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That's So New York: Short (and Very Short) Stories about the Greatest City on Earth
Charming, poignant, and occasionally salacious, That’s So New York is brimming with little snapshots of humanity that make one thing There’s no place like New York.
New York Times editor and lifelong New Yorker Dan Saltzstein compiles hundreds of distinctly New York moments for this peek at the city that never sleeps. Inspired by Saltzstein’s viral Twitter thread, this illustrated book features hilarious anecdotes from locals and transplants, short essays from folks like Molly Jong-Fast and Michael Ian Black, who have seen it all, and Q&As with everyday New Yorkers from across the five boroughs. Eels wriggling through subway cars, accidentally stumbling onto the set of Law & Order , drag queens emerging from manholes—if there’s one thing New York never runs out of, it’s stories. And rats. Always rats.
INCREDIBLE TRUE These are real New York stories from real people who have lived or currently live in the city! While some are absolutely outlandish, the fact that these stories come from everyday people makes for an exciting reading experience for tourists and total relatability for locals. Topics range from the subway to celebrities, crime and grime to the New York slice, doorman dish to the (sometimes weird) rules of the city ("I'm walkin' here!"), and much more.
EXPERT As a lifelong New Yorker, senior editor for the New York Times , and creator of the popular Twitter thread that inspired this book, Dan Saltzstein has a wealth of knowledge about New York and an incredible network within it. This collection brings together the voices of notables like Alexander Chee, Molly Jong-Fast, Isaac Fitzgerald, and Megan Abbott with everyday folks like sanitation workers, doormen, train operators, and bartenders who make the city run.
ULTIMATE NYC GIFT In a highly giftable, affordably priced package, this is the perfect present for current New Yorkers, anyone who has ever lived in New York, and visitors who love the Big Apple!
Perfect
New York Times editor and lifelong New Yorker Dan Saltzstein compiles hundreds of distinctly New York moments for this peek at the city that never sleeps. Inspired by Saltzstein’s viral Twitter thread, this illustrated book features hilarious anecdotes from locals and transplants, short essays from folks like Molly Jong-Fast and Michael Ian Black, who have seen it all, and Q&As with everyday New Yorkers from across the five boroughs. Eels wriggling through subway cars, accidentally stumbling onto the set of Law & Order , drag queens emerging from manholes—if there’s one thing New York never runs out of, it’s stories. And rats. Always rats.
INCREDIBLE TRUE These are real New York stories from real people who have lived or currently live in the city! While some are absolutely outlandish, the fact that these stories come from everyday people makes for an exciting reading experience for tourists and total relatability for locals. Topics range from the subway to celebrities, crime and grime to the New York slice, doorman dish to the (sometimes weird) rules of the city ("I'm walkin' here!"), and much more.
EXPERT As a lifelong New Yorker, senior editor for the New York Times , and creator of the popular Twitter thread that inspired this book, Dan Saltzstein has a wealth of knowledge about New York and an incredible network within it. This collection brings together the voices of notables like Alexander Chee, Molly Jong-Fast, Isaac Fitzgerald, and Megan Abbott with everyday folks like sanitation workers, doormen, train operators, and bartenders who make the city run.
ULTIMATE NYC GIFT In a highly giftable, affordably priced package, this is the perfect present for current New Yorkers, anyone who has ever lived in New York, and visitors who love the Big Apple!
Perfect
160 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2024
16 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 7, 2024
Chronicle Books provided an early galley for review.
Plain and simple, I love New York! The city has always been fascinating to me - ever since childhood (this is something Saltzstein and I share in common). Actually living there is not the dream I'll ever achieve. Luckily, I've visited several times but more would always be better.
This nonfiction book collects twenty-two essays about life in the city. They are organized into eight categories including ones about subways, rules of the city, animals, celebrities and more. It also features delightful color illustrations by Emily Carpenter to accompany the essays and Tweets.
This was a quick fun read. If you are a fan of the Big Apple or just fascinated by it, definitely check it out.
Plain and simple, I love New York! The city has always been fascinating to me - ever since childhood (this is something Saltzstein and I share in common). Actually living there is not the dream I'll ever achieve. Luckily, I've visited several times but more would always be better.
This nonfiction book collects twenty-two essays about life in the city. They are organized into eight categories including ones about subways, rules of the city, animals, celebrities and more. It also features delightful color illustrations by Emily Carpenter to accompany the essays and Tweets.
