Ursina's Shelf - NYC for book lovers
Issue 43
Dear Readers,
LIVE FROM NEW YORK, IT'S NEWSLETTER TIME.
Yes, I am finally back in the best city in the world. This week, I have been so lucky to meet new and old friends and have lots of bookish conversations, debating favorite Shakespeare plays, receiving vehement recommendations for a book about our study abroad locale, pre-debating our next book club book, and discovering friends’ bookshelves. I also got to visit lots of bookstores (and expand my to-be-read pile). So today I will deviate from the usual format for something new and share my favorite New York spots for book lovers.
Where to visit
New York Public Library (Midtown, 476 5th Avenue, Manhattan)
Description: New York has an impressive public library network across its boroughs. The beautiful main branch on the East side of Bryant Park was originally opened in 1911. The Rose Main Reading Room is a must-see for any book lover. You can enter for free, you just have to be very quiet.
Bonus fact(s): The New York Public Library is a private non-profit and houses 50+ million items across 92 locations, second only to the Library of Congress.
Morgan Library (Midtown East, 225 Madison Avenue, Manhattan)
Description: This small museum transports visitors back to a historic New York. The Morgan Library houses the collection of storied banker J.P. Morgan. Originally founded in 1906, it was opened to the public in 1924. Morgan spared no expense building it.
Bonus fact: Morgan originally started collecting manuscripts and rare books, because books had no import tax.
Where to read
Ace Hotel Lobby (Midtown West, 20 W 29th Street, Manhattan)
Description: Could be that I'm dating myself here and this place is way past being cool, yet I have always enjoyed the vibe of the dark hotel lobby with its adjacent Stumptown Coffee shop. I wrote my business school applications here in 2011 and appreciate this calm space in a busy area.
Bonus tips: It is also a bar and it has a great restroom (very important to know where those are in New York!)
New York City Parks (multiple locations)
Description: New York has an incredible network of parks. While Central Park may be the best known—and the Mall with its many benches is an ideal reading spot—my top recommendation would be Riverside Park with its sculptures, generous benches, and views of the Hudson River. For a comprehensive list of all parks, see here.
Bonus tips: There are 28,000 acres of municipal parkland in New York city.
Book Club (East Village, 197 E 3rd Street, Manhattan)
Description: Book Club is a bookstore, café, and wine bar all in one. Could you ask for anything more? Yes, you could: great staff and customer recommendations on little notes throughout the shelves. Thank you, Cheyenne, for the lovely recommendation. I will definitely be back. I look forward to reading the award winning book I picked up there this week.
Where to shop
Housing Works bookshop (Soho, 126 Crosby Street, Manhattan)
Description: This is my favorite bookshop in New York. It houses a cafe, sells second-hand books, and is staffed by volunteers with proceeds going to Housing Works. It already made an appearance in issue 4 on my favorite three bookshops worldwide.
Books Are Magic (Cobble Hill, 225 Smith Street, Brooklyn)
Description: This shop opened after I moved out of New York, but kept popping up on my radar, most recently on Gayla Gray’s lovely SoNovelicious newsletter issue on author owned bookstores. Books Are Magic is owned by Emma Straub, author of All Adults Here, The Vacationers, and many more fun reads. I spent over an hour here this week and already know I will be coming back often. There are great staff picks and recommended reads throughout the store. I picked up an unexpected find and a newly released book.
Three Lives & Co (West Village, 154 W 10th Street, Manhattan)
Description: I had originally stumbled upon this store when I lived up the street and had a wonderful visit yesterday, especially as they just reopened. It’s a cozy corner shop with wonderful staff who are happy to recommend a book and wrap a gift, making it feel like a neighborhood store in a much smaller city.
And finally, if you are on Instagram, I recommend following @nycbookgirl with her lovely pictures of books, bookstores, Little Libraries, and more in New York and beyond.
Currently reading: Hanya Yanagihara’s To Paradise, which takes place mostly in New York, centered around Washington Square Park, inspired by the synonymous Henry James book.
Thank you for reading today's newsletter and as always please share your New York, reading, or recipe recommendations with me. And feel free to send this issue to a friend. In the next issue, I will have an exciting book-related announcement.