We’re privileged, we book-loving New Yorkers, and we don’t even know it. As dedicated readers and writers, rarely do we experience a dearth of the corporate-dominated meccas as well as the slew of mom and pop shops that dot all areas of the city. If you’re looking for a book and you have to be in New York, odds are you will find it. You will find signed first editions, perhaps the dog-eared author’s copy, pen marks canvassing the insides. You want your foamy chai latte and a whole floor to devour the latest cookbooks, trash magazines, and plan that possible trip to Peru - then visit the closes Barnes and Nobles. No worries, they’re careful to be within a mile radius of one another.

However, if your palate is a touch more discriminating, visit 192 books. Owner, Jack MacRae, is practically an institution in the New York literary and arts scene. This is a man who knew everyone and always dishes great stories. The bookstores featuring key works of literature and history, art and criticism, the social and natural sciences, travel and children’s books, and more - you could tell all the books on the shelves and tables were chosen with particular and refined care. Careful to ensure that all the books, works of part, connect and disconnect in some interesting and pivotal way.

In addition to regularly presenting art exhibitions accompanied by a selection of titles relating to the artists or the theme explored, the store hosts reservation-only reading/speaking engagements with the world’s eminent authors: Veronica Gaitskill, Salman Rushdie, Joan Didion, Paul Auster, Paula Fox, just to name a few.

192 Books operates purely for the aficionado. Dig up those hard-to-find books on the obscure German artist you love, purchase the definitive book on New York architecture, and with a knowledgable staff, they’ll have find a new author to fall in love with.

192 Books
192 Tenth Avenue at 21st
New York, NY
Subway: C/E to 23rd Street

Relaxin' Girl | Email | Print | //

At Grounded on Jane Street, a sun-drenched cafe hidden on the side streets of Greenwich Village, I was greeted by swirling ceiling fans and free wireless internet connectivity - crucial for the freelance writer in need of a quick java fix. Decidedly non-Starbucks, which has evolved to the Duane Reade of over-priced coffee shops, Grounded has a distinct downtown flavor, as single folks, buried in their laptop, indulging on oatmeal cookies and luscious mochas, quietly occupy each table. Cell phones are on low buzz, and all the accoutrements of the corporate set - vanished.

Grounded is the ideal spot for those who want to mellow out or get work done. Finish that screenplay, put the finishing touches on the novel, or launch a new business - this office is certainly wallet-friendly.

With a fine selection or organic teas (raves for the blackberry and jasmine, both which were sampled by yours truly) and the yummy biscotti, plus some delicious, heady ground organic coffee, this is my new favorite haunt for sipping and sampling newspapers. Most of the sandwiches and sweets are organic and natural as well.

Grounded
28 Jane Street
New York, NY
212-647-0943
Subway: A/C/E to 14th Street

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If you’re jetting about on autopilot, you very well might miss Sympathy for the Kettle, a magical oasis in the uber-hip East Village where the vibe is decidedly rock and roll. This teeny haven serves up a smattering (150+) of organic, free-trade, and luscious mix-brewed teas in teapots from the dainty to the Orient. Don’t be deceived by the softly-lit wire lamps, serene pink walls, and the display cases filled with whimsical china cups, sterling silver tea strainers, and aficionado books - owner, Jodi Holiday, stocks up whimsy alongside a rock and roll edge (from the tattoos to the Page and Plant blaring from the stereo).

But the teas are nothing short of divine. Holiday serves up the classic mainstays: earl grey, english breakfast, however, she’s creative, much like an obsessed French perfumier, creating new blends such as a Provencal blend of black teas and lavender. Customers have a choice of kettle teas, healing teas (infused with date, ginger citron or quince) or their famous honey/green tea lattes.

While the majority of their teas are from China, Sri Lanka, Japan, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and emerging Rwanda, Kettle also offer herbs from South Africa, Argentina, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, France and the United States (including ginseng from Wisconsin and organic peppermint from Oregon).

So if you’re interested in proper tea with an edge, visit this favored East Village haunt where the teas and homemade treats (palmiers, scones) never fall short on flavor.

Sympathy for the Kettle
109 St. Marks Place
New York, NY
212-979-1650

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