Three Lives & Company

Book store · West Village

Three Lives & Company

Book store · West Village

154 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

Highlights

Charming neighborhood bookshop with a curated mix of hardcovers and paperbacks, inviting readers in since 1968.

154 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014 Get directions

threelives.com

@michelinguide

"A favorite bookstore offering a great selection of books with a knowledgeable staff." - Kevin Chau

A Conversation with Chef Dan Silverman of The Standard Grill

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@onthegrid

"As they say on the company’s website, it’s “one of the greatest bookstores on the face of the Earth.” and we completely agree. The tiny bookstore is like a good friend’s living room jammed full of excellent books. Named after Gertrude Stein’s first published book, Three Lives & Company is one of a small number of independent bookstores remaining in NYC. The staff are dedicated to passionate readers and the local community. It’s just an enchanting place to visit." - Superficial Studio

On the Grid : Three Lives & Company

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@goop

"A longtime mainstay in the village, the hand-picked selection at this crammed and cozy little shop is amplified by the store's incredible staff and their spot-on recommendations. Unsurprisingly, readings here are a warm and intimate experience. "

The West Village & Soho Guide

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@onthegrid

"Three Lives & Company, West Village by Superficial Studio. As they say on the company’s website, it’s “one of the greatest bookstores on the face of the Earth.” and we completely agree. The tiny bookstore is like a good friend’s living room jammed full of excellent books. Named after Gertrude Stein’s first published book, Three Lives & Company is one of a small number of independent bookstores remaining in NYC. The staff are dedicated to passionate readers and the local community. It’s just an enchanting place to visit."

New York City

View Postcard for Three Lives & Company

@coolstuff.nyc

"For new titles from authors who probably live around the corner" - Coolstuff Team

coolstuff.nyc

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Lacey Devlin

Google

The staff was so warm, inviting and helpful! Also this little shop is beautiful and very photogenic. They stock a great selection of current popular books and more specialize genres. I’m impressed they can get so much variety in their little shop! One staff member was also kind enough to recommend a coffee shop/ florist around the corner that was a perfect sunny spot to read and enjoy my new book! A wonderful experience all around!

Alanna Smith

Google

Adorable bookstore with a large selection in a cozy space. Staff was very friendly and I found a couple new reads to bring home with me. Lovely for an afternoon browse!

Dean Varsos

Google

A lovely book store in a very beautiful location. Its plentiful selection offers options to all types of readers and interests. As a history reader, I found a particular book that peaked my interest, titled “The Island at the Center of the World” by Russell Shorto, which is the story of Dutch Manhattan before it was seized by the British in 1664. A very compelling read so far. In addition, the staff was very welcoming and helpful. A great all around experience.

Linda Cheng

Google

It’s a really cute bookstores with great selection and competitive price. It’s a popular spot on Instagram as well. A lot of people go there to take photos. It’s conveniently located in the heart of west village, with a lot of charming cafes and restaurants nearby. Please visit this local store and make it a stop of your New York visit.

Zara Yaqoob

Google

Such a lovely little indie bookstore. Great selection, nice ambience and helpful staff.

Sydney Ott

Google

A dream bookstore. I stopped by wanting to purchase a book, but there were too many good options to narrow it down to just one. Inside was warm and the music was so peaceful. I almost wish they had chairs to sit and enjoy the atmosphere while reading! I’d love to return and actually make a purchase.

melissa wasserman

Google

Charming West Village book store with a great selection and helpful, friendly staff. Highly recommended. They also have some great author events and signed editions.

Saminda Wijegunawardena

Google

Cute but very, very small bookstore, think single file lanes throughout this corner spot. Well curated selections but just a bit too cramped to feel comfortable to be able to browse, at least on a weekend.

Michael C.

Yelp

This place is really cute and situated in a quiet area. The building is really pretty from the outside. The selection of books is very limited compared to other independent bookstores in NYC and I found it hard to locate anything of interest. Books were mostly full price. If there were any on sale, they weren't clearly noted. Those working didn't greet me when I walked into the small space (I was literally the only person in there) and were not helpful at all. They were more focused on bickering with and berating each other. It made for a really awkward and tense environment. I left without purchasing anything and likely won't be back.

Sarah P.

