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Upstairs at the Strand: Writers in Conversation at the Legendary Bookstore
Upstairs at the Strand: Writers in Conversation at the Legendary Bookstore | Jessica Strand, Andrea Aguilar
17 posts | 3 to read
Revelatory conversations between renowned writers at New York Citys legendary bookstore. For nearly ninety years, the Strand Book Store has been a New York institution, a legendary mecca for readers throughout the five boroughs, across the country, and around the world. Featuring freewheeling and behind-the-scenes conversations between renowned novelists, playwrights, and poets on how they work, think, and live, Upstairs at the Strand captures the happy collision of books and ideas in the Strand's famed reading series in its Rare Book Room. Upstairs at the Strand is indispensable for aspiring writers, readers of contemporary literature, and devoted fans of the 18 Miles of Books at the Strand Book Store. Contributors include: Renata Adler Edward Albee Hilton Als Paul Auster Blake Bailey Alison Bechdel Tina Chang Junot Daz Deborah Eisenberg Rivka Galchen A. M. Holmes Hari Kunzru Rachel Kushner Wendy Lesser D. T. Max Leigh Newman Ta Obreht Robert Pinsky Katie Roiphe George Saunders David Shields Charles Simic Tracy K. Smith Mark Strand and Charles Wright.
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Texreader
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LeahBergen Yes, and I‘ve been reading some “not so nice” reports from current and past employees. 😬 3y
Annie1215 Really interesting perspective on this, thanks for sharing 3y
KatieDid927 Yeah, the owner is not a good person, but the store is so good I feel very conflicted. 3y
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MicheleinPhilly I was all set to purchase a big haul earlier today. Will now do that with my local indie instead. I adore The Strand but this is really gross. 3y
eanderson I was going to make a purchase to help but now I‘m rethinking that. It‘s sad. 3y
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Texreader
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The Strand is pleading for help. See its instagram page for more details at strandbookstore. It‘d be a crying shame to lose The Strand. I‘d probably cry if it went out of business. I have such fond memories of my visits there over the course of my lifetime. But do I try to save The Strand or the indies in my hometown?

Trashcanman The should fill the store with Dickens books then have an accidental fire. Then accidentally collect the insurance money. Win-Win 3y
SamAnne Oh no! I have fond memories of visiting the Strand. I am prioritizing my local bookstore in Spokane, Aunties. But damn. (edited) 3y
mcipher Oh no! I‘ve always meant to go there - it‘s only a couple hours away - and I better not have missed my chance!! 3y
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AmyG I saw this on IG. I am going to have to order books for the holiday. This breaks my heart. Maybe I will buy the Charles Dickens catalog for my library. 🤔 3y
TheBookHippie @AmyG I did the December classics month box thing happy Hanukkah ! 3y
Scochrane26 I haven‘t been to The Strand yet! It must be saved, so I can go one day. 3y
squirrelbrain That‘s sad... I love The Strand. Not sure there‘s much I can do from the UK either...☹️ I hope they get what they need. 3y
BarbaraBB I loved The Strand too but I‘d safe the indies in my hometown if I were you. I guess NY writers or publishers or citizens will prevent the end of The Strand 😀 3y
TrishB Please not before I get to visit! 3y
Amiable I am spreading my spending around—at my local indies and at indies throughout the country (including The Strand, which is an institution that should be saved). 3y
j9brown My favorite place in the whole city! Guess I'll have to sign up for another swap or two this year as an excuse to go shopping there. Trying to support my smaller neighborhood indoor store, too. ☹️ 3y
AmyG @TheNookHippie Yes, I was thinking of getting myself my own Hanukkah box! @j9brown I was thinking of swaps, too. i hope there are a few for Christmas. (edited) 3y
Crazeedi Oh no! A place on my bucket list 😥 3y
MsMelissa I‘ve visited each time I‘ve been to NYC, and love it, not for the books themselves, but for for all the bookish merchandise they sell! I‘m a little torn at the moment. I want to help them out, but their shipping costs outside of the US are exorbitantly high. Combined with the exchange rate it makes purchasing anything from them cost prohibitive. 3y
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swishandflick
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Cool news for fans of @strandbookstore - a new location on the UWS! 👏🏽📚

