Spoonbill & Sugartown Books

What a truly inspiring discovery, recommended by a fine friend who lives locally. Such a wonderfully curated selection of books, covering the spectrum of the arts, design, culture and much more. In the back is a wonderful selection of notebooks, with blank pages to capture your imagination and life. Friendly service at the counter and great choice of music playing for when I visited.

Very nicely curated bookstore in Williamsburg with a great selection of independent revolutionary works as well as arts and media books and magazines. You can find everything!

Really great book store! I went there the other day and they had a great selection of art books.

Amazing book store. Great book / magazines selection. Unique souvenirs for all kind of tastes .

I rarely feel compelled to write reviews, but my recent experience at Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers was so appalling, I can’t let it slide. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew something wasn’t right. The atmosphere that I had hoped would be warm and welcoming quickly shifted into something deeply uncomfortable and frankly, offensive. I am a Black woman, and within minutes of entering the store, I was subjected to an unnerving encounter with an older woman who I can only assume was either the owner or a longtime employee. She didn’t just approach me in a friendly manner, nor did she welcome me in —no, she stared me down, and then came directly to where I was browsing and started rearranging books that were not out of order. I couldn’t help but notice her almost overzealous attempt to “fix” things nearby, as if trying to subtly mark me with some kind of surveillance. It was an inexplicable combination of discomfort, embarrassment, and utter disbelief. How could someone in a bookshop—a place where learning and diversity should be celebrated—display such blatant racial profiling, especially with no sense of shame or awareness? Her demeanor made it clear that this was not an isolated mistake but a thoughtless, habitual attitude toward Black customers. This wasn’t just a case of poor customer service—it was an outright racial microaggression that left me feeling dehumanized and unwelcome. The owner’s behavior was so off-putting that it completely overshadowed any potential value the bookstore might have had in terms of its selection. After all, who wants to shop somewhere where they’re made to feel like an outsider based purely on their race? I will never return to Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers, and I strongly encourage others to reconsider if they wish to avoid being subjected to such a blatant and uncomfortable display of racism. There are so many other wonderful independent bookstores in the area that foster inclusivity and respect. This place clearly does not.

Spoonbill & Sugartown Books, nestled in Brooklyn, is a treasure trove for bibliophiles and art enthusiasts alike. Imagine a quirky blend of classic literature, avant-garde art books, and an eclectic mix of new and used titles all under one roof. The staff are both knowledgeable and passionate, ready to guide you through their whimsical collection. It’s a book lover’s paradise where each visit promises a delightful and unexpected find.

Lovely book store with nice staff! Big variety in books and unique, little finds.

Spectacular, gorgeous, eclectic shop with books piled to the ceiling like a dream. Stellar recommendations that will expand your horizons as a reader. Just delightful and well worth a visit.

What a truly inspiring discovery, recommended by a fine friend who lives locally. Such a wonderfully curated selection of books, covering the spectrum of the arts, design, culture and much more. In the back is a wonderful selection of notebooks, with blank pages to capture your imagination and life. Friendly service at the counter and great choice of music playing for when I visited.

Very nicely curated bookstore in Williamsburg with a great selection of independent revolutionary works as well as arts and media books and magazines. You can find everything!

Really great book store! I went there the other day and they had a great selection of art books.

Amazing book store. Great book / magazines selection. Unique souvenirs for all kind of tastes .

