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A Booklover's Guide to New York
An illustrated guide to New York City tailored for the book-obsessed explorer showcasing the city's best bookshops; libraries; homes and haunts of world-famous writers; and scenes from literary classics with charming drawings by the famed New Yorker cover artist Pierre Le-Tan.
A Booklover's Guide to New York is a love letter to everything literary in New York City. It is a book all about books. The book is an object in itself, designed as the ultimate little tome any book collector would love to acquire, layered with witty Pierre Le-Tan drawings, as well as photographs of some of the most precious bookish locations.
Rediscover New York in the most fashionably literate whether you are in need of an exceptionally rare edition of your favorite novel (perhaps to be found in the dark and musty backroom of The Center for Fiction), or the most tranquil place to devour a short story on a wintry day (an empty underground food court in a Midtown skyscraper), or if you are looking to follow in the footsteps of a beloved author or novella character (like Capote's Grady and Clyde in Central Park Zoo), this will be your ultimate companion.
Part guide, part sophisticated scrapbook and part desirable object, A Booklover's Guide to New York is an absolute must for any book-savvy person--the young bookworm or old scholar, the visiting tourist or homegrown New Yorker, the aspiring writer or doting parent.
A Booklover's Guide to New York is a love letter to everything literary in New York City. It is a book all about books. The book is an object in itself, designed as the ultimate little tome any book collector would love to acquire, layered with witty Pierre Le-Tan drawings, as well as photographs of some of the most precious bookish locations.
Rediscover New York in the most fashionably literate whether you are in need of an exceptionally rare edition of your favorite novel (perhaps to be found in the dark and musty backroom of The Center for Fiction), or the most tranquil place to devour a short story on a wintry day (an empty underground food court in a Midtown skyscraper), or if you are looking to follow in the footsteps of a beloved author or novella character (like Capote's Grady and Clyde in Central Park Zoo), this will be your ultimate companion.
Part guide, part sophisticated scrapbook and part desirable object, A Booklover's Guide to New York is an absolute must for any book-savvy person--the young bookworm or old scholar, the visiting tourist or homegrown New Yorker, the aspiring writer or doting parent.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2019
17 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 6, 2019
So there I was, browsing happily through Cleo Le-Tan's wonderful directory of all things bookish in New York when I come across the following paragraph: "Some of the exhibitions the New-York Historical Society have featured illustrations and objects from literary masterpieces including J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter, Chitty Chitty Bang, Bang! and my all-time favorites, the Eloise and Madeline exhibitions." Thank you, Cleo, for the shout out - I was the lucky person who got to curate the Eloise and Madeline shows, and they were both a joy - as is your book!
November 13, 2023
The guiding force for one of the best weekends of my life. A love letter to the literary forces of NYC. The art is beautiful, and you can tell the author knows damn well what she’s talking about. A bit pretentious at times, sure, but that’s sort of what I was looking for. I’ve always wanted to do a bookstore crawl, and thanks to this book, I got a sliver of what the city has to offer. In about two days I went to (and gained charming memories of):
1. Drama Book Shop
- The perfect store for any theater lover. Got a script copy of The Play That Goes Wrong for shits and giggles.
2. Book Off
- Japanese chain with lots of used and new books!
3. McNally Jackson Books
- Went to the Rockefeller branch. Absolutely beautiful layout in the store. Clutched a signed copy of Shortcomings.
4. The Strand
- Spent over two hours wandering around here. It’s absolutely massive and the best place to get lost in. Finally bought Time Is a Mother after months of impulse control (for the sake of my wallet).
5. Alabaster Books
- I loveeeee the jazz music that plays while you browse. Stumbled on Black Apples, a poetry collection I’ve never heard of but can’t wait to dig into.
6. Forbidden Planet (not in book but spiritually fits)
- Super fun sci-fi/fantasy focused bookstore. Gave in and got a copy of Children of Dune, which I’ll suffer through later this year.
