
    "I'm not sure if they're worth a special trip, but check
    them out if you're in the neighborhood."

Pomander Books (955 West End Avenue--also described as Broadway at
    107th, on the SW corner, down the stairs) (212-866-1777).
    A good used-book store. This is the same bookstore that was next
    to the Thalia.  Lots of art books, some hard to find.  If it
    matters, West End runs into Broadway just north of there, which
    is why the address is misleading.

Paperback Discounter (west side of Broadway just south of 94th Street).
    There are lots of used and otherwise discounted paperbacks, but
    the collection, which is eclectic and interesting, is--by those
    very attributes--not very reliable.  (They also rent videotapes,
    and if you look mainly at the signs in the window you'll notice an
    ad for VCR repair that might distract you from the display of
    paperbacks in the window.)

Black Books Plus (Amsterdam and 94th)
    Specialty is Black interest and Third World concerns.

Funny Business (northwest corner of Amsterdam and 93rd)
    A comic book store of unknown quality.

The Military Bookman (29 East 93rd) (212-348-1280)
    Specializing in used military books.  Their selection is
    excellent, but they are usually a bit pricey.  It's the
    sort of place that military buffs all know about, but
    call only as a last resort.  They issue a catalog (about
    3 times a year), and otherwise engage in mail order.
    (One poster reports that they contacted him recently about
    a book he had told them he was looking for at least three
    years ago, so they keep track of these things.)
    No credit card/phone orders.

Kitchen Arts & Letters, Inc. (1435 Lexington Ave at 93rd)
    (212-876-5550).  Quoting from their brochure: "the country's
    largest store devoted completely to books on food and wine.
    With well over 7000 cooking titles and access to thousands of
    out-of-print titles through our free search service..."
    From a reader: "While the sale prices at Jessica's Biscuit beat
    these peoples' full-list prices, this probably is a good place to
    keep in mind for unusual and hard to find cookery books.  Sounds
    like a fun place to browse, in any case..."  Does credit card and
    phone orders.  (Mon 1-6, Tue-Fri 10-6:30, Sat 11-6.  Summer hours
    less regular; mostly closed Saturdays in July and open only 2-3
    days per week in August.)

The Corner Bookstore (Madison at 93rd)
    They specialize in children's books and travel books, but
    they also have a film connection: not only is this the bookstore
    where Nick Nolte found the "Renata Halpern" children's book in
    THE PRINCE OF TIDES, it's also just one block south of
    the red brick fortress/castle facade featured in THE FISHER KING.

Murder Ink (Broadway btwn 92nd and 93rd)
    As you might suspect, it specializes in mysteries and had a
    very good collection (as did The Mysterious Bookstore).

Barnes & Noble Books (Lexington north of 86th) (also downtown)
    New "super-store" (opened 6/26/92).  "The old 86th St. Barnes &
    Noble has moved around the corner and has expanded into what is
    certainly one of the finest bookstores in the city.  A huge
    bookstore with a lovely decor, desks for reading, a knowledgeable
    staff, and a well-stocked (and well-laid-out) selection, this new
    store is an absolute pleasure.  Kudos to B&N on this one."

East West Books (Columbus north of 86th) (also downtown)
    Stocks books on Buddhism, Taoism, Sufism, Indian Religions also
    New Age, self-improvement, health and healing.  Cards, jewelry,
    audio tapes, incense.  Good sized stock.

Met Museum Store (5th Avenue & 82nd)
    They have neat art books, posters, engagement calendars,
    videos etc.

Shakespeare & Co. (81st & Broadway) (also downtown) (212-580-7800)
    A good, large selection, they're good about getting in the new
    stuff quickly.  One person said, "Much like Coliseum, but closes
    earlier," but now it has expanded its hours until 11:30 (12:30
    on Friday and Saturday nights).  It also expanded upstairs a few
    years ago.

Endicott Books (81st & Columbus)
    A very good selection, with salespeople who like to
    read (really--this isn't all that common).  A good
    store.  Sometimes they sponsor readings by authors.