I rarely feel compelled to write reviews, but my recent experience at Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers was so appalling, I can’t let it slide. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew something wasn’t right. The atmosphere that I had hoped would be warm and welcoming quickly shifted into something deeply uncomfortable and frankly, offensive. I am a Black woman, and within minutes of entering the store, I was subjected to an unnerving encounter with an older woman who I can only assume was either the owner or a longtime employee. She didn’t just approach me in a friendly manner, nor did she welcome me in —no, she stared me down, and then came directly to where I was browsing and started rearranging books that were not out of order. I couldn’t help but notice her almost overzealous attempt to “fix” things nearby, as if trying to subtly mark me with some kind of surveillance. It was an inexplicable combination of discomfort, embarrassment, and utter disbelief. How could someone in a bookshop—a place where learning and diversity should be celebrated—display such blatant racial profiling, especially with no sense of shame or awareness? Her demeanor made it clear that this was not an isolated mistake but a thoughtless, habitual attitude toward Black customers. This wasn’t just a case of poor customer service—it was an outright racial microaggression that left me feeling dehumanized and unwelcome. The owner’s behavior was so off-putting that it completely overshadowed any potential value the bookstore might have had in terms of its selection. After all, who wants to shop somewhere where they’re made to feel like an outsider based purely on their race? I will never return to Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers, and I strongly encourage others to reconsider if they wish to avoid being subjected to such a blatant and uncomfortable display of racism. There are so many other wonderful independent bookstores in the area that foster inclusivity and respect. This place clearly does not.

Spoonbill & Sugartown Books, nestled in Brooklyn, is a treasure trove for bibliophiles and art enthusiasts alike. Imagine a quirky blend of classic literature, avant-garde art books, and an eclectic mix of new and used titles all under one roof. The staff are both knowledgeable and passionate, ready to guide you through their whimsical collection. It’s a book lover’s paradise where each visit promises a delightful and unexpected find.

Lovely book store with nice staff! Big variety in books and unique, little finds.

Spectacular, gorgeous, eclectic shop with books piled to the ceiling like a dream. Stellar recommendations that will expand your horizons as a reader. Just delightful and well worth a visit.

Just the cute name of the bookstore would definitely make me wanna go inside to take a look around. Name of bookstore really reminds me of the nursery rhyme starting with the lines of "Sugar and spice...And everything nice" in a way. Size of the place is rather decently small and narrowly-spaced. So, make sure to be extra careful not to knock anything over with your backpack or handbag. When I entered the bookstore, my eyes darted across the room and immediately landed on the cover of a huge and friendly, gray and fuzzy fellow. It was none other than the familiar Totoro himself! Had to flip through the pages of the heavy, hardcover book right away just because how much I love Ghibli Studio and Totoro in general! The selection of books is actually pretty reasonable with different genres like historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, travel, history, memoir, children's books, and so on. Besides books of all types, they also sell canvas totes, stickers, magnets, posters, sketchbooks, stationary, notebooks and postcards just to name a few as examples. Price range can vary but usually more on the expensive side depending on what you happen to buy from the bookstore. Even if you don't plan on making a purchase, I think it's still a great indoor activity (whether just by yourself or with family) to stay away from the cold for the time being. Lastly, I just love their cozy vibes so much and want to stay back for quite some time.

The book that I purchased was new. My only problem was that I paid 31.57 for a book that retails for 18.99 I realized this after the fact, and called when I got home stating that I thought I was overcharged when I looked up the original price. The guy on the phone basically offered me in store credit and he said that they have to pay rent on the place and that stores like Barnes and Noble and Amazon don't. I also felt a little uncomfortable in store only because the lady kept watching me from the register. The place is cute but I was having problems with whether the book was new or not. They do sell used books. So I would recommend signs or something. I will not be going back unfortunately.

I have always really loved browsing the well curated selection of new and used titles, and it is my go-to for gift giving occasions. It's exactly what you want from an independent book seller: great selection, not too cramped, everything at levels you can reach and browse in peace. It's on the stretch of Bedford that can get busy, so it's a nice reprieve from the crowds. You'll find some truly quirky titles, some zines, some great art books, newer titles, and a very well stocked NYC section. But the review today is for the customer service. I left my wallet at the counter the other day. This morning I woke up to a note at my door letting me know that I had left it. Dante walked over to my apartment with a note letting know where I could pick it up! Truly incredible customer service!!! I am a longtime customer and will continue to be so, thought I'd share this story to let y'all know that this little indie bookshop is super special.

