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bookbook
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
266 Bleecker St(between Cornelia St & Morton St)
New York, NY 10014
Neighborhood: West Village
(212) 807-0180
- Nearest Transit:
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Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
W 4 St (A, B, C, D, E, F, M)
Houston St (1, 2)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
54 reviews for bookbook
Review Highlights
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"3) Browse the books at Biography with a happy stomach." In 13 reviews -
"...bookstore on the corner across from Magnolia Bakery." In 4 reviews -
"They always have a table outside with some interesting..." In 4 reviews
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Gretchen P.
Houston, TX
1/15/2012
This bookshop may be "cozy," but it maximizes space.
The initial thing that pulled me in, besides the draw of independent bookshop in West Village, was the sign in the window. They were having a sale on Moleskine journals. 25% off. I'm obsessed with the journals at the moment. Wonderful paper quality makes writing a treat, little elastic band to keep the lid securely shut, and an expandable pocket in the back to store secrets securely.
I wound up not getting another reporter journal and a watercolor journal, and focused in on the wonderful selection of books.
You know those special places (let's call them tables in indie bookshops) that have an area of staff selections - awesome staff selections? This whole store is like that table. Everything was awesome. I stopped with Slouching towards Bethlehem and The Hunger Games only because I needed something easily tangible for airplane reading...and I couldn't limit myself to just one choice. There were many, many more choices, though. Had I not been limiting the number of books one lady can buy on one trip through the West Village, I would have walked away with a little radio flyer (after I'd found one) stacked high with books.Listed in: I Heart Reading, Caught Between the Moon and…
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Review from Valerie L.
New York, NY
12/27/2011
Great, surprisingly affordable selection of books. It's the type of bookstore you need to wander into while exploring West Village. There are two shelves of "sale fiction" of popular books that are half off ($5-7) mostly in good condition and hardcovers for 20% off. I spotted Tina Fey and Minda Kaling's autobiographies for less than $10. Steal. They had a sizable collection of Murakami and Vonnegut, which is a big plus in my eyes. There's a children's section further back.
From the outside, it's easy to overlook, but Bookbook is a gem. -
Review from Fallopia T.
Manhattan, NY
11/24/2011
I was walking by on my way home tonight and saw Jonathan Franzen's latest novel on the table outside. $8.90? Reeeeally? Sold!
I love bookstores--[mumbles] even though I have a Kindle. There's a whole book culture that's lost when all you do is download a book, and don't have to talk to anyone about it. Also, I have "Life" on my Kindle, but in truth I'd rather have a hardcover copy of it; people are much more interested in a book you're carrying when they can see the cover, so it's a great way to meet people!
So glad I stopped in; I'll definitely stop by anytime I'm in the neighborhood. And they were open on Thanksgiving!Listed in: West Village and Beyond, Bookstores
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Review from Hsin W.
Jersey City, NJ
4/30/2012
A very cozy place. I was attracted by books on the table outside.
I think they made pretty good selection of books with affordable price! -
Review from Elizabeth J.
Manhattan, NY
4/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great book store, good selection, very nice people running it.
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Review from Wendy G.
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very cute little book store with tons of good selection. Price point's also great.
It's might be the best local book store I've ever come across in New York. -
Review from A Z.
New York, NY
12/13/2011
For what this bookstore is, it's a 5. I don't know how they do it, but nearly every book is half off...and they aren't used! While small, they manage a great selection of fiction both recent and classic. The owner and staff are friendly and helpful. I wanted a book they didn't have and they had it ordered and in my hand in 3 days. Even in the winter months, they keep a discount table outside with wonderful books..but don't stop there because many many things inside are stickered for less than cover price.
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Review from Jessica N.
Cincinnati, OH
3/19/2011
These are the kind of bookstores I really enjoy going to. I have been spending a lot of money on books lately, and needed a new novel but didn't want to pay 15 dollars for it. I was wandering around the village yesterday, not really planning on book shopping, but I saw this place and decided to stop in. I was shocked at how cheap the books were. I'd gone to the Strand a few times, which has a lot of discount books and an obviously larger variety of books, but bookbook was cheaper and still had a pretty good selection. I had trouble deciding which one to buy because they had four books that I had been planning on reading, all for under $8!
The staff was very nice as well. They normally have a $10 minimum on credit/debit cards, but I didn't have cash and the lady was nice enough to still let me charge my purchase. -
Review from Lia K.
7/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
I over heard the most random questions being answered.
patron: I need a book it starts with "a people"
owner: what type of book is it?
patron: I'm not sure, my bf told me I needed to read it. something about history?
owner: Does "Zinn" sound familiar?
patron: (starts scrolling through her iphone for the msg from her bf)
owner: Take a look at the table over there, lots of history books about people. One by Howard Zinn might interest you.
I'm not sure that I could've been that patient and helpful. 5stars! and i love their selection of for sale/bargain books. The store is the size of a closet but gosh they're delightful and helpful. love it! -
Review from Miriam W.
3/14/2009
I'm heading off on a beach vacation to Playa del Carmen with my platonic life partner in crime in a few days so I popped over to Biography Book Shop this afternoon to peruse the used books for a few paperbacks to take on the trip.
I ended up with six books:
The Gathering by Anne Enright
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
The End Of Alice by A.M. Homes
Miriam's Kitchen by Elizabeth Ehrlich
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff
The average price? $6.98. One was only $5.98!
All that's left to pack is some sunscreen, a couple bikinis and a big floppy hat!Listed in: New York City Guide
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Review from Sara W.
New York, NY
7/28/2008
The Pulitzer Prize Winner of Bookstores.
A must-go. -
Review from Jessica J.
New York, NY
2/28/2009
I love walking on Bleecker Street, not for the high-end shopping or Magnolia's Bakery, but for this wonderful book shop.
It's such a great place with character. I love their discounted books that are on display right in front of the store. It's always such a thrill for me (yes, I did say "thrill") to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other book browsers and snoop the titles and read little parts of the books laid out in front. On the other side of the outside display, there are these really awesome kids books. They're so cool.
I always end up finding the most amazing books here. The first great purchase from this place was found in a really discounted box of books. It's called the "Open Faced Sandwich" -- a literary anthology; a work of sheer genius (one piece that was just someone's childhood diary) and grossness (one piece inside devoted to road kill across the USA?) at its worst. My friend and I were reading it outside the store for a long time, and when I finally decided to purchase it, the guy at the counter smiled at me.
"I saw you guys laughing outside. I must admit, we've had this book for a lo-o-ong time...always wondered who would buy it."
Such a nice place. Every time I pass by, I buy something. -
Review from Callie R.
Los Angeles, CA
10/28/2011
I LOVE this book store. The owner and staff are always extremely nice to me and I would buy books from here over any bookstore in the city. They have a great selection and they always have Fashion photography and film books on sale that I'm interested in reading and end up buying. Now I have to save up for a nice bookshelf because I acquired so many of them. Can't forget to mention that when I hurt my back one of the staff members walked me home with the books, and this kind of service is what keeps me coming back for more. I love my neighborhood BookBook! Thanks guys!
Callie -
Review from Helene K.
12/27/2009
This is a cute and quiet book shop located right across from the famous Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street.
Suggested plan of action:
1) Wait in line at Magnolia Bakery, grab a cupcake or two and a hot coffee
2) Go across the street to the benches/playground area, enjoy your treats, and then...
3) Browse the books at Biography with a happy stomach.
That's basically what my sister and I did today on Bleecker; we had some cupcakes from Magnolia (review coming soon), ate the cupcakes on a bench, and then strolled into Biography Book Shop.
The name of the store is a bit of a misnomer--it's not all about biographies here. A decent selection of books with tight shelves and aisles. Definitely not for those who are claustrophobic. There's one wall full of books for sale, average $6.98 per book, and today, hardcover books were 20% off.
It's got a good location going for it, but I've yet to check out the bigger location of the store down the street (also on Bleecker).Listed in: Trekking Across Gotham City, Books Galore
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Review from Ingrid C.
9/21/2008
It is almost a guarantee that I will buy something from Biography every time I go browse.
Luckily (for my wallet), it's usually from their bargain books. I've even bought books I already had, just because I found inexpensive hardcover copies on their tables. I even found a book I had eyed for a while for $1. AND it was a hardcover.
I saw it in an episode of Sex and the City, too; one where Miranda strikes up conversation with a guy while perusing. It's definitely a good place to meet interesting people (and judge them by what they're browsing). By the way, I've been going to Biography way before I ever saw that episode... I was just amused that they acknowledge that it is, indeed, a good place to meet people.
So awesome. -
Review from Jessica L.
Manhattan, NY
1/31/2011 4 photos
Friendly, knowledgeable, and ever-so-patient: huge points for such an incredibly staff team! Handmade signs decorate and label each literary section, a more homely touch since its previous Biography Bookstore locale. I love the staff picks table (which is refreshed often, and that is refreshing too) and the vast sale selections. I owe my favorite book to bookbook's staff recommendations: The Shadow of the Wind. I am so indebted. I have made at least 20 purchases from bookbook thus far, and it's a definite stop before Amazon orders or any other bookstore.
Another lovely thing are the frequent discounts: a hard-cover discount, a 10% student discount, apparently a Yelp mention 10% discount. And I just got wind of their anniversary sale: for this month of February, 20% off all ALL in-store merchandise! -
Review from A P.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2007
Great place to find books. I found several reprinted versions of some of my childhood favorites: The Little Engine that Could and The Runaway Bunny, which I got for my little niece.
I always come to this place when I am in NYC, this place just feels right and they always have great titles on sale. -
Review from Heath R.
Los Angeles, CA
8/21/2006
To be honest, I've only ventured into the store in order to pay for books picked up on the bargain tables outside. But I've been impressed by the shop's selection, pricing, and staff. There's also a mysterious spiral staircase leading into the nether regions of the store: Employees only!
A recent browse this past weekend found a handful of New Directions Bibelots, which I passed over, and a few books I had to pick up myself: a collection of short stories by Delmore Schwartz; "Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York," a 1972 precursor to chick lit; and "Empire City; New York Through the Centuries" -- each for $6 to $9.
It doesn't matter what books I bought, really, but it gives a nod to their title selection: smart, savvy, and somewhat New York-centric in terms of being urban and urbane. A wonderful place to browse!Listed in: Best NYC Book Stores
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Review from Sean B.
3/29/2009
Whenever I see books on sale, I expect 99% of them to be utter crap. This is ALWAYS the case at any Barnes and Noble. Today when I approached Biography Book Shop, I skipped the tables outside with the books on sale. I mean if B&N can't put good books on sale, how would some little book store be able to?
Well as I was browsing inside, my friend came in and showed me the two books she found out on the tables. The first was one I had previously read and really enjoyed. The 2nd looked half-decent. Whoa crap, a book store that put quality books on sale! Rock on.
So if you're looking for a bargain book that you can actually enjoy, or in need of any quality book in general, this place can hook you up. -
Review from Tina C.
Updated - 11/8/2009
BookBook BOO!
After being buzzed beyond tipsy and flattered by a gay patron of a sincere compliment "you look beautiful" combined with being playfully teased by a gay male stripper at Boots & Saddle, my Honorable work husband and I came here for our final stop of a Saturday night. It was a quick one-stop-shop for me as I knew exactly what I was seeking "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy" which now completes my entire Narnia reading collection!
Service is friendly, despite of not being quite knowledgable with books.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/17/2009
Now dba BookBook with new location at: 266 Bleecker Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues).
It was a… Read more »
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Review from Sonia E.
New York, NY
5/6/2009
Great sales. The place is small and they've had to veer away from total biography specialization- but their fiction collection is always good.
Decent cookbook and kids' book section.
But always great sales on the tables outside.
Nice people. They've been around forever. The neighborhood would be a retail wasteland hellhole without them. -
Review from Laura F.
Brooklyn, NY
9/23/2009
On a trip home to new york I decided to take a stroll through my old neck of the woods and stumbled upon a lovely bookstore with it's carts parked out front. Although I have always been loyal to the Strand I decided maybe I needed to at least take a peak at their sale rack.
How wonderful! I found 2 fantastic books at affordable prices and walked them inside.
At this point this review pretty much goes down hill. I was holding a cup of ice cream (not a dripping cone but a cup with a small amount still left at the bottom) as I was checking out. I didn't put the cup on the counter. I didn't dribble the ice cream. I'm not 5 years old and I was ON MY WAY OUT of the store- when an employee (not the man checking me out) asked me to place my ice cream behind the counter.
At this point I'd already handed over my credit card- and was simply waiting for the receipt so I ignored him, figuring he must realize- I'm about to leave... And so he asked me again. And then this time he proceeded to step out right next to me and put his hand ON THE CUP! So I placed it on the counter, shot him a dirty look, signed the receipt and picked up my cup again.
It was the most pointless thing I've ever experienced. I was not being irresponsible or messy. My fingers were not sticky. I was not dripping. It was literally more work for me to lean around the counter twice to put the cup down and pick it back up then it was for me to just hold it. And the fact that the employee felt it appropriate to touch me made me so angry I made a yelp account just to come on here to tell everyone how troubling this was.
Sure this store might have a few nice bargains, but it doesn't have the selection that other great stores around the city do... and guess what... no manhandling elsewhere! Guess where I'm spending my money next time? -
Review from Alli J.
8/7/2008
Awesome local bookstore with a pretty extensive collection considering the small size if of the shop.
Nobody bugs you while you browse, good bargain books on the tables outside, what's not to like?
Get a good book and snicker at the people waiting in line for painfully sweet sub-par cupcakes! -
Review from Jessica C.
New York, NY
12/4/2008
The power of a good book. It is beyond the words printed on the pages of ones imagination. It can take you to a far off place where the difference between reality and fantasy seems to blur, or it could bring ones soul into stark humility about the information exposed around human kind. Books have no obligation to the reader, they make no false promises of the story to be told bound within its pages. It is the reader that makes the idea of the story come to life, to grow a sense of urgency of finishing the last chapter, the desire to share the author's secret ends and ideas with friends, family, even random strangers. To discuss, learn, listen to the silence that great novels seem to cast within a room.
Biography bookshop. Stark, simple, closes at 10 PM. All the wondrous information that this little establishment contains is beyond the walls and windows of the storefront spills out onto the tables of Bleecker.
Maybe somewhere amongst the thousands of bound treasures is a story in which I could discover another world away the humbling chaos of New York. -
Review from Lew W.
Covington, GA
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent small bookstore, often with deeply discounted titles up front. Helpful and (usually) friendly staff.
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Review from Gourmet G.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2005
Despite the name, it has expanded beyond its original concept, and the quaint interior now contains much more, although biographies and memoirs remain the specialty. Outside, bargain bins feature excellent selections at heavily discounted prices. Tucked away on a charming block in the West Village, it has an atmosphere and friendly and knowledgeable staff that call to mind the charming neighborhood shop owned by Meg Ryan in 'You've Got Mail,' a refreshing change in this era of impersonal chain megastores.
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Review from molly c.
3/15/2009
i was killing time one day. this seems to be a trend with my west village reviews. but my dining partner was running late and i wasn't going to sit at the corner bistro to wait without reading material.
enter the biography book shop. got 3 or 4 books. all were good. price was right and the staff was super friendly. i was poking around in there for a while, and learned that the do special orders and all around great service.
the table of bargains outside is an added bonus.Listed in: you think i go uptown?
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Review from Karen M.
Brooklyn, NY
9/19/2006
A great little bookshop. Like the other readers mentioned, you can buy fairly recent books on sale on the tables outside of the store (they are usually remainders with remainder marks) for about 6-9 bucks. I like to scope out the books and then get some banana pudding across the street!
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Review from Liz M.
