NewPages Guide to
Indie Bookstores in New York

Locally Owned, Truly Independent, One of a Kind . . . simple but distinctive words in this age of big box chain stores. It’s cozy, intimate, full of character and sporting a staff known for its sense of humor not to mention its competency and dedication to customer service and to books themselves.

A general interest, independent bookstore in Astoria, Queens.

Beacon Reads is a bookstore to benefit the Howland Public Library that is staffed by Friends of HPL volunteers co-managed by Vicki Blucher and Marcia Frahman. It has been located at 309 Main Street since 2002.

Used and New Books / Books Bought and Sold / Beacon, NY

Anti-Profit Anti-Fascist Book Pushers serving the Lesser Binghamton Area.

Lift Bridge Book Shop, located in Brockport, NY the "Victorian Village on the Erie Canal" is the only full service independent bookstore between Rochester and Buffalo, NY. We serve the greater local community and SUNY Brockport with textbooks, art and office supplies and two floors of books and innovative toys.

The Bronx is burning... with desire to read. The Lit. Bar is an independent bookstore serving up literature, wine, and Bronx-pride.

Independent bookstore serving the community for 81 years. We take special orders and find out-of-print books. Relaxed atmosphere and helpful staff.

A place for books and foods.

The only all poetry bookstore in NYC, we specialize in indie press chapbooks and books.

bookthugnation is a used bookstore and community space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We carry a wide selection of quality used books at low prices. Our focus is in Literary Fiction (boasting one of the best used fiction sections in NYC!), Film and Philosophy. We hold regular events and gatherings, including author readings, movie screenings, lectures, neighborhood meetings, kids nights, and more. BTN believes that independent bookstores are an essential part of a healthy, creative New York City. We strive to be an active community space that fosters literary arts while being a welcoming place where anyone can walk in, have a cup of coffee and talk about books.

Independent local bookstore. General bookstore specializing in fiction, nonfiction, children's and best selling titles. Next day orders available for no extra charge. Join our monthly book discussion. With our newly added knitting knook, you can purchase knitting supplies from Lions Brand, take a knitting class with our instructor, or join our knitting/crochetting club.

Cobble Hill's Independent Bookstore. Visit us for a wide selection of books, as well as author events.

cafe con libros is a feminist community bookstore catering to folks who are book lovers, coffee aficionados, or both. We aim to provide space for anyone seeking a community of readers and thinkers, and to spread the love of reading as a source of healing.

Catland is Brooklyn's premier metaphysical shop and event space. We offer books and wares for all experience levels. Full event calendar is on our website.

The Center for Fiction, founded in 1820 as the Mercantile Library, is the only organization in the United States devoted solely to the vital art of fiction. The mission of The Center for Fiction is to encourage people to read and value fiction and to support and celebrate its creation and enjoyment. With all our resources, including our exceptional book collection, our beautiful reading room, our expanding website, and our ever-growing array of creative programs, we seek to serve the reading public, to build a larger audience for fiction, and to create a place where readers and writers can share their passion for literature.

Charming employees, killer reading series, well-curated shelves, and a photogenic cat.

Freebird features an eclectic mix of books with a new emphasis on New York history and culture. A locus for community meetings, book discussions, workshops, and literary readings, Freebird is available for rental or special events.

An independent bookstore in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Store locations in Fort Greene and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Visit our website for directions and hours.

An independent bookstore in the heart of Brooklyn, NY. Locations in Fort Greene and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Visit our website for directions and hours.

Elected by the readers of the Daily News as the best independent book store in New York City, November 2011.

At Honey & Wax, we deal in literary classics and curiosities. We specialize in unique copies: books from the libraries of writers and artists, rare first printings, quirky vintage editions, splendidly bound copies, books with no downloadable equivalent. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, and are open by appointment in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Human Relations is a used bookstore in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York; between Vandervoort Place and Kickerbocker Ave. Human Relations are difficult, especially for book people. Nevertheless, we are bringing you the best quality used fiction, philosophy, film, foreign language, pulpy noir, history, art, science, food, drama, and pretty much everything else. (In order to make human relations even harder.)

In 2008, Melville House's offices merged with a bookstore and event space. Visit us for small press titles and literary events.

Mil Mundos is holding down space for the Black and Hispanic character of Bushwick. Service is available to customers in both English and Spanish with equal access. Goods for sale primarily have a Black and Latinx focus, prioritizing the celebration of our culture, heritage, and personal empowerment. Roughly 50% of titles in stock are available as Spanish language titles.

Molasses is both a tiny used bookstore as well as a cafe and a bar. Open every night until at least midnight. Best Used Bookstore 2013 - Village Voice; Best Used Bookstore 2013 - New York Magazine; Best Bookstore / Bar - L Magazine; Best of Brooklyn pick - Time Out NY; Time Out NY readers pick "Love New York" award winner for best store in Bushwick.

As the largest African American bookstore, and the ultimate destination for book lovers, Official Connection offers an incredible array of content. Featuring hundreds of books, video, VCRs, bookmarks, incense, African masks, and figurines.