Burlington Books (81st & Madison)
    Lots of current titles, art books, as well as used books.  They'll
    special order anything, and will do active searches for out-of-print
    titles.  They often buy out estates, so you're almost always bound
    to find something new each time you go in.  Just a block away from
    the Metropolitan Museum.  Definitely worth stopping into.

Gryphon Bookshop (2246 Broadway btwn 80th & 81st)
    They have a nice selection, and will do active searches for
    one.
    OK, but too expensive. They have an Annex around the corner
    (at 246 W 80th off Broadway away from Amsterdam, on the
    south side of the street, one flight up) that sells everything
    at 50% off the listed price. That makes it reasonable (in most
    cases). Enormous lit & history sections.
    Gryphon has charm and has recently expanded.  The new store
    is on Broadway and is new and shiny, but the old store is
    around the corner and is dark and twisty and has a
    mysterious locked closet which contains a vast trove of old
    L. Frank Baum hardcovers (another poster says these bookcases are
    in the new store).  The Gryphon is probably one of the world
    centers for Wizard of Oz books.  They also do searches.

Eeyore's (83rd off Broadway)
    Children's books; Sunday readings and other activities for
    kids.  Excellent, with a friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Storyland (3rd Avenue at 78th)

Museum of Natural History Book Store (in the Museum; 77th at CPW)
    No guarantees, but they used to have an interesting
    selection of books on nature and natural history.

Books & Co (Madison at 74th)
    Art, literature etc.  Wonderful feeling, nice place to shop.
    Another good literate person's bookstore, reminiscent of
    Endicott.  I've seen celebs shopping there, too (David
    Byrne; Kathleen Turner)
    List priced new books, but very eclectic with a philosophy
    bent.

Barnes & Noble (Broadway and 74th)

Courtly Music (2067 Broadway btwn 71st and 72nd, suite 27 (on
    the second floor--not well-labeled on the door)).  Hours are
    9:45-5:45 Tuesday to Saturday and they also have an 800 number
    (2-RICHIE).  "The focus is on early music, and they have books,
    instruments, tapes (I don't recall if they have LPs or CDs),
    instruction tapes and books, and give lessons.  I saw someone
    behind the desk wrapping something, so it looks like they will
    do mail order.  The staff seemed knowledgeable, and xeroxed off
    a sheet for my friend of local branches of the American Recorder
    Society for him to contact.  All in all a nice shop."

Applause Books (211 W. 71st west of Broadway) (212-496-7511)
    They specialize in film and theatre; some books that can
    be found nowhere else.

Civilized Traveler (Broadway between 66th and 72nd).  Opened spring of
    '92, it's an upscale travel store with guidebooks and maps as
    well as suitcases and a variety of gadgets and conveniences
    for travelers.  "Their collection isn't vast, but I'm hoping it
    will build."

==========MIDTOWN=============
Argosy (59th btwn Park & Lexington)
    They are very strong in used hardcover fiction (no sf
    though), particularly older things from say circa 1920,
    like James Branch Cabell.  They also sell old prints and
    Americana.
    Antique and used books, maps, and prints.
    Some beautiful books, but the owners are major goniffs
    (thieves) so you'll have to hunt for bargains.
    It is about five stories high and is one of those
    books-stacked-up-the-walls-to-the-ceiling places; dim,
    musty, dense, mysterious.  You get the feeling that you
    could find anything at all there if you only looked long
    enough.

Barnes & Noble (6th Avenue and 57th)

Books Nippon (57th btwn 5th & 6th Avenues)
    Books, cards, magazines in Japanese and English.  Fair-sized
    collection of English language books on a variety of
    Japanese-related topics, including a large number of art
    books.  Also a large supply of Japanese language books and
    periodicals.