7/21/2009
I actually don't want to write this review because I simply don't want people to know about this place. I want to keep it to myself! It's truly selfish and even foolish to think that people would not notice the best bookstore in town. I prowl the table outside as many across the street do for their next sugar fix, and after I slip out of a literary coma I always come out satisfied. My Augusten Boroughs and David Sedaris collection are all from this shop, and I find new reads all the time in talking to the knowledgeable staff and patrons. They say the store is moving soon. I hope it is near another bakery of some kind near it so I can convince my husband that it is worth the trek!
Listed in: My Birthday Month
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Review from Li M.
New York, NY
12/27/2005
The bargain bins outside the store reminds me of the ones from Strand. The store is obviously not as big as Strand, but it does contain that charming, quaint, bookstore atmosphere. Very different from that strange bookstore at Mercer's where the owners just look at you funny and cough for no reason every now and then. On the contrary, the staff here are very friendly and approachable. Also, very decent price range.
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Review from Marie-Anne S.
Bridgewater, CT
9/6/2011
cute book store, extremely sweet and personable owner.
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Review from Helena Z.
Brooklyn, NY
7/7/2007
One of the best bookstores in NY. The selection is small but organized and excellent-- I would pick up any of these to read. Great classics and newer ones as well. Prices marked down a bit, though not significantly.
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Review from Michael S. H.
New York, NY
11/16/2007
I think this is one of the cutest book shops in the area. Its quite small, yet still jam packed with the latest books. Normally I never actually get the chance to stop into this place, or have the actual thought of visiting even though I work a block away. I always pass by it though, everyday on my way to work along West 11th. During a small chat between me and my co-worker, he had told me about a hilarious book he was reading by David Sedaris, entitled Holidays On Ice. 5 pages later and tears running down my eyes from the laughter, I had to go buy my own copy. So, I had the sudden thought to go to the book store up the block, and after walking into the cute little shop, and asking one of the employees if they had the book, to my surprise, they did and I made my purchase. I was a happy customer.
Listed in: Cute Little Places
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Review from Astrid V.
Brooklyn, NY
11/23/2010
Excellent selection of cheap books located in the heart of the West Village. What else could you ask for?
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Review from Kat W.
New York, NY
12/6/2010
Very helpful, kind & knowledgable employees! I arrived at 9:50 PM on a Monday dying for a book and walked out with four. So nice to see a proper bookstore in Manhattan staffed by real readers. I will return.
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Review from rebecca l.
Chicago, IL
2/8/2006 ROTD 2/12/2006
As a huge book nerd, I have to tell you that I love this store. The best part, besides all the books inside, are the tables of reduced books outside. They are all new, decent books that for some reason or other (which I try not to question) are marked down to 7 or 8 bucks. I have gotten so many fantastic reads there. And the staff is very nice. And it's got that perfect cozy feel that barnes and noble couldn't achieve even if they had a tiny space in the West Village.
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Review from Chris L.
New York, NY
3/5/2006
My favorite bookstore in the city - small, personable, and a great place to browse and pick up good books for a decent price - they always have a ton of great books outside on the tables and lots of hardcovers. Perfect for a lazy, sunny day of browsing - plus it also helps that it's right across the street from Magnolia bakery and Marc Jacobs!
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Review from Alice C.
8/7/2010
Browsed this bookshop earlier today; didn't buy anything but I have a good feeling I'll be back. Kind of a smaller selection, but there are a good amount of new books on sale for around $7 or so. The staff also seem to be friendly and willing to help.
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Review from Caroline F.
Manhattan, NY
11/21/2010
I like this bookstore. It is a smaller store, which is certainly a departure from chain bookstores. They have a very good selection which I tend to think fits the neighborhood's demographic pretty well, helpful staff, and good prices. They always have a table outside with some interesting picks.
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Review from Paul B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/5/2009
Always a good deal there. You never know what will turn up on the outside tables.
It's a shame that they have to move, but I subtract a point on this review, because they're changing the name to BookBook. Dumb.
They claim it's because some people think they only sell biographies.
The obvious solution is to call it Biography Plus.
