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25 Unique Bookstores in Manhattan for Every Genre

Manhattan is known for being home to some of the world’s most famous and historic bookstores. As of 2022, the city had over 80 independent bookstores. Important authors in literature have connections to Manhattan bookstores. Tourism and media coverage are set to feature spots like The Strand.

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The Strand is one of the oldest and biggest bookstores in Manhattan. It is among the many bookstores in Manhattan that are still active after all these years. It is an iconic place that brings together book lovers and authors.

It should be noted that the bookstores in Manhattan are known for their iconic architecture and magnificent collection of books. However, the rise in rent has pushed many bookstores out of business. The legacy, literary history, and eccentric spaces greatly influence the literary scene in Manhattan.

1.  The Strand Bookstore

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It was founded in 1927 by Benjamin Bass and is considered one of New York City’s oldest bookstores. It is known for its slogan “18 Miles of Books” which refers to its total shelf space that is packed from floor to ceiling with approximately 2.5 million new, used, and rare books. The Strand bookstore has three floors with the Rare Book Room on the 3rd floor hosting author events, book signings, and housing valuable first editions and collectibles.

2. Mercer Street Books & Records

It is a well-known independent bookstore in Lowe Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. Mercer was established in 1992 and it specializes in art, photography, design, and fashion books. The store has a cozy atmosphere and features creaky wood floors, high ceilings, and shelves that are tightly packed together. Over the years, Mercer has been able to maintain its quirky charm as a key player in SoHo’s independent creative scene.

3. The Corner Bookstore

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It is among the oldest bookstores in New York City having been opened originally on 42nd Street in 1907. The bookstore has a great history that reflects on the struggles of the literary scene. The store is known for its two-level townhouse design with creaky floorboards that transport visitors back in time to old New York. It is famous for its affordable reads and the preservation of an old-fashioned paper paradise.

4. Barnes & Noble

It was founded in 1917 and is the largest bookstore chain in the United States. The flagship store on Fifth Avenue is the largest bookstore in the world with over 12 miles of bookshelves. Manhattan has a total of 9 retail stores in different neighborhoods. It hosts over 700 author events annually at various locations. Each store provides spaces for people to browse, lounge, work, and attend events. 

5. Three Lives & Company

It was opened in 197 by Jill Dunbar and was originally known as Joint Venture. Three Lives & Company is an independent bookstore located in New York City. The store specializes in literary fiction, short stories, poetry, and humanities texts. It runs various literary events, author talks, reading groups, and book clubs. It was among the best independent bookstores in New York City and has been in business for more than 45 years. 

6. McNally Jackson Books SoHo

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It is a popular store in SoHo that was opened in 2004 by Sarah McNally. It is known for its bright spacious layout that was organized into different reading categories. The store also has an Espresso Book Machine that can print self-published books as well as classics that are out of print. McNally also has an International book city concept which is a way of labelling books by the place they are from. 

7. Greenlight Bookstore

It was founded on the business model of curating inventory based on the local community’s interests and needs. The store exclusively sells works by Brooklyn authors and artists under an imprint called Greenlight Publications. There is also a young children’s area called Greenlight Kids which has storytime events, books for babies through teens, and toys. The co-owner Jessica Stockton Bagnulo was named a finalist for the ABA’s Bookseller of the Year award in 2020. 

8. The Drama Book Shop

It was originally opened in 1917 near the Times Square. The store is a renowned theater bookstore that sells play scripts, theater books, magazines, and other performance-related literature. It has over 75,000 script titles available as well as hard-to-find works. The Drama Book shop also hosts book signings, workshops, meetings led by theater professionals, and play readings. There are sections spanning acting techniques. 

9. The New York Review of Books

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It is an independent bookstore owned and operated by the biweekly magazine The New York Review of Books. It was opened in 2019 after the magazine had a pop-up bookstore merchandise like totes and postcards. The store hosts regular events related to books such as reading by authors and writing workshops. 

10. 1804 Books

It is a bookstore that is named after the year of the Haitian Revolution. It is a community source for socialist literature and revolutionary theory. It offers a wide range of books on political education, movement building, and organizing. The store offers books that specialize in Marxism, Leninism, Trotskyism, feminism, and anarchism.

11. East Village Bookstore

It is a used bookstore that is located in the East Village of Manhattan. It was founded in 1962 and is among the oldest as well as largest used bookstores in the city. The store has a wide selection of used books which include fiction, non-fiction, and rare books. It should be noted that the store has been featured in numerous publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Time Out New York. Aside from selling books, East Village Books also hosts author readings, book signings, and poetry slams. 

12. Mysterious Book Shop

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It was founded in 1979 by Otto Penzler and has been recorded as the oldest mystery specialty bookstore in America. It is a have for mystery fiction enthusiasts because it offers an extensive collection of new and used books including crime fiction, spy fiction, thrillers, detective fiction, and many more mystery fiction subgenres. The store houses the office of the mysterious press.

13. Rizzoli Bookstore

It is an iconic New York City bookstore that has been a beloved destination for book lovers for over 50 years. It was founded in 1964 by Angelo Rizzoli with several addresses throughout its history. It is known for its stunning features of oak paneling, sparkling chandeliers, and marble floors. The store has various art books, design books, cookbooks, and photography books. Some of the genres that are sold by the store include classics, poetry, fiction, and contemporary.