J. N. Bartfield Fine Books (30 W 57th (3rd floor) btwn 5th & 6th Avenues)
    This is a gallery-like place that carries mostly bound sets of
    literature.  Much of what they carry looks like old versions of
    the fancy-book-of-the-month club-featuring-the-great-works-of-
    literature-in-genuine-hand-tooled-leather offers that are
    available these days.  I am not, however, an old book expert so
    I am not sure if that is a bad thing.  I saw an old Vergil
    edition for $495; this place ain't cheap but may be worth a
    visit.

Rizzoli's (57th btwn 5th & 6th Avenues)
    Probably the premier art book store in the city.  Lots of
    fun stuff, also foreign books + periodicals
    A classy place, strong on art books.
    Opulent bookstore specializing in art/architecture/design
    books.
    Italian Bookstore chain.  Excellent art, design, and
    architecture sections.  New books at list prices.
    If you like glossy art books at full price try Rizzoli's.
    (Also has a downtown and a WTC store)

Hacker Art Books (4 West 57th Street) (212-688-7600)

Coliseum Books (57th & Broadway Avenue)
    A good stock of new books, and open until eleven or
    midnight.  An independent.
    "Coliseum is vast and carries everything that is in
    somebody's mainstream; it is the only place I know, for
    example, to purchase a copy of QUOTATIONS OF CHAIRMAN
    MAO off the shelf."  (But see below for a bookstore in
    Chinatown that also has it.)
    "Coliseum is large, and has a wide selection.  I have not
    found the staff to be very helpful.  I wanted to special
    order a book, and was told I could only do it Mon-Fri
    during daytime hours.  Looking through the literature
    section, I found that they had nearly every single Martin
    Amis book, but none by Kingsley Amis -- Not even LUCKY
    JIM.  They have a terrific poetry section."

Forbidden Planet (228 East 59th btwn 2nd & 3rd Avenues)
    The store on 12th street is better, IMHO.

The Mysterious Book Shop (129 W. 56th)
    Mystery books and so on.  It also has its own publishing company
    so they also have the latest copies of their own line
    of mysteries.  Book-signings by authors.

Patelson's  (56th & 6th Ave, just behind Carnegie Hall)
    The best place in NYC for books about music.  A huge selection
    covering all genres.  They also are NYC's most-popular source
    for classical music scores.  They can special-order *anything*
    music-related and will ship.

Doubleday (5th Ave & 53rd) -- like Dalton's...
    They have access to everything, and order what's good, not
    just what sells.  Good store, decent selection, often good
    salespeople.  One of the best mystery book selections in the
    city outside of the mystery specialty stores.  Book-signings.
    At the front of the store is a bookcase of signed books at
    regular prices.

MOMA Bookstore (in the Museum) (53rd btwn 5th & 6th Avenues)
    Good selection of books on art, and art books; great poster
    section; you *don't* have to pay admission to get in.
    At Christmas they expand across the street, or used to.
    More neat stuff.

B. Dalton (5th Avenue & 53nd)
    Granddaddy B. Dalton which is worth stopping into if you're
    in the neighborhood.  It is a lot better than the usual
    run-of-the-mill mall rat B. Daltons and is well-stocked,
    especially if you are looking for recent releases.
    Also one on 8th and 6th Avenue.

Rand McNally  (52nd btwn Lexington & 3rd Avenue)
    Lots of national and international maps, guide books, globes.

Sky Books International Inc (48 E. 50th)
    Look carefully since this is a small place on the second floor.
    Their specialty is in military and aviation books and magazines
    of which they have a good selection.  In addition to hardcover
    and paperback fiction, they have a good deal of stuff on tactics,
    uniforms, history, aircraft, weapons, etc.  They carry a number
    of magazines which will be of interest to the plane freak and/or
    model builder.  Prices are reasonable but not really bargains.
    They have a good bulletin board for those interested in buying
    and selling military paraphernalia.

