This holiday season as you prepare to travel, don't forget to visit these eleven locations in New York City that will remind you why you love books. These special places are unique to NYC and will make you want to grab a book and read immediately. 

192 BOOKS

This quaint bookstore is full of key works of literature and culture. Located at 10th Ave and 21st, 192 BOOKS carries everything you can imagine, from recent titles to selected rare and out of print books. They also host an immense amount of readings, signings, group readings and discussions with writers from all around. 

Location: 192 TENTH AVENUE AT 21ST STREET

The Public Theater

This New York City landmark originally opened its doors in 1849. Before it was repurposed as the home of The New York Shakespeare Festival's Joseph Papp Public Theater, it was once a major resource for reference and research.

Location: 425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003

McNally Jackson

With their unique vibe, McNally Jackson independent bookstore, brings book lovers of all ages. They host a variety of events, from book signings, live streams and even craft nights this bookstore provides for all book needs.

Location: 52 Prince St, New York, NY 10012 

Literary Walk in Central Park

Located at the southern end of Central Park Mall, Literary Walk is lined with statues of famous authors of all likes. Some of the noteworthy sculptures include Scottish poet Robert Burns, Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, American poet Fitz-Greene Halleck, and the Bard himself — William Shakespeare.

Location: Mid-Park from 66th to 72nd Streets

The American Poets Corner at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine 

Modeled after a similar alcove at Westminster Abbey in London, the American Poets Corner attracts visitors to read the quotations of honored writers. Poets, fiction writers, essayists, and dramatists: the American Poets Corner memorializes the literature of our nation in all its surprise, wit and beauty. 

Location: 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street 

The Drama Bookshop 

With multiple events, monologue presentations and an extensive collection of theatrical writing, this bookstore attracts theater lovers from all around. Located on W40th Street between 7th and 8th, the Drama Book Shop stocks one of the largest collections of theatrical writing in the United States.

Location: 250 West 40th Street

The Library Hotel 

Inspired by and organized using the Dewey Decimal system, guestrooms at the Library Hotel contain unique collections of books and art. Besides containing over 6,000 books, the hotel boasts a reading room and a rooftop that houses a Writer's Den, Poetry Garden, and Bookmarks Lounge — which serves literary-themed drinks.  

Location: 299 Madison Avenue, New York City 10017

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

While offering a wide variety of books, movies and music is a feat all on its own, this shop has other qualities that make it stand out. Most surprising is the fact that all their merchandise is donated and 100% of their profits are given to Housing Works and is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. This one of a kind space is also available to rent for special events of all kinds.

Location: 126 Crosby St New York, NY

Morgan Library & Museum 

A historic landmark since 1966, the Morgan Library and Museum has become a New York institution. Once the personal library of Pierpont Morgan this library cost $1.2 million to build. It includes a collection of illuminated, literary, and historical manuscripts, as well as early printed books, and old master drawings and prints collected by Morgan as early as 1890.

Location: 225 Madison Avenue, NY, New York 10016

The New York Public Library 

Founded in 1895, NYPL is the nation’s largest public library system, featuring a unique combination of 88 neighborhood branches and four scholarly research centers. This Library has even been used in movies like The Day After Tomorrow.  

Location: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018

The Strand 

Last but most certainly not least, The Strand is New York City's legendary home of 18 miles of new, used and rare books since 1927.

Location: 828 Broadway (& 12th Street), New York, NY 10003

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