STRAND

A STORY for Introverts:

If you know, you know. My guess is a handful of introverted New Yorkers will read that title, and they’ll know. But, for the introverts who’ve fallen out of the loop and the extroverts brimming with curiosity, Strand is the massive indie bookstore rooted two blocks from Union Square Park. That’s right, I’m suggesting a wild adventure running through the aisles of classic fiction and smelling the earthy musk of old and new books mingling in a field of imagination.

Maybe it’s not the kind of romp you’d expect a group of fun-loving extroverts to seek out, but this one just holds a large corner of our hearts, and it’s worth being said. Think of it this way (and don’t mind the generalizations): extroverts engage in the kind of adventures that get their stories in books and on screens, and introverts love escaping into other people’s stories without the travel commitment. So, if bookstores are the source of adventure and excitement, why wouldn’t we include them here? Especially one so established and bountiful.

Alright, that might be a stretch. Nudging you toward a bookstore will likely only heighten your reclusive tendencies. But don’t you feel like the main character when you walk up to those double doors with “Bookstore” splashed across the glass? Can’t you feel the audience’s eyes on you when you scan that pile looking for the most striking title? And when you pluck the perfect book from the top shelf, they grin to mimic yours because they know. That’s extrovert energy, and Strand offers triple what other basic bookstores offer. I think we can agree that there’s plenty of excitement to be had when hunting down your most wanted list.

Now that we’re on the same page, have you seen this enchanting place? Multiple floors of every genre, cute knickknacks (I mean actually cute, not just novelties), vinyl records, and an indie coffee stand in the back corner (not just the burnt Bucks we’re all getting sick of). You can even sell them your old books and buy signed copies of new/popular books. Of course, most of these things can be found at your nearby Barnes & Noble, but let’s be honest. We’re just the type of people who’d rather support our indie spots because (drumroll) we like that sense of community! Yep, it turns out this was a group activity the whole time.

Just-So-You-Know DETAILS:

I won’t regurgitate the about page from strandbooks.com here, but it’s worth a read if you have a few minutes. However, I will tell you to mark your calendars. Five years from now, in 2027, when this beautiful store hits its centennial. Celebrating 100 years of business will undoubtedly be the kind of spectacle we can all enjoy, and it doesn’t feel premature to start mentally preparing for it.

The GIST – Should You Visit Strand?

Unfortunately, statistics show the average American adult doesn’t do a lot of reading these days. So, I understand why hanging out in a bookstore isn’t at the top of everyone’s list of fun things to do. And I acknowledge there’s probably some bias in my suggestion because I am, after all, an English and Creative Writing student. I still maintain that the euphoria experienced in a classic indie bookstore is for everyone, and there are few better places to find it in NYC than Strand. My one note: Strand, if you’re reading this, how about expanding your horror section?

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Originally published on August 12, 2022.

Find rare selections from the Strand Bookstore site.

Looking for another quiet corner? Read about the Museum of the City of New York here.