Yelp

The perfect local bookstore. When I envision a perfect Sunday I think of grabbing a coffee and walking around a neighborhood and popping into a good bookstore. This is that vision. The staff are kind and always helpful. Definitely will continue to support this buisness!

Austin S.

Yelp

Great bookstore in the heart of west village. Lots of great selection and I appreciate the store is tidy, clean, and organized. I'd stop back by next time in the area to browse and select my next read. No bathroom but that may be too much to ask for.

Monica T.

Yelp

A great bookstore with a decent selection. It may not be the Strand but it's far less crowded and more personal. I came here with a friend and just spent my time browsing as my financial resources are far more limited these days and I'd already bought some items from another small bookstore that I haven't even fully read yet. However, if you're looking for a small bookstore to support and patronize with the cash to buy something, this one is definitely worth the visit and time since it's clean, the staff isn't overly intrusive and they seem to have earned regard with their customers. I wasn't even familiar with it before despite having been in the neighborhood so many times over many years.

Hannah H.

Yelp

Three Lives & Company is small little corner bookstore that has a great selection of books and diverse authors - the staff here are friendly and are readily to assist to make recommendations or point you in the right direction. Everything is displayed well, and you could very well spend a good chunk of time perusing through their collection. The bookstore also hosts in-store reading events, so check their site often; you can also sign-up for their emailing list to get a heads up. Nice spot to stop by if you're a bibliophile. +great selection of books and diverse authors

Johnny N.

Yelp

I was wandering aimlessly throughout West Village, and this bookstore caught my eye but I had 0 intention of going in. I was reminiscing on last summer when I was in Italy, as the weather yesterday felt as if it had been imported straight from Positano. My mom would NOT stop talking about this book she read called "One Italian Summer," and we HAD to go to all the places that the protagonist went to in the book. Gotta love Nanc for that though, you can't teach passion. All of this created the perfect storm for me to think "I wonder if they have that book in there." I sh*t you not, I rear my head to the left and that book is staring right at me. Looking me dead in my brown eyes. See attached picture. If there's one thing I've learned it's that you need to listen to the omens, and you can't stop the spirits when they need you. I went in and bought the book. The staff was super helpful and said I had made a great choice. The big red doors on the exterior invite you in like your auntie does when you go to her house on Thanksgiving. The interior of the bookstore felt exactly how I would want it to feel. Clean without feeling sterile, and almost like you are just in a room in your house. Yeah, it feels like home. Great energy in there. They also take Apple Pay which is always a W.

Kate C.

Yelp

Very cute neighborhood bookstore with a solid and diverse selection of books. I have to stop into every local bookstore I see and I always walk away with a new gem. It was a bit crowded on a Sunday afternoon but I love to see people buying books so I didn't mind!

Rodney P.

Yelp

I went here every Saturday morning for years and years, even when it was in the seventh Avenue location. It was wonderful there as were the three original women who owned it. The new owner has a great sense of value, intellectually, and beauty inviting and book covers a great place to be.

Maggie B.

Yelp

This is a small, bustling bookshop. It was quite busy on a rainy Saturday afternoon. They don't have much seating except for a few scattered step stools. They seemed to have a good selection of fiction and travel books.

Victoria B.

Yelp

Best bookshop in the city! I have difficulty even knowing where to begin. Enchanting environment. A staff who are classy, courteous, humorous, & above all knowledgeable on all of the reads in there. Three Lives & Company has been able to special order books with quick delivery. This business is such a benefit to the neighborhood and absolutely to my life.

Tricia M.

Yelp

We stumbled upon this beautiful little bookstore, while strolling through the Village. And so glad that I did! Part of the joy of the visit for me was in listening to the conversations and witnessing the true mastery of the staff working here. They are beyond knowledgable about the books that they are selling and what people are reading right now. Someone stopped in to ask for suggestions for a new book club book and the man behind the counter walked over and gave some really thoughtful recommendations, talking about not only plot, but themes present in each story. I felt like I was eavesdropping in a college level English literature class! No Nicholas Sparks recommendations here! LOL! It was awesome and this place is keeping real reading alive! I bought a signed copy of "Sad Animal Babies" by Brooke Barker. And the book was signed by the author. I grabbed one with the drawn image of a giraffe and the salesman let me know that each book has a different animal inside and that we "hope you pick the animal you connect to" (or something like that), which was just AWESOME. Again, great store, great customer service, great NYC experience. Thanks for being here, Three Lives & Company!

