St. Mark’s Bookshop
Neighborhood: East Village
Type of Place: Books
Description:
St. Mark’s Bookshop is New York’s most successful independent bookstore because it best reflects the neighborhood for which it serves—politically left leaning, sexually fluid, and artistically charged. Situated on Third Avenue between Eight and Ninth Streets and among three major colleges and universities—NYU, Cooper Union, and the New School—the store’s selection echoes many of the reading desires of those studying art, film, culture, and politics. And unlike the other remaining bookstores, St. Mark’s Bookshop also serves well many small independent mini and micro-presses, showcasing an impressive lot of chapbooks, poetry anthologies, and locally-produced ‘zines and pamphlets. Now celebrating its 34th anniversary, the owners of St. Mark’s Bookshop know their audience well and it shows.
Those with a love for the written word will not be disappointed; in fact, by the time you comb through the stacks, you’ll probably be wishing you had a fatter wallet. Upon entering, look first among the newest titles in art, photography, and graphic design. Here you’ll find many popular titles, such as artist monographs, books about graffiti, profiles of DIY trendsetters, the latest graphic novels and anthologies, and usually a few books about New York’s rich history and local lore. Next, check the wall of new fiction and nonfiction. Not only will you find plenty of copies of the coveted titles gracing the New York Times’ Best-Seller list, many are them are autographed.
Further back in the store awaits a hearty selection of fiction classics, including more obscure titles by everyone from Jonathan Franzen and David Foster Wallace to Dorothy Parker and Virginia Woolf, plus a thoughtful overview of major (and minor) poets. St. Mark’s also has a small LGBT section, one on women’s studies, and a vast selection of limited run foreign and domestic periodicals.
Those with scant time to browse or are otherwise low on funds will absolutely love the very rear of the shop that focuses on sale books and remainders. What is usually a waste of time in most other bookstores is instead a treasure trove at St. Mark’s Books. Look for inexpensive paperbacks of classic titles by William S. Burroughs, Cormac McCarthy, William T. Vollman, Martin Amis, and more, plus an expertly curated selection of art and photography books, memoirs, and usually a smattering of local history.
The shop itself is not only busting with interesting and thought-provoking titles, but the front and rear counters are devoted to plenty of odd and unusual editions, such as those with tiny trim sizes like pocket-sized books of lists or rye comments, the latest installments from McSweeney’s, specialty guidebooks, gift books, related DVDs, and more. Furthermore, the employees are friendly, helpful, and welcome questions.
Recently, St. Mark’s Bookshop has added regular author readings and signings to its agenda, yet another reason to stop buy this dynamic and forward-thinking bookstore, which is open until midnight seven days a week. Take off your dust jacket and stay a while. - Joann Jovinelly
St. Mark’s Bookshop
31 Third Avenue
(Eighth and Ninth Streets)
New York, NY 10003
(212) 260-7853
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