This was a quick fun read. If you are a fan of the Big Apple or just fascinated by it, definitely check it out.
November 8, 2023
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
I may be biased, since I've lived in NYC my entire life, but this collection of short stories is a wonderful love letter to a city that, in many ways, seems to have lost its spark since the start of the pandemic. There are definitely some parts in here that made me mournful of "The City That Was." But at the same time, it reminded me of why I'd never choose to live anywhere else.
I may be biased, since I've lived in NYC my entire life, but this collection of short stories is a wonderful love letter to a city that, in many ways, seems to have lost its spark since the start of the pandemic. There are definitely some parts in here that made me mournful of "The City That Was." But at the same time, it reminded me of why I'd never choose to live anywhere else.
March 15, 2025
This is just the perfect short read to get real-life experiences from New Yorkers. It was funny and I loved the accompanying illustrations! Recommended 💯
December 24, 2025
La vibe de cette ville unique retranscrite en bouquin 🤩
September 24, 2024
Cute, funny, quick read. Makes me want to visit New York again.
November 4, 2023
I was super excited to read this book, but I can't get the protected PDF to open on any app. My computer doesn't even recognize it. I'm so sorry I can't give a proper review!
January 24, 2024
Illustrations by Emily Carpenter, design by Jon Glick
Anything can and does happen in New York. Some are improbable, like the person stepping on a rat and getting a sort of skateboard ride, or having Sting sit down beside you at a club show. I've never been to NYC but have friends there and have, of course, visited virtually many times via the screen, most recently an upscale area hosting the show "Only Murders in the Building". I'm leaning toward thinking I'd be more at home in the "In the Heights" area, however. I do have friends who frequent NYC and based on their stories and photos would have to say this book captures the reality, good and bad, and humor nicely.
It definitely does an excellent job of capturing random moments, both in words and artwork. To be honest, I was probably more captivated by the seemingly always in motion, colorful, diverse illustrations. The colors and vibes seemed to almost jump out at you at time. The accompanying blurbs/captions were often humorous and to the point, whether capturing street scenes or riding the subway. It was definitely interesting to discover that having a bladder of steel might be a must qualification for subway operators. And, oh, my, the stories from the woman involved in pest removal. Rats! Let's just say, rats seem to be a dominant thread of NYC memories.
Oddly enough, while negative memories were frequent shares, that actually made the book all the more powerful. Heaven only knows there are plenty of commercially prepared raves about not just NYC but just about any local. The negatives somehow seemed to blur into a blurred memory of mixed feelings. Maybe a sense of "Yeah, we got rats. So what? They're our rats." Overall, of course, the book is positive, maybe not quite a love letter to New York City but definitely a positive remembrance. I mean, even Sully doing an emergency landing on the Hudson River was somehow initially momentarily viewed as an "Are they filming a movie?" scene. Yes, definitely only in NYC could a large passenger plane landing on a major river be seen as just another movie scene. Thanks #NetGalley and #ChronicleBooks for the unpredictable virtual tour. I still want to hear more about Molly Jong-Fast's haunted childhood home, of course.
Anything can and does happen in New York. Some are improbable, like the person stepping on a rat and getting a sort of skateboard ride, or having Sting sit down beside you at a club show. I've never been to NYC but have friends there and have, of course, visited virtually many times via the screen, most recently an upscale area hosting the show "Only Murders in the Building". I'm leaning toward thinking I'd be more at home in the "In the Heights" area, however. I do have friends who frequent NYC and based on their stories and photos would have to say this book captures the reality, good and bad, and humor nicely.
It definitely does an excellent job of capturing random moments, both in words and artwork. To be honest, I was probably more captivated by the seemingly always in motion, colorful, diverse illustrations. The colors and vibes seemed to almost jump out at you at time. The accompanying blurbs/captions were often humorous and to the point, whether capturing street scenes or riding the subway. It was definitely interesting to discover that having a bladder of steel might be a must qualification for subway operators. And, oh, my, the stories from the woman involved in pest removal. Rats! Let's just say, rats seem to be a dominant thread of NYC memories.