7. Mercer Street Books and Records
- Had a rambling conversation with the head bookseller who really wanted me to buy his poetry. He kept ranting about the “tax man.” I eventually went with Dwelling Song, another unknown collection that called to me.
8. Dashwood Books
- Underground bookstore specializing in Japanese photo and art books. Got a small Polaroid collection for my sister, recommended by the bookseller (who is also the sweetest woman in the world).
9. Albertine
- By far the most aesthetic of all the bookstores. Incredibly French. The starry night sky that decorated the second floor ceiling is positively magical. Wish I spoke the language so I could justify buying a book, but here we are.
10. The Corner Bookstore
- Small but mighty. Saw a signed copy of Same Bed Different Dreams that immediately caught my eye. Made one of the booksellers smile when I said it’s the kind of story I know I’ll love.
11. Shakespeare & Co.
- Not quite the Paris version, but still a great store. Love the Shakespeare drinks offered on the cafe menu.
All these stores, and I barely scratched the surface of what this book has to offer. I’m excited to return to this book and discover more in future trips.
Another fun anecdote is that Sharon Washington, one of the interviewees in this book, is a good friend of the people I stayed with during my trip. Small world, huh?
October 19, 2019
NYC and Books: 2 of my great loves in life. The book is a beautifully illustrated gem. I’m going to make it my mission to visit every single one of these spots! May report back.
* My copy has a lovely note from the author, who I enjoyed listening to at The Mysterious Bookshop (in Tribeca).
* My copy has a lovely note from the author, who I enjoyed listening to at The Mysterious Bookshop (in Tribeca).
November 25, 2019
I have spent the last month dipping in and out of this wonderful guide to bookish places in NYC. It was the best of armchair traveling and the book is going with me the next time I am in the city for work.
January 7, 2021
Fours stars only because one of the bookstores in here is Barnes and Nobles
November 10, 2022
A little pretentious but still a great guide to the literary nooks and crannies of New York City. I’m excited to go to all the bookstores, bars, and libraries listed here (but especially the bars). Also, some fascinating information on the legality of sidewalk bookselling vendors - they have a constitutional right to sell as a part of our American right to freedom of expression. Not something I expected to stumble on in this book.
November 21, 2024
Very fun and interesting book, will come in handy for trips to NYC. I have to be petty though - did she have to mention she was French 8 million times?
October 10, 2019
This is made for book lovers and lovers of NYC. The book is gorgeous, lovely to hold with charming drawings. There are the obvious spots, such as the strand and the public library, but mostly there are esoteric little spots that I am now dying to visit, such as Albertine and Argosy. It’s divided by boroughs and neighborhoods and would make a perfect companion for a book crawl. I am inspired.
April 8, 2020
You can tell the book was written and made by a book lover. Physically, the book is gorgeous. The illustration by the author's father is great. The book has weight and feel, due to the high quality of the materials. The cover is fabric, with great tectile. The leaves are heavy weight paper. The book is divided into chapter corresponding to neighborhoods, and the chapters use a different color. There are ruled pages at the end for note taking. Printed in Italy. published by a firm that is included in the book. A book worthy of collecting.
While mainly a guide to bookshops and libraries in NYC, there is also mention of places with a literary connection.
The author clearly loves this journey, and you are inspired to visit and seem some of the places mentioned.
While mainly a guide to bookshops and libraries in NYC, there is also mention of places with a literary connection.
The author clearly loves this journey, and you are inspired to visit and seem some of the places mentioned.
February 20, 2020
My final trip to New York City came some 10 years ago when my brother lived there.
Or so I thought.
Last year, well after my brother had moved from NYC and my free place to stay had vanished, he was back offering another free place to stay for a few days. Feeling New Yorked out, I wasn’t too sure -- until I realized the Indians were in town over a weekend and playing both the Yankees and Mets.
So my final trip to New York City actually came last August, with trips to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, Times Square the Brooklyn Public Library, Tom’s Diner, Columbia University, and hour-plus subway trips and a $60 Uber ride to the airport.
Or so I thought.
