From Walt Whitman to Jonathan Lethem, Brooklyn has long had a strong literary history, so it's not surprising that the borough boasts dozens of new and used booksellers. Looking for a shop near you? Here's a list of some of the most interesting and popular Brooklyn bookstores.
A Novel Idea
8415 3rd Avenue(718) 833-5115
This Bay Ridge bookstore offers stellar customer service and a wide selection of titles.
Babbo's Books
242 Prospect Park West(718) 788-3475
With a friendly cat named Holly, a weekly book trade (where customers can bring their old paperbacks in and exchange them for a new read), and books available by special order, Babbo's Books is a Windsor Terrace favorite.
Barnes & Noble
267 7th Avenue(718) 832-9066
106 Court Street
(718) 246-4996
This ubiquitous bookstore has two locations in the borough, each with its own cafe and coffee bar.
Bay Ridge Bookstore
8508 4th Avenue(718) 680-5137
The Bay Ridge Bookstore may have a small collection of books, but customers here are treated like royalty. If the book you're looking for isn't in stock, an employee will happily order it for you.
BookCourt
163 Court Street(718) 875-3677
With a massive expansion currently in the works, BookCourt will soon add more books, a cafe, bar, outdoor garden, and events space to its already popular location. The Brooklyn bookstore currently boasts a great mix of bestsellers and local books.
Community Bookstore
212 Court Street(718) 834-9494
Holy book bonanza! This store offers a huge, if completely disorganized, collection of new and used books. You'll have to dig around to find what you want, but the reward is worth the hunt. Bestsellers at this Cobble Hill spot are priced low, low, low.
Community Bookstore of Park Slope
143 Seventh Avenue(718) 783-3075
Park's Slope Community Bookstore offers a great selection of books along with a cafe and plenty of places to lounge around with a good book in hand. A neighborhood institution, the space is small and can get crowded.
Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street(718) 643-8484
This cozy gem of a used bookstore is located in Red Hook. Owned by Brooklyn resident Peter Miller, Freebird offers ongoing literary events, a wide selection of reasonably priced books (both used and new), coffee, teas, wine, beer, snacks, and an outdoor patio.
Heights Books
109 Montague Street(718) 624-4876
Heights Books has been selling a varied collection of used and collectors' books since 1999. Browse the outdoor bargain racks, then take a seat on a sunny bench with your new find.
P.S. Bookshop
145A Front Street(718) 222-3340
Located in the heart of DUMBO, P.S. Bookshop offers a fine collection of used books, including a large children's selection. Don't miss the local section, with historic books on Brooklyn and New York City.