Three stories, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, endless sections, countless tales.  The Strand Bookstore encompasses a world of literature and written works spanning genres and time periods.   

I visited the Strand Bookstore’s main location, on 828 Broadway at 12th Street, with three friends during the Christmas Break.  As most people would assume, the stores are packed during the “most wonderful time of the year.”  The Strand was no different, however, there was a heightened energy and kindness in the crowd that would shock anyone visiting the state of New York.  These store goers were all united by one thing—their love of reading.  Despite the crowds, people were always willing to shift to the side to make room for a fellow book lover, which only added to the shoppers’ experience.  

The books themselves were the main form of decoration in the store.  Books were arranged according to genre, but the shelves that were immediately visible to the customers entering the shop were arranged by color and size, which captured their attention and encouraged them to traverse the depths of the store.  Since it was the holiday season, there were garlands and lights scattered throughout the store which complemented the trademark red of the Strand sign.   

Perusing the three levels of the store allowed shoppers to gain a different experience on each level. Not only were there new genres and works to be discovered, but the shoppers were able to see the store from various angles.  The first floor held the majority of the books and some other merchandise like records, sweatshirts, and tote bags.  The second floor was incredibly small but was filled with books on historical topics.  The third and final floor featured books on arts and sciences, like photography and psychology.  Another great utilization of the three levels was a cashier present on the first and third floors, which allowed customers to check out fairly quickly despite the packed store.            

Turning to the books themselves, the Strand truly appeals to all readers of any age.  Beyond the genres, the store offers new books, blind dates with a book, and even second-hand books sold at a discounted price.  The blind date with a book was an intriguing concept to pique a reader’s teeming curiosity.  The book was wrapped in paper and had an adage to describe the content hidden within; these included “A Love Story for all Star Signs,” “Gruesome and Disturbing Banned Book,” “Cli-Fi: One of Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2021,” and “A Tale of Corporate Greed and Environmental Ruin.”  While I was incredibly interested in the books, they were sold for around seventeen and eighteen dollars, which was more than I was willing to spend on one book.  Luckily there were books closer to my price range.  I purchased a new copy of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, which had a Strand-original cover.  The cover is white, with ornate detailing and a profile of Jane embossed in purple and teal.  I also bought second-hand copies of The Right Path by Nora Roberts and The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets by Molly Fader.  Typically, I do not like second-hand books; I will scour the shelves of Barnes and Noble looking for the most pristine copy of the book that I am purchasing.  However, the second-hand books from the Strand were of excellent quality and were only seven to eight dollars each.  In the end, I spent twenty-seven dollars on three books.   

I recommend “The Strand” to any book lover and I am excited to return for another visit.    

April 2023