NYC/LA Bookstores for the Style-Conscious

In What's the Buzz by Edward Nawotka

The latest issue of GOOP — Gweneth Paltrow’s newsletter/blog — was guest edited by Julia Leach of Chance (a “bicoastal” style blogger). She offers her thoughts on what bookstores to visit on a lazy Saturday afternoon on either coast.

Her recommendations:

New York Bookstores

  • Clic Gallery (255 Centre St.): The best selection of new art and photography books in town
  • Idlewild Books (12 West 19th St.): Amazing selection of travel books and world literature
  • Dashwood Books (33 Bond St.): Independent bookstore dedicated to photography
  • Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks (163 West 10th St.): Vintage cookbooks stacked high (great for gifts)
  • McNally Jackson (52 Prince St.): Well edited selection of new releases, knowledgeable staff, great note cards and DVD selection

Los Angeles Bookstores

  • Kinokuniya Book Store (123 Astronaut E Onizuka St.): Head for Little Tokyo and pick up awesome Japanese design, style, and food magazines. Great office supplies too.
  • Diesel, A Book Store (Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St.): High quality books, helpful staff
  • Arcana (1229 Third Street Promenade): Great source for rare art, architecture, and design books
  • Traveler’s Bookcase (8375 West Third St.): Where I go when the travel bug bites and need I guide books
  • Skylight Books (1818 No. Vermont Ave.): Located in Los Feliz, a classic neighborhood bookstore

If you’re in New York the weekend of September 30th, check out the New York Art Book Fair. There’s always an amazing array of artists’ books, handmade ‘zines, and other unique publications. Hosted by Printed Matter, Inc., the world’s largest non-profit dedicated to the promotion of publications made by artists. See more at nyartbookfair.com.

Fall Titles on her shopping list

  • Artists’ Houses by Gérard-Georges Lemaire
  • Brassaï in America by Brassaï and Agnes de Gouvion Saint-Cyr
  • Clarence House: The Art of the Textile by Kazumi Yoshida
  • Dazed & Confused: Making It Up As We Go Along by Jefferson Hack and Rankin
  • The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià by Ferran Adrià and Enrique Cillero
  • Fiat 500: The Autobiography by Fiat
  • Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan, illustrated by Maira Kalman
  • Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures by Marisa Berenson
  • The New York Times Magazine Photographs edited by Kathy Ryan
  • Nostalgia in Vogue by Eve MacSweeney
  • Oberto Gili: Home Sweet Home: Sumptuous and Bohemian Interiors by Oberto Gili & Susanna Salk
  • Vivian Maier: Street Photographer by Vivian Maier
About the Author

Edward Nawotka

A widely published critic and essayist, Edward Nawotka serves as a speaker, educator and consultant for institutions and businesses involved in the global publishing and content industries. He was also editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives since the launch of the publication in 2009 until January 2016.