Ten Best Independent Bookstores of NYC - Photo Gallery

<em>Melanie Jane Parker/Gothamist </em><p></p><strong>Best Prices: Unnameable Books</strong> <p></p> Your first time in Unnameable is likely to feel similar to the beginning of a romance, butterflies and all. Besides possessing a quiet, library-like ambiance and an unobtrusive staff, Unnameable also boasts an impressive selection of well-priced used and new books. We found every author we searched for, and not just their most popular works! The shop carries both obscure and classic novels, anthologies, biographies, tomes of poetry, small-press chapbooks, and a well-curated, if modest, array of graphic novels. <p></p><em>600 Vanderbilt Avenue between Dean &amp; St. Mark's, Prospect Heights, (718) 789-1534</em>

<em>Melanie Jane Parker/Gothamist</em><p></p><strong>Cutest Employees: The Strand</strong> <p></p>The <a href="http://www.strandbooks.com/">Strand Bookstore</a> has a reputation for having more-than-decent prices and a grumpy, less-than-helpful staff. But have you ever noticed how, despite their curmudgeonly dispositions, Strand employees tend to be rather attractive? Bearded, four-eyed young men and well-coiffed, scarlet-lipped ladies tend to the stacks for a mediocre hourly wage, so we have to assume that it’s their love for literature that keeps them stocking and alphabetizing all the live long day. And there’s nothing sexier than good old-fashioned bibliophilia. <p></p><em>828 Broadway, Union Square (212) 473-1452</em>

<em>Melanie Jane Parker/Gothamist </em><p></p><strong>Best Hole-in-the-Wall: Book Thug Nation</strong> <p></p><a href="http://bookthugnation.com/">Book Thug Nation</a> is one of the most unaffected places in Williamsburg—fantastic prices, free tea, an extensive selection of 'zines, and helpful, humble employees (one employee told us not to publish his photograph because he is the “ugliest person who works” at Book Thug—and he was still totally adorable). The vibe isn’t as frenetic as nearby Spoonbill &amp; Sugartown, which makes it great for relaxed treasure-hunting. It's also located right across the street from <a href="http://gothamist.com/2007/11/28/radegast_now.php">Radegast Hall</a>, so you can buy a book and then crack it open with a giant mug of beer.<p></p><em>100 N 3rd Street, Williamsburg</em>

<strong>Best Reading Series: St. Mark's Bookstore</strong> <p></p><a href="http://www.stmarksbookshop.com/">St. Mark’s </a>has been a fixture on the Lower East Side since the late ‘70s. Their inventory caters mostly to artsy, intellectual institutions (NYU and Cooper Union are neighbors), but the shop lacks the looming pretension that can make some bookstores feel cold and unwelcoming. St. Mark’s has also established a well-attended reading series that takes place once a month. The series aims to celebrate writers who have been on the scene for years, as well as new and emerging voices. There’s a real sense of community in the room on these evenings; we strongly suggest you keep up with the reading schedule <a href="http://www.stmarksbookshop.com/event/2011/03/04/month">here</a>. <p></p><em>31 3rd Avenue, Lower East Side, (212) 260-7853</em>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frontstudio/4276965247/"><em>Front Studio's Flickr </em></a><p></p> <strong>Best Browsing: McNally Jackson</strong> <p></p>Coffee and books go hand-in-hand. At <a href="http://mcnallyjackson.com/">McNally Jackson</a>, you can get your caffeine fix and then leisurely browse two floors of books and an extensive magazine rack. The books are all brand new, and therefore priced accordingly. They stock the greats and the lesser-knowns, have a central display dedicated to NYC-oriented books, and a colorful nook for children's books, complete with stuffed animals, puzzles, and games. The shop also hosts weekly literary events, including readings, lectures, and story hours. As long as you don’t mind catching bad looks from entitled newcomers, you can hunker down in the Mc-J cafe with a few glossies and potential purchases. Or let <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/02/02/dane_neller_ceo_of_on_demand_books.php">the robot do the work</a>! <p></p><em>52 Prince Street, SoHo/Nolita, (212) 274-1160</em>