Bookish_Viking I am soo going to visit the new location when I‘m there in September. I love Strand, only been there once last April, but it‘s the main reason for me going back to NYC in September! 4y
NerdyRev I regularly have meetings that way, so I am super excited. Saddened by the closure of Book Culture though. It was a smaller store, but lovely owners. 4y
j9brown Might as well just direct deposit my paycheck to them now, that's walking distance from my office 😝 4y
Suet624 @j9brown 😂😂😂 4y
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swishandflick
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A bit humid in NYC today but that didn't stop me from soaking in every bit of summer still left and taking a nice, long stroll that conveniently included one of my favorite pastimes - perusing the $1 carts at @strandbookstore 😍

JanuarieTimewalker13 Love that place!!! Years ago, there was was downtown near the seaport, forgot the street, but I would go on my lunch hour. It‘s such a feel good place! (edited) 5y
Melissa_J I was there last Wed! I didn‘t buy any books, but I left with a whole bunch of bookish goodies 😊 5y
slategreyskies I‘m so jealous! I‘ve been wanting to go to The Strand for years! The closest I got was Washington Square Park not last spring but the spring before. I really wanted to go, but we‘d saved that stop for last since we planned on purchasing a lot of heavy books, and my sons were too tired to handle another stop that day. That was the last time I was in NYC. Someday I‘ll get back & go there!! :) 5y
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squirrelbrain So jealous! ❤️ 5y
AmyG I miss living in NJ. My son lives in NY and he would always take me there when we visited. Best place on earth. 5y
Dorianna That‘s where I was today too! Nearly roasted at the Farmer‘s Market only to find my favorite honey stand wasn‘t there and then consoled myself with a new book haul at Strand before heading home. (edited) 5y
BarbaraBB A week ago I was there too. It feels so much longer now that I‘m back in Europe! 5y
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VioletBramble
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I went to the Strand today. They had their own 2019 Reading Challenge posted on the door.
#thestrand

Pamwurtzler Read a book you‘ve lied about reading. That‘s a good one! 😂 5y
gradcat This is cool...thanks for posting! 5y
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Verity
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Spending 24 hours in New York, so I had go visit a bookshop right?! I could have spent so much money. But as I had to carry all my purchases for another few hours I managed to restrain myself slightly!

jillrhudy That‘s why I bought their biggest army tote that said “Strand” 6y
Verity @jillrhudy I did buy myself a tote. But I was already carrying a rucksack with all my overnight stuff in so I limited myself to one book. Also I have to get everything back to the UK in 6 weeks time! (edited) 6y
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bookandcat
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@strandbookstore has repainted their outside wall with chalk paint so everyone can answer the question. I wrote Hermione. Who is your literary BFF? #bookstore #thestrand #strandbooks

Amiable Francie Nolan from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." As a child, and even still today as an adult. 6y
Billypar This is an interesting question because I was going through my favorite novels and coming up with nothing- even if I liked the characters, I couldn't really picture being friends with them. I settled on Thassa Amzwar from Richard Powers' Generosity. Not one of my favorite novels of his, but she is a great character and I can totally picture hanging out with her. 6y
bookandcat @Billypar it is tricky! I am not familiar with that book but you make me curious to look Thassa up! 6y
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brennahawleycraig
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Back in NYC so of course our first stop was The Strand.

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BookishMe
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alisiakae
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NY Littens, I need your suggestions!!

I need some rec‘s for our upcoming trip to the city. Other than my old standby‘s The Strand, Kinokuniya and Argosy, any other great bookstores I should add to the list?

We‘re staying in Chelsea, near Eataly (oh, how I have missed you, Eataly!). Any new restaurant rec‘s near Chelsea would also be appreciated! We used to live near the city, & avoid touristy spots as much as possible. 😊