Tom T.

Yelp

A small but very clean and well organized bookstore. They have an eclectic collection, and the store is very bright and organized.

Saul C.

Yelp

Cool, charming place with cool books... but there is a bit of snobbery in the air with staff over there. I remember asking to film there and the manager kinda smirked and belittled the idea. Anyway, Id still rather buy from them than Amazon, but I wish they were a bit more local vibe and less 2 cool 4 school.

Bonnie G.

Yelp

Today I cancelled my order on Amazon of a book and instead walked to Three Lives and supported this independent, cozy bookstore. Things you can't get on Amazon: Seeing the staff reading even as you walk up to the register. Hearing why they love the book you're about to get so much. Sifting through the Fiction section and smiling at a clever book cover. 5 stars!!!!!!

Tulsi M.

Yelp

I have found my new favorite city escape. This bookstore has a small town personality with the selection of the city. The team here is fantastic, everyone is sweet, and knowledgeable! Walked in hoping to kill time while I waited for my puppy's vet appt, but they've captured my attention. They have dog treats and allow dogs on leashes inside! COVID response: They are limiting the store to 5 customers at a time inside. Everyone is wearing masks and they have hand sanitizers everywhere.

Jennifer N.

Yelp

Great selection of books and excellent service. Some smaller bookstores can feel a bit bland, but this one is very present and charming. I left with what I needed and my puppy got a biscuit, so really everyone wins when they come into this store!

Div B.

Yelp

This is a lovely place if you're looking to abscond from the city. I could spend the entire day here -- the selection is vast, and the staff is always greatly hospitable.

Ginevra A.

Yelp

I heard about this place and on a Sunday morning I visited. It is well situated as there is a coffee shops nearby. The inside is cozy, well organized aNd kept. The most interesting part was listening to the conversations of the locals or owners while going throuGh the selection of books they have. I did not find what I was looking for but I did end up buying the best card of a map of the village!

Mariah M.

Yelp

Such a sweet little bookstore!! Walking into Three Lives and Company was like walking back in time. The books were stacked high to the ceiling and covered every inch of the little store. I could spend hours here. The only reasons I gave this magical place 4 stores instead of 5 is because there weren't any benches or seating arrangements, which didn't welcome people to stay longer. The sections also weren't very clearly marked, making it difficult to find specific types of books.

Elizabeth C.

Yelp

I miss their old location but was glad to stop into their temporary one. They didn't have what I was looking for but one of the booksellers asked what I was looking for, looked it up and offered to order it for me. He also offered other shops that might have it. A good experience even though their selection felt a bit more limited with the smaller space and the shop is small, which doesn't allow for much distancing.

Joe L.

Yelp

If you are looking for a place to get the latest NY Times bestseller, you probably shouldn't go here. It's not a major bookstore, and it definitely doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a Barnes & Noble megastore. And you know something, I'm totally fine with that. Three Lives & Company is small, cozy bookstore where I love to browse. It usually features authors and books that I've never heard about, but look interesting as I go through the pages. Also, being in Greenwich Village, it has a better than usual collection of books on LGBT issues or by LGBT authors. Basically, it's place that I love to stop by when I'm in the area. I've always felt welcome, and sometimes I find a great book that I wouldn't have ever noticed in a megastore. It's definitely worth a visit!

Andrew Y.

Yelp

One of my favorite book stores in the city. What Three Lives gets right (and Why it will always be superior to online shopping and larger retailer like Barnes &a Nobel) is that the selection of books is perfectly curated with all the fluff removed. The employees are so passionate and expert that it's great to have them make recommendations on what's worth reading when you're unsure. They're also an incredible community resource and host readings and little parties and all sorts of things. It's so much more than a regular book shop and is one of the most irreplaceable spots in NYC.

Ryan L.

Yelp

Kind, competent, and attentive staff who seem to have their entire catalog memorized and were able to quickly locate the book on my list that they had in stock. They've made appropriate changes for COVID safety, too!

Rodger S.

Yelp

Love this bookstore. An incredibly well-curated selection of fiction and non-fiction. And workers who clearly love everything about books and reading. Definitely worth visiting for anyone into books!