The middle-aged gentleman at the counter, who I assume to be the owner, had an off-putting, sour demeanor that was impossible to ignore. After making a purchase, he didn't give me eye contact, didn't say hello, and not even a "thank you." This lack of basic customer service skills from a representative of a beloved independent bookstore was disappointing and frustrating. I can't help but wonder if this kind of behavior is why many people choose to shop at large chain bookstores instead of supporting their local independent shops. In today's digital age, it's imperative that brick and mortar stores offer a personalized, welcoming experience to keep customers coming back. Independent bookstores in particular, need to foster a sense of community to stay afloat. And customer service plays a big role in that. When someone visits an independent bookstore, they're looking for more than just books, they're looking for an experience. That being said, I don't want to diminish the importance of independent bookstores in our communities. They offer a unique charm and intimacy that simply can't be replicated by big box stores. Plus, they provide a platform for local authors and a curated selection of books that you won't find anywhere else. But the importance of customer service cannot be overlooked. It's up to independent bookstores to prioritize the customer experience if they want to continue to thrive in today's retail landscape.

Though it's small, this is one of the best bookstores I've ever been in. It is incredibly well curated. I don't live in Brooklyn(I live in San Francisco), but every time I visit I have to go here. Without fail, some book, or books, that I've never heard of leap out at me and become my new favorite book(s). I'm not sure what's up with all the bad reviews. They seem to be written by very entitled people that expect to be waited on hand and foot. They can go somewhere else for that. But if you love finding books that you didn't already know about, then this is the place for you.

Good selection. Consistently rude/awkward service. And I don't think they ever open on time. I wish it were a more pleasant experience going here.

This is possibly the most garbage bookstore I have ever been to. Nothing is organised, and they pretty much only carry coffee table books or whatever is trending at the moment. Fail to understand how this place still occupies prime real estate on Bedford Ave.

Went to this local bookshop today to grab children's books for holiday gifts. Huge selection despite just a tiny corner devoted to children's. Amazing rare books. Def will return for myself. Huge selection of tarot cards too!

It is actually very unsettling to say this, because I've taken many trips to this bookstore, and I have always enjoyed its aesthetic as it is a pretty little bookstore to visit in all seasons. However, I don't know if I understand how this place even receives business. They're rude people who don't deserve to have an independent bookstore in a community/neighborhood as nice as this one. I've been ignored by the old man behind the register multiple times. Yesterday was the final day I'll ever step foot. I went up to the register and said "Hi, how are you?" He ignored me. So I asked again, because I thought maybe he couldn't hear me. He ignored me again, so I let him charge me for "The Artist's Way" and then I left. As I was leaving, I stopped near the older woman who also runs the store and I said "Have a good day." She responds "BYE." She sounded very dry and miserable. It concerns me, because I've tried to put that aside each time I've visited, but when you're someone who appreciates talking to people, to see someone with a store that doesn't seem to appreciate shit about it, is sad. The store is pretty, and I've found at least a couple of important books to me here, but it's not worth it. Books can be found anywhere. These people don't deserve clientele.

Cute bookstore! It always interests me what types of books different places stock... I have absolutely no idea if Spoonbill's selection accurately reflects the area's demographics, but I found their art section absolutely fascinating (need a book on the history of the grid system? They have it!). They also had quite a few interesting books on botany/horticulture/gardening, which is totally my jam. If I had a bigger place, I'd drop by here for some coffee table books in a heartbeat.

Had to write a review after what I experienced today. First time going into this bookstore with the intention of buying a particular book my partner wanted for her birthday which was today. Walked up to the register and said hello to the elder women standing behind it. If looks could kill I would've dropped right then and there! I then asked for the book, showed her the picture as well on my phone. The woman hands me the book and loudly says that book is RACIST! I was taken aback because for one, you didn't greet me which is horrible customer service and then when she decided to speak to me it was to tell me about the book being "RACIST"! Not once did I ask for her opinion or thoughts about the book. I purchased the book and got the hell out of there. Whoever runs that store needs to train their staff on great customer service. I am also owed an apology for the humiliation i experienced on a day that was supposed to be very special. It was a birthday gift for crying out loud! How do you ruin someone's day because you are just a miserable human being full of privilege! First and last time I will ever step foot in that place!

Wonderful art books and new fiction selection.