Upon discovering A Booklover’s Guide to New York, I realize my final trip to New York City has yet to come. For within the pages of this beautiful, wonderful, fun-filled books is a guide to about every bookstore, literary hideout, and booklover’s place of note anyone could imagine. Every place that Cleo Le-Tan writes about gets at least a page, with most of them illustrated by her father Pieree Le-Tan, a famous cartoonist for The New Yorker.
The Strand bookstore -- which I’ve visited -- of course gets six pages, including an interview with its owner. So does the NY Public Library, with an interview of the chief librarian. Then there are places I’ve never heard of that get extended treatment, like Pete’s Tavern, known as the place O. Henry made famous. Open to a random page and you might find a dedication to the Gramercy Typewriter Company or the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Even a description of a corner street vendor.
Each entry reads like a Goodreads review. Le-Tan says she visited 80-90% of the places. She’s especially exuberant about bookstores and libraries and other literary haunts as places, somewhere to go and be among books and book lovers and have conversations or just sit and enjoy.
You can take your Follet guidebooks, your Rick Steves, your Frommers or Lonely Planets. This is the best guidebook about New York City ever printed. Another final trip to the Big Apple is warranted, with this book on my hip. Perhaps a stay in the Library Hotel, exquisitely outlined here. A trip to the Minetta Tavern, where Hemingway and ee cummings used to hang out. Definitely a visit to the Japan-inspired bookbook on West 45th.
There’s enough in this book to make another trip of hourlong subway rides, $60 Uber trips, and traipsing through Newark Airport worth it all.
Or so I thought.
Last year, well after my brother had moved from NYC and my free place to stay had vanished, he was back offering another free place to stay for a few days. Feeling New Yorked out, I wasn’t too sure -- until I realized the Indians were in town over a weekend and playing both the Yankees and Mets.
So my final trip to New York City actually came last August, with trips to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, Times Square the Brooklyn Public Library, Tom’s Diner, Columbia University, and hour-plus subway trips and a $60 Uber ride to the airport.
Or so I thought.
Upon discovering A Booklover’s Guide to New York, I realize my final trip to New York City has yet to come. For within the pages of this beautiful, wonderful, fun-filled books is a guide to about every bookstore, literary hideout, and booklover’s place of note anyone could imagine. Every place that Cleo Le-Tan writes about gets at least a page, with most of them illustrated by her father Pieree Le-Tan, a famous cartoonist for The New Yorker.
The Strand bookstore -- which I’ve visited -- of course gets six pages, including an interview with its owner. So does the NY Public Library, with an interview of the chief librarian. Then there are places I’ve never heard of that get extended treatment, like Pete’s Tavern, known as the place O. Henry made famous. Open to a random page and you might find a dedication to the Gramercy Typewriter Company or the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Even a description of a corner street vendor.
Each entry reads like a Goodreads review. Le-Tan says she visited 80-90% of the places. She’s especially exuberant about bookstores and libraries and other literary haunts as places, somewhere to go and be among books and book lovers and have conversations or just sit and enjoy.
You can take your Follet guidebooks, your Rick Steves, your Frommers or Lonely Planets. This is the best guidebook about New York City ever printed. Another final trip to the Big Apple is warranted, with this book on my hip. Perhaps a stay in the Library Hotel, exquisitely outlined here. A trip to the Minetta Tavern, where Hemingway and ee cummings used to hang out. Definitely a visit to the Japan-inspired bookbook on West 45th.
There’s enough in this book to make another trip of hourlong subway rides, $60 Uber trips, and traipsing through Newark Airport worth it all.
February 5, 2020
A treasure map to all things literary in New York City: bookshops, libraries, statuary, residences, watering holes and hangouts of celebrated writers, and so on. It also includes short interviews with people who make their lives in the world of books. Organized by neighborhood, this volume is sure to provide many new destinations even for those who thought they knew it all. A physically beautiful book to savor and inspire. Can't wait to explore some of these suggestions on my next visit.
