Strand Bookstore

Obviously this is one of the great bookstores not only in NY, but in the United States. The store just goes on and on, and they have books in every category imaginable. This is not the store to go with a specific book in mind (although you may very well find it). Rather, it is a place to discover and see where the aisles and shelves take you. They do have a very good selection of new books thanks to the fact that so many book critics live in NY, and this is where they dump all the review copes they've received. So you'll find brand new books, well worn ones, and even incredible early first editions that are quite pricey. I also plan to spend a half hour here, but that never works... more

If you love books get ready to spend hours here at Strand. You may never want to leave. There are stacks and stacks and rows and rows of the most obscure and popular used books. The collection is really expansive and you can always count on a few good finds in the dollar bargain bins outside. Beware to take your Claritin before you enter if you're allergy to dust. You don't want to have to cut your visit short! more

it's the way you've always imagined book stores when you were a child - supertall stacks of new and old books, with ladders to reach them; bemused patrons and hippy-ish salespeople navigating the tiny spaces between stacks; every corner jampacked with books begging to be read. this is the kind of place you can spend hours browsing and despite the fact that they have used - and thus cheap - books, end up spending all your disposable income. more

Every time I go to Strand looking for a particular book I never can find it but I end up leaving with a handful of other books for very little money. It's really fun browsing here. But if you are not the browsing type and don't want to take the chance that they don't have your selection you can check their website and buy them on line and then pick them up at the store. more

One of the largest used book stores in the city and they are not shy about publicizing that fact. They recently renonvated the place so it's now four floors and has an elevator. It's still cluttered and dusty and if you want certain books you will be searching awhile. But with the dollar bins outside and the 40% all new selections plus the thrill of finding that certain book you want it's more than worth it. more

The strand is a veritable superstore of books, ranging from used books to new books in every genre you could imagine. They have antique books from millions of years ago and they have displays of bestsellers of today. You can really find anything there! The staff are very helpful in checking inventory for you and finding stuff on the shelves. I've gone there many times to look for books that were hard to find in other places. more

I always stop by this bookstore when I am in New York. This is a great place to replenish your stock of current general fiction and non fiction. The problem with the bookstore is that it does not have a great selection of more academic books. This is not the place to pick up books for your dissertation. The Strand also has a section downstairs that sells reviewers copies for a cheap price. There are two locations and they have a website if you can't make it in to the city. more

This isn't your average run of the mill used book store. This is the ultimate used bookstore. It's The used bookstore in New York. They literally have miles of books on every subject under the sun. It's been newly renovated with more floors and an elevator. New books are always half off. It's a little dusty and disorganized but that's what makes book hunting so much. They also have a dollar bin outside where all books are...a dollar. more

Strand book store is truly a wonderful place to shop for books - you really never know what you are going to find there from amazing editions of books to just the people you are going to see. Strand is an ideal place to find used books at great prices - the selection is really excellent. Strand is really one reason that village is excellent - go there and then to a coffee shop and your day is just made. Overall, I would recommend Strand to anyone because it really is a New York landmark to visit. more

On 12th & Broadway, this well known bookstore is easily accessible by public transportation (take the subway to 14th Street/Union Square). They really do have a lot of books here - new, used, reviewer's copies, art books by the ton as well as books on various diseases, books about sports, etc. etc and a really great selection of children's books. Most books are half price and there are bargain carts out front where there are books for only a dollar! A booklovers dream! A great place to browse! Yes, it'sa bit dusty and it is a bit hot in the summer but there are fans and there are a lot of treasures to be found. Very helpful staff. Great prices. more

Strand Book Store is one of those New York City places that everyone should visit. It's easy to spend hours in there. They have tons and tons of books -- shelves floor to ceiling high. The books are used and so the prices are great. Most are in very good condition. They will also buy your used books there as well. It is often crowded, but overall the staff is very helpful. It can sometimes be tricky to find a specific book -- but if you take your time, you'll have an enjoyable experience. more

It's true that Strand Book Store is the place to go to. It's books are new, if you're in the new section, and cost less than other places. It's a real bargain. I find most of my school assignment books here and it's wonderful. I save a lot of money and my parents are pleased to here that. The employees are pretty helpful, although, once, I encountered a really bad one, I hope she got fired. It may be a bit hard to find some books, but ask and you should get good service. more

