Best bookstores in NYC from independent to specialty bookstores (2024)

Independent bookstores are sadly rare in Queens, but Astoria Bookshop delivers a much-needed dose of lit to the neighborhood. Though on the small side, there’s a solid selection of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, and staffers are happy to hunt down anything you can’t find.

Events like readings, storytelling sessions and book clubs—many of which highlight local writers–prove that Queens is an artsy borough, too.

A welcome counterpoint to corporate, big-box bookstores (though those are quickly disappearing too), Bluestockings is volunteer-run and resolutely radical. The Lower East Side shop is a social justice clearinghouse, specializing in books exploring race, gender, globalization, climate change and other pertinent issues of the day.

Its calendar features a wide range of events, with everything from a sewing circle to a discussion about working in adult entertainment, and there’s a café where you can fuel your visit—the goodies are vegan and organic, of course.

If you know your Fuchsia Dunlop from your Irma Rombauer, hoof it to Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks. The East Village store, founded in 1997, is the place for chefs, gourmands and amateur home cooks to find literary inspiration. Slotnick offers a well-curated selection of cookbooks in the surprisingly spacious shop, and you’ll find fascinating, out-of-print relics of New York food history.

Oh, and there may be a tasting when you visit, if you’re lucky.

This beloved Brooklyn bookstore operates two shops in Brooklyn, one in Carroll Gardens and another in Brooklyn Heights. No matter which you choose,expect a cozy, well-stocked shop with great staff picks.

8.Dear Friend Books

AtDear Friendin Bed-Stuy, a bar runs through the space selling hot, iced, and fermented teas, and ownerAnna Sergeeva hopes to sell natural wine, beer and sake soon. In addition to the cafe, Dear Friendhas hosted open mic nights, poetry readings and meditation in thebuilding's large backyard sincethe shop opened this summer at 343A Tompkins Ave.

Those who take the time to browse the shelves at Dear Friend will be rewarded with a curated collection of vintage books ranging from $5 to several thousand dollars. They're organized thoughtfully in categories based on the seven chakras. The crown section contains poetry books, for example, while the throat section features books about language and communication.

One of New York's most endearing spaces, this two-level Soho shop stocks an ever-changing selection of donated books, records and collectibles, and is also a peaceful spot for reading or meeting friends over coffee or wine. And since all proceeds go to fighting the dual crises of homelessness and HIV/AIDS, every purchase is a good deed.

McNally Jackson features one of the city's most thoughtfully curated selections of nonfiction, novels, hard-to-find magazines, children's books and, most notably, poetry. Their staff picks are always impeccable, as are the tasty pastries offered in the in-store café.

Gliding through the stacks in the multi-story Seaport location offers serious main character energy.

A romance-only bookstore aptly called The Ripped Bodice is now open in Brooklyn, and it's stocked with scores of books you’ll want to add to your bookshelf. Expect a diverse and inclusive section of romance books, including historical romance novels and LGBTQ+ stories. The Ripped Bodice is also planning a robust calendar of eventswith author signings, book clubs and writing workshops.Find it in Park Slope.

As the Strand's tagline boasts, this store's got 18 miles of books, almost all at discounted prices. If you spend enough time here, you can find just about anything, from that out-of-print Victorian book on manners to the kitschiest of sci-fi pulp.

The original location is near Union Square, but there's now a smaller satellite location in the Upper West Side, too.

18.The Word Is Change

Although focusing on titles tackling social justice issues, The Word is Change in Bed Stuy is a general bookstore that sells both new and used tomeswhile, according to Brownstoner, supporting "radical social movements."

Owned by art dealer Paula Cooper and her husband, editor Jack Macrae, the bright and airy 192 is one of the best places to pick up beautiful books, from art tomes to style encyclopedias and gardening picture books to film studies. Find it in Chelsea.