October 23, 2024
Mais first bought the book because it is beautiful and I love Pierre Le Tan’s illustrations. I put it aside waiting for the moment I would go to NY. It was my way to prepare for the trip. Books, bookshops and library are a nice way to discover the city. It is indeed a true booklover’s guide with interviews and anecdotes. I can’t wait to see the places for real now.
September 21, 2022
If you live in New York City or spend extended time there, this is must-read for book lovers! Filled with all manner of literary spots and book shops, the author provides a bibliophile’s dream tour guide! I now have a long list of places I want to visit during my one month NYC stay.❤️ 📚 ❤️
March 1, 2023
I picked this book up at The Strand during my bachelorette trip to New York City, and I'm really glad I did! I'm not a drinker, so my bridesmaids had set up the trip to be a literary tour around Manhattan, with a very important pitstop at Spider-Man's workplace, Joe's Pizza, in the Tobey McGuire films. My ladies know me so well.
This is a really cute book that focuses primarily on Manhattan bookstores and bookish places, with a few interviews sprinkled in from literary people. As someone who's been to some of the places mentioned in this book, I thought she did a great job capturing the literary scene in NYC and what makes it so fun. It's definitely a vibe everyone should experience once.
This is a really cute book that focuses primarily on Manhattan bookstores and bookish places, with a few interviews sprinkled in from literary people. As someone who's been to some of the places mentioned in this book, I thought she did a great job capturing the literary scene in NYC and what makes it so fun. It's definitely a vibe everyone should experience once.
December 5, 2020
Reading this at the height of Corona virus in New York makes me nostalgic about the city that i visited twice. I was very excited when i opened the book and the first bookstore it featured was the one i visited. What a delightful virtual "bookshop crawl" this book gave me. The author shared her love of books, bookshops, library and museums. I am amazed that New York seems to have bookstores in every corner! Each of the stores have its own characteristics and has something different to offer. I hope NY will heal soon and i will be able to meet Zachary plying his books in the street of NY.
October 31, 2024
Beautifully illustrated but poorly researched and written. This book is full of factual errors, the highlight being where the author somehow thinks James Baldwin was part of the Harlem Renaissance when he was five years old. She often mixes up NYC geography, which is understandable as the author hadn't lived in the city that long before writing this "guide". Despite the promise of a "neighborhood by neighborhood odyssey", she skips over many parts of NYC with nearly 90% of the book devoted to the author's favorite Manhattan neighborhoods. Staten Island isn't even mentioned in the index, the Bronx only gets 3 real pages and Queens just 4. Brooklyn also has a paltry section despite her promising she could have devoted a whole book to BK. The author admitted in an interview that she didn't actually visit every place she wrote about, and you can really tell when she is just lifting quotes verbatim from a website. A shame as this book had so much potential, but it's ultimately just a book written by a tourist for fellow tourists.
April 12, 2020
This was a fascinating read, it brings the literary history of the city alive with wonderful references from which to learn more, I can't wait to visit NYC as soon as it opens back up, I just hope that all of these bookstores survive this closed economy, I only would have liked maps and locations as I'm a walker and not a true New Yorker just visiting a few times a year, practically using this source is the only way I'll see more than just the Strand, Mysterious Bookstore, and any other place I just happen to pass by mistake, I was happy to buy my copy from the Mysterious Bookstore for the cover price but would contribute more if a fundraiser to support local bookstores is started around this or other like publications, Stay Healthy! Bruce.
May 22, 2020
This is such a beautiful book. From the beautiful linen cover to the gorgeous illustrations inside.
I wanted to savor every page so dipped in and out of it between other books that I was reading.
The next time I visit New York I will be using this as a literary travel guide of the city.
There are so many bookshops and libraries that I have yet to visit that I can't wait to see.
The shops and libraries that I have been to were accurately and beautifully written about in this book including some interviews with key players in the NYC literary world.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
Thank you for writing Cleo.
I wanted to savor every page so dipped in and out of it between other books that I was reading.
The next time I visit New York I will be using this as a literary travel guide of the city.
There are so many bookshops and libraries that I have yet to visit that I can't wait to see.