Librarie De France (Rockefeller Center, a small storefront on the Promenade
    (near the skating rink, opposite the Teuscher's Chocolate shop :-)
    The Promenade is located off of 5th Avenue, between 49th and 50th
    streets) (212-581-8810)
    Run by the same people as the French-Spanish Bookstore, a slightly
    bigger store downtown on 5th at 19th street, which has many, many
    more dictionaries.  At first, the store appears to be very small,
    but there is a downstairs section whith about five or six times the
    space as the upstairs.  I had been in the store several times before
    I discovered the downstairs section.  A very large selection of
    French novels, short stories, non-fiction, etc.  Some newspapers,
    magazines, and records.  They also have a reasonably large selection
    of dictionaries and instruction books for other languages.  Prices
    tend to be high.  Staff is usually fluent in French.

Kinokuniya Bookstore (49th btwn 5th & 6th Avenues)
    Japanese books, origami paper, etc.  Very large and
    usually very busy.  Japanese tour buses stop here
    because of its proximity to Rockefeller Center.  A bit
    expensive but much better than any other Japanese
    bookstore in New York.

Drama Book Shop (723 7th Avenue at 48th) (212-944-0595)

McGraw-Hill Book Store (48th & 6th Avenue in the basement of the
    McGraw-Hill building.)
    Best bet for technical books in the city.
    An excellent selection for technical books, especially
    computer books.  Their mathematics section is also good,
    as is their finance section.  All publishers.

Shinbato (McGraw Hill Bldg)
    Specializes in Japanese books and books pertaining to the
    Japanese.

Gotham Book Mart  (47th btwn 5th & 6th)
    Excellent poetry, literature, philosophy etc.  Practically
    unique in the world.

United Nations Bookshop (General Assembly Building, E 45 St & First Ave)
    (212-963-7680)
    Has international affairs books, and UN publications.

Urban Center Books (457 Madison Ave) (212-935-3592)
    Great place for Architecture/Planning/Urban Design Books

Travel Bookstore (199 Madison at 35th)
    Important collection of maps, guides and books.  Very
    knowledgeable staff composed largely of travel-addicts, as
    opposed to the younger Rand-McNally staff.  Many more travel
    commentary books than strict guide books.

Macy's (34th & 7th Avenue)
    Surprisingly good!

Pak Books (27th btwn 3rd & Lexington)
    Books on Middle Eastern culture, philosophy, etc.


==========DOWNTOWN/VILLAGE=============
Samuel French bookstore and reading room (45 W 25th) (212-206-8990)
    Open 9-5 M-Fri; their ad says "1000's of play titles; out of
    print archives for Samual French plays; bookstore & reading
    room open to the public".  I've never been there; caveat
    tourist.

Victor Kamk(a)in (149 5th Avenue south of 22nd) (212-677-0776).
    Russian Language bookstore.  It's said to be good.  ("That 'a'
    appears in the Yellow Pages but not in the White Pages.  No,
    I'm really not that compulsive, I just tripped over the
    discrepancy once.")

The French-Spanish Bookstore (5th Avenue and 19th)
    A very large selection of French and Spanish novels, short stories,
    non-fiction, etc.  Some newspapers, magazines, and records.  They
    also have a reasonably large selection of dictionaries and
    instruction books for other languages.  Prices tend to be high.
    They have a slightly smaller store uptown in Rockefeller Center.
    Staff is usually fluent in French or Spanish.

Academy Bookstore (18th btwn 5th and 6th Avenues)
    Small, well-kept.
    Has strong humanities and soc.sci. section.  Also a large
    supply of used CDs, especially classical and opera!

Brunner/Mazel (19 Union Square West, 8th Floor) (212-924-3344)
    Mostly psychology.

Skyline Bookstore (13 18th btwn 5th and 6th Avenues)
    Across the street from Academy and apparently owned by the same
    person.  This one has a slightly different focus than Academy.

Book-Friends Cafe (18th btwn 5th and 6th Avenues)
    The store is run by Elizabeth Cymmerman.  It specializes in works
    between 1890 and 1940 and, in addition, serves food and drink.
    There is also a list of scheduled readings posted on the door.
    The collection is small but the place seems inviting.  The
    concentration is on biography, hardback fiction, and gracious living.

