BEA Part of It/New York, NY || Bookstores for Bookworms

As a reader, I love the fact that New York has so many bookstores! There's a store for each reader, as each one offers a different vibe and selection of books. While I have yet to visit some of the others (like McNally Jackson Books and WORD), I wanted to share a few of my favorite haunts with all of you.

A Unique Bookstore Experience

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Hands down, Books of Wonder is probably my favorite bookstore in the city! They boast a wonderfully curated collection of books for children and young adults (including a whole bunch of signed stock, which is pretty awesome). Not only do they have new releases, they also boast a collection of old and rare children's books too and some amazing book-related art. I've also enjoyed numerous events at their store (1, 2, 3, 4).

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Housing Works Bookstore Cafe is a popular destination for students and Saturday mornings, as it boasts a cafe with delicious food and an eclectic assortment of books. While it's located in a fairly small space, it's simply a wonderful place to hang out with others and perhaps discover a gem or two amongst their bookshelves.

The Search for Bargain Books

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If I'm looking for a good deal on books, chances are you'll find me at The Strand. The store's collection of books is quite large (18 miles, according to the site), which means you'll be browsing for hours. There's a nice mix of book genres, though I always tend to gravitate towards the young adult section. What I love most about The Strand (apart from the adorable merchandise) is the fact that you can find books that are reasonably priced, even newer hardcover titles!

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If I'm not particularly looking for anything, but just want to browse for books or sell some of my books, I visit one of my used bookstore staples, Book-Off. While they may not have all the latest titles, they do have a varied collection of books, as it's based on what people bring in to sell to them. I love perusing their shelves, trying to see if I can spot familiar titles or new-to-me books - all at a bargain price (the books don't usually exceed $7, based on my experience). My favorite part of their store is the $1 row; all the books on it are (obviously) just $1! While it's mostly adult fiction, sometimes, there are great YA deals on there - like that week when I picked up The Boyfriend List, Forget You, Sloppy Firsts and Vampire Academy for a $1 each. Apart from books, they have Asian fiction, DVDs, CDs and video games for sale too.

The Standby

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Of course, New York City also has Barnes & Noble located in many spots in the city (such as 1, 2, 3). My favorite and most often frequented branch is the one in Union Square. It's got four floors to it, and I've pretty much got the layout of the store down pat. As with other branches, it's got a Starbucks, a section dedicated to educational toys for children, a section dedicated to the Nook and a fairly large collection of books. I particularly like the large space where they host events, as I've been able to attend my fair share (1, 2) and think it's pretty good in terms of fitting in a large crowd. Doubtless you'll want to visit this one if you want newer titles!

I'm glad to have been able to share my five favorite bookstores with you! Hopefully, this post will help you direct you towards places where you can get new books (since we always need new books, just saying), as well as giving you ideas for places that your bookworm heart may want to check out during your visit.

Your turn - Have you visited any of the bookstores on my list? What was your experience like? Are there any other NYC bookstores you've visited that you think I should visit too?

Don't forget to check out the rest of this series!
4/14: Under the Broadway Lights  (Estelle of Rather be Reading)
4/15: Foodie Heaven (Rachel of Hello, Chelly)
4/17: Quick Bites and Sweet Treats for BEA-goers (Jamie of The Perpetual Page-Turner)