My Favorite Used Bookstores in NYC (from a NY’er)

[@julie.k15]

the mix of the superb editing, typography, music, and ofc bookstores with you in it was just chefs kiss

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

🥹🥹🥹 thank you sm. I had so much fun with this, so I'm glad you enjoyed

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Ooof I’m 15 seconds in and I already know this is the type of video I need to make a cup of tea for. Mate this is going to be gooood.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Tea vids are real!! You're iconic, baby

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Bookstores are also my happy place, especially if they are quiet and my apartment is loud (which it is right now due to endless road work)

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

Loving the Blue Monday vibes Ana! BIG REUSE was awesome 💎

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!!! YES! That must be why I love the song. Love Blue Monday. Bury me at Big REUSE!

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson 😆

[@abbyowens8188]

I genuinely think this is now my favorite video ever.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ilysm it hurts

[@miurtouissi1093]

This might be my favourite video from you. I love the editing and your personality but also I can tell that you value the culture in these librairies and respect their history. You also seem very passionate! I'm not from NY but just watching this makes me feel like it's a place I might visit. I love your channel ❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

If you have the time (and patience), NYC is a great place to discover places and things about yourself! Bookstores are one of the ways I explore a new place!

[@babysp1c3666]

woah that housing works is so good! my favourite part about bookstore vids is staring at the shelves and choosing what I’d buy if I was there and I’d come out that one with wayyyy too many

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

lmaooo same. Always see gems in other people's vids. I go to bookstores about 3x a week just to browse and exercise restraint

[@SavidgeReads]

This was ace. Mantel by the sprouts book. Amazing. I didn’t make it last year but WILL be this year and am hoping to get an IRL bookshop tour. Please and thank you. I’ll bring an empty case. Or no… a case of books for Ana, that I can refill. Gorgeous video as always. Iconic indeed.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I know, baby, NYC was like... where is Simon??? She was ready!!! And the sprouts!! Little mix of everything,

[@HA-bh1wh]

Oleg…………I’m not a book person. LOL. I lived in the city in the early 80s and vicariously stroll with you on your street Vlogs. Pizza was a 99cents a slice when I lived there way back then , glad to see that hasn’t changed !! Keep up your great work and please some travel videos !

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oleg is the MVP, always! And oh, you have NO IDEA what kind to travel vlogs are coming your way. Keep eyes, ears, nose, mouth and fingers peeled, baby

[@karakask5488]

I'm living for the 80s local news reporter vibe

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I missed my calling. and decade.

[@RemnantCult]

I'm a country bumpkin southern belle, but I hope to visit many times this concrete jungle of artists and creatives all just trying to survive and, most of all, thrive. Thank you for sharing your day of browsing these stores.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I moved from a town of 3k to NYC--you can do it, my friend!

[@laurakistemaker8918]

The music in this video was amazing❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you! my favorite part of editing is the music!

[@myreadinglife8816]

Iconic bookstore tour. The Big Reuse was my fave - love the sign!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I'm ready to move into The Big Reuse

[@urcoolgrandmaab]

loved this :') in case you haven't been, the word is change in bed-stuy is wonderful (mixed used and new) and life boutique thrift in park slope also has a bangin book section!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!!! totally noted. I'm always looking for great, cozy spots and didn't know any places in bedstuy. I also didn't know Life Boutique had books--thank you!

[@GuiltyFeat]

Love a book tour. I only did Lower Manhattan on my last trip. I really need to get out to Brooklyn next time.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Brookland is the way to go, baby!! I need to hit upper Manhattan and see what's going on in that area (I haven't been there for months--woof!)

[@cinnamoncitrus]

A joy as per usual! Groovy synth outro, I love you so. Can’t wait to pester my NYC friends into stopping by these spots when I set up shop at their apartments (visit)!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

OH YES! The best investment I ever made in my traveling was to move to NYC, because everyone visits and stays on my couch, so whenever I'm in their area... I have a couch with my name on it

[@rebeccawarren7856]

I can't help but think about how much you would ADORE Open Books in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. If you're ever in town please go!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

WOAH. Hold the phone, I just checked it out. THOSE SHELVES. Okay, motivation to fully explore Chicago now.

[@AnaMariaBotoser]

Visual ASMR for bookish people - just🤌🤌🤌 Bravo, Ana!👏

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

This is the highest compliment I could ever receive. ASMR 5ever

[@dollycatlin5077]

I had to put it on repeat not sure how many times I will do that. Wish this was an hour and a half long.!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Haha! I wish it was longer, trust me! I need to get more fooootage

[@dollycatlin5077]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson I love your book, shopping trips and then being in New York since I’m in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin

[@paulmagrs-g8n]

The Big Reuse looks like my kind of place!

[@AthynVixen]

NYC, Books. Ana,,,, whats not to love? 💙📚🎵 xx Ps I've heard some good things about Sweet Pickle Books..

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

omg! I stopped in there about a month ago for the first time and fell in love. I used to live on Orchard. It's crazy to see how that area has changed!!