Barnes & Noble (18th & 5th Avenue)
    The sales annex, which is largely remaindered,
    used, and discontinued books, and so on, is big.
    A whole store for half-price stuff and another whole store
    for textbooks.  I think it is less well laid out than
    Coliseum, but it is also better-stocked on some recent
    things and is often cheaper.
    The retail store across 5th Avenue is also huge,
    with a great reference section.

? (14th btwn 6th and 7th Avenues)
    Spanish-language bookstore.  Big selection.  Staff speaks
    Spanish and English.

East West Books (5th Avenue btwn 13th and 14th) (also uptown)
    Stocks books on Buddhism, Taoism, Sufism, Indian Religions also
    New Age, self-improvement, health and healing.  Cards, jewelry,
    audio tapes, incense.  Good sized stock.

Books of Wonder (17th & 7th Avenue)
    Heavenly gift to adults who like children's books.  Everything
    from first editions to the latest paperbacks.  They do readings
    periodically.  Periodic newsletter they'll send to customers
    announcing new books.

Revolution Books (16th btwn 5th Ave & Union Square)
    Huge Marxist & otherwise left wing inventory.

Book Scientific (16th btwn 5th Avenue & Union Square)
    Scientific and technical books; good selection, 10% discount
    to faculty or university researchers.  They'll order books, and
    ship them.  With university ID, there are often extra discounts.
    Best stock in the city of scientific books, and they offer
    a 5% discount to students.  It's hard to find on its own, being on
    the 2nd floor with a tiny sign, but it's directly across from the
    large red "Revolution Books" banner.

? (16th btwn 5th Avenue & Union Square)
    Large used- and rare-book store, on the same floor as Book
    Scientific.  "Nice collection of plays, but I don't remember much
    else about it."

Different Light (Hudson near 14th)
    Gay and lesbian bookstore.

Biography Bookshop (Bleecker & 12th)
    One poster says, "Nice store, but try the Strand first -- this
    place is way overpriced."  (Editorial note: this probably just
    means that new books are in general over-priced.)

Mysterious Bookstore (Foul Play) (8th Avenue & 12th)
    Mysteries & horror.

Strand Books (828 Broadway & 12th) (212-473-1452 or 800-366-3664)
    This place is huge.  They specialize in reviewers'
    copies, used books, and the out of print.
    "The Strand is one of the world's largest bookstores, and
    yet the employees there, unlike those in many smaller
    bookstores, really do know what is on the shelves and can
    tell you immediately whether or not they have what you are
    looking for:
        'Do you have "The Complete Encyclopedia of Illustration,"
        by...'
        'By Heck.  No, sorry; we don't.'
    is a much better answer than :
        'Uh, gee, I dunno...look around on the shelves.'"
    There's a much smaller branch at the South Street Seaport.
    The Strand has a separate store for antiquarian books next to
    the main store (not at ground level), accessible by escort or
    appointment. This store has a good selection of original
    editions and valuable books.

Forbidden Planet (12th & Broadway)
    "The Science Fiction and Fantasy Flea Market."  Books, comic
    books, posters, magazines--if you're at all into this stuff,
    it's worth it.  (Editorial note: I prefer the Science Fiction
    Shop; FP seems too involved in marketing peripheral stuff, while
    the SF Shop has been selling science fiction *books* for many
    years now.)

Oscar Wilde Bookstore (Christopher btwn Gay and Greenwich Ave.)
    Gay and lesbian books.  This is a much older store than A
    Different Light, and was probably the first such in the city.
    (And, yes, it really is near Gay St!)

Three Lives Book Store (154 W 10th east of 7th Ave.)
    A wide variety of subject matter, but seeming to concentrate on
    women authors, reissues of 1920s and 1930s books.  Very
    interesting place to browse.