Oddly enough, while negative memories were frequent shares, that actually made the book all the more powerful. Heaven only knows there are plenty of commercially prepared raves about not just NYC but just about any local. The negatives somehow seemed to blur into a blurred memory of mixed feelings. Maybe a sense of "Yeah, we got rats. So what? They're our rats." Overall, of course, the book is positive, maybe not quite a love letter to New York City but definitely a positive remembrance. I mean, even Sully doing an emergency landing on the Hudson River was somehow initially momentarily viewed as an "Are they filming a movie?" scene. Yes, definitely only in NYC could a large passenger plane landing on a major river be seen as just another movie scene. Thanks #NetGalley and #ChronicleBooks for the unpredictable virtual tour. I still want to hear more about Molly Jong-Fast's haunted childhood home, of course.
August 5, 2025
This is not HERE IS NEW YORK, by E.B. White. But I read this book immediately after finishing White's elegy to the City, and can't help but compare the two. THAT'S SO NEW YORK may not quite reach the prose and poetry of E.B. White, but it is a lot of fun, filled with stories from people all over town, Twitter followers responding to the author/editor's request for stories that typify the city--stories that make you say, "That's So New York."
This man from Texas can only take your word for it. I've spent enough time in the City to know the dialects, the brogue, the languages, maybe a handful of the smells. I have spent years arguing with a New Yorker, does that count?
But for the most part, this was an entertaining series of stories that I found useful and enlightening. There were unexpected stories, such as the 14 inches of snow during a blizzard, stories about walking onto TV or movie sets, stories about blackouts in the subway stations. And there were some expected stories. But again--it was a lot of fun. A quick, fun, easy read. A light book of simple entertainment mixed with a few moments of tenderness, nostalgia, or ennui.
I enjoyed it.
This man from Texas can only take your word for it. I've spent enough time in the City to know the dialects, the brogue, the languages, maybe a handful of the smells. I have spent years arguing with a New Yorker, does that count?
But for the most part, this was an entertaining series of stories that I found useful and enlightening. There were unexpected stories, such as the 14 inches of snow during a blizzard, stories about walking onto TV or movie sets, stories about blackouts in the subway stations. And there were some expected stories. But again--it was a lot of fun. A quick, fun, easy read. A light book of simple entertainment mixed with a few moments of tenderness, nostalgia, or ennui.
I enjoyed it.
January 3, 2024
There are eight million stories in the naked city and this is just more than one. As a native I'm used to listening to people who like to disparage my home town, but I've always known that much of that talk was jealousy. This I think is true of any major city like Paris or London.
The area of NYC that I grew up in was Eastern Queens which is one of the most diverse ethnic area you can imagine except for Elmhurst/Corona. Corona has been an area that has attracted support staff from the UN and Embassies. For many years my family owned a grocery in the area and we were constantly getting requests for new products not found in most stores. At one time Corona was said to have over 150 different ethnic groups in the local schools.
Saltzstein has done a yeoman's job in trying to give everyone a flavor of what that is like. One of my pleasure of life was going downtown to have Asian food in Chinatown and then walking two blocks uptown and having cannolis and expresso in Little Italy.
The area of NYC that I grew up in was Eastern Queens which is one of the most diverse ethnic area you can imagine except for Elmhurst/Corona. Corona has been an area that has attracted support staff from the UN and Embassies. For many years my family owned a grocery in the area and we were constantly getting requests for new products not found in most stores. At one time Corona was said to have over 150 different ethnic groups in the local schools.
Saltzstein has done a yeoman's job in trying to give everyone a flavor of what that is like. One of my pleasure of life was going downtown to have Asian food in Chinatown and then walking two blocks uptown and having cannolis and expresso in Little Italy.
March 3, 2024
In this advert for NYC, the author/curator asked for stories belonging to the people either belonging to, or passing through, the self-styled "greatest city on earth". The author's first suggestion is of him being fleeced by a cabbie. The next is him witnessing an artifice, the third a blackout. And he's already mentioned the rats. When the first guest essayist also mentions the rats – and the blackouts – you really have to wonder what the heck the appeal of this place is supposed to be. Apparently it is the randomness of the crime scene, the past glories it all revolves around, the oddball people (to put it politely), and so on. If you're buying that, you might be buying this – but even if you bleed Big Apple juice instead of blood you might think this a disposable, smallest-room browse.
December 23, 2023
This book, while touted as creative and interesting, didn't quite live up to my expectations. Despite its focus on the lives of New Yorkers, which usually captivates me due to my frequent travels to New York, I found the book to be somewhat lacking. Instead of uplifting and positive stories, it predominantly presented depressing and unpleasant narratives about the city's residents.
