Every day, Books on the Subway secretly leaves books on the New York subway. Why? So that New Yorkers can find them, read them, love them, and leave them for the next reader. To celebrate National Book Month, StreetEasy and Books on the Subway have partnered with five of the city’s best independent bookstores (one from every borough) to bring you New York City’s biggest book drop yet. Throughout the month of October, look for books to show up next to you on the subway, to enrich your commute with some of our partner stores’ favorite titles. Read on to learn more about each of our participating bookstores and their boroughs, and don’t miss our look at the top neighborhoods for bookworms in NYC.
BROOKLYN: BOOKS ARE MAGIC
225 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 10012
@booksaremagicbk
Most Popular Book: Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
Number of Books in Store: 11,000+ // Year Established: 2017
Owned by local writer Emma Straub and her husband, Books Are Magic is a new bookstore in Cobble Hill, specializing in new fiction, nonfiction, and kids’ books. It hosts events for kids and adults almost every day of the week.
QUEENS: ASTORIA BOOKSHOP
31-29 31st St., Astoria, NY 11106
@astoriabookshop
Most Popular Book: 111 Places in Queens That You Must Not Miss by Joe DiStefano
Number of Books in Store: 11,000 // Year Established: 2013
Founded in 2013 by Lexi Beach, the Astoria Bookshop boasts a carefully curated inventory catering to the vibrant and diverse surrounding communities. It also hosts and sponsors a broad variety of events.
MANHATTAN: MCNALLY JACKSON
52 Prince St., Manhattan, NY 10012
@mcnallyjackson
Most Popular Book: Just Kids by Patti Smith
Number of Books in Store: 60,000 // Year Established: 2004
McNally Jackson Books opened in 2004 in Nolita. In 2017, a second location opened in Williamsburg. It strives for depth and breadth in every category except computer science.
STATEN ISLAND: EVERY THING GOES BOOK CAFE
208 Bay St., Staten Island, NY 10301
@etg.bookcafe
Most Popular Book: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Number of Books in Store: 6,500 // Year Established: 2005
Every Thing Goes Book Cafe is a comfy, colorful bookstore, cafe, performance venue and community hub on the North Shore of Staten Island. They sell great used books, LPs, and selected new books and eco-friendly gifts.
BRONX: THE LIT. BAR
131 Alexander Ave., Bronx, NY 10454
@thelitbar
Most Popular Book: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Number of Books in Store: 5,000 // Year Established: 2018
In Wakanda, The Lit. Bar is the bookseller. Our South Bronx general-interest bookstore features a wine bar as well as events, clubs and more for all ages.
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