Jeff B.

Yelp

A pristine holdout against the suffering corporate brick and mortar bookstores and the Amazonian behemoth, this West Village Store is well stocked, staffed earnestly, and ever helpful to locals who want to buck the internet.

Jack Z.

Yelp

By stocking a tight thoughtful selection of books, this bookstore emphasizes quality over quantity. If form follows function, as much space as possible has been allocated to books, with a few display tables, bookshelves on every wall, and only one available chair maybe as a precaution. Not much of a serious reader yet, but I enjoyed the way the books are organized. Usually by subject/theme and for more prolific authors, their books are grouped together. By design, this store will deter those using the store for purposes other than light conversation and book browsing. Really valuable little cornerstone, I was there for an hour or so sifting and searching the shelves.

Grey V.

Yelp

Obsessed with this place. Here are the top points: Huge and wonderful selection No bathroom No seating Fabulous staff My partner and I popped in for some books to read on the subway and found two reads! They have a dollar book sale happening later this summer and I cannot wait to get some great books! Wonderful place to shop, I cannot wait to finish these books and come back.

Penelope K.

Yelp

I love this bookstore. Even the temporary location is perfection. The store is so pretty, the selection of books so fantastic, and the staff so knowledgeable helpful and gracious you'll want to spend every afternoon and every paycheck there.

Caroline D.

Yelp

I live right around the corner from this place and usually go to Strand, but figured I'd give this smaller shop a go. Unfortunately, no one greeted me or asked if they could help. Instead, they stood around having pretentious convos with one another. Felt like I'd walked into a dinner party uninvited, not a local business. Looks like they would've had a good selection otherwise. :)

Tushar N.

Yelp

They held a book for me when another bookstore called. The staff is friendly and the interior is very welcoming albeit cramped and not an open format, that being said I was able to find some gems I otherwise would have ignored. A good walk in bookstore on a whim.

Elaine W.

Yelp

Independent bookstores are like black holes for me. I'm drawn inside, even when I'm trying to go somewhere else--meet a friend, make a dinner appointment, you name it--I somehow end up inside their cozy interior, never to see the light of day... ...until I convince myself I can only escape by buying another book I don't need. An argument I can't win. So it was that I stumbled upon Three Lives & Company while strolling in these parts. The name itself seemed to beckon me, and it felt walking inside a book. I love their staff picks. That's usually the whole point of visiting an independent bookstore is to see the curated selection from the staff of people you would think are just as smart and weird as you. I usually don't talk to anyone when I'm in the black hole of an independent bookstore, preferring solitude as I walk gingerly around, eyes feasting on everything. But this time, I asked one of the staff members who was putting away some titles to recommend a book for my plane ride to San Diego. I told him I like something atmospheric, with great characters and drama. He recommended a few titles, of which I exerted all my willpower to select and purchase only one: David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas. No regrets. Great plane ride. Since then, I've read the book cover to cover and watched the movie twice. Four stars because you won't be getting any great steals, good deals here. Try bookbook down a few blocks for that.

Michelle B.

Yelp

I love this bookstore!!! My husband and I walked in there for a book not knowing what to buy. We perused around for a bit before I overheard the workers recommend books to other customers. I decided to ask them to recommend a book and the woman recommended two amazing books I would have never seen!! My husband asked for a recommendation and she recommended him an awesome book too!! It's been snowing all day today so we got to stay inside and read our captivating books!! So thankful we went there yesterday!! Thank you!!!

Jane L.

Yelp

Love walking in the West Village. The beautiful brownstones, cobblestone streets, with all the amazing bars and eateries. Here is an interesting rare find located on W 10th Street . Three Lives & Company is just so quaint. It is a small book store yet the amount of books it contains is massive. Right up my alley. Just brings me back to the movie "You"ve Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Three Lives & Company has readings in their bookstore just like in the movie. If you ever need some quiet time away from the big city stop by this bookstore and you will find yourself refreshed after perusing the book selections.

G B.

Yelp

this bookstore was very cute! i bought a blank birthday card. they have a select few cards but still very nice. friendly staff and its a nice smalltown bookstore.

James S.

Yelp

Favorite bookstore in all the boroughs. Curated selection, always something for me to buy. I judge a small bookstore by whether there is something for me to buy each time I go. I hate going into a nice locally owned bookstore and discovering I either have or don't want everything they have. That NEVER happens here!

Shana S.

Yelp

An absolute neighborhood gem! The kind of charming bookstore dreams are made of that you can get lost in for hours. This well curated bookstore is lovingly tended by the knowledgeable staff. They pack a surprisingly large selection in a relatively small space. And if they don't have it by chance, they will order it for you. Stroll by stop in if you're in the neighborhood it's right across the street from an irresistible ice cream store so it makes for a perfect afternoon.

Facundo L.

Yelp

I've worked in the neighborhood for quite a few years and I pop in every now and then. Today I came in to pick up a new release while on my lunch break. The older white woman who I assume is one of the owners cast me a cold, disdainful look as I entered and offered no greeting or welcome of any sort. Instead she walked past me as if I was invisible, to ostensibly continue some sort of inventory. I suppose she thought I didn't look like I had any money, or that my skin was a shade too dark for her liking. Terrible customer service and I won't be returning. I will also tell all my friends. It's sad because I prefer to patronize a brick and mortar small business but now I have to go shop online.

Katharine S.

Yelp

I came into this bookstore on a whim last weekend. It's small, but cute. There were TONS of books, but to be honest they weren't really the kind of novels I read. I was looking for those amazing NYT best sellers, etc. I saw some, but I mainly saw like really niche books - NYC books, history and culture books. I found two that I really liked and bought one. I just wish the store had more mainstream books, I guess.

Brianna S.

Yelp

Every Friday, since discovering TL&C, I try to make the effort to go down there and grab some reading material (then pop over to Jacks and Van Leuwen). The first time I visited I spent a considerable amount- I couldn't help myself! They have a great selection of books, recently published, quarterly magazines and reviews, and bestsellers. They've even ordered books for me and the process was quick and efficient. The small space is used effectively and the general organization and aesthetic is pleasing. Every employee I've encountered has been extremely helpful and I appreciate their attentiveness even during busier times. They also appreciate the customers' selections and always look for an opportunity to strike up a conversation during checkout. They are a little hesitant to give out bags- and that's great! I appreciate establishments who don't throw plastic bags away so easily. When it's a beautiful day I don't mind carrying my haul (complete with a TL&, bookmark)!

Haley E.

Yelp

Cute bookstore but the workers here are rude and not helpful. Won't be buying anything here unfortunately!

Emilee D.

Yelp

Favorite bookshop in the city. Kind, friendly, and intelligent staff. Places like this rarely exit anymore. We are lucky to them In the neighborhood... and always grateful for the staff recommendations!!!!!!

Alexis S.

Yelp

I love buying books here! One of my favorite things about this store is that sometimes you can find copies of books signed by the author.

Dax A.

Yelp

Beautiful condition in terms of the books themselves and the store. Huge selection of everything you can think of. I love it here.

Megan B.

Yelp

A dream of a bookshop, but it's real. Cozy and beautifully arranged, with staff who are passionate about reading. There's never a time when I'm in there that people aren't talking about something they just read that they loved, or debating what to delve into next. Three Lives is on my list of the top best things in life.

Brenda H.

Yelp

Everything an indie neighborhood bookstore should be! Friendly and well-read staff who are happy to let you browse or offer advice (if asked). Truly personal, caring service. And the stock! Every nook filled with interesting choices. No rows packed with 3, 5, 7 copies of the same bestseller. Feels well-curated. I could spend hours here...

Alex H.

Yelp

An amazing gem that adds to the charming staples of Greenwich Village small businesses. While not known for extensive stock/supply of genres, Three Lives has an eclectic choosing of genres like fiction, cookbooks, and my favorite, their New York section. Perfect place to gather the trendy read of the season, or discover a new favorite. With anything you pick in here, you can't go wrong. Every book in here feels like it's hand picked by trustworthy, but more-knowledgeable-than-you friend. Not to mention, the adorable exterior makes for one cute Instagram.

Jason H.