I opted for this Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) because I have a fondness for short memoirs and interviews. However, I believe the set of interviews in this book could have been more extensive and engaging. The brevity and lack of entertainment left me wanting more from what could have been a richer exploration of the lives and experiences of the people featured.
I opted for this Advance Reader's Copy (ARC) because I have a fondness for short memoirs and interviews. However, I believe the set of interviews in this book could have been more extensive and engaging. The brevity and lack of entertainment left me wanting more from what could have been a richer exploration of the lives and experiences of the people featured.
December 28, 2023
This book is a delightful and insightful exploration of New York City, offering a fun and informative read for anyone who loves the Big Apple. The collection of diverse perspectives provides moving and amusing stories from people of all ages. Each story, complemented by stunning illustrations, captures relatable and ridiculous moments, beautifully encapsulating the magic of New York.
As a budding New Yorker, this collection of short stories is a wonderful love letter to a city that has undergone changes since the start of the pandemic. It's a heartfelt and engaging portrayal of the enduring spirit of NYC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for my eARC. All thoughts were my own.
As a budding New Yorker, this collection of short stories is a wonderful love letter to a city that has undergone changes since the start of the pandemic. It's a heartfelt and engaging portrayal of the enduring spirit of NYC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for my eARC. All thoughts were my own.
November 11, 2023
This is such a delightful coffee table book, and would make a great gift. Nearly anyone could enjoy this book: locals, fans of the city, even those who have left the city. It's a collection of short stories and blurbs that capture the NYC experience.
Divided into sections (rats, celebs, the subway, etc), each captures both relatable and ridiculous moments people have experienced throughout the city. The illustrations in this book are also stunning...and hilarious! They really did such an excellent job putting this book together. You can really feel the magic of pre-2020 NY here.
Thank you to the publisher/NetGalley for my digital copy!
Divided into sections (rats, celebs, the subway, etc), each captures both relatable and ridiculous moments people have experienced throughout the city. The illustrations in this book are also stunning...and hilarious! They really did such an excellent job putting this book together. You can really feel the magic of pre-2020 NY here.
Thank you to the publisher/NetGalley for my digital copy!
February 2, 2025
Sweet present from my boyfie who recently went to New York!
As someone who has never been to NY, I found the book particularly transportive. Each individualized experience allows you to step in the shoes of the city's residents, making you feel as though you're navigating its streets, soaking in its vibrancy, and witnessing its charm firsthand. The storytelling is compelling, painting a vivid picture of the city through the personal narratives of those who call it home.
Additionally, the book is beautifully complemented by its illustrations. They add another layer of depth, enhancing the reading experience and visually bringing the stories to life.
As someone who has never been to NY, I found the book particularly transportive. Each individualized experience allows you to step in the shoes of the city's residents, making you feel as though you're navigating its streets, soaking in its vibrancy, and witnessing its charm firsthand. The storytelling is compelling, painting a vivid picture of the city through the personal narratives of those who call it home.
Additionally, the book is beautifully complemented by its illustrations. They add another layer of depth, enhancing the reading experience and visually bringing the stories to life.
January 1, 2024
I absolutly loved this book! As a New Yorker who is currently living in another country this book made me feel all the things I used to in NYC. It gets at a lot of the ways the city is so unexpected and amazing (celebrity encounters, unbelievable occurrences, great stories - anything can (and does) happen there!) This is truly a love story to NYC (one that so many of us have been swept up in) and I can’t wait for this to come out in print so I can get a physical copy to cherish!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher/author for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher/author for an ARC of this book.
January 3, 2025
I have been to NYC twice, and there is no other city in the world that enthralls my mind in the way that this one does. Each time I am there, I am immersed within a city that is filled with beautiful people and stories and buildings and wonders like no other. I am honored to have been a part of its story for a few short moments in time, and this book captures NYC’s ability to be a hotspot of the wildest stories, the most animated people, and pigeons. It gave me a few laughs and was a true representation of the beauty the city holds if you are willing to find it. 🚕🌃
December 21, 2023
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have no desire to ever visit NYC, but I enjoy seeing the city on tv and in movies. I also enjoy reading about it, and this book was a joy! Some sections were a few pages long, but much was a paragraph or 2. Perfect! Very entertaining and fun. A short book, so I guess my only complaint is this should have been longer. Even the pictures are good.