<strong>Best Community Bookstore: Greenlight Bookstore</strong> <p></p> <a href="http://greenlightbookstore.com/">The Greenlight Bookstore</a>, located at the corner of South Portland and Fulton in Fort Greene, is the result of community camarederie, passionate partnership and the miraculous confluence of funds. The founders of Greenlight are sage book purveyors who rallied together with the Fort Greene Association to establish this vibrant intellectual space, which hosts regular readings for adults and children. With its neatly organized, spacious aesthetic, it’s a fantastic place to peruse, shop, and get acquainted with local authors. <p></p><em>686 Fulton Street, Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200</em>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/colossalmedia/5244713998/"><em>Colossal Media's Flickr</em></a> <p></p> <strong>Best Gifts: MoMA PS1 Contemporary Art Center</strong> <p></p> Queens is <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/04/06/queens_in_need_of_more_bookstores.php">notoriously lacking in indie bookstores</a>, although Gothamist's Jaya Saxena, who resides in Astoria, insists the public libraries just about make up for it. Unfortunately, you can't give your loved ones library books as gifts, unless you want to look like a real asshole. If you're in need of classy, cultured, creatively bound treasures, <a href="http://ps1.org/about/bookstore/">the artbook @ MoMA PS1 Contemporary Art Center</a> is the place to go. The museum store stocks exhibition books, limited editions, rarities, and plenty of brand new publications that illustrate avant-garde art both in New York City and elsewhere. <p></p><em>22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, (718) 784-2084</em>

<em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitchcakes/3753981022/">BitchcakesNY's Flickr</a></em><p></p><strong>Best for Kids &amp; Teens: WORD</strong> <p></p>Mothers, fathers, and caretakers of New York City (and Brooklyn in particular) will be glad to know that the selection at <a href="http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/">WORD Bookstore</a> in Greenpoint does right by the more seasoned reader, while also helping to nurture New York's next generation of bookworms. WORD hosts events like Sign Language Storytime for toddlers, as well as workshops and talks for intellectually and artistically-inclined teenagers. The also host other various fun events like comedy nights, knitting groups, and potlucks; display a matchmaking bulletin board for single bookworms; sponsor a basketball team, and monthly book clubs. <p></p><em>126 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096</em>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29210930@N05/5252652765/"><em>Karen Lillis's Flickr</em></a> <p></p> <strong>Best Social &amp; Political Resource: Bluestockings Bookstore</strong> <p></p> Wondering where to go to satisfy all your radical, proletariat, genderfuck needs? <a href="http://bluestockings.com/">Bluestockings Bookstore </a>has been on the front lines of raising social, political and cultural awareness since 1999, when it was founded as a women’s cooperative infoshop. It serves as an activist launchpad and community center, and stocks everything from books on feminism and black liberation to volumes of poetry and “alternative menstrual products” (DivaCup, anyone?). Not to mention, the impending return of the Bluestockings Cafe (serving vegan, organic, and fair trade goods) later this year is something to look forward to. <em>172 Allen Street, Lower East Side, (212) 777-6028</em>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/staciemerrill/377410970/"><em>mizstacie's Flickr</em></a><p></p><strong>Best Bookstore Cat: Spoonbill &amp; Sugartown </strong><p></p> It's possible that cats are the most book-friendly animals, since: 1. They won't turn your priceless autographed copy of <em>Infinite Jest </em>into a chew toy, and 2. Curled up in your lap, a cat makes an excellent book rest. Getting the occasional leg rub while thumbing through a book on hipster arts &amp; crafts doesn't hurt, either. We consider <a href="http://www.spoonbillbooks.com/">Spoonbill &amp; Sugartown</a>'s resident felines to be the softest, most mysterious book-buying companions. We're pretty sure there's a friendly three-legged one in residence, but we weren't able to get a photo. <p></p> <em>218 Bedford Avenue, #1K, Williamsburg, (718) 387-322</em>