As any book store is beyond great, I find it so hard to spend money I barely have now a days on fresh new books. There were certainly plenty I wanted to purchase. (William Eggleston 'The Democratic Forest', Vegan cookbooks, David Lynch 'Someone is in my house') Had locked up books I wish I knew more about but this just isn't my fortay. Maybe I don't even deserve writing this review. I can say if you have the money, I am sure that you are to find a good book here. The neighborhood is great too!

Nice books cute spot but - like many have suggested - the staff is not always the friendliest.

I feel bad leaving this review since it's an independent book store so I won't give it one star but the recent / new staff make it hard to give more than that. (I'll give three since previously a woman had helped me with some great recs a few months ago). The newer / younger staff don't greet you or help you find what you're looking for & they act pretentious. I had to stand in line at the register to get help even though three staff members were chatting amongst themselves right next to me. When I finally asked for help, the girl spoke down to me in such a condescending way like I was stupid and a child. Plus, she knew nothing about their book inventory and wasn't interested in helping me find it, so they almost lost a sale if it wasn't for the male staff member who overheard the convo and stepped in to finally help me find it. Once I checked out w the same first rude girl, she didn't say a word to me the whole transaction and I was left sitting there waiting for a bag or anything to finish the transaction. This doesn't include the actual mean girl verbiage she did say to me. Such a demeaning experience. I recommend going to McNally Jackson. The staff are obvious book lovers and they are so friendly and helpful. I went there right after this experience and it showed the clear differences between the two stores. Plus, they have a bigger selection so the choice between the two is obvious

They had a dead mint copy of No Commercial Potential, The Saga of the Mothers of Invention, well priced. The only thing of value left on Bedford. Nuff said.

Did you know there's a publication called Meatpaper (the Journal of Meat Culture)? No? Where have you been? Certainly not at Spoonbill & Sugartown, because they carry this wonderful meat-centric magazine, along with many other fascinating items. Whoever curates the selection here must know exactly what will catch my eye, and have me stopping, reading, and eventually missing my appointments. It's like they know me: they've prominently featured a children's book about beer, that Green Porno book by Isabella Rossellini, fantastic photography books, and more. I have yet to buy something from Spoonbill, but I'm not sure there's a better place to browse and waste a little bit of time.

Love the selection of books here... particularly strong art section... and it is a great location.

Rude rude rude. Don't recommend wasting your time with these people. Take forever to email you back and their book selection is very niche. This is why large booksellers are taking over everything, every book store thinks they're cool and weird because they only carry art books or obscure books.

I'd read lots of the Yelp reviews for this store - some of which were amusing and some of which "hit below the belt" - and they're all over the map, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I finally got around to visiting the store yesterday and my overall impression was that it's "o.k." I didn't end up buying anything and I didn't need to ask any questions, therefore I can't comment on the attitudes of the people who work there - although no one ever asked if they could help me/etc. (admittedly the store was rather crowded). The selection of books is quite eclectic and I give them credit for that. In terms of the hipster environment (which was mentioned in numerous reviews), I have mixed feelings; I'm not at all fond of hipsters (sorry if one of you is reading this) - but on the other hand, I like some aspects of how the neighborhood has evolved. Anyway; this store is certainly worth visiting once, but I don't feel really compelled to return.

It's your perfect aesthetic Brooklyn hipster bookstore. With your hipster workers who may seem rude and weird but it's just New York, don't take it personally. I like it. 4 stars just cuz it's a bit small to me and doesn't have everything your looking for but still cool to check out and talk shit and it's in a great location.

Rude staff. I refuse to support Amazon, so I decided to order a book from them only to discover that THEY JUST ORDERED IT FROM AMAZON ANYWAY.

Great bookstore. Not so much selection, but great curation of titles. Great if you don't exactly know what you want, not super great if you have a specific book in mind. Would definitely recommend browsing their selection!

The counter girl was crazy cute. Not that this is the reason to shop there, but. *shy wave* It didn't hurt. I was just perusing the shelves, not committing myself. But the store is quirky enough to entice ya. A little Steampunk. Check. Some odd stationery. Check. Memoir. Check. Commuter Reading (Philosophy Books) Check. This bookstore is a reason just to come on this side of town.

Great selection of books on the large center table and along the sides. They display popular, feminist and progressive reads. Catered to 20-30 something year olds. Overall it's a nice place to purchase books, but I do kinda always feel rushed whenever I'm in there. There's no place to sit down and read a few pages. Kinda gotta go in there with a goal.

Excellent inventory of new and used artbooks, and a great literature section. Exceptional bookstore.

I wanted to give this place more stars. They are a cute, quaint little bookstore in Williamsburg. I like that they keep the place small and personal. And they have a good selection for their size. Both new and used books so you can get some of both! The organization is good and they also have some fun NYC/BK gift items that are great for the holidays or visitors. My problem is the service. Every time I have been in they are not friendly, slow, and seem grumpy. Last time the guy was bickering on the phone the whole time he rang me up. He did apologize, but it wasn't very sincere. They do have a three legged cat there which makes me happy. Hopefully they can work on customer service so it matches the rest of the shop!

Good books. i love to read books. long books and short books are both good. I love to read. Great selection!

I walked in looking for any used copies of Pynchon novels, which I was able to find. They have an immense section on Murakami, stocking everything from his most popular work to his lesser known material. The store offers a wide selection of books ranging from philosophy to art/music/photography. Among it all is a plethora of interesting contemporary feminist novels. They have a nice selection of used novels (both in hardcover and paperback), all at a reasonable price. People working there can be a bit cold, but they helped me in regards to any questions I had. A gorgeous store, if you're in the neighborhood go ahead and drop in, you'll surely find a book or two to keep you company.

I'm a book guy. I love book shops. But this place is kinda spooky. There's no music, so every flip of a page seems to garner you unwanted attention from the shop keeps. Who, speaking of, never seem happy to have people in the shop. What's up with that? Place feels stuffy. Though, if you've gotta satisfy a book itch, this'll do. Pretty cool arty magazines too!

I love bookstores. I could have spent hours in Spoonbill. The selection is impressive. Unfortunately, there are no places to tuck yourself away to peruse the books. It's tight inside. Support small business and read a book. Win win...

Spoonbill caters to a certain audience and I'd be lying if I said I'd never gone into a specialty bookstore only to end up buying the books I looked at on Amazon for less, but considering this store not only supports local writers as well as artists and smaller publications I think they are well deserving of your money. You can find stuff here that you can't get at a gross (yes I said gross) chain like Barnes and Noble. The staff are helpful if you have questions but won't go out of their way to bother you unlike other retail shops in the area which I like and they have everything organized/curated very well.

The woman working behind the counter should stick to working with books and not with people. The moment I walked in, I felt as though she was convinced I was going to steal something. When I explained I was looking for something by Baurdrillard, she corrected my pronunciation I know how to speak French, bitch, but I'm not in France, I'm in Brooklyn: so cut me some slack. Not that she had any books by him in stock, anyway, so a simple "no" would have sufficed. You wanna have a shade war? I can out shade you, Miss Havisham: "How about books on cats. You look like the sort of woman who might know where I can find books about cats." Suffice to say things degenerated from there. Despite the mothball stuffed biddy behind the counter, this bookstore had a really great selection of harder to find books: new, used, first editions, etc.

I want to like this bookstore. I really, really do. It's independent, it's right near my apartment and my favorite coffee shop. It always looks warm and cozy. BUT the evil trolls who own and run this place are absolutely atrocious. They're always chatting amongst themselves and annoyed when customers ask them questions. And to top it all off, they're downright rude, unhelpful and smug with their answers. I asked for a fairly standard book and the dude behind the counter quickly snapped that they didn't have it. "Really?" I said, bummed that I'd have to take my business to Barnes and Noble. He snapped back: we tend not to carry books by old, dead white men. Holy hell. I felt like mentioning that he was a man who happened to be blindingly white (likely from writing his failing novel in his parents dark, damp basement) but I decided against it. Decided to go back a second time--trying to give it the benefit of the doubt. BIG MISTAKE. Same terrible treatment/attitude. Save yourself. Hop on the L and go to Strand. You've been warned.