14. Sister’s Uptown Bookstore

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It is a community hub that is located in Harlem. It was founded in 2004 by Janifer P. Wilson who is a passionate advocate for literacy and community empowerment. It is noted for having a vibrant gathering space that celebrates African-American literature, history, and culture. The store’s shelves are filled with a diverse selection of books by Black authors.

The store also hosts several events throughout the year including author readings, book clubs, writing workshops, and open mic nights. Throughout the years, the store has been featured in numerous publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Essence magazine.

15. Argosy Book Store

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It is a renowned antiquarian bookstore that has been cherished as a part of New York City’s literary landscape since 1925. The store occupies a six-story townhouse that has an extensive collection of rare and out-of-print books. Argosy Book Store has an inviting ambiance that is enveloped with rich wood paneling and towering bookshelves that stretch from floor to ceiling.

It has a grand collection of literary gems that range from first editions to autographed manuscripts. Through the book-loving staff, visitors can have a deep understanding of literature and can identify hidden treasures. Since the store opened, it has been a sanctuary for bibliophiles.

16. Westsider Rare & Used Books Inc.

It is a used bookstore that was founded in 1975. It is noted for being the largest and most respected used bookstores in the city. The store has a wide selection of used books including fiction, antiquarian books, rare books, and non-fiction. It should be noted that the store has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Time Out New York, and The New Yorker. Aside from selling books, the store is also a popular spot for book clubs and writers’ workshops.

17. Mast Books

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It is a bookstore and gallery space that was founded in 2010 by James McKee, and Bryan Leitgeb. The store curates a rotating selection of rare and out-of-print titles presented alongside contemporary publications from small press publishers worldwide. Mast Books is a beloved neighborhood institution known for having a beautiful and vibrant art scene committed to its community. Through the store, readers and writers can connect and exchange ideas as well as celebrate the power of creativity.

18. Bookoff New York

It is a used bookstore chain with a location in Manhattan, New York City. It’s largest store is located in Japan with over 900 store nationwide. Bookoff is known for having a wide selection of used books including fiction, non-fiction, anime, and manga. It should be noted that the store became famous for its affordable prices.

19. Books of Wonder

The store is a beloved children’s bookstore that is located in Manhattan. It was founded in 1980 and has been a cherished destination for families and children for over four decades. Book of Wonder is known for its enchanting atmosphere, engaging events, and extensive collection of books. It is renowned for its engaging events and programs that bring books to life. The store has been known to host author readings, storytelling sessions, and book signings.

20. Albertine

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It is a bookstore and reading room that brings life to French-American literature. It was founded in 2014 by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States. The store is named after Marcel Proust’s fictional character who is known for her passion for literature and her love for French culture. Albertine has a wide selection of books in French and English including fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. It also hosts film screenings and book signings.

21. The Book Cellar

It is a used bookstore that is located in the basement of the Webster branch of the NYPL in Manhattan. It was established in 2004 and was operated by volunteers from the Friends of the Webster Library. It should be noted that the libraries of the New York Public Library donate all the books in the store. The books are sorted into over 60 categories with its extensive mystery and thriller collection.

22. Hue-Man Books

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It was a large African-American-owned bookstore in New York City. It was founded in 2002 and closed in 2012. It has a wide selection of books by African-American authors as well as books based on African-American history and culture. Hue-Man was featured in several publications including Essence magazine, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.

However, the store closed in 2012 because of the decline of the Harlem neighborhood, the economic recession, and the rise of e-books. Hue-Man closing caused a major drift in the literary scene of the Harlem community. It is remembered for its contributions to the community.

23. Assouline at the Mark Hotel

It is a luxurious bookstore that is located at the Mark Hotel. Assouline was founded in 1994 by Prosper Assouline. It is a French publisher and bookstore that is known for its elegantly designed coffee table books on lifestyle, culture, and art. Since it opened, it has become a haven for book lovers because of its curated selection of Assouline’s books and a wide variety of other books.

24. Sweet Pickle Books

It is a used bookstore that is located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It was founded in 2009 and is known for its curated selection of used books and its commitment to community engagement. The store’s interior has a vibrant atmosphere. The shelves are lined with a diverse range of used books from non-fiction and classic fiction. Sweet Pickle is a gathering place for the community because of the variety of events throughout the year including book signings, poetry slams, art exhibitions, and author readings.

25. Shakespeare & Co

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It is an independent bookstore that was founded in 1980. It is among the largest independent bookstores in the city. The store has a wide selection of books such as fiction, rare books, non-fiction, and antiquarian books. It was featured in several films such as The Wicker Man and Sex and the City. Aside from selling books, the store also hosts many events such as poetry slams, and book signings.

It should be noted that the bookstores in Manhattan are known for their ability to mix reality and the literature world. Whether it’s the unique design or the amazing book selection, these stores have won the hearts of many book lovers in Manhattan. All in all, it is safe to label Manhattan as the home of the literature scene. With all the activities that build a community of bibliophiles, readers as well as authors can come together and discuss their current reads.