alisiakae Fun aside: I just realized every person I tagged in this post has a name that starts with J! 😜 Apologies if you don‘t live in #NYC but Litsy sleuthing gave me the impression you do! 😊 6y
swishandflick So many yummy places to eat in and around the Chelsea area! Cookshop and Catch are both delicious (on the pricier side of the spectrum). Bubby's for brunch. Ooh, also the Meatball Shop and Flex Mussels! 👌🏽 For books I‘m usually at Strand, but you could also check out the Housing Works Bookstore! All used/donated and proceeds go to a good cause. Can find some good deals in there! Have fun!! 😀 (edited) 6y
alisiakae @swishandflick Thank you!! 6y
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MrBook @swishandflick , do you know who has the unofficial master list of #NYC-area Littens? @4thhouseontheleft ??? "J" is a wonderful letter! 6y
Ajessgirl The Mysterious Bookshop & Book Culture! 6y
alisiakae @Ajessgirl Book Culture has a few locations, right? If there is one near the Met, I could probably squeeze that in too! 6y
MrBook The Mysterious Bookshop, Book Culture, and McNally-Jackson 👌🏻👌🏻. Eats: Sergimmo Salumeria (best sandwiches), The Meatball Shop (multiple locations), Luke's Lobster (multiple locations), Tea & Sympathy (delicious British breakfasts), Le Grainne Cafe (for crepes 😁), Alice's Tea Cup (for tea), and Saigon Market on University Place. Also, if you like art, the Salmagundi Club ( @BookBabe has shown there & we belong to a book club there). (edited) 6y
swishandflick @MrBook I don't know of an unofficial master list but I'm totally gonna start putting one together 😂 Tagging a few NYC area folks that I know of: @Kaylamburson @mrozzz @NCNY @CoffeeCatsBooks @Jerdencon @ReadingRover @PirateJenny @brendanmleonard 6y
MrBook @swishandflick 😁👏🏻🙌🏻 6y
mklong Books Are Magic in Brooklyn is excellent! Emma Straub, the owner, was there when I visited and signed one of her novels for me. 6y
Ajessgirl Also, these aren‘t near Chelsea, but for the most adorable desserts, check out Sweet Moment, in Little Italy/Chinatown. I also love Grace Street I‘m Koreatown. If you‘ll be in town on a Monday, Osteria Morini has their amazing pastas for $10 after 9:00 pm - definitely make a reservation. 6y
alisiakae @MrBook some more new to me places! (Alice‘s Tea cup already on the list - my daughter loves it there!). Thanks!!! Too bad we‘re only in town for 2-3 days, the rest we‘ll be visiting family in CT. Salgamundi sounds excellent! 6y
NCNY Basta Pasta and Via Emilia are good restaurants in the Flatiron / Union Square area. I wandered into bookbook on Bleecker a few months ago - small but has a good selection. Enjoy your trip!! 6y
NCNY @ScientistSam NYC recs needed. 6y
CoffeeK8 If you‘re on the Lower East Side the Tenament Museum has a phenomenal book selection in it‘s store (I️ think it‘s called the Tenament Museum store) and you can walk to Russ & Daughter Deli which is really close! (edited) 6y
Ajessgirl @4thhouseontheleft Yes, but all are on the West Side. My favorite bakery is within walking distance of the Met - Two Little Red Hens. The Brooklyn Blackout cupcake is to die for - cheesecake is also great! 6y
MrBook Oh! And we always enjoy paying a visit to the Nomad Hotel's book bar. 👍🏻👍🏻 6y
alisiakae @CoffeeK8 I agree! Great rec! We‘ve been to the Tenement museum a few times. 6y
ScientistSam Wow, these are definitely all great suggestions! I second @Ajessgirl that Two Little Red Hens is my favorite bakery in the city (and it's right by the Q 86th Street stop) and you could hop on the M86 from there or the Met to make it to Book Culture on 80th and Columbus. 6y
ScientistSam Agree with @MrBook for Tea and Sympathy - wonderful cream teas, and you can walk there if you're up for a walk from the Strand. East Village/Lower East Side there's the Momofuku ramen bar (get there 15 minutes before they open for dinner to get to the front of the line) 6y
ScientistSam Peace Food has delicious vegan chili near Union Square. There's now a permanent home for Waffels and Dinges in Bryant Park (Belgian waffles that remind me of when I lived there). 6y
alisiakae @ScientistSam Momofuku is so yummy! I have Jun-Men Ramen Bar on our list for this time, it‘s close to where we are staying. Ironically, we‘re going out for ramen tonight, lol. 6y
CoffeeK8 @4thhouseontheleft you‘re going to have an amazing trip with all these recs! 6y
mrozzz This is a great thread! @swishandflick that would be awesome to put together a list! And you and @MrBook already called out both Meatball Shop and my favorite bookstores are all here although I‘d add the Westsider for used books... I second @mklong Books are Magic is worth the trek to Brooklyn 6y
alisiakae @mrozzz We will be in Brooklyn at some point to visit hubby‘s aunt and uncle! I‘m sure they wouldn‘t notice if I snuck out to go to a bookstore. 😜 6y
alisiakae @CoffeeK8 I know! Can‘t wait! We used to go to the city all the time when we lived in NJ, now we only get there every 2-3 years. 😩 And it‘s usually a mad scramble of visiting hubby‘s extended family. This is the first time in ages we are taking 2 days to ourselves before visiting anyone! 6y
CoffeeK8 @4thhouseontheleft I️ know what you mean. We used to live in StyTown and then moved to NJ and now up in Rockland and we get back in every couple months but it is not the same. 6y
MrBook @mrozzz ☺️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻 6y
MrBook @ScientistSam Yes, Momofuku! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 6y
brendanmleonard McNally Jackson has a great stationary store on 8th. The Book Culture near Columbia has a complete collection of NYRB Classics for sale. Around the corner from the Strand on 4th Ave is a cool used bookstore. 6y
brendanmleonard Housing Works is great. Food: Bareburger, Farmer and the Fish, the Smith, Sticky's Finger Joint, Ichabod's/Headless Horseman, Beecher's Cheese Shop. Coffee: Madman Espresso, Grey Dog, Irving Place Roasters. There's a British tea place near old St. Vincent's.Culture: Poet's/Poetry House, the Roosevelt Birthplace, Grant's Tomb, walking around Columbia University, the Irish Famine Memorial, Hudson River Park (by the tip of the island), AIDS Memorial. 6y
brendanmleonard And Two Boots Pizza! My favorite NYC 'za. 6y
Pamwurtzler There‘s a Mexican place called Tacombi close to Eataly that is amazing. Close to that McNally Jackson bookstore is Emporio (Italian) and the Little Cupcake Bakeshop. I‘ve also wanted to go to Cafe Gitane but have never gotten there. 6y
Kaylamburson I wish there was a way to save this thread. So many great places I haven't tried yet!! 6y
Jerdencon So many places I haven't tried and I live here!! Lol!!! 6y
Jerdencon Don't know if you are coming with kids but the scholastic store is always fun! 6y
mrp27 If you like kids and YA books check out Books of Wonder, 18 west 18th st. Not too far from The Strand. 6y
brendanmleonard Books of Wonder - yes! 6y
IamIamIam I found the Idlewild bookstore last time I was wandering around down there which is mainly travel books & memoirs! You'll also be right by the Lion Brand Yarn store, which I can never pass up! Lol, my husband hasn't worked over there in 2 years so I lost my connection to area restaurants but the Museum of Mathematics on Madison Square Park was SO MUCH FUN!!! I would never have guessed! 6y
ReadingRover @4thhouseontheleft My favorite Italian place over there is Gradisca (126 W 13th St betw 6th and 7th Ave) A lot of times the owner‘s mother is there making fresh pasta! It‘s fabulous!!! 6y
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brennahawleycraig
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When you have 4 hours in NYC....you go to the Strand.