The shops and libraries that I have been to were accurately and beautifully written about in this book including some interviews with key players in the NYC literary world.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
Thank you for writing Cleo.
July 8, 2024
A treasure map! If you live in New York, are going to visit New York, or spend any amount of time there year-to-year, then you must have this book (and of course the criteria must first include that you are a bibliophile of course, if you’re not one, then google will be just fine for you).
I loved how it was categorized by borough (SO HELPFUL) and loved all the info, interviews, and pictures sprinkled throughout the pages.
And the print, texture, binding, illustrations, and small photos? Impeccable and gorgeous.
I loved how it was categorized by borough (SO HELPFUL) and loved all the info, interviews, and pictures sprinkled throughout the pages.
And the print, texture, binding, illustrations, and small photos? Impeccable and gorgeous.
October 6, 2020
A delightfully personal wander through book stores, libraries, and a few small other literary related places. A must for the book lover who's planning a trip to NYC and wants a couple of safe haven option when the bustle overwhelms.
New York Historical Society- "It's eleven founders declared that "without the aid of original record and authentic documents, history will be nothing more than a well-combined series of ingenious conjectures and amusing fables.""
New York Historical Society- "It's eleven founders declared that "without the aid of original record and authentic documents, history will be nothing more than a well-combined series of ingenious conjectures and amusing fables.""
March 3, 2023
An exquisite, idiosyncratic, and utterly charming guide to the booklover's New York City. I picked it up at the J.P. Morgan library on the way out of NYC, and now I can't wait to visit again so that I can start sleuthing out some of the gems mentioned in these pages. Cleo Le-Tan is a sensitive, thoughtful, and observant writer, and she loves NYC, and thus makes the perfect guide. This book is a treasure.
February 2, 2020
I wish I found this book before a trip to NYC...instead I found it in the gift shop of the Morgan library! It was a delightful guide to many different books and libraries around NYC. After reading it in my hotel room I did scope out a few other places i may not have considered without reading this book....and is a delightful souvenir that will help me plot and plan my next trip!
January 9, 2021
An exquisite and artfully designed guide to literary attractions in New York City. I enjoyed learning of new spots I must visit and was nostalgic for those I already have. It would be hard for me not to enjoy something that combines two of my most favorite things- NYC and books!
I wish every city I visited had one to breeze through before traveling there!
I wish every city I visited had one to breeze through before traveling there!
July 9, 2022
There is no better book than all the literary finds one can locate in NY. Beautiful locations are mentioned with fabulous drawings. I'm so happy I stumbled upon this book :) One of the best parts is the interviews that go along with the locations. And a shout out to all the excellent libraries in NY that get mentioned too!
June 5, 2024
What a wonderful celebration of the book world in NYC! I marked so many spots to visit the next time I visit. Author Cle0 Le-Tan visits an array of book locales from museums to libraries to stores. This is a beautiful book and would make a lovely gift for any booklover. Read if you enjoy: books about books, NYC, travel guides
April 15, 2020
Closer to 3 3/4 stars
For a lover of reading & New York City, this was enjoyable. Biggest objection was the smallish print on colored paper. Will definitely make a list of locations for my next trip to NYC.
For a lover of reading & New York City, this was enjoyable. Biggest objection was the smallish print on colored paper. Will definitely make a list of locations for my next trip to NYC.
November 8, 2020
I need to get back to New York! Of course, I'm a Strand Lover and have been to many of the shops and libraries, but there is so much more. And there were some interesting articles on book shop owners and novelists...very fun and quick read!
June 28, 2021
This book put me to shame as a New York city book store lover. There were so many that I didn't know about! I was a little put off by all the personal anecdotes from the author since I didn't know who she was... but it's otherwise charming.
December 13, 2019
I bought this at one of the bookshops featured in the book! Have read it twice. Cannot wait to visit all the places. A book lover’s dream, especially if you live in NY or plan to visit!
March 9, 2020
Excellent resource for book lovers and a city filled with book stores I had not heard of but would love to visit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews