CU Students Hit the Books on Broadway

Bookstores in Morningside Heights are not hard to come by, but with such a vast array of choices for all types of readers, there’s no reason not to try a new one on for size.

Advertising itself as the neighborhood’s bookstore, Morningside Bookshop caters to the community by emphasizing customer service, a small staff, and its unique selection of books. Situated snugly on the corner of 114th and Broadway—a location which has housed a bookstore since 1960—this particular mom-and-pop shop was actually conceived five years ago by current owner Peter Soter and his wife. Soter, who grew up in the area, notes that Morningside Bookshop is heavily supported by its community, and he reciprocates by hosting events for children and local authors. “I feel so tied to this area...this is my neighborhood,” he said.

While you won’t find your calculus textbook on sale here, browsing the “bargain classics” shelf could result in finding a discounted copy of a crucial Lit Hum text. Morningside offers both used and new books with a special focus on Modern Lit and Art texts, as well as on relatively unusual genres like mystery and mythology.

Previously known as Labyrinth Books, Book Culture is also a neighborhood staple. This independent bookstore has been in operation on 112th street under one name or another since 1997. The prudent, two-floor layout of this academic bookstore allows for a staircase cluttered with philosophy texts and for a separation between the new publications and specialty magazines (downstairs) and the back-listed fiction and textbook sections (upstairs).

Professors who do not deign to order textbooks through Columbia’s Barnes and Noble bookstore will turn to Book Culture for their needs, and the staff at the textbook help desk is extremely friendly and competent. Can’t remember your professor, section, or even class? No problem. There is even a special request box for those books that aren’t available or haven’t arrived yet.

Though Book Culture does provide a wide range of course books, Columbia’s Barnes and Noble Bookstore offers the kind of convenience that only a chain store can. A substantial but fairly choice selection of books is supplemented by the usual self-gratifying array of Columbia hoodies, notebooks, mugs, shot glasses, and so forth.

Textbooks and our favorite Core Curriculum box sets can be found in the back room, accompanied by an approachable staff. Course Book Buyback is important, of course, if you are hoping to make some extra cash (and fast)—just be sure to sell during a period of high demand. Ah, Columbia University Bookstore—bless its soul for its proximity and generous return policy.

Bank Street bookstore, located on Broadway and 112th street, serves quite a different demographic. Owned by the college of the same name, it is dedicated to the progressive education of children, and offers a wide array of children’s genres.

According to staff member Beth Puffer, Bank Street especially “prides itself on the knowledge of [its] staff and the breadth of [its] inventory.” This widely renowned children’s bookstore carries a large selection of science and history texts, as well as books of a rarer sort—topics range from safety to dinosaurs. It’s the perfect spot for gift-shopping or a nostalgia trip.

Whatever your needs, you won’t have to travel out of the neighborhood for your literary fix. When it comes to books, Morningside’s got you covered.