Strand Books (also known as The Strand) is easy to get lost in, as well as pushed around by other customers in the narrow aisles. The employees are a little grumbly. However, if you had a college degree and were working in a bookstore, you might also begrudge the daily crazies too. So, I have some sympathy with their apathy. The bookstore's selection is so mixed that often if you go in there with a particular book in mind, you might not find it, but you will walk out with 10 other titles you found. Within the past year the owners moved the old art bookstore Hackers up to the second floor of the Strand on Broadway. It's an amazing collection with huge sections devoted to narrower categories of art than most bookstores. There is also rare bookroom above that level that true book collectors will surely enjoy. Selling your books to The Strand isn't the most profitable business, as the owner is very picky. So many people lug in a box of books only to discover he will buy one or two from the entire lot, and then the buyer leaves the entire box to avoid the effort of taking all the books back. This is a key source to the owner's income. While it used to be more common to have great celeb sightings at The Strand, the owner's daughter, Nancy, ruined it for many celebs by calling Page Six one too many times. Overall, the place has great prices and customers walk away very satisfied with their finds and buys. more

The Strand is a NY institution that everyone should try to visit at least once. I try to buy all of my books from them and not just the $1 paperbacks that they sell on the sidewalk in bins. This store is crowded and can get hot (even with the new air conditioning) and you have to check your bags (always a nuisance) but you will get to buy cheap books. This is the place to go to buy new bestsellers (they have reviewed copies for half off) and you should buy your classics here which are always discounted unlike the chain stores (I bought a paperback copy of Catcher in the Rye for $4.95 down from the original price of $5.99. Hey, a dollar saved is still a dollar! more

The Strand claims to have 18 miles of books and I believe it. This store has deeply discounted books, 50% off cover price on thousands of new titles. They also have books in every category from art books to rare books. Besides their offerings for sale I have known many people who picked up pocket money selling books back to the Strand. The one thing that seems odd to me about the Strand is that they will sell you books by the foot to decorate empty book shelves but then it is handy if you're dressing a set for a movie or play. http://www.strandbooks.com/home/ more

Barnes and Nobles are great for newly published books but if you’re a reader, you know how hard it is to find those valuable reads. Strands located in Manhattan is the ultimate bookstore for that purpose. They have tons of used books for your collection. The organization might be non existent but that’s the fun of it. You just might stumble onto another treasure while sifting through the racks. The staff are helpful and seem to know where everything is, though I don’t exactly know how. So if you’re a reader, I recommended you take a stroll to Strands. Just don’t go on hot days; I don’t think they have a working air conditioner. more

If you can visit only one used book store in New York (or America) it would have to be the legendary Strand. MUCH larger than you can imagine, the prices are good and the chances of stumbling on a real find are very good. A few warnings--avoid weekends and any day when the outside temperature is over 70 degrees (the inside will be much hotter). more

This used-book store is like no other bookstore in New York City, or anywhere else for that matter. The first difference that you will notice, is its size. Used books cover every available inch of two rather big floors in the Union Square neighborhood store. The second main difference is the selection, as is seems to comprise books from every available range of topics, from fiction to hard science. And the third, possibly most important characteristic of the Strand is the fact that on the low level, they offer the customer the review book section, where sell, at a discount, books that had been sent out to reviewers and have been read perhaps, but probably not even, once. Also, bring your books here once you are done with them to sell. more

The Strand bookstore is a bargain bookstore with a glorious past. It's true, you can find terrific bargains here, but you also will probably have to spend a long time sifting through books you aren't interested in before you find one that you are. The organization here is haphazard. Also, there is no air conditioning, which can get downright uncomfortable in the summer. However, if you have the time and the fortitude, the Strand might be for you! more

In the process of a major overhaul, the Strand, famous for hundreds of miles of books, is now almost comfortable. The second floor art department even boasts chairs! And there's plenty of space and the aisles are wide and, gasp, it's air conditioned. Fear not, the basement is still a mess, and hot as Hades in the summer but no doubt this too will change. Offering thousands of brand new books for half off, this is the way to shop for books. Whatever it is, look for it here first. You're likely to find it. more