Category: | Book Store |
Address: | 536 W 112th St, New York, NY 10025, USA |
Phone: | +1 212-865-1588 |
Site: | bookculture.com |
Rating: | 4.4 |
Working: | 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 9AM–10PM 10AM–8PM 11AM–7PM |
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Erela Portugaly
They have a good collection of books, toys, accessories (such as backpacks) and small items. Its all "sophisticated" brands, You wont find Disney here or Mattel here. Which also means that its not cheap - most things are a little pricier then Amazon. But than again, its a local store thats a neighborhood feature, not a faceless conglomerate with unchecked power. There offer story time during weekends in various languages, mostly held by people from the neighborhood that wish to share their culture and find a community for their children. Theres a kids play room thats fantastic and is very popular especially over the winter, and its absolutely OK to spend the afternoon reading books without making a purchase. The staff is knowledgeable and patient and most of the time seems unbothered. It is not, sadly, wheelchair accessible. There was also conflict with the employer about two years ago when employees organized into a Union. The neighborhood got on their hind legs and it seems to have resolved, but keep an eye for labor justice.
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A Private User
Okay, probably not THE best, but its great. Its an intellectuals bookstore, so if youre in the mood for light fare, go to B&N. It has an excellent selection, incredible selection. I have found the staff friendly and helpful. Contrary to anothers claim, I was allow to return a book that I had purchased to teach because my desk copy hadnt arrived. However, while I was in there, a student tried to return a book and they wouldnt let him. He walked out and then all of the staff laughed. One of them said, student or local? And the other answered student. And they laughed again. I think they are a diabolical crew. Okay, that didnt really happen. But the "Evil bookstore" comment below made me imagine that. Probably a Tea Partier.
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Veronica Raft
Prices are higher than I think is reasonable, even in the clearance sections. However, the employees were extremely knowledgeable and polite. For example, I was thirsty and was in search of a drinking fountain; they didnt have one, but they trusted me to use tap water from the kitchen. Example 2: I asked if the store carried the book "Grit," something I didnt consider well-known, and without consulting a computer or card catalog, she said yes, listed the author, and in what section it would likely be found. I purchased a book because I was feeling deprived of literature, but it was so hard to decide amidst all the fresh choices.
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Mike H.
I will freely acknowledge that the new and used book selection here is excellent. The problem is that during the first few weeks of a new school semester, the store forces some (but not all) of its customers to check their bags at the entrance. When you are a younger customer, and you notice that all of the older customers get to keep their bags while you do not, you dont feel particularly welcome or wanted here. This bookstore is the closest to my apartment, so I continue to shop at it, but it would get so much more of my business if I didnt feel like a second class shopper on some of my visits.
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A Private User
The Good: This store has a great selection of both new and used books of any type - The best Ive found in New York other than the Strand. The Bad: Contrary to some other reviews Ive seen, I think the staff seems lobotomized. Ive never seen one of them smile or look like anything other than a person who would rather be anywhere but there. This makes the name of the store particularly ironic, since the vibe Ive gotten from the staff encourages lonely silent shopping, anything but culture. Id probably be in this store once a week or more if the staff wasnt such a drag.
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Jennifer Caine Leila
Lovely selection of books, a dedicated childrens area (although I still felt like my kids may have been a little too high energy - theyre 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 so theres no way to avoid their intrinsic oscillation - theirs were happy squeals, at least), the idea of being able to sit and write a handwritten card (they have a desk and note paper available in case youd like to jot someone a note - AWESOME!) is really great, and they carry our favorite brand of stuffed animal ("Jellycat"), and they have an elevator, which makes them stroller-friendly. Great experience!
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Aron Eidelman
Excellent selection of 20th century philosophy and cultural theory. The staff are generally very helpful. I travel all the way from Brighton Beach just to raid this place once a month. They definitely have someone making sure that the Deleuze section stays freshly stocked. The one problem is that Ive never seen the same faces working there. The only bookstore in NYC I can think of with a similar issue is Blue Stockings, which is entirely volunteer-driven. Id like to know at least one employee after having been a customer for three years.
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A Private User
Real haven for true intellectuals. I used to live in the neighborhood and I spent many hours going through their shelves. Book Culture, formerly Labyrinth Books, should be considered the best book store in the City. Maybe the only store that carries books that are all worth reading... I now leave in Greenwich and make the trip at least once a month to see the new additions. They have a great section upstairs for books on sale, including the childrens books. I love the place and hope that it will be there for many more years to come....
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Eric Morrison
The store itself is nice, I would give it four or five stars, but Im only giving it three because of the owners/upper management. Some other reviews have noted that the staff seem inattentive/rude/miserable, and I feel the need to explain that the reason for this is that they make next to nothing at these shops (I think like $8 or $9 to start, which is practically nothing in NYC - you can make more at McDonalds for goodness sake). They tried to unionize, and were instantly fired. Nice store, but not so nice business ethics.
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A Private User
Do NOT use their book buy-back "service" unless you have brand new, popular books. They treated me rather curtly and as if I was just looking for money. I was actually just looking for a good home for my old books. They dont seem very scholarly at all - even the older guy who I spoke with. But then again, I observed the way he treated someone else waiting for service. It wasnt very kind so I didnt take the whole affair too personally. In any case, dont think its like old-time-used-bookstore trade-in situations.
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charles j
Two thumbs up for independent book stores, those that survive. This store has a diverse selection of new books in subjects like politics, poetry, photography, urbanism and music. It also has used books and class books, apparently for Columbia students, which I have to assume is important in their survival. Besides helpful employees, they host and throw activities, from book groups to bagel brunches with live music, on a regular basis. If they have what you wane, help them survive by buying it here.
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Chad Shores
This shop has a surprising selection of books, despite being a smaller independent seller. They also have a loyalty program ($10 in credit for every $100 spent I believe) but they dont correlate your purchases between this location and their broadway location. Apparently, they use different computer systems to theyre unable to hold your information on both. Ive gotten excellent service from their employees and I always feel welcome when I stop in. This is a great landmark in Morningside Heights.