Home to world-renowned art book publisher powerHouse Books, the Arena is a gallery, boutique, bookstore, performance, and events space located at 28 Adams Street in New York City's scenic DUMBO neighborhood. With soaring 24- foot ceilings on the 5,000 square foot ground floor, The powerHouse Arena showcases a series of landmark exhibitions, performances, and controlled mayhem fusing the worlds of art, photography, design, fashion, pop culture, advertising, music, dance, film, and television into a glorious whirlwind of captivating spectacle.

powerHouse on 8th is a bookstore, reading club, mini-gallery, and community space bringing South Slope the best in fiction, nonfiction, children's/YA, novelty, cooking, decorating, stationery, and more, all from the curatorial minds hived at Dumbo's famed powerHouse Arena. Read our reviews, join our Middle Grade Reading Club, and stop in for Sunday morning readings with children's book authors. See you on the block!

Like the original Quimby's in Chicago (25 years!) this location specializes in zines and small press. Unlike the Chicago, store we do not carry comics because we are right next door to Desert Island Comics, the best comic shop in New York. The store also exhibits photography and has a large selection of photography books, and hosts author events.

Since 1999, Spoonbill has offered an always changing combination of new books in the Arts & Letters as well as, serendipitously, whatever unusual books come in though libraries and small collections that we obtain. Open 7 days a week on the main drag in sunny Williamsburg.

A (mostly) used bookstore in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

WORD Brooklyn is an independent community bookstore, dedicated to being whatever our neighborhood wants us to be!

Burning Books is a radical bookstore focusing on social justice, activism, and liberation struggles, based in Buffalo.

We are a not-for-profit neighborhood bookstore and educational arts center that offers a full bookstore staffed with knowledgeable, enthusiastic readers that can assist and encourage all current and “would-be readers."

Talking Leaves Books has been providing the reading public of Buffalo and Western New York with a distinctive and unusual selection of the finest writing and thinking bound into books for almost 30 years now.

Zawadi Books is a bookstore that specializes in books and materials that are by and about people of African descent. Our store holds author readings, book discussions, a Reading Room, and houses a storytelling resource center.

Part of the community for 25 years (under a few different names), Battenkill Books is a local, independent bookstore selling general interest, new books in the Battenkill Valley. The store offers a broad range of books from current bestsellers to the classics, and from history and romance to gardening and cooking, and more. We have a large selection of books on local history and the surrounding area. Battenkill Books also carries maps, gifts, cards, and an eclectic selection of magazines, as well as hosting author events.

Old Book Surfer's retail store location overlooks scenic Lake Lauderdale in Washington County, N.Y.; our internet sales presence is exclusively on ABE Books. We offer a diverse in-store and by-mail selection of primarily used music merchandise, in LP, 45 and 78 rpm vinyl formats as well CD/DVD /tape offerings, and printed materials such as sheet music, memorabilia, entertainer biographies, discographies and ephemera. We are noted for our wide and deep literary stock, extensive first editions stock, 20th century collectible and signed books, books-about-books, criticism, history, military, regional and scholarly material. Over 10,000 books in open-stock shelving. Visit us online or at our brick and mortar store. Open Wed-Sun 1-6PM, except holidays.

We carry a large selection of new and used books. The newest book releases arrive every Tuesday, and you may pre-order upcoming releases, which you can learn about in our newsletter. We also offer used books at discount of a least 1/2 off list price.

Magpie Bookshop specializes in awesome, as well as nearly new and used books.

Blue Door Books is an independant bookstore. Our belief is that this bookstore belongs to all of us. While bookselling may be a business, a neighborhood bookstore should be a living breathing reflection of the tastes and interests of a community. In that spirit, we invite all of you to share in this new book experience created with you in mind.

Scattered Books offers best sellers, staff picks, popular kids books, nonfiction for children and adults, adorable bookish accessories, and more! Our Literary Lounge is home to our super creative kids parties, author signings, and available to rent for any adult of kids occasion. Come in and browse, sit in the sun and read a few pages and have a cup of coffee. This is what a bookstore was meant to be.

Celebrating over 40 years of building community through books! We have contemporary and classic books for readers of all ages, including a special section just for kids, and a diverse selection of art supplies, crafts, puzzles, toys and gift items. Come by our cozy store and say hello!

A family run book store in Clayton, NY.

Sulfur Books is an independent bookstore owned by Main Street Arts, a non-profit arts organization.

Cold Spring's independent bookstore carrying a curated selection of new books with a focus on literary fiction and nonfiction, small press titles, and children’s books. Our events will include book clubs, readings, signings, discussions, and children and family programming.

Card Carrying Books & Gifts caters to progressive customers looking for great books, gifts, and statement apparel.

Founded in 1990, I Love Books features a unique combination of books, toys, greeting cards, jewelry and quirky unusual items for all ages.

365.4 Categories of used, rare, and scholarly books in three nineteenth century barns. Received the Reward of Merit Restoration by Historic Ithaca and Tompkins County. Difficult to find! Located at Lacey's Corners which is directly opposite the traffic light to Tompkin-Cortland Community College. Parking lot not accessible from NY Route 13.

