There’s nothing cozier than curling up with a good book and a cup of tea, and it’s even better if you’ve managed to score a bargain on a second-hand book!
Buying second-hand books is a great way to save money because you can usually pick up a second-hand edition for a fraction of the price of a new copy. It’s also good for the environment, and by buying second-hand, you’re saving books from being sent to landfill.
So, next time you’re looking for something to read, step into one of New York’s brilliant used bookstores. These stores are treasure troves, and they’re hidden all around the city, so to help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the best used bookstores in New York.
The 12 Best Used Book Recycling Stores in New York City
1. Housing Works Bookstore
Image Credit: Housing Works Facebook page
Housing Works Bookstore calls itself a New York “institution,” and we can see why! This quirky café is stocked only with donated books, so you’ll be sure to find a bargain here. The store is also staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and all of the profits go towards their mission of ending the crisis of homelessness and AIDS. This bookstore is from 12 pm – 7 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; from 12 pm – 8 pm on Thursday; and from 12 pm – 5 pm on Sunday.
Address: 126 Crosby St, NY 10012
2. Argosy Book Store
Image Credit: Arogsy Book Store
From softcover fiction at $6 a book to rare antiques, you’ll find everything at Argosy Book Store. This shop is home to over 60,000 out-of-print books and has been a part of the New York book scene for nearly 100 years since it opened in 1925.
Address: 116 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022
3. Westsider Rare and Used Books
Image Credit: Westsider Books Facebook page
This cozy little shop in the Upper West Side is a great place to hunt out your next good read. Westsider Rare and Used Books is open 7 days a week and has a huge range of books from fiction to philosophy and comics to literature. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are low, so this is worth a visit.
Address: 2246 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
4. The Mysterious Bookshop
Image Credit: Mysterious Bookshop Facebook page
The Mysterious Bookshop first opened in 1979 and specializes in exactly what you’d expect: mystery books. This store doesn’t just sell used books, but once you move past the new editions, you’ll find their excellent collection of second-hand and rare mystery novels. The Mysterious bookshop is open Monday – Saturday, from 11 am until 7 pm.
Address: 58 Warren Street, New York, NY 10007
5. East Village Books
Image Credit: East Village Books
If you’re looking to buy or sell used books, you can’t go wrong with East Side Village Books. They’re open every day of the week from 1 pm until 9:45, except for Sunday when they close at 9 pm. For more than 30 years, East Village Books have been buying and selling a huge range of books, CDs, and DVDs. They don’t take mainstream best-seller books, so this is the place to visit if you’re looking for something a bit different.
Address: 99 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
6. Left Bank Books
Image Credit: Left Bank Books
Left Bank Books sells used and rare books and has been doing so in New York for more than 25 years. You’ll find a wide range of titles here, as well as the occasional event or exhibition. This store has a focus on culturally and artistically important books.
Address: 41 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014
7. Bookoff – New York
Image Credit: Bookoff New York
There are Book-Off stores across the USA, and New York is no exception. This store is known for buying and selling all kinds of books, and it’s especially well known for the collection of manga and comic books that you’ll find downstairs in the basement. If you want to recycle some of your old books, you can simply take them into the store and sell them to Bookoff, where they’ll find a new home. It’s open 7 days a week, from 10 am – 8 pm, so pop in one day and check it out!
Address: 49 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
8. Strand Book Store
Image Credit: Strand Bookstore
Strand Bookstore really is a New York institution, having been around for nearly 100 years. Here, you’ll find a range of new and used books, as well as book-themed gifts and memorabilia. It’s been downsized in recent years but is still worth visiting, and you can pick up a bargain at one of the $1 carts outside.
Address: 828 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, United States
9. The Word is Change
Image Credit: The World is Change
This shop is open Wednesday to Sunday every week, from 12 pm – 7 pm, and here you’ll find new and used books for sale. You’ll be able to pick up your next favorite bargain read here, but you’re also able to attend a book reading and meet with local authors and readers. The Word is Change is located in Brooklyn and works with local organizations and volunteers to make books cheaply and easily available.
Address: 683 Thompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
10. Codex Books
Image Credit: Codex Books Facebook page
Codex Books is known for its well-curated collection of literary fiction, poetry, art, and rare books. It’s a small and cozy shop with knowledgeable staff who can help you find whatever you’re looking for. This store is open 7 days a week, and it’s joined onto a coffee shop, so you can enjoy a brew while you browse.
Address: 1 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
11. Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks
Image Credit: Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks
Bonnie Slotnick opened her doors in 1997, and she still runs the store today, although it’s changed locations over time. This shop is a real treasure trove of unique and curious books, and Bonnie carefully curates the collection herself. You can also sell or donate books here, and it’s the best place to find an interesting second-hand or out-of-print cookbook.
Address: 28 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10003
12. The Book Cellar
Image Credit: The Book Cellar
The Book Cellar has an impressive collection of used and second-hand books, and they’re locally known for their low prices and interesting community events. It’s only open four days a week, so make sure you check their opening hours before you visit. The staff here are helpful, and most of the books are in such good condition, you wouldn’t even know they’d been ‘pre-loved.’
Address: 1465 York Ave, New York, NY, 10075
Final Thoughts on Book Recycling Stores in New York City
No matter what kind of book you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it in New York. New York has a great range of used bookstores, from specialty stores to chain stores, to stores that were opened before your grandparents were born!
Not only can you pick up a great bargain read, but you’re also doing your part to help reduce unnecessary waste and save some old books from landfill. Buying second-hand books is good for your wallet, for the environment, and it’s good for your soul, too – at least it will be if you visit some of the stores listed here!
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