Book Culture on Broadway

Such a cute little local book shop! We loved the vibe! The two female employees were so sweet and helpful helping us locate a specific book but unfortunately the gentleman that checked us out did not give the same level of customer service. Even though we will be back to check out more books!

I really didn’t expect to be charmed by this bookstore. Book Culture is a cozy and amazing shop. Even before I came in the store I was completely entranced by the storefront. I can’t really describe it but the storefront just pulled me in the store. Not only does this store has books in an every popular genre in a small space but I loved how it also sells all kinds of things like stationery and candles. This store is great to find gifts of all kind to give. I loved how it has a selection of Blind Date books. I completely recommend this shop to any book lover.

We love a local bookshop! Cozy, friendly staff, and such a great aesthetic! Huge shoutout to the 2 employees who helped me find the book I was looking for!

I was ignored on multiple visits. No hello no welcome no can I help you find something. Nothing. And then when I wrote them an email explaining this they ignored that too! Which of course makes sense. If they actually cared they wouldn't have these people working there in the first place. I will never go there again. Bad customer service.

One of the employees recommended me the book Open Throat and I truly enjoyed the book so 5 stars for you!!!! Thank you :)

Great queer friendly bookstore with interesting and “controversial” books, especially ones critical of us imperialism.

Great book resource on the Upper West Side. Friendly staff with an eclectic collection of books. Just the way a small bookshop should be! They also carry an extensive collection of cards and book related gifts. A great place to browse and buy.

Solid shop, with great staff picks. Habilis is amazing! 😊

When I was in NYC, I was walking around and stumbled into this little bookstore. When brick and mortar stores are a way of the past, this bookstore illustrates why it is important to have a physical location. At the time, I was looking for a book and the cashier suggested a title. I read the book and it was an excellent suggestion. They have a lot of cute cards and gifts, too. It's much more than a bookstore. It's a friendly place to go when you need a suggestion. They know their books and that differentiates them from large/corporate chain book stores. They stock titles that other bookstores do not have. I don't live in Manhattan anymore but I support this bookstore and wish them all the best. You can order online, become a member or buy a gift card to support them.

Love the selection, but if you don't like kids why work at a children's bookstore? Wish we would have checked out with the young woman before the man took over for his shift on a Saturday late morning/early afternoon. Maybe we weren't the clientele he preferred to serve?

Great local bookshop! We were first stopped by their discount books they have outside and I got a great find about New York City geography and it's history. Cant wait to read it! Besides just books they have greeting cards and other gift items. We ended up purchasing our Mother's Day cards here as the selection of cards was really nice and actually reasonably priced. Will be back!

This review is only about the kid/baby section of the store. The entrance to the kid section is around the corner from the main entrance. You walk down the stairwell to the kid-specific section. Parents with 1-2 year olds, don't try to come here with a stroller - it's not easy to get down the stairs with one. I'd recommend bringing your baby in a carrier. They have a variety of books for children from babies to young adults. There's a fun play area with toys and books for kids to interact with. If you've been to the other Book Culture in the 80s, you'll know what to expect, although this location is much smaller. The play area is about 1/4th the size of the 82nd/Columbus location. A huge plus - there's a changing table in the bathroom. Also the staff is very low key and they will let our children play with whatever books they want to. It's a great way to try some books out before buying.

I went there this morning to buy a birthday gift for my friend in New Jersey. And we are in Phase 2 re-opening in Manhattan. So I could walk inside the shop and stand in a semi-circle of select books/items from which to choose but not roam the store's interior. I couldn't browse the books. The employee was very gracious. She handed me my change on a tray. A very pretty tray. And I was able to find a wonderful gift in the semi-circle. Happy and sweet.

This is a great bookshop to support if you know exactly what you want and do not anticipate any returns. Their 10 day store credit policy is very inflexible, particularly if you are giving a gift. For example, if I purchase a book on Tuesday for a birthday on Sunday, the recipient only has until Friday to return the book. They have an excellent kids section with books, games, and activities, but I would not expect a parent to be able to return a gift within 10 days of its original purchase date! In the future I'll shop here only for myself for something I definitely want!

First time at this location. More cozy here than the one on Columbus. The workers were stand-off-ish, gossiping about their manager. Very easy to find various sections. The table closest to the door has the hot picks while the adjacent shelf has the staff picks. Perusing during lunch was actually enjoyable. For a condensed nook, when I bumped into someone, it felt episodic and fun. A great destination after lunch.

Great service, selection, and prices. I've just moved to the area and decided to have quite the walk to Book Culture and let me say... it was well worth it! The employees were wearing masks. They were attentive to every customer. They are also having a limited amount of people enter the store to ensure safety. Hand sanitizer is also available and encouraged. I enjoy the little handwritten recommendations they have on different shelves. Having that read gave me inspiration for what I might want to read next! Support locals!

Just went into this bookstore to buy a book for our son and the customer service was appalling. It was as though I was annoying the cashier by being there. This is why Amazon wins! Why bother going in to interact with humans to be treated less than human. No thank you.

An independently owned bookstore with great staff and a fun "blind date with a book" option for the adventurous reader!

For such a small store, it has a homey environment that offers fun shelf browsing. Nice assortment of feminine gifts, ranging from scarves, bags, shirts, and candles. I'm always on the look out for stationary or cards, and this location always has plenty of witty, adorable items. There have been a few occasions when I've scored a deal, such as a Herschel duffle bag that was half off. (As it is the BOY, there are currently moleskins for half off!) Keep the sales coming, and I'm sure more of us poor students will come hear to indulge in retail therapy.

I was in the bookstore last Saturday. The ascetic is nice and the selection somewhat appealing. The staff is awful. I spend 30 min in store and not once was offered help. What really bothered me (and precipitated this review), however, is that the employees were taking turns loudly going through the list of customers who annoyed them. The comments were rude and unkind. I shall not be returning, in order to avoid making the list of their hated "regulars".

I love the kid's room downstairs. They have a great selection of kid books, games, and toys. Darling, quality things that you won't find many other places... I always end up leaving with way more than I came for. And it's a nice place to shop for gifts. I am often torn between Book Culture and Bank Street when I have to pick something up for a birthday. The upstairs, grown-up section is pretty nice too. I particularly like their selection of magazines/journals... stuff you wouldn't find at Barnes and Noble. The only thing that is kind of a pain is that you have to go down a steepish set of stairs to reach the kid's room. If you have young kids, and a stroller, it's not easy to visit. Which is a shame!

Definitely a fan of this store--I wish it had a bit more diverse collection, but they do a great job of cultivating a good 'bookstore atmosphere,' where everyone loves to read and wants to support others who do as well. Lots of shelf space devoted to bestsellers and trends, but also a nice selection of candles/cards dispersed throughout the store. Of course, those things are way too expensive for me to seriously consider buying ($27 candles are just a bit much) but they still smell nice. I did like that the (small) cooking section they had was more than just the celebrity chefs' books, but actually had a thoughtfully purchased inventory. I didn't check out the children's section downstairs, but in the time I was there quite a few parents came in with small kids to walk down and browse. Certainly a nice spot in the neighborhood, and if you're going to pay cover price, might as well go independent than to some big chain!

This is a lovely little bookstore with wonderfully-curated books and gifts. A great source for moleskines, children's books, cute canvas bags and backpacks, etc... Also, there's a deal on Amazon local right now $10 for $20 store credit.

Nice staff, if not a bit self absorbed in a 'just getting through another bleh day' sort of way. That itself isn't a huge deal. The selection here is kind of thin. A lot of trendy fiction, but little else. It's nice to browse through if you're looking for something random and interesting to read, plus they've got a pretty thick section of books on NYC. But if you're looking for other non-fiction you should probably look elsewhere.

I love the Book Culture on 112th, and was very happy when they opened a second location on 114th and Broadway, right across from Columbia. It's just nice to shop for light reading somewhere that isn't filled with textbooks. As much as I love sitting in Barnes and Noble for hours, Book Culture is just a better shopping experience. No, they don't have floors and floors and rows and rows of books, but the people who work there are just so much more helpful and are quite obviously avid readers themselves. They will always be able to recommend a book to you and give an actual review of it as justification. The prices are no different than anywhere else in the city for new books - perhaps even better - and why visit a corporate machine when you can go independent?

It's a fine book store in terms of selection and quality--but the staff is AWFUL. They were so unhelpful, terse, sarcastic and generally seemed to resent me, a customer, being there. I felt like a nuisance to them the entire time. I am not sure what is promoting such grumpiness--but the customer service is sub par and inappropriate. I will not be coming back for this reason. Bah humbug to you too.

This is a great NYC bookstore. It's small, but that hasn't seemed to hinder selection. When they do not have something readily in stock they are happy to order, and the order comes quickly. Only had one instance where they could not order the book I wanted, but I'm not sure of why. Overall, a great place to shop for books outside of the megastore environment.

I came in here on a whim, but this bookstore is so cute! It has readings in the downstairs children's area every so often, which I get didn't get to hear but I'm sure our amazing because that whole section is my inner 11-year-old's dream. There are books for little ones, elementary schoolers, young adults, and a group in the middle. Educational toys and games fill the shelves. The only thing I might add would be a couple windows, but given that the downstairs section is a basement, it does just fine. That being said, if you remodel, guys, a cobblestone cellar would look awesome... But again, that's just my imagination running away with me.

In today's NY Times it is reported that this bookstore fought against rights of their employees to organize. Quite surprising.

It feels nice and relaxing. There are book reviews on the shelves and they are adorable.

My go-to for gifts. Relaxed, comfortable atmosphere leaves you free to browse endlessly - and where better to browse than a well-stocked bookstore? Friendly staff that is not pushy but happy to help. The downstairs kids' store has anything you might need for toddlers on up to teenagers. This store, as well as the 112th St. location, adds so much to the neighborhood.

I am so thankful that independent bookstores still manage to exist these days, and am extra thankful for Book Culture. I've visited all their locations, but this location is my favorite. Great selection of literature, and a really great selection of stationary and unique gifts. The staff is top notch too. My only wish - that it were bigger! Keep supporting Book Culture everyone!

This is the best independent bookstore in NYC! I bring my partner here all the time. She loves their books and they have the BEST selection of dog biscuits in the city. My favorite sections of the store are the cookbooks and the science section with excellent books about dogs, and behind the counter where they hide the dog biscuits. The people here are the nicest people in the whole world! Five woofs for sure!