Judith's Room (Washington btwn Charles & 10th)
    "I found this when I was hunting for a copy of Christine de
    Pisan's 'Book of the City of Women' to use in a medieval philosophy
    class.  Not available in any university bookstore I searched, nor in
    B&N or Strand.  Not only did Judith's Room have the book, but the
    saleswoman had read it and could discuss it, and recommend other
    books by Christine, and other women of that period."  It's also the
    only feminist bookstore in the city.  They sponsor readings.

Tower Books (Lafayette & 4th)
    Good selection, open late, reasonable prices, eclectic
    selection of magazines and out-of-town newspapers.
    Pretty good discounts for hardbacks and best sellers.

Pageant, 109 E 9th, off 4th Avenue
    Woody Allen shot one of the scenes in HANNAH AND HER
    SISTERS here.  Offbeat -- a peculiar mishmash of unexpected
    gems buried in the dreck. I recently got an absolutely mint
    first edition of William Gaddis' JR here for $5 -- not the
    first time I've found a terrific book in this place for
    next to nothing.
    Probably some real finds in the incredibly disordered
    upstairs -- I've never had the patience....

St. Marks Bookshop (St. Mark's Place (8th St) btwn 2nd & 3rd Avenues)
    "A GREAT bookstore.  Excellent selection of books for the
    downtown intellectual." Though they had some financial
    difficulties in the past, they are now in the black again.
    Open fairly late.  Smart, sometimes helpful, staff.

Art Bookstore? (Broadway and Bond)
    An excellent art bookstore.

B. Dalton (8th & 6th Avenue)
    Worth stopping into if you're in the neighborhood.
    Well-stocked, especially if you are looking for recent
    releases.  Also one on 5th Avenue & 53nd.

??? (7th btwn 1st Avenue & Avenue A)
    There is a bookstore (a slight walkdown from the street) on
    the south side of the street, that has some great stuff and
    the prices are very good. I don't know its name, or even if
    it has one, but the owner is a older woman who has been in
    the neighborhood a long time. She's slightly nutty, but you
    can always play tourist and avoid confrontation.

Esoterica (61 4th Avenue just north of Astor Place)
    Large stock of books on Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, occult
    and New Age.  Incense, jewelry, audio tapes.

Cooper Square Books (21 Astor Place) (212-533-2595)
    Very large selection, non-existent staff.  Better prices at Tower
    Books, slightly better staff at St. Mark's Books.

Shakespeare & Co. (Broadway just north of 4th ) (also uptown)
    A good, large selection, they're good about getting in the
    new stuff quickly.

The Art of Reading (Mercer and Bleeker)
    Piles of used books, and (for a change) strong sections in
    math & science. They also have loads of used textbooks.

Science Fiction Shop (Bleeker west of Thompson)
    Moved from their old Eighth Avenue location.  This one *does*
    have enough room to swing a (small) cat in; it also shares
    the second floor with a comics store that is quite good.

Cinemabilia (Broadway at Houston)
    On the second floor of an office building.  A lot of cinema
    books, occasionally priced above publisher's list.  (I always
    check BOOKS IN PRINT first.)

Spring Street Books  (Spring near Thompson)
    Another great collection.  It is not a large place, but it is
    filled with wonderful books.  The poetry section is quite good,
    for such a small store.  They also have a nice selection of
    magazines.  The recent fiction section is arranged alphabetically
    by title, rather than by author.

Untitled Cards (159 Prince)
    Before art postcard shops became something to franchise,
    there were cramped stores like this jammed with an
    exquisite selection of cards.  Another branch on W. Broadway
    is more spacious and has an extensive art book selection,
    but lacks the down home feel of the original.

Soho Books (351 W Broadway, 1/2 block below Broome) (212-226-3395).
    Opened May '92.  Good assortment of used books in a wide variety of
    subject areas; biography section seemed especially diverse.  Worth
    dropping into on your way to buy new books at Spring St. Books and
    Rizzoli.

