Thanks all for your responses on Harlem and the Bronx. One more question if you don't mind. I'm hoping to find the biggest non-big box, but eclectic bookstore in the city to browse in at some point. Anyone have favorites they'd like to recommend?

(1 week to go - can't wait to get there)

best,

Ryan

Well NYC has many bookstores that are geared toward individual tastes: mystery bookstore, drama bookstore, children's bookstore, adult bookstore (just had to throw that one in) etc. Maybe you could give us an idea of your tastes.

However here are a few to get you started:

Coliseum Books 1775 Broadway (corner 57th Street)
Strand Bookstore 828 Broadway (that's below 14th Street): huge selection mostly used, some new
Gotham Books: 41 West 47th Street mostly used

Plus several of the colleges have bookstores that are open to the public: NYU Bookstore 18 Washington Place

My book club friends in the New York area rave about the Strand bookstore. They also sell pre-publication copies at ridiculously low prices.

Although I haven't been there in ages, just visiting the Strand is a great experience. Here's some info on them.

Strand Books
828 Broadway at 12th, 212-473-1452 or 800-366-3664
www.strandbooks.com/

Review: "This place is huge. They specialize in reviewers' copies for half-price, used books, and the out of print. The Strand is one of the world's largest bookstores, and yet the employees there, unlike those in many smaller bookstores, really do know what is on the shelves and can tell you immediately whether or not they have what you are looking for: 'Do you have "The Complete Encyclopedia of Illustration," by...' 'By Heck. No, sorry; we don't.' is a much better answer than : 'Uh, gee, I dunno...look around on the shelves.'" (And one more thing that makes the Strand unique--they have restrooms!) There's a muchsmaller branch at the South Street Seaport (95 Fulton St., 212-732-6070), and another on Second Ave between E 59 and 60 (at the Manhattan terminal of the aerial tramway to Roosevelt Island), and I've seen a mini-branch of a few portable bookracks on Fifth Ave along Central Park. The Strand has a separate store for antiquarian books next to the main store (not at ground level), accessible by escort or appointment. This store has a good selection of original editions and valuable books"

The Strand is terrific; if you're a real bibliophile, you may want to check out both the Village and the Wall Street branches.

Be forewarned that the Village branch is VERY, VERY hot and stuffy in the summer and they will expect you to check your bag(s). The "restrooms" = broom closet size.

In terms of biggest, that's the place to go. I'd also recommend Gryphon Books and Murder, Ink around 94th/Broadway -- Murder, Ink specializes in murder mysteries, etc. and Gryphon is lovely and somewhat esoteric, with a staff that actually reads and recommends appropriately.

Also check out Posman Books, both in the Village just off Fifth Avenue between 14th and 12th streets; it's an independent with another branch in Grand Central Station. It's rather eclectic as well, although I think the one in the Village is more arts-based.

For bargains just as good as the Strand on new hardcovers, stroll up Broadway on a weekend day, usually on the West side of the street between 72nd and 80th streets. There are a bunch of guys who have various connections to bookstores, and can get reviewers' copies/new books for half the cover price. They are reputable, for the post part. They only take cash.

Have a wonderful time!