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!

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.

McNally Robinson

Leave it to a small Canadaian chain to create one of the best independent bookstores in New York City. McNally Robinson suits Nolita quite nicely. The store feels young, together, and alive. Proudly literary, the events here are much more "book-nerdish" than most, and the merchandise is shown off in a way that tells you everything about the store's priorities. They also carry a smallish, but intelligently curated selection of magazines. Plus: A lovely teahouse/cafe makes an evening here something like a night out.


Note: McNally Robinson is now McNally Jackson, their link is here.

Jack Spade Lending Library

The Jack Spade Lending Library has fallen on hard times. Once chock full of paperback classics culled from the cities finest dollar racks, some cretin swiped most of them recently, leaving the "Book Lizard" looking a little thin. It's a shame, because the books at Jack Spade are an integral part of its charm. New books (for sale) can be found crammed in all over the shop, but it's the old-school trust of the lending library that speaks best to the ethic of the brand. The library still exists, though, and those wishing to borrow a book need only inform a shop clerk. Plus: Need I say it? Bookbags.

Traveler's Choice Books

The offices of Turon Travel in Soho house a quite respectable travel bookshop. Not only can you find guides and maps for every corner of the Earth, you can also get the trip planned for you. Turon specializes in art fair travel, so they also carry a great back-issue selection of Art Basel Catalogues. Plus: an extensive selection travel accessories make for one stop shopping.

Taschen

All the Taschen titles, all under one Philippe Starck designed roof. This wildy colorful store reflects the personality of German publisher Taschen's art & design book style. Big, bold, and daring. Plus: An ever-changing gallery downstairs featuring originals of photography pulished in Taschen's books. As well as peices from the publisher's personal furniture collection. (Note the well worn leather Egg chair.)