New York's Best Used Bookstore 2008

The institution New York bibliophiles love to hate and hate to love.

Reviews:

• “awful, overrated book store with lousy service”
• “Dirty place, cheap price”
• “Check Strand online website before your visit if you have a book or author in mind”
• “Strand Books”
• “Love the selection and prefer the Fulton Street location”

Tips: Can’t brave the Strand megalith? Try the Annex on Fulton Street, a more airy space housing mostly new books, remainders and reviewers’ copies.

Strand Bookstore

Soho’s preferred not-for-profit bookshop supports a good cause, and it’s an escape from the crazed shopping elsewhere in the neighborhood.

Reviews:

• “Cozy”
• “The best bookstore in NYC!”
• “Shhhhhh!”
• “Housing Works Used Book Cafe”

Tips: Keep up your browsing stamina with Housing Works’ full menu of soups, quiche and knishes.

Housing Works Used Book Cafe

An outdoor patio, sponsored book discussions and a quaint cafe set this bookstore apart from standard corporate fare.

Freebird Books & Goods

Focused shoppers are rewarded with deals at this small but well-stocked shop.

Reviews:

• “Cozy east village classic, great selection”
• “Pretentious Jerk”

East Village Books & Records

New and used books on the political, the personal and everything in between.

Tips: The store hosts daily readings, workshops and events

Bluestockings

A family-run shop for rare printed material.

Reviews:

• “Second-Hand Books in First Rate Shape”

Tips: Check the outside table for discounted books.

Argosy Books

A great little store with over 3,000 out-of-print and vintage books.

Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks

A big-city chain of bookstores that retains its neighborhood feel.

Tips: Find out where other stores in the chain are.

Shakespeare & Co.—Greenwich Village

Midtown bookstore boasts an extensive collection of hard-to-fine books ranging from the 15th to 20th centuries.

Bauman Rare Books

Odd little art books to impress your friends.

Tips: Head next door to the Verb Cafe and enjoy your book purchase over a cup of joe.

Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers

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