Berls Brooklyn Poetry Shop
Do you love poetry? Located at 141 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, Berl’s book shop sells nothing but poetry. Moreover, they feature a wide array of work done by classic poets like Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes, as well as more modern poets like Shayla Lawson or Sara Deniz Akant.
If you are not too sure if poetry is your thing, the staff are kind enough to recommend poets that suit your tastes. The store is so cozy and welcoming. In addition to that, staff members are super helpful and incredibly well-informed. They will be happy to answer any question that you have about poetry.
Plus, they host an array of on-site poetry readings and workshops that are all set inside a wonderfully welcoming and cozy space. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 2ish to lateish. Also, open on Tuesday evenings, Monday mornings, and occasionally at other times, by appointment only. You can also find them online for any more questions.
The Lit Bar
The Lit Bar is in Bronx, NYC, specifically addressed at 131 Alexander Ave, The Bronx, NY 10454. Here is a fun fact: The Lit Bar, the only independent bookstore in the entire Bronx.
In fact, you will find books that you can find elsewhere here. Noëlle, the store owner, definitely makes sure that the majority of books displayed here are by Black authors and various other people of color.
Therefore, you can now diversify your reading list. At The Lit Bar, you can discover the new favorites that you can share with 10,000 of your favorite besties.
They have books for children, young adults, and adult books.
The Lit Bar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Sunday through Monday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Center For Fiction
This book store is located at 15 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217. In fact, it is the only non-profit organization in New York City that is dedicated to celebrating the fiction side of life. Moreover, they provide workshops for upcoming and new writers.
This NYC bookstore also features an assortment of titles by authors from around the world. So, all my fellow literary loving, world travelers, feel free to rejoice.
Plus, if you sign up for their wicked awesome, yearly membership, you’ll get primo access to their well-stocked, uber-comfy library on the second floor.
However, no laptops are allowed. Instead, you can have them in your bag, but you just can’t get them out and use them while in the library since The Center for Fiction is all about unplugging. It is open on Monday through Tuesday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Curbside Pick-Up Only) and Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (In-Store Browsing & Curbside Pick-Up).
Check them out on their website here.
Argosy Bookstore
Argosy got a beautiful combination of history and books. It is the oldest surviving independent bookstore in NYC. This place dates all the way back to 1925.
Their book-related specialty is Antiquarian books and out-of-print volumes. Therefore, you should expect to find an eclectic and exhaustive collection of vintage books when you step inside.
Once you get to the store, the smell of old books makes you go weak in the knees. Moreover, it got a spacious and cozy mini-library. Find the Argosy Bookstore at 116 E 59th St, New York, NY 10022. They usually open from Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and closed on Sundays. Click on their website to explore more.
Albertine
This bookstore is unbelievably beautiful. Actually, the ceiling is covered with blue and gold constellations and stars. The building that Albertine sits inside is also home to the Cultural Services sector of the US-French Embassy. The book store is located at 972 5th Ave, New York, NY 10075.
Albertine actually specializes in French books. That is why most of the books sold here are in some way connected to France or the French language. Furthermore, they also hold special events related to French books and culture.
However, there are plenty of books in English too. At the book store, you can buy travel memoirs about France, discover new French literature translated into English, or read works from African authors who are writing in French (pieces that are then translated into English).
Albertine store is open from Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and closed on Sundays.
The place is really safe that you will have to go through a metal detector to get in. But, it is all worth it just to feel like French royalty for as long as you stay there.
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