Best of: Indie Bookstores

Book hunting in New York City doesn’t have to mean visiting the nearest Barnes & Noble. Head over to these three indie bookstores, each with its own idiosyncratic quirks, and browse through the latest bestsellers or discover lesser-known books.

The Strand

The Strand's (828 Broadway, at 12th St.) famous slogan proclaims it has "18 Miles of Books." Even if one hasn’t been to the Strand, it’s hard to miss the store’s ubiquitous tote bags that half of New York seems to own in a dozen different colors and patterns. The Strand is perfect for those who are looking for rare, antiquated, or out-of-print books—and who are willing to brave the crowds at the same time. From a well-worn copy of “Moby Dick” to a brand new edition of a Stieg Larsson book, there is truly something for everyone at this book lovers’ heaven. The down-to-earth feel of the Strand does away with the stale commercialization of typical chain bookstores, even if the Barnes & Noble Union Square branch right around the corner does serve as competition. The rows of tall bookshelves teeming with used and new books might conjure memories of the oftentimes unnavigable Butler stacks, but the staff at the Strand is genuinely friendly and helpful. Besides asking for help finding a specific book, it may also be a good idea to ask for book recommendations. Whatever one’s budget is, it takes a healthy dose of self-control to leave the Strand empty-handed, especially when there are alluring book carts lined up outside the store filled with $1 books.

McNally Jackson

Tucked away in the streets of SoHo, McNally Jackson Books (52 Prince St., between Lafayette and Mulberry streets) is the place to be for those looking to buy a recent bestseller or to sit in a homey café. Between the wide selection of current books for up-to-date bookworms and a surprisingly varied array of travel books for literary-minded globetrotters, there are two floors of paperbacks and hardcovers for a rainy day’s worth of reading. Customers who have their hearts set on a book can perch on any of the sofas and chairs sprinkled throughout the bookstore. For a homier alternative to Starbucks, sit down at the café located on the ground floor and order their organic coffee or scrumptious scones. Sipping on lattes in cups with poem fragments written on them, one can lean against the wallpaper made up of book pages and look up at the unique décor of great classics hanging down from the ceiling. With up-and-coming authors as well as literary heavyweights invited to McNally Jackson for readings, it’s hard not to get starstruck at this indie bookstore. For an excuse to go to McNally on a regular basis, join the literature book club led by owner Sarah McNally herself the first Monday of every month.

St. Mark's Bookshop

For the secret bohemian inside of everyone, head over to St. Mark’s Bookshop (31 Third Ave., at Stuyvesant Street) for a diverse selection of books from the well-known to the obscure. The brick exterior lends just the warm and comforting atmosphere to the interior of the bookstore. Art enthusiasts can rejoice at the abundance of visual art, photography, design, and architecture books stocked here. Other specialty subjects include cultural theory, poetry, and film studies. St. Mark’s is particularly suitable for the casual browser, who can thumb through local zines, postcard collections, and grassroots magazines at the back. Check out the sale section that won’t break the bank with severely marked down prices. And don’t forget to ask for a glance at the shop’s autographed book copies—if “The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver isn’t already snagged by a fellow book lover. Bookshelves line the walls all the way up to the ceiling, so don’t be afraid to ask the knowledgeable staff for some help reaching the top shelf. The picture would be complete if there were places to sit in the bookstore, but customers are content standing and reading in the roomy aisles. Both the reasonable prices and cozy atmosphere of St. Mark’s are student-friendly at this common NYU haunt.