[@monicaritab]

my personal favorite is Codex in the bowery!! it's small it seems like they have everything :)

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!!!! woah, YES! I love that spot. I think I might put that in another video.

[@booksthehausdown]

Book Thug Nation is the coolest name omg 😭

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

right??? and the font 🤤🤤 the ppl that work there play the absolute best music and it's such a vibe

[@dollycatlin5077]

OK now I found your New York City video blogs. I’ll just play all these today.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

;))))

[@cathyg.9996]

Lots of great used bookstores and Housing Works Bookstore is beautiful ❤ I live in Upstate New York and all our used bookstores no longer exist and I miss them so I really enjoyed this video. All we have is a Barnes and Noble now so I mostly buy books online or borrow from the library. Thanks for the book tour!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

My dream is to open a small bookstore in a small town! Upstate needs these things!!

[@cathyg.9996]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson ❤️❤️❤️

[@nailea9950]

Love this video Ana!! I dream of living in NYC one day

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It's totally do-able! I'll show you around, if ya come

[@georgianatrutescu]

Oh, this video is pure art! Keep makin' them! You're the best, girl! I can't wait for you to reach 1 mil subscribers on YT!! 😌 07:55 - I can't stop laughing every time I see it, it's so funny!! 😂😂

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

omg, I hope at some point! And I can't help but make a little toe dance when filming the shoes :))))

[@belen837]

Hi Anna, long time no see. February was a biiiiit hard. (Almost) no reading, no youtube, little connection with myself but here I am back again :) your videos make me happy, as simple as that. And right now that is all I need. I hope you are good, I see you are doing good :) Muah from Madrid

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Omg! I am happy to see you! Are you okay? February is a hard month for lots of people, so you're not alone. Take it easy on yourself and do what you need to feel better. HUGS!

[@apos921]

I was just at Mercer last weekend! How funny! It was totally random too, I just looked up the closest bookstore from where I was and I’m so glad to have found it, I loved it 😍

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It's such a neat place! I felt so weird filming because it's so intimate, but love the vibes!

[@kaylag2142]

phenomenal work as always ana!!! saved for my next visit

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hopefully there will be more vids like this in the future!

[@fiddleleaffiction]

I’ve only been to NYC once in my life (although hubs and I are mulling over the idea of moving there soon 😅), and I feel so cool that I went to the first store on your list. Love it!! Another fantastic video, as always!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!! omg! NYC move is a big thing! What neighborhood are you thinking???

[@fiddleleaffiction]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson not sure exactly yet; my husband would commute to FiDi so maybe near-ish to there. I liked Hell’s Kitchen and the East Village, although I liked the Upper West Side the most 😊 let me know if you have any recs!!

[@mountainbikingvampirewitch]

I was dancing in my chair to the outro and said “I love this song” as it came up on screen. I thought I had become god. Thank you so much for this gem Ana!! You truly offer a side of the internet no one else can. I think the first store was my favorite, love a multi floor bookstore 💕

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

HAHAHA exactly how I felt editing it!! And wow, thank you so much. I'd love to do a travel show, so this is my heart and soul pouring out onto the screen

[@caroline61673]

I love the housing works bookstore too! Especially the Park Slope one, I live by there so I'm there almost every weekend 😅 if you're interested, there's a new used book store nearby that's called Troubled Sleep, it's so pretty, just books floor to ceiling.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

lmaooo bless the Housing Works--if I lived nearby I'd be there too. And NOTED on the Troubled Sleep. I'll check it next time I'm in the area

[@jobuckley2999]

Oleg is going to make you a hanging bookshelf? That was fun. Doors in NY seem too heavy. I am old so I could never get in anywhere.🙄

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Omg, I wish! I should pester him to make something. Doors in NYC ARE heavy--thank you for noticing!! I'll open the door for ya!

[@jobuckley2999]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson Bless you.

[@Laura-db2sx]

You need to check out Black Spring Books in WB

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I walk by it all the time!! I need to check it out. I feel like it has my ~vibe~ written all over it

[@thevibrantvixen]

Always the best content y’all! So good to see my city … and of course, you and Oleg. Funny story - I used to routinely sell what feels like hundreds of books to Brattle Bookstore in Boston. One day a friend called me and said “Anne, I found a canceled check - eeeeeek!!! in a book I bought.” Mother of Dog, I freaked. 😅 I am so looking forward to visiting bookstores in New York when I visit next. I’ve been gone longer than some of your picks have come to be! Have a wonderful week darlin … Was able to sneak in that Amina Cain - was it your rec? Indelicacy. Really good - short - and the pup let me get thru it! See you soon. ❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I need to get my booty into Boston! I have been when I was younger (2x), but I need an updated, adult tour. The check fiasco! it happens!! And how is the PUP!!

[@jackseney7906]

"For Natalie on your 10th birthday - Mom and Dad" I'm a tough guy that didn't get to me at all, not at all 😭😿 6:45 - The camera flashed past a Noam Chomsky book that was influential on me seems like a hundred years ago 😄😸 The Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch is my favorite book place, neighbor. Thanks for steering some people towards these bookstores they need all the help 👍

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Right?? the little inscriptions always get me a little bit. Wonder where Natalie is now. And I was thinking to do a video on Public Libraries in NYC, but I have to think how I'll stage it!