This is my kind of bookstore: the kind that is teeming with books from floor to ceiling, from within and without; the kind where you're bound to come upon a serendipitous, rare find; the kind with a placid, pettable, portly resident cat; the kind with kind employees. The store had me at its whimsical, alliterative, and apt name before I even ventured inside. Once inside, I was impressed with the piles of used classics in the entrance way, the immaculate table of interesting new books at the center of the store, and the selection of art books. I found a one-of-a kind Francophile comic book / zine / graphic novel that resembled Betty & Veronica, Madeline, and New Yorker Cartoons for only $1. I also found a discounted mass-market paperback. As I went to check out, I appreciated the fact that, stacked near the register and a sprawled-out Tuxedo cat, were copies of Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself," the words of which still ring true in the Brooklyn of today: "I hear bravuras of birds, bustle of growing wheat, gossip of flames, clack of sticks cooking my meals. I hear the sound I love, the sound of the human voice, I hear all sounds running together, combined, fused or following, Sounds of the city and sounds out of the city, sounds of the day and night, Talkative young ones to those that like them, the loud laugh of work-people at their meals, The angry base of disjointed friendship, the faint tones of the sick, The ring of alarm-bells, the cry of fire, the whirr of swift-streaking engines and hose-carts with premonitory tinkles and color'd lights, Voyaging to every port to dicker and adventure, Hurrying with the modern crowd as eager and flickle as any, Hot toward one I hate, ready in my madness to knife him, Solitary at midnight in my back yard, my thoughts gone from me a long while, Speeding through space, speeding through heaven and the stars, Speeding amid the seven satellites and the broad ring, and the diameter of eighty thousand miles, Speeding with tail'd meteors, throwing fire-balls like the rest, Storming, enjoying, planning, loving, cautioning, Backing and filling, appearing and disappearing, I tread day and night such roads."

I cannot believe what I heard at this bookstore the other night the older man who is probably the owner of the store, and I tried to forget but cannot hold back say something about this. While I was at store on the past Sunday night, the guy started to talk about a girl who was in front of him about how asian woman like her fake their eye size by make up. If he thought nobody could hear what he was talking, he must be having some problems with his year or something, I was 15 ft or more away from him who was seating behind the counter desk, and could clearly hear him, there is no way that she could not hear who was very close to the store counter. I came in just to find a specific book that I thought they might carry, but the whole stereotypical and unnecessary conversation held in front of customers totally put my mood down. Seriously I was so disappointed and disgusted for that the owner of the bookstore insult a lady in front of him so loudly, and seemed he did not realize at all he should have shut up. It could be slightly better if he was just a man on street with no education, but hey he is an owner or worker of the book store, which seemed to be proud of what they have got there.

I've bought books and magazines here since 1999. There's always a fantastic selection of new and used books, especially in modern and contemporary art and theory, which is what I mostly buy.

I've been here five or six times because I've never been very good at learning my lesson. I read a shit ton. I try not to do the Amazon thing or the B&N thing when I can help it. Alas, I return to a place that doesn't want me to return. These guys 1) have never once had what I was looking for. They 2) are overpriced. They 3) have no conceivable system of placing their books in order. They 4) are just kind of mean. They're just these kind of mean, shitty guys. Seriously, fuck this place. The positive reviews here are insane. Are the people who post them tourists? Did they stumble into this place drunk? "Oh," they might have said, "an independent book store! How quaint! I love independent bookstores. Independent bookstores are good things always no matter what. Obama!" Did they not want to actually buy books? Spoonbill is a kind of dusty, quiet, low-level hell. It's an unfriendly wasteland. It's, like, every negative stereotype of North Brooklyn but with none of the cool shit you get out of living in North Brooklyn. Go somewhere else. Go to literally any other bookstore in NYC.