We are an independently owned bookstore and gift shop located in the heart of East Aurora. We have been family owned and run since 1986 and we are just 1/2 block off of Main Street. We carry many unique items and thousands of titles.

Situated in the village of East Hampton on Long Island’s storied East End, BookHampton provides/is committed to providing a vibrant year-round environment for discovering books that intrigue, amuse, educate and inspire. A dedicated and knowledgeable staff, lively events with fascinating authors, and a warm, welcoming space all combine to create a community place for book lovers.

Founded in 1976, we sell and buy fine rare and old books, maps, prints, ephemera, and photographs and postcards on a myriad of subjects. Members of the ABAA, ILAB, the Ephemera Society of America, among others. Please check our hours at our website.

Lots of new and used books. A variety of gift baskets and cups. A cozy corner to have coffee a snack. Animals welcome.

The North Fork's only bookstore! We have the best sellers you seek and plenty of other wonderful reads. Special orders are always welcome. Please stop by and have a look around!

Owl Pen houses 100,000 books and prints in all subjects and price ranges. We’re located in beautiful southern Washington County, NY and are seasonally open from May 1 - November 1.

One of Westchester County's leading independent bookstores since 1987. Offering more than 10,000 titles for every interest, occasion, and gift-giving need.

Open on the weekends in winter and summer. Over 50,000 titles.

Blenheim Hill Books carries thousands of books in categories ranging from gardening, fiction, biography, travel, history, poetry, African-American, cooking, children's and illustrated, all reasonably priced for the book lover.

A bookstore for cooks, crafters, and DIYers, Creative Corner is the newest addition to the Book Village of the Catskills in Hobart, NY. Crafts, workshops, author events, and more. New, used, vintage.

Uncommon Books at Reasonable Prices

Enjoy our eclectic selection of literature and full art supply. Moleskines, Melissa & Doug wares for kids, and sundry gifts round out our lineup. Frequent live music, beer and cheese tastings, live author events, and children's craft events pepper our schedule. Visit our Twitter for updates.

Long Island's largest independent bookstore, selling new, used, and discounted books.

60,000 books, 10,000 records & a cafe, all under one roof. Autumn Leaves offers the selection and quality of a new bookstore at used book prices. Our spacious, well-lit store is designed for comfortable browsing, with a knowledgeable staff ready to help.

Buffalo Street Books is Ithaca's community-owned cooperative bookstore and is located in the DeWitt Mall, right next to Greenstar Oasis. Visit us for author events.

If you love books, we would love to meet you! We offer to sell to you or will do some trading on both paperbacks and hardcovers. We also offer a selection of large print books and are happy to order in special/new books too! Fresh coffee, greeting cards and gift ideas are also available.

The Katonah Reading Room is a bookstore and coffee shop with take out sandwiches, salads, and baked goods rotating daily. Full barista coffee service, ice cream, candy, and drink specials. We sell books and gifts for all ages.

A community effort to bring a bookstore back into Queens. Visit our website for upcoming author events.

We sell new books, local beer, wine, coffee and espresso, and savory pies, and we regularly host events. Located at Kingston, New York's historic four corners. Come say hi!

Providing personalized customer service to help our customers reach their imaginations through reading, writing, and creating.

Off the Beaten Path, owned and operated independently, is a bookstore on beautiful Chautauqua Lake in the cozy village of Lakewood. Our mission is to provide customers with interesting, hard-to-find titles as well as the bestsellers. We love to give personal customer service, and we'll make recommendations and help you find a book that fits your taste.

Larchmont's oldest independent bookstore. We have a full selection of books for all ages. We carry toys and gift items, as well as cards and stationery.

A new bookshop with a carefully curated collection of books for adults, teens, and young readers. We also offer bookish merchandise from unique independent retailers from across the country and around the globe.

The Busy Bee Bookstore is a children's bargain bookstore in Lockport, New York! Our mission is to provide affordable children's literature to families and educators to help foster a love of reading in our community.

A bookstore in the beautiful hamlet of Locust Valley. Hosting author events. Visit us for all your book needs.

Locally-owned independent bookstore with three stores in Manhattan and one store in Long Island City. Join us for weekly storytimes, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Used books, great coffee, and lively conversation.

Founded by Doug Guevara and David Chancey, W. Whitman Books sells used, new, and rare books as well as antiques, collectibles, and art. We have great collections both in fiction and nonfiction, including mysteries, history, children's books, religion, and art. 

Independently owned and located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Merritt Bookstore strives to connect our customers with literature penned by local and global authors alike. We also offer a wide variety of toys, puzzles, and games through the Toys of Merritt. We are a small-town bookstore with a large outreach, and we pride ourselves on our unique ability to serve readers everywhere. Stop by to chat with our friendly staff, pick up a great read, and learn about our exciting events!

Founded in 1975, Oblong Books & Music is the largest independent bookseller in the Mid-Hudson Valley. With a vibrant children's book & toy section, a large bargain books selection, and a knowledgeable staff, Oblong has something for everyone. Open daily.