[@jackseney7906]

However you deem best as your videos are always beautiful, and I know there will be a lot to cover, just remember BPL, Central Branch 😏😸 Hey it's historic and all that! Seven years is long enough for someone who actually documents the city - you are officially a New Yorker

[@222emilia]

this video felt so therapeutic and cozy, just what i was looking for after an agitated monday🦦 and also, i guess the saying was true, 5:03 “no matter where in the world you are, you're always going to find an argentinian/something related to argentina” 😆

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oh, I hope your days have relaxed since this! And Yes!! It's everywhere and what beautiful colors their flag is!

[@frutiger_aer0]

I love everything about this video

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

you're amazing

[@lisaplummer8144]

Oleg is project shopping; a board and some rope. He cracks me up. This was fun! I'm not book shopping at the moment because I don't want to pack more books for my move. Can't wait to hit some of my favorite used book stores in Roanoke, VA! If you come back to Fayetteville, WV be sure to check out Cathedral Cafe and the The Hobbit Hole.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

You're moving! Wow, congrats and good luck on the move! I'd rather go to jail then move in NYC again 🙃🙃 I've only driven through Roanoke while on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it's so lovely--I hope you enjoy it!

[@lisaplummer8144]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson Thank you! ❤️

[@bibliosophie]

aww yay I loved this 🖤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I feel like you'd love Big Reuse!!

[@bibliosophie]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson I do!

[@louise1174]

gorgeous vid!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ilysm!

[@nathansnook]

WHERE was this video when i was there earlier this month?? 😭 BUT saving these spots for my next visit. maybe i'll see you at one of these lovely places in the future 💫

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

BABE! I know! I saw you were here!! You lemme know when you're in NYC next and we'll hit the thrift

[@Herstory86]

Love to explore bookstores in the city. I found a place called Leaves that was amazing 😻

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oh, that place is an absolute gem! I just discovered it not too long ago, hence it not making it to this list. I think I'll put it in another video of 5 more bookstores to love, or something like that!

[@Herstory86]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson the prices there are just 👌🏼 for NYC. Can’t wait for another bookstore video! I love seeing new places to explore. There’s also the Hobart book village I’ve seen on Instagram and tik tok that I just can’t wait to make a little video on. ☺️

[@jbright1774]

loved this! Do you make booktoks? I would love to follow you there if you do

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I set up an account and I got too nervous to post ahaha. I know I should!! maybe one day...

[@BenCallahanCo]

mercer st is by far my favorite

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It's such a cozy vibe! And the owner is v chill

[@avni8277]

Hi ana been binge watching ever since i discovered your channel. I read the dead ladies project on your rec and i have to say it was wierdly specific to just what i needed and oh 🤌 chef's kiss, never doubting you once from now on

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I love to hear that so, so much! Thank you for taking the recco! Are you planning on some travels in the near future???

[@readbylau]

LOVE as always !!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

[@shahjhanhaider26]

Big bookshop I have ever seen,was nearly puzzled,almost wasn't amazing one

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

sometimes they're overwhelming! gotta go in with a list

[@stevedavenport1202]

Am amazed that these stores are able to stay in business, given how high the rents are in NYC.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I agree. Especially some of the larger ones.

[@kaybanks8781]

Fun video. I live in a city of nearly a million people and we have ONE - yes, ONE B&N and maybe three used bookstores and one of them is a religious bookstore. Yes, please, someone do something about this tragedy. And, AND . . . we have a university if you can believe it! It's the city words forgot.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

WHAT! That seems unreal. My small hometown has one bookstore and we are capping out at less than 5k!!

[@xmuta]

Strand is not on the list?

[@maddssmithy]

great vid! is the music made by you?

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I wish! Epidemic sound serves up those sweet beats

[@dollycatlin5077]

Are you on Instagram? I can’t get enough of you. ❤

[@dollycatlin5077]

What name do u use onIG

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I think I'll make one a bit more down the line! I used to have an old instagram, but I haven't been on it since 2017ish haha!

[@dollycatlin5077]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson hi my Instagram scroller. Too much but like. I just discovered KZbin on Instagram since I retired. It’s open the world to me.

[@AbdulHafeez-my3pd]

Very nice madam

[@Guztt]

Quem viu o Jorgem Ben ?🥰

[@malihajahan924]

Which one has cheaper book?

[@eva_fr]

❤️✨️✨️

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ilysm

[@Sthemingway]

Have you ever felt deja-vu in a bookstore you know you've never been to before? Or you're in a geographic locations hundreds of miles from shops you go to regularly and you suddenly feel like you're back "home" ?

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oh, all the time. Anytime I'm in a new place-- to get acquainted-- I just google bookstores or thrift stores and I'm immediately opened up to the community.

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

Let's just say this was painful to watch VIRTUALLY. All I wanted to do was grab some amazing preloved books

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahaha!! trust me, I feel the same sentiment and I'm actually in the stores

[@bookoffholicbookwart5945]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson 🤣🙌