Street Vendors- West Broadway

Here at the corner of Houston and West Broadway most Saturdays, the street vendors in these shots have been at it for for over 15 years, proving that it's not impossible to survive in New York doing what you love (at least for now). The selection is bookish and brainy with a wonderfully reliable selection of classics. The vendors are chatty, smart, and experienced, with plenty of observations on changing New York from the streets-eye view. They've even appeared in the documentary Book Wars. Plus: You're not far from Kiosk, you lucky person!

Unoppresive, Non-Imperialist Bargain Books

6o's counterculture types never seem to stray far from their original obsessions (i.e., comic books, Che, tarot cards, Tantric sex, Art Nouveau), and Unoppresive has a pretty reliable selection of these kinds of books. They remain a great bookstore however by transcending these topics and branching further out into a wide range of subjects. And no matter what your politics are, you can't argue with the prices. No empire building here; the markups on these books can only just cover the rent in this beautiful, pricey West Village neighborhood. Plus: Don't be scared to head back into the dungeon-like kid's book area, it's actually pretty good.

Strand Kiosks

Reminiscent of the green wooden bouquinist stands that line the Left Bank in Paris, the Strand Kiosks at Central Park offer a nice selection of used & reduced-price new books to take strolling down the leafy colonnade of Poet's Lane, or on your rowboat in The Lake. The kiosks are open May through October, weather permitting. Plus: They even take credit cards, thanks to hand held machines also reminiscent of Paris restaurants.

Barnes & Noble- Union Square

In many parts of the country, a big chain store like Barnes & Noble seems like a bland, monolithic mall store, stomping out the charming little guys with overblown, cookie-cutter architecture and ever-changing, minimally book-wise staff. But here in New York, it's nice to be able to do a little one-stop shopping sometimes. B&N started in New York & it kinda feels like the hometown spot; it suits the scale and demands of New York, offers free same day delivery in Manhattan, and, with locations going out of business all over the city, it almost feels like an underdog these days. For those who turn their noses up at huge chain stores like Barnes and Noble, read this. Those who can see the value will enjoy the massive cast iron columns, 4 floors of books (not a matter of a narrow space, each floor is sprawling), and generous "sit down anywhere on the floor" policy that gives it a distinctly casual air. Plus: Some of the biggest author readings anywhere.

Urban Center Books

Located in the leafy courtyard premises of the Villard Houses (the storied, long-time home of publishers Random House), Urban Center Books is a jewel box of books and journals on architecture and design. Stacked to the ceilings with nearly impossible to find titles, this airy, be-laddered shop turns browsing into a visual education. Plus: Urban Center events will put you at the center of discussion on architectural matters in the city.

Mid-Manhattan Library Book Sale

If you show up to the Mid-Manhattan branch of the NYPL about ten minutes to 11 on a weekday, you'll notice a long line of people waiting to get into the Book Sale section of the library. If you come back the next day at the same time, you'll see the same people. In a word: dealers. And why not? Hardcovers are $2.00, paperbacks 75 cents and the selection is pretty quality. These aren't ex-library books either (for the most part), they are almost entirely donated. This was found there recently for $4, to give you an idea. There, the cat's out of the bag. Let's just hope the dealers aren't too angry now. Plus: The volunteer staff are always a treat!

Skyline Books

While their massive neighbor has shuttered its windows, Skyline continues toward the 20 year mark, "offering the book-buying public everything from inexpensive, second-hand reading copies of their favorite classics to high-end, rare, signed, and out-of-print titles."
If you're looking an atmosphere and inventory strong on Beat lit., this is your place.
Plus: Looking for some hard-to-find jazz vinyl to go with your Kerouac first edition? Academy Records & CDs is across the street, where you can chat with grade A music nerds about the strengths and weaknesses of various 50's sound engineers.

Street Vendors- 72nd St.