My company was charming. So begins the great book "Venus In Furs" by Leopold Von-Sacher Masoch. The genius who thus gave us the word masochism. Similar to Brandonism which I now give you, but I ask no condolence, I'm just a hopeless romantic. I only suggest that you not overlook the back wall and any nooks/crannies at Spoonbill & Sugartown. It was here I found the first US printing of Venus in Furs, in very good condition for what is clearly a heavily fondled book (since 1947). It was like 12 bucks too. If you ever want to buy me a present go ahead and check there. Great niche bookstore.

It was a Friday afternoon when I got caught in here by an intense rainstorm. I was surprised at the great selection of books, moleskin notebooks, cards, and post cards. Could have bought half the store. Though small it had a lot to offer. Was a cozy escape from the storm raging outside. While enjoying my new found nook, I could not remember the name of the author of the current book I was reading and wanted to see if they had anything else by him. Reasonable enough I thought. First it took a bit to get the girl behind the counter's attention. Then she seemed really annoyed that I did not know who the author was. God! I'm such an idiot! Aggravated by my stupidity she rushed me over to where I could find his books and then immediately headed back to her gloomy perch behind the desk. Had to get back to sulking and ignoring the customers asap. If it wasn't for the terrible service I would have given this place 4-5 stars. But now I am unsure if I will even go back. It's not that I am needy but just having a friendly attitude goes a long way. Just saying, but what do I know....

Very good bookstore. Great curation. Great books on art, intellectual ideas. Design, architecture etc. perfect for writers and thinkers and artists. And it's in a great neighborhood too, with lots of cool shops and eateries and things to do.

I love the kinds of books that this well-sized shop stocks. But for the life of me, I just don't like this bookstore. I'm much more prone to stop by twice a year to browse the main displays than I am to actually ever buy anything here, and I feel kind of bad about that. Why don't I like this intelligent, independent used and new bookstore? It can't be their selection: They have great taste in art, design, and culture books. It might be because of their pricing: The prices are high, but then, some of the books are shorter runs or imports. And it might be because practically all they have are higher priced art and design books. The shop's not overly precious or pretentious, but it doesn't leave much room for the general reader -- or Brooklyn designers and writers on a budget that precludes coffee table books or $20 pamphlets. All that said, god love 'em. And more power to 'em.

Another Williamsburg establishment that I superficially want to dislike but that ends up being a harsh mirror for my true self. The good: Decent selection of (mostly non-academic) art, design and literature periodicals. Skews a little more "serious" than e.g. St. Mark's Books, which stocks more mindless fashion and music titles. The only such titles at S&S have deeper pretensions. Also good: The shelves near the front of the store on both sides and the table in the middle, all stocked with a rich and varied selection of art and design books by presses large and much smaller, with a few flashy continental philosophy and pop sociology volumes thrown in for good measure. Good and bad: the space itself, which feels tatty and on the weekends is so mobbed with hipsters pretending to read that you might as well be at the library at SVA. On weekdays it's a different story: the light is nice and it can actually be pleasant to browse a bit. Good and bad: the laidback, nerdy staff, who are the embodiment of clerical distance. They play great music (a steady stream of ultra-obscure, low-fi, dark electronics), and are frequently engaged in a spirited discussion about it with a patron or with each other. They'll take your money, and your questions, but they probably don't know the answer, especially if it's about fiction or poetry or any book that wasn't published by Sternberg or PAP in the last three months. . Bad: the selection of fiction, poetry, history, really any non-visual arts/architecture-related books. There's a table in the back with the latest editions of trendy/essential fiction (Bolano, Perec, Nabokov, et al), but that's really it. The shelves dedicated to fiction are second-rate and carelessly organized. Ultimately disturbing: The store's concept, honestly. Admittedly, I'm seduced by it, and I've spent a lot of time and money at S&S, lost in the fantasy that the volume in my hand will finally fill the void in my life. But at heart it's hard not to see it as a very rarified gift store, where the emphasis is on books that above all else look great, seem sophisticated, and will impress your friends. And they will! And it's a great bookstore. Just be prepared to ask yourself why you like it so much.

