Shopping for books in Manhattan is a joy for any reader, with iconic spots like The Strand near Union Square and the elegant Rizzoli Bookstore in NoMad offering everything from bestsellers to rare finds. Independent favorites like McNally Jackson in SoHo and Books Are Magic in nearby Brooklyn add charm with curated selections and frequent author events. Whether you're into fiction, poetry, art, or cookbooks, Manhattan’s bookstores provide endless inspiration.

Larger retailers like Barnes & Noble in Union Square and on the Upper West Side offer wide selections in spacious settings with cozy cafés. For rare and vintage treasures, places like Argosy Book Store—New York’s oldest independent bookstore—are perfect for browsing.

In Manhattan, book shopping isn’t just about buying a title—it’s about discovering stories in unforgettable spaces.

Bookstores in New York

Albertine Books Shop Online>
Independent bookstore and cultural dedicated to promoting French and Francophone literature and culture in the United States. Beyond its curated collection of over 30,000 titles in both French and English, Albertine hosts a vibrant program of events.
Upper East Side, Manhattan

Argosy Book Store Shop Online>
Family-owned Book Store know for its vast and eclectic collection of rare and out-of-print books, maps, prints, and autographs. Argosy offers a treasure trove of literary and historical artifacts spanning centuries and genres.
Midtown, Manhattan

Barnes & Noble Shop Online> Back to School Sale>
Back to School Sale!
National chain of bookstores offering a vast selection of books spanning genres, as well as magazines, music, movies, and gifts. Many stores feature cafes serving coffee and snacks, inviting customers to linger and browse.
Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Manhattan

Bluestockings Bookstore Shop Online>
Proudly feminist, volunteer-operated bookstore with a carefully curated selection of books focused on feminism, queer and gender studies, race and class, environmentalism, and social justice.
Lower East Side, Manhattan

Kinokuniya New York Shop Online>
Japanese bookstore offering a vast selection of books in both English and Japanese, ranging from manga, art books, and literature to language-learning materials and cookbooks.
Midtown Manhattan

McNally Jackson Shop Online>
Independent bookstore know for its curated selection of literary titles, art books, and unique gifts. Their coffee shop, makes it a popular gathering spot for bibliophiles and locals alike, contributing to the vibrant literary landscape of NYC.
Rockefeller Center

Rizzoli Bookstore Shop Online>
Revered bookstore, widely considered one of the foremost independent booksellers in America specializing in illustrated books on architecture, interior design, fashion, photography, cookery, and the fine and applied arts, as well as literature, and foreign language books.
Nomad, Manhattan

Strand Book Store Shop Online> Back to School Sale>
Back to School Sale!
A New York institution, this book store is renowned for its "18 Miles of Books," offering an unparalleled selection of new, used, and rare books across diverse genres.
East Village, Manhattan