The section of Broadway between 72nd and 73rd Streets is one long stretch of street book vendors. The abolishment of categories at vendor tables always makes for some interesting juxtapositions of books, like a library set to "Shuffle". Plus: Who knows? you might even find a Barbra Streisand record. What could feel more New York than that?

Books of Wonder

Books of Wonder is New York City's oldest and largest independent children's bookstore, as well as the city's leading specialist in children's literature both new and old. They feature a gallery of rare and original prints and illustrations from classic children's books in the back of the store, along with a beautiful assortment of vintage kid's books. Plus: The in-house Cupcake Cafe provides the preferred stimulants for all ages: caffeine for parents and frosting for the kids!

Twelfth Street Books

Descend the few steps from the pavement into the nearly underground heaven of Twelfth Street Books, and you, you lucky person, will find a selection that is chosen with an eye for quality, unashamedly scholarly and (even more rare) well-priced. Those with a special fondness for bookstores so full that the books lay in rows and stacks on the floor (we know who we are) are in for a special treat here, where a lovely overflow spills out all over the place. Plus: 12th St. now has bags!

Books Kinokuniya

The New York arm of Japanese chain Books Kinokuniya recently moved from a murky and strangely laid out Rockefeller Center location to a bright, open 3 level space across from Bryant Park. Always an amazing source for Japanese magazines covering every subject imaginable (in obsessive and unimaginable detail), Kinokuniya also carries massive amounts of manga, toys, stationary, and books in every field. They've also a added a sunny cafe. Plus: Check out the great denim aprons on the staff, with pockets for everything a bookseller might need.

Alabaster Bookshop

Once upon a time, the East Village section of 4th Avenue was New York's Book Row, a street nearly entirely given over to second hand books. The only shop keeping the 4th Ave. tradition alive is Alabaster Bookshop. It's everything you'd want a small used book store to be: cozy, overflowing with books, and home to a temperamental bookstore cat, Houle.

New York Society Library

Why, you may ask yourself, would I pay $200 a year to go to a library? Because it's the New York Society Library, and the membership cost seems absurdly low to have access to such a quite, beautiful book lover's haven in Manhattan. The books aren't your standard library issue, either. You can see for yourself on the Society's cover scan page, located on their website. The Library is the oldest in the city, and was founded in 1754 by the New York Society, a civic-minded group formed in the belief that the availability of books would help the city to prosper. It now contains nearly three hundred thousand volumes -- the result of the tastes of its members over almost the last quarter millennium. Members may borrow books and have the use of several reading and study rooms on the upper floors; they can also browse in the stacks. Non-members are invited without charge to use the ground floor for reading and reference. Plus: The Library's location, situated between the Whitney and the Met, means your weekend is planned.

Posman Books

So, you say you just missed the 12:20 to Beacon, and now you've got some time to kill? You say you wish you had brought some reading about Andy Warhol or the Hudson Valley to prepare you for your trip? You say you don't think Hudson News is going to have the books you want? You think you're out of luck, being in the middle of Grand Central Station? Well, this is your day. Posman Books is not only a huge independent (and quite literary) bookstore located right in the station, they also have an inventory that any bookstore would be proud of, including surprisingly comprehensive cooking, children's, and art sections. Plus: Heading to Grandma's upstate? Posman has gift wrapping, as well as a large selection of gifts.

Housing Works Used Book Cafe

It isn't enough for Housing Works to have fantastic thrift stores, or even a vast and welcoming used book store. No, they also have to have a heart of gold, giving their profits to house homeless people with HIV. The mostly volunteer staff do a great job managing an unwieldy and consistently high quality inventory, the dollar racks (and 50 cent racks!) are many and always worth pursuing, and the atmosphere is woody and cozy. A cafe and plenty of chairs and tables invite you hang about, imagining you are in your own personal dream study. Plus: The location hosts in-house musical events (Beth Orton & the like have played there) as well as a yearly, block-closing outdoor book fair.