Irish Books and Graphics (90 W Broadway)
    New and used books mostly related to Irish history and culture.
    Selection of Irish language (Irish Gaelic) books and periodicals.
    Very pleasant place.

Rizzoli's (W Broadway around Prince)
    Italian Bookstore chain.  Excellent art, design, and architecture
    sections; probably the premier art book store in the city.  New
    books at list prices.  Lots of fun stuff, also foreign books and
    periodicals.  "A classy place, strong on art books."  "Opulent
    bookstore specializing in art/architecture/design books."
    (Also has an uptown and a WTC store)

Guggenheim Soho Museum (Broadway and Prince)
    A good art bookstore (big surprise, right?).  There's absolutely
    no reason to visit Rizzoli's and not here, or vice versa.

A Remainder & Used bookstore (Chambers btwn Broadway & 8th)
    Called Harry's or Barney's or something similar. Prices are
    great but ratio of remainders to used books is very high.
    Lots of used paperbacks, if that's a lure.
    Note: this might actually be the following:

Ruby's Book Sale (119 Chambers)
    Really BARGAIN prices for books; many, many, NEW books in
    the $40-$100 range can be had here for $15-$25; one book
    I bought for my daughter was $47.95 NEW at Miller's (a
    riding shop) and was purchased at Ruby's for $12!

Science Fiction, Mysteries, and More (140 Chambers west of W Broadway)
    Opened June '92.  It will have readings and signings.  Details to
    follow as I get them.

Strand Books (South Street Seaport)
    Nowhere near as large as the one on Broadway.

Oriental Culture Enterprises Co, Inc (13-17 Elizabeth), second
    floor.  Open seven days a week, 10 am to 8 pm.
    "I got my five-volume SELECTIONS FROM MAO ZEDONG there.
    (They have it in English, too, by the way, along with Lenin,
    Marx, and others.)  A great selection of books, most of which
    are in Chinese.  They also sell things needed for Chinese
    calligraphy, Chinese musical instruments, recordings of
    Chinese music, Chinese-language periodicals, and many other
    things Chinese.  An attached art gallery sells paintings.
    While browsing through the books, sit down and enjoy a cup of
    tea free of charge.  Well worth a visit.  Two complaints: it's
    more expensive than it should be, and too many of the books
    are damaged (by careless customers, or by thoughtless staff?).
    Unquestionably the best bookstore in all of Chinatown."

Isaac Mendoza's (used) (2nd floor loft above Ann near City Hall)
    They have the best selection of used hardcover science
    fiction in town, by far.  They are also strong in a number
    of other categories and their prices are reasonable -- I
    saw a copy of THE ICEMAN COMETH inscribed by Eugene O'Neill
    there once, for $25.

Rizzoli's (World Financial Center) (212-385-1400)
    Probably the premier art book store in the city.  Lots of
    fun stuff, also foreign books + periodicals
    A classy place, strong on art books.
    Opulent bookstore specializing in art/architecture/design
    books.
    Italian Bookstore chain.  Excellent art, design, and
    architecture sections.  New books at list prices.
    If you like glossy art books at full price try Rizzoli's.
    (Also has an uptown and downtown store, and they have opened
    up a branch in Bloomingdale's 59th & Lexington Avinue.  They
    also have stores in Boston, Chicago, Costa Mesa and
    Williamsburg.

Waldenbooks (59 Broadway south of Wall St.)
    Very strong on finance.  Reasonably strong on everything else.

Also, there are lots of specialty bookstores, usually around each of
the colleges and universities in the area (Columbia, NYU, St. Johns,
CUNY, and so on).

"What you really need is a copy of "The Bookstore Book" (subtitle A
Guide to Manhattan Booksellers) by Robert Egan, published by Avon.
The copy I have has a date of 1979, but there may be a more recent
edition.  It lists over 750 bookstores, categorized by type of store
and subject area, with several useful indexes.  I've found all sorts
of interesting bookstore using it.  Try to get a copy."

Evelyn C. Leeper   |   [phone]   |   [e-mail]