Neighborhood Bookstores
Williamsburg and Greenpoint’s independent bookshop scene is rich in abundance. Walk the streets of either neighborhood and endless literary gems are to be found. Sink in amongst the locals with a day spent poring over the pages of newfound (or old-found) books; look no further than to the neighborhood coffee shops, gardens, and parks to stop in and settle in. Compiled here is a list of where to buy your books, and where to go to read them.
Well before Betty Smith’s celebrated novel drew attentions to Williamsburg, there was plenty of literary bustle in the area. The original Greenpoint Library opened in 1906 as one of the first Carnegie libraries, and prominent writers have lived and worked in the neighborhood for decades—Walt Whitman, Henry Miller, and Esmerelda Santiago, to name a few.
McNally Jackson (76 N 4th St)
The second branch of the independent SoHo bookstore, stocking McNally Editions, singular works published by McNally, and a large selection of children’s books, with weekly story times for kids every Thursday at 11:30am. Staff recommendations sit proudly on their shelves with handwritten rationale for each endorsement.
Spoonbill & Sugartown (218 Bedford Ave)
A bookshop located in the Mini Mall on Bedford Avenue selling new, used, and rare books in a variety of genres with emphasis on art, design, and architecture, as well as notebooks, publications, journals, and greeting cards.
WORD (126 Franklin St)
An independent bookstore selling fiction and non-fiction literature with frequent events, and book club meetings. Minutes away from The East River, find something to read, and sit by the water.
Quimby's (536 Metropolitan Ave)
A curated selection of small-press books and zines stock the shelves of Quimby. Visitors will also find locally crafted greeting cards, vinyl albums, gifts, art magazines, fiction, and non-fiction literature.
High Valley Books
By-appointment only, High Valley’s proprietor, Bill Hall, runs this shop out of his home. Rare periodicals, design, and fashion books are what primarily sit on Hall’s shelves, but cookbooks, photography, travel, and gardening books make appearances as well.
Join the historical likes, take your recent purchase, and find a place to sit, whether surrounded by trees, looking up at the Manhattan cityscape, immersed in the Williamsburg community, or cozied up in your room.
Oslo Coffee Roasters (133 Roebling St)
Opened over 20 years ago, Oslo’s coffee is roasted in their trusty small-batch Probat roaster, yielding coffee that Wythe is proud to offer. Their storefronts are lovely places to read, sit or take in your surroundings.
McGolrick Park (Russell Street & Nassau Ave)
Providing ample shade since 1891, McGolrick Park is known for its large older trees, historic monuments, and its Sunday farmer’s market, making it an ideal place to sit for a few hours.