7 of New York City’s Best Bookstores

Dear reader, while the city’s skyline may be ever-changing and rent prices continue to rise like some dystopian nightmare, there are still pockets of literary rebellion left in New York. Bookstores—those glorious dens of printed pages and dusty shelves—continue to exist in this metropolis, clinging on like the stubborn indie films of the literary world.

But most of the new ones aren’t actually dusty at all, turning the entire business model on its head with sales of beer, wine, cocktails, and event tickets.

If you’re the type who thinks libraries are too quiet and big chains are too soulless, allow me to introduce you to the hidden gems (and a few obvious ones) scattered around New York. These are the places where you can find a rare first edition, get lost in labyrinthine stacks, or at the very least, silently judge someone for picking up the latest bestseller while pretending you’re deep into some obscure philosophical treatise.

So grab your tote bag (we both know you have one), and let’s take a tour of the bookstores that still make you feel like NYC hasn’t completely sold out—yet.

Albertine Books, Upper East Side

Stepping into Albertine is like wandering into a Parisian dreamscape, where books are your passport and the ceiling is a starry sky plucked straight from a fairy tale. The space is adorned with a celestial mural that’s just as likely to steal your attention as the French literature it houses. Here, you can lose yourself among shelves brimming with literary treasures, both in French and English, all while feeling like you’re a character in some Parisian novella. It’s a bookstore for those who like their stories with a side of magic and a dash of European elegance—no plane ticket required.

Bluestockings, Lower East Side

Bluestockings is the rebellion you always wished you had the guts to join. An unapologetically radical bookstore that stocks zines, feminist theory, and all the literature Fox News probably hates. This isn’t just a bookstore; it’s a movement, a safe space for activists, and a haven for anyone who enjoys a side of social justice with their reading. You’ll leave here feeling smarter, angrier, and ready to burn down the patriarchy (but, you know, in an intellectual way).

Books Are Magic, Cobble Hill

It’s in the name, isn’t it? Books Are Magic is what happens when a bookstore becomes the stuff of fairy tales, minus the talking animals (although, in Brooklyn, anything’s possible). Owned by novelist Emma Straub, it’s as charming and whimsical as you’d expect. Think colorful murals, shelves that invite exploration, and events that draw the literary elite and wannabe writers alike. It’s basically Instagram catnip, and no one’s complaining.

Book Club, East Village

Books and wine and dogs—what could go wrong? (IMO, nothing.) Book Club is where you can pretend to be intellectual while sipping on latte or a glass of rosé on tap, and honestly, it’s the multitasking we didn’t know we needed. The vibe is laid-back but with enough “East Village edge” to make you feel like you’re not just another poser. Pick up a paperback, grab a cocktail, and enjoy the simple pleasure of reading while tipsy—truly a lost art.

McNally Jackson Books, South Seaport

McNally Jackson has branched out, and this South Seaport location is its cooler, more sophisticated sibling. Sure, the original Soho spot is iconic, but here you can browse books while gazing out at the water, which adds a certain poetic flair to the whole “buying a book” experience. It’s as if McNally Jackson figured out how to merge New York’s literary grit with a breezy coastal vibe, and somehow, it works. Bonus points for their indie cred and impossibly chic selection.

The Ripped Bodice, Park Slope

Romance novels get the respect they deserve at The Ripped Bodice, and thank the gods (or goddesses) for that. It’s pink, it’s unapologetically feminine, and it’s a place where love stories of all kinds reign supreme. For those who’ve been told their romance novel habit is less “serious literature” and more “guilty pleasure,” this Park Slope gem offers the perfect middle finger to literary snobs. Whether you’re into bodice-rippers or queer love stories, this is where happily ever after lives.

Three Lives & Company, West Village

If cozy had a physical form, it would be Three Lives & Company. Tucked away in the West Village, this tiny bookstore feels like a warm hug, with a curated selection of literary fiction, memoirs, and the kind of staff recommendations that make you want to empty your wallet. It’s old-school charm at its finest—think worn wooden shelves and a space so intimate you’ll wonder if it’s been there since the dawn of time. Forget the big chains; this is where the real bibliophiles go.