Indie Bookstores - Hubs for Social Activism in NYC

Apr 27

I don’t have anything against Barnes and Noble. I really don’t. But, sometimes I just want to wander into a bookstore, and rather than see sign posts that read, “classics” and “poetry” I’d prefer to see ads that say, “Unfuck your Series.” It’s reasons like this that New York City needs to support our indie bookstores. The quirky, brazen, elements of indie bookstores are social statements in and of themselves.

Speaking of social and political causes, do you have yours yet? Because it’s 2021, so apparently, you ought to have a cause that you champion. If not, Indie bookstores are a marvelous place to learn how to do that. New York City has always been a hotbed for political and social activism. Bookstores, good ones anyway, have historically been places for bright minds and leaders of change to meet, research, and discuss enacting change.

Here are a few of our favorites.

McNally Jackson Independent Booksellers and Cafe.

I’ve never wandered into a bookstore and saw a shelf dedicated to Icelandic literature. For years, I’ve had an affinity with the country and have been Googling Icelandic books that I might want to read, but to no avail. All I had to do, apparently, was wander into McNally’s. It turns out that the store arranges its categories by nation. If you’re looking for books about certain countries, set in those same places, or even authors from the far corners of the world (Nigeria? Yes please.) McNally’s has it. But, this place has more than books set in Reykjavik. There’s books like Grapefruit in which Yoko Ono gives life advice. Other unique sections include, “New York Urbanism” where you can choose works discussing just about everything related to city living, from Brooklyn hipsters to the impacts of gentrification. Don’t forget to check out the cool events and classes on offer here. Some choices include discussing Virginia Woolfe, a seminar on Ulysses, a playwright boot-camp, and a meeting to discuss The Curie Society.

The Information:

Nolita
52 Prince Street
212-274 – 1160

Williamsburg
76 N. 4th Street
718-387-0115

Seaport
4 Fulton Street
646-964-4232

Downtown Brooklyn
445 Albee Square West
Unit G112
718-422-7780

Idlewild Bookstore.

Understanding the cultures of others helps people not only become more tolerant of others, but excited by and interested in different types of people. The Idlewild seeks to forge those connections by creating a global experience within its stores. The shelves are chock full of books that inspire readers to go beyond their city and venture out in the world. Beyond its inventory, Idlewood is infamous for its language classes with offerings in German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Unique events include virtual tour and book pairings. Meaning, the store gives suggestions for online tours that take your to a certain country, and a list of books on that place to check out afterward.

The Information:

170 7th Avenue S
New York, NY 10014
212-414-8888

Bluestockings Cooperative.

Check this out. Not only is Bluestockings incredibly radical, they’re the only queer, trans, and sex worker run bookstore in New York. This Lower East Side locale goes beyond being a bookstore and also serves as an activism center and safe space for the community. It’s a worker cooperative meaning that all workers decide and discuss the working conditions and future of the business. Expect to find a ton of feminist literature here, and the idea of “feminism” really runs the gamete. In addition, there’s a heap of literature on sex work, urbanism, class and labor, disability literature, race studies, and queer studies. If you were looking for your cause, or just to brush up on the hot social ideals of our day, there’s probably no better place. There’s a feminist literature club that meets fairly regularly. In addition, you’ll find events such as, Prison Library Support Network Book Club and Anarchists Care About Books.

The Information:

116 Suffolk Street
New York, NY 10002
917-409-0440
info@bluestockings.com

Housing Works Bookstore.

For over three decades this indie bookstore has used a harm reduction framework to help the most vulnerable of those living in New York City. The entire inventory of this place is from donations only. The staff is comprised of volunteers. All of the events are either low cost or free. As if that’s not enough, all of the proceeds go towards those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Housing Works proudly advocates for the needs of those living with the virus, including work to preserve New York’s Safety Net. In addition, Housing Works works with a number of partners to bring health services to those in need wherever they are in the city including legal services, housing, and a program called Ready for Work which helps those with chronic illness develop career skills.

The Information:

126 Crosby Street
New York, NY 10012
212-334-3324

WORD Bookstore.

There’s a book club for everyone at this beloved Greenpoint bookstore. The “Show Me the Women” group meets to discuss memoirs and biographies about females from all around the world and from a variety of time periods. The “Well Read Black Girl” book club aims to discover themselves through works from women of color. For fans of all things on mindfulness, meditation, and students of Thich Nhat Hanh, there’s the “Sangha” book club which meets in Newark. And last, if you happen to be an extraterrestrial, or just an alien enthusiast, feel free to join the “Alien Autopsy” gang to read and discuss books on outer space, the occult, true crime, and conspiracy theories.

The Information:

126 FRANKLIN ST
BROOKLYN, NY 11222
718-383-0096
NOW OPEN EVERY DAY 11AM-6PM
BROOKLYN@WORDBOOKSTORES.COM

Stephanie A.

Stephanie once found herself very nearly kicked out of the Morgan Museum and Library for weeping incessantly over a lock of Mary Shelley’s hair on display. Apparently the other patrons found that disturbing. Beyond that though, Stephanie is a freelance writer, novelist and owner of the Wandering Why Traveler brand. She lives in the ‘Little Odessa’ part of Brooklyn where’s she’s been studying Russian for nearly a decade yet hasn’t learned jack-shit about the language, somehow. It’s probably because she’s always consumed in art history seminars, museum visits, and indie bookstores. She’s a voracious reader, a prolific writer, and enjoys both the glitter and grit of New York City. An ‘old soul’ is how she describes herself because of her love of classics, actors like Marlon Brando, and penchant for Van Morrison, Motown, and early bedtimes.

Indie Bookstores - Hubs for Social Activism in NYC