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Best Used Bookstores In New York City

Browse the stacks at the Strand Book Store
(image courtesy of The Strand Book Store)

Heads up New York City! Drop Everything and Read Day is on April 12! What better way to celebrate than with the gift of reading? Are you in the market for a new book? Have a pile of old paperbacks or hardbacks you're looking to sell? Check out these five used bookstores in the Big Apple.

Strand Book Store
828 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-1452
strandbooks.com

The Strand Book Store has been a NYC staple for 86 years and now carries more than 2.5 million new and used books. Book topics range from Shakespeare's plays and philosophy to gardening and self help, and the store also offers unique literary products and gifts. Strand will purchase good quality used books and textbooks. For more information on how to sell your used books, visit the "Sell Your Books" section on Strand's website.

East Village Books
99 St. Mark's Place
New York, NY 10009
(212) 477-8647
buyusedbooksnewyork.com

Located on the Lower East Side, East Village Books buys and sells a wide variety of used books. Book selections include art, photography, philosophy and math books, scholarly libraries and more. East Village Books is known to pay the highest price for scholarly libraries, and prides itself in its specialty, estate libraries. Have any academic textbooks lying around? The store also buys and sells current edition textbooks on any subject including Greek and Latin, religion, critical theory, counter-culture, along with numerous other topics. Book donations are also accepted and help replenish East Village Books fund for non-profits.

Westsider Rare and Used Books
2246 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(212) 362-0706
westsiderbooks.com

Westsider Rare and Used Books is a hidden gem on the Upper West Side. The store buys, sells and trades used books that are organized in an impressive floor-to-ceiling fashion. If you have any old books to sell, make sure to call the store in advance to ensure a buyer will be present. Note: Westsider Rare and Used Books does not buy textbooks. The store also has a record store located on 72nd Street, and sells its products online.

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Unnameable Books
600 Vanderbilt Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 789-1534
unnameablebooks.blogspot.com

Unnameable Books is nice and cozy, filled with books, and close to Ample Hills Creamery, one of the best ice cream shops in the city. What could be better? Unnameable Books is a small bookstore located in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, offering a great selection of used books. The bookstore also buys used and new books. After browsing, buying, and/or selling, make sure to visit Ample Hills Creamery to satisfy that sweet tooth!

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby St.
New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-3324
housingworksbookstore.org

Head downtown to the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe and relax with some books and delectable bites. In addition to selling tons of used books, the bookstore operates a full cafe with a menu that strives to cook and bake with local seasonal ingredients, and serves beer and wine! Housing Works Bookstore Cafe takes book donations that support Housing Works, a nonprofit that helps those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the bookstore cafe is available for rental.

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Lanya Trypupenko is a freelance writer living in NYC and covering all things New York. She is a self-proclaimed shopaholic who is always on the lookout for the latest trends and deals. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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