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A review by parker_beyers
A Booklover's Guide to New York by Cleo Le-Tan
5.0
The guiding force for one of the best weekends of my life. A love letter to the literary forces of NYC. The art is beautiful, and you can tell the author knows damn well what she’s talking about. A bit pretentious at times, sure, but that’s sort of what I was looking for. I’ve always wanted to do a bookstore crawl, and thanks to this book, I got a sliver of what the city has to offer. In about two days I went to (and gained charming memories of):
1. Drama Book Shop
- The perfect store for any theater lover. Got a script copy of [b: The Play That Goes Wrong|23722065|The Play That Goes Wrong|Henry Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421837623l/23722065._SY75_.jpg|43331608] for shits and giggles.
2. Book Off
- Japanese chain with lots of used and new books!
3. McNally Jackson Books
- Went to the Rockefeller branch. Absolutely beautiful layout in the store. Clutched a signed copy of [b: Shortcomings|227350|Shortcomings|Adrian Tomine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327891244l/227350._SX50_.jpg|3296544].
4. The Strand
- Spent over two hours wandering around here. It’s absolutely massive and the best place to get lost in. Finally bought [b: Time Is a Mother|58582927|Time Is a Mother|Ocean Vuong|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1626846358l/58582927._SY75_.jpg|91902199] after months of impulse control (for the sake of my wallet).
5. Alabaster Books
- I loveeeee the jazz music that plays while you browse. Stumbled on Black Apples, a poetry collection I’ve never heard of but can’t wait to dig into.
6. Forbidden Planet (not in book but spiritually fits)
- Super fun sci-fi/fantasy focused bookstore. Gave in and got a copy of [b: Children of Dune|44492286|Children of Dune (Dune, #3)|Frank Herbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564783201l/44492286._SY75_.jpg|3634573], which I’ll suffer through later this year.
7. Mercer Street Books and Records
- Had a rambling conversation with the head bookseller who really wanted me to buy his poetry. He kept ranting about the “tax man.” I eventually went with [b: Dwelling Song|382571|Dwelling Song Poems (The Contemporary Poetry Ser.)|Sally Keith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328809366l/382571._SY75_.jpg|372342], another unknown collection that called to me.
8. Dashwood Books
- Underground bookstore specializing in Japanese photo and art books. Got a small Polaroid collection for my sister, recommended by the bookseller (who is also the sweetest woman in the world).
9. Albertine
- By far the most aesthetic of all the bookstores. Incredibly French. The starry night sky that decorated the second floor ceiling is positively magical. Wish I spoke the language so I could justify buying a book, but here we are.
10. The Corner Bookstore
- Small but mighty. Saw a signed copy of [b: Same Bed Different Dreams|122993405|Same Bed Different Dreams|Ed Park|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677084246l/122993405._SY75_.jpg|144051457] that immediately caught my eye. Made one of the booksellers smile when I said it’s the kind of story I know I’ll love.
11. Shakespeare & Co.
- Not quite the Paris version, but still a great store. Love the Shakespeare drinks offered on the cafe menu.
All these stores, and I barely scratched the surface of what this book has to offer. I’m excited to return to this book and discover more in future trips.
Another fun anecdote is that Sharon Washington, one of the interviewees in this book, is a good friend of the people I stayed with during my trip. Small world, huh?