Yelp

Three Lives is heaven. I own a bookstore myself, a great little bookstore in its own right, and people always comment on how much they love it, but most of the time I just think to myself, "Yeah, I like it here, but you should go check out Three Lives." There aren't many places like this left in America. Author driven, carefully stocked, a place where literature seems to be not only alive but thriving. There's not a bad book in the place. The staff picks are revelatory. The store practically defines bookstore aesthetics. I could go on forever...

Gourmet G.

Yelp

You'll find a larger selection and pay less at any one of the bookstore chains, but there's much to be said for patronizing a shop that looks like it belongs in an old-time movie. A charming setting and a friendly staff make this a nice place to browse and hopefully buy. It's a throwback to a gentler age that's worth supporting, and worthy of five stars for having the gumption to battle the big guys.

John Y.

Yelp

Excellent neighborhood bookstore with an eclectic selection of books. I love shopping here and always leave happy.

@michelinguide

"A favorite bookstore offering a great selection of books with a knowledgeable staff." - Kevin Chau

A Conversation with Chef Dan Silverman of The Standard Grill

View Postcard for Three Lives & Company

@onthegrid

On the Grid : Three Lives & Company

View Postcard for Three Lives & Company

@goop

The West Village & Soho Guide

View Postcard for Three Lives & Company

@onthegrid

New York City

View Postcard for Three Lives & Company

@coolstuff.nyc

"For new titles from authors who probably live around the corner" - Coolstuff Team

coolstuff.nyc

View Postcard for Three Lives & Company

Lacey Devlin

Google

Alanna Smith

Google

Adorable bookstore with a large selection in a cozy space. Staff was very friendly and I found a couple new reads to bring home with me. Lovely for an afternoon browse!

Dean Varsos

Google

Linda Cheng

Google

Zara Yaqoob

Google

Such a lovely little indie bookstore. Great selection, nice ambience and helpful staff.

Sydney Ott

Google

melissa wasserman

Google

Charming West Village book store with a great selection and helpful, friendly staff. Highly recommended. They also have some great author events and signed editions.

Saminda Wijegunawardena

Google

Michael C.

Yelp

Sarah P.

Yelp

Austin S.

Yelp

Monica T.

Yelp

Hannah H.

Yelp

Johnny N.

Yelp

Kate C.

Yelp

Rodney P.

Yelp

Maggie B.

Yelp

Victoria B.

Yelp

Tricia M.

Yelp

Tom T.

Yelp

A small but very clean and well organized bookstore. They have an eclectic collection, and the store is very bright and organized.

Saul C.

Yelp

Bonnie G.

Yelp

Tulsi M.

Yelp

Jennifer N.

Yelp

Div B.

Yelp

This is a lovely place if you're looking to abscond from the city. I could spend the entire day here -- the selection is vast, and the staff is always greatly hospitable.

Ginevra A.

Yelp

Mariah M.

Yelp

Elizabeth C.

Yelp

Joe L.

Yelp

Andrew Y.

Yelp

Ryan L.

Yelp

Rodger S.

Yelp

Love this bookstore. An incredibly well-curated selection of fiction and non-fiction. And workers who clearly love everything about books and reading. Definitely worth visiting for anyone into books!

Jeff B.

Yelp

Jack Z.

Yelp

Grey V.

Yelp

Penelope K.

Yelp

Caroline D.

Yelp

Tushar N.

Yelp

Elaine W.

Yelp

Michelle B.

Yelp

Jane L.

Yelp

G B.

Yelp

this bookstore was very cute! i bought a blank birthday card. they have a select few cards but still very nice. friendly staff and its a nice smalltown bookstore.

James S.

Yelp

Shana S.

Yelp

Facundo L.

Yelp

Katharine S.

Yelp

Brianna S.

Yelp

Haley E.

Yelp

Cute bookstore but the workers here are rude and not helpful. Won't be buying anything here unfortunately!

Emilee D.

Yelp

Alexis S.

Yelp

I love buying books here! One of my favorite things about this store is that sometimes you can find copies of books signed by the author.

Dax A.

Yelp

Beautiful condition in terms of the books themselves and the store. Huge selection of everything you can think of. I love it here.

Megan B.

Yelp

Brenda H.

Yelp

Alex H.

Yelp

Jason H.

Yelp

Gourmet G.

Yelp

John Y.

Yelp

Excellent neighborhood bookstore with an eclectic selection of books. I love shopping here and always leave happy.