I have no desire to ever visit NYC, but I enjoy seeing the city on tv and in movies. I also enjoy reading about it, and this book was a joy! Some sections were a few pages long, but much was a paragraph or 2. Perfect! Very entertaining and fun. A short book, so I guess my only complaint is this should have been longer. Even the pictures are good.
Want to read
January 8, 2024It really always will be New York or nowhere! This fun little book was such a joy to read, and it really covered so many New York-isms. I am not a New Yorker, but I have a fascination with the city that never sleeps and all things NYC culture, so this was such a fun read for me. This would make a great gift for the city slicker in your life, or a coffee table book that would pair well with the People of New York anthology series.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!
March 21, 2024
Totally fun, beautiful package of a book well executed, but light reading to pick up and put down for anyone's that ever spent some time thinking about or living in New York.
What could've just been a curated dump of republished Tweets, is instead lovingly arranged by theme and interspersed with clever writing and curious interviews of real New Yorkers.
It makes you love where we live even more and I'm glad to have read it.
Of course it won't change your life - only New York will.
What could've just been a curated dump of republished Tweets, is instead lovingly arranged by theme and interspersed with clever writing and curious interviews of real New Yorkers.
It makes you love where we live even more and I'm glad to have read it.
Of course it won't change your life - only New York will.
July 19, 2024
A gift from my partner on her return from NYC (I am very jealous of her visit), I was happy to receive such a book as I love reading about New York, and of people's life experiences in cities and local communities. This book, short but sweet plays a great role in sharing a wide variety of different perspectives from New Yorkers. From the beginnings of a Twitter thread, Dan Saltzstein encapsulates nicely the bright lights, dark streets and the unique inhabitants of New York City.
December 18, 2023
Thank you for the EArc NetGalley and Chronicle Books. This was a fabulous journey through the culture of New York. You get fun little quips from X as well as interviews and stories from true New Yorkers. Who knew Houston was pronounced that way?!? I really enjoyed the flow of the book as well as the illustrations. Anyone who loves NY or is curious about it should pick this one up.
January 19, 2024
That's So New York was such a fun book. I was laughing, giggling, and some times a little grossed out. I think any book that gets those reactions is a worthwhile book. I personally have never been to NY yet, but I also feel a little more prepared to not be so shocked, because apparently anything can happen in NY . Also the illustrations in here are great,
February 17, 2024
And this is why I love New York! This feeling of being in a big, small space with all these other interesting people! I've only experienced New York as a visitor, but I still got to enjoy the quirkiness, the friendliness, the feeling that everyone is the same and there are no classes. The pictures are also great.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
May 19, 2025
Quick, funny, and easy to digest with fun anecdotes that really make you say “that’s so New York”.
I think I would have liked some more articles/essays and less tweets though. The tweets were funny, but the essays and short stories and interviews really bring to life the same vibe that I felt when watching “Pretend it’s a City”.
I think I would have liked some more articles/essays and less tweets though. The tweets were funny, but the essays and short stories and interviews really bring to life the same vibe that I felt when watching “Pretend it’s a City”.
February 10, 2024
The best thing about New York are the little moments over time that add up to the story of your time in this city. I delight in hearing those takes from others, and those that feel the same should read this book.
It’s fast, filled with great illustrations and a perfect encapsulation of what makes New York so special.
Thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
It’s fast, filled with great illustrations and a perfect encapsulation of what makes New York so special.
Thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 3, 2024
Wonderful read! I miss home, NYC, every day. I borrowed this from the library, but I have to purchase it now. I love NYC and all the fascinating, weird, and incredible things that make it NY. 5 stars!
July 31, 2024
A fascinating book about a fascinating city. This is a book of New York stories from people answering the question “what’s your most New York moment?”
I absolutely loved it and will most likely return to it frequently. It’s short, simple, and very sweet.
I absolutely loved it and will most likely return to it frequently. It’s short, simple, and very sweet.
January 12, 2026
I thought this was a nice quick read for anyone who likes New York City. I bought this actually while traveling there and it was so fun to finally read after my trip! Such fascinating stories and alot of laughs!
December 8, 2023
This was a fun and informative read if you like New York as much as I do. It was interesting to see the perspective of the people, of all ages, about the city with their pros and cons!
December 18, 2023
Such a fun book! Definitely a fresh take on NYC.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews