My time working in bookstores has taught me that literature people have two main hobbies: The first one is reading books and the second is buying them. Now, some people manage to balance these two activities while others have an infinitely growing stack of books (novels are my Achilles’ heel). There’s an indescribable allure to every bookshop. From the smell of crisp pages to enticing covers, every story offers an opportunity to escape to a foreign place; literature promises us the world. How could you possibly resist?
In eight hours, I visited four of the most iconic bookstores in New York City. Many miles and many books later, I finished my tour exhausted and ecstatic. This week’s column is dedicated to those who love reading, buying, or just perusing books. Please enjoy my unofficial Claremont Colleges guide to New York City’s bookstores — with some translated book recommendations along the way!
The first bookstore I visited was The Drama Book Shop, known for its extensive collection of theatrical works. The business was established in 1923 and quickly gained a reputation for having the largest selection of plays in New York City. In 2011, the shop received a Tony Award for Excellence in the Theatre. Notably, in 2020, the store was bought by the creators of “Hamilton”, Lin Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Jeffery Seller, and James L. Nederlander.
The famous quartet reimagined the store into a bibliophile fantasy. From a chain of books flying overhead to stacks defying gravity, there are numerous bookish art installations to enjoy. Additionally, the interior is composed of dark wood and marble tiles that transport customers into a European-inspired library wonderland. I particularly loved seeing the number of people congregating over numerous plays or sitting on plush chairs with a script in hand. The store truly is a celebration of New York’s theatrical achievements.
My translated book recommendation for this stop is a play called “La Casa de Bernarda Alba” by Federico García Lorca. The show follows a mother and her many daughters; the drama that surrounds them is utterly captivating.
The second destination along my tour was The Rizzoli Bookstore, which felt like a palace as soon as I set foot in the door. The shop boasts black and white checkered flooring, dark wood shelves, murals and gorgeous marble columns. The bookshop considers itself a “literary landmark” — and while boastful, I certainly don’t deny the truth of this statement. Entering the store felt like being transported into a Disney movie, with an interior similar to a grandiose princess castle.
The store is known for its expansive collection of illustrated portfolios alongside numerous fiction novels. I explored the entire space but spent extra time in the staff recommendation section. Employees at this store have excellent taste and I left with a new book on my reading list. This Japanese novella is called “Devils in Daylight” by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki and was translated into English by J. Keith Vincent. At once a murder mystery and an exploration of the human condition, I departed eager to dive in.
“There’s an indescribable allure to every bookshop. From the smell of crisp pages to enticing covers, every story offers an opportunity to escape to a foreign place; literature promises us the world.”
The third — and arguably most iconic — destination on this list is the Strand Book Store. The shop opened in 1927 and was named after a London street where famous authors such as William Thackeray and Charles Dickens spent their time writing. This was my first time visiting The Strand and I was not disappointed. Containing over two and a half million books, I was in literary heaven; if anything embodies the thrilling rush of New York City, it’s this store. I spent my time browsing the famous Strand canvas bags and the used book basement.
Naturally, I bought one of the totes and also a copy of “The Possessed” by Elif Batuman. Now, this is not a book in translation but rather a collection of essays written about the author’s studies in Russian literature. The theatrical memoir unapologetically dramatizes academia stereotypes. I also highly recommend any of Batuman’s other wonderful works, which display her brilliantly delightful yet cynical voice.
While I could have spent hours at The Strand, I had to cut myself off in order to reach the final stop of the tour: Albertine Books. This is the only bookstore in New York dedicated solely to books in French or ones that have been translated into English (very fitting for “Library of Translations!”). Containing over 14,000 titles and representing 30 French-speaking countries, the store is an international landmark. The shop is funded by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and is dedicated to fostering French-American intellectual exchange.
My favorite part of Albertine Books is the ceiling which hosts a gorgeous astronomy-themed mural. The space is warmly lit with dark wooden bookshelves, making the bookshop the perfect embodiment of dark academia.
My recommendation from this location is “The Woman Destroyed” by Simone De Beauvoir which was published in 1967 and translated to English by Patrick O’Brian. This classic has made a resurgence in past years and is a collection of three stories following women in crises.
The magic of these bookstores is that, like books, they transport you into another world. Most importantly, the book tour reminded me of the importance of reading as a way of fostering global connection.
I think I can say that I had the time of my life. After all, what better place is there to dedicate an entire day to bookstores and translated books than New York City?
Caroline Kelly (PO ’27) is from Boston, Massachusetts. Her ideal afternoon involves reading and cold brew.
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