A pretty decent independent bookseller. A nice selection of titles-although nothing mind-blowing-which you will enjoy perusing if you have an hour or so to kill. There are better bookstores in the borough, but Spoonbill is definitely worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood. As several people have alluded to in earlier reviews, the staff leaves something to be desired. When you notice the employees at all and try to interact with them at any level you almost immediately regret the decision. They have that soulless, dead inside countenance that only comes with living in New York City and working in a job that they could have just as easily occupied in Ames, Iowa or Brattleboro, Vermont. The physical layout of the store can be either a positive or a negative, depending upon your perspective. It has the vertical, overpowering look that makes the customer feel like he's drowning in books and resembles the old Strand. Personally, I enjoy that part of the book-buying experience, but I know other people feel differently. Overall, Spoonbill is worth visiting, although I can't say that it really stands out in a city with some fantastic independent bookstores.

If you're looking for several dozen copies of the same Bukowski anthology, look no further...but if your heart aches for something more, don't bother with Spoonbill & Sugartown, their selection is slim, and the folks who work there would rather not lift a finger to help you find a good read. Perfect example: the last time I was there, I asked an employee if she knew whether I could find a copy of the complete works of then-recently recently deceased poet Wislawa Szymborska (literally, she had passed that week, and most of my usual go-to bookstores, like Strand, were completely sold out of her work)--to my dismay, the employee shrugged and said "I dunno," to which I responded, "can you check your inventory?" You'd think I'd get a better answer than a second "I dunno," but, alas! This place is just too cool for itself, I suppose.

Good book selection, gets super packed on weekends. They're got some cute journals as well - typical moleskins, some unique ones as well (all girly looking). Unfortunately, the guys aren't the friendliest. When I ask questions, don't sass at me as if my question was THAT outlandish. And if you don't have what I'm looking for, perhaps adding an "I'm sorry" at the end may help out with better ratings.

One of my favorite bookstores in the country. Knowledgeable staff, amazing selection, well curated, and perfectly organized. One of the best places in the neighborhood to spend a half hour of your afternoon.

A giant Sheena Easton sketch book on the shelf. Probably from circa-1986, as the cover was somewhere between "Morning Train" Sheena and "U Got The Look" Sheena. More like Trapper Keeper Sheena. What the hell is Sheena doing here in the first place? It didn't matter. It's Williamsburg and it's consciously ironic. I bought said sketch book for a friend, who was a big-time sketcher in a yesteryear. Of animals such as unicorns and pegasuses (pegasi?) and maybe even narwhals. But times have changed, and instead of sketching scenes from the Neverending Story she's diligently doing practice logic questions for the LSAT in it instead. So even though one has no idea where Sheena Easton's career is these days, the Scot is still of some use. Academic use, even. All because of this here Spoonbill & Sugartown. But this place isn't all about sketchbook covers of every artist featured on "Behind The Music". It also has a lot of great books - fiction, nonfiction, art/photography, music, snarky pseudo-children's books, snarky books in general, and a lot of stuff you'll never come across while wandering through a Barnes & Noble or a Borders (when Borders was still alive, anyway). S&S also features a bunch of higher-end stationary and funky hand-made journals for those who are into that kind of stuff. And a cat. A bona fide live cat. Meandering about the store. All nonchalant. Then stopping to look at you, the interloper without a mustache, with bored acknowledgement. Even the cats! Give it a fixie already. 4 stars

You can rely on S&S for subway book bling. Periodical selection is great--there are precious few bespoke titles you can't find. But I do wish their fiction section carried more muscular titles, like perhaps an occasional NYRB revival, or a hand-selected international translation, instead of just the usual trendy Bolaño and Murakami. S&S specializes in books on "contemporary art, art history, architecture, and various design fields." But for the good of Williamsburg, they need to stock more standards, classics and contrarian tomes (surely not everyone can agree with Zizek?). I have to remind myself I'm in an art book store when I get frustrated with the nonfiction selection, which, when extant, is often as intellectually immature as a graphic design student who calls himself an "emerging media artist" and just discovered Foucault.