DeeLew Oh my! 😍 The Strand is at the top of my bucket list! 📚📚📚 7y
alvingregorio Danger! Danger! 7y
brennahawleycraig @alvingregorio I am pretty sure we went to at least 4 bookstores this trip and I made purchases at each one 🙈 7y
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alvingregorio 18 miles of books, you HAVE to buy something!😜 7y
brennahawleycraig @alvingregorio multiple somethings for sure!! 7y
brennahawleycraig @DeeLew it's soooo worth it. Give yourself plenty of time once you make it!! 7y
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rabbitprincess
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Most of my book swag. Bags (2) from Strand, Trinity College Dublin, my local library, Russell Books (Victoria BC), Bearly Used Books (Parry Sound), & Penguin Shop (Toronto). Also shown: I ♥️ Big Books bag made by my friend, with matching book plates; the "Colbag" from Borders or B&N; bookish card and Xmas ornament; mug from Mr B's Emporium (Bath, England); Snape pin that says "Always" ?
#24in48

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kate_reads
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Could've spent the entire day @strandbookstore 😍

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Kelly
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A selection of favorite bookish totes and tees. Thanks for such a fun month, fellow #riotgrams friends. I've loved seeing these perks into your reading life.

elkeOriginal LOVE that Powells shirt! 7y
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Pamwurtzler
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This is downstairs at the Strand and it was extremely cool! I'll be back!. @strandbookstore #strand

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katedensen
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Hi Littens! I'm still alive and relatively well, life has just been...complicated?

Popped by @strandbookstore for some retail therapy and thought I'd share this picture of one of my favorite things among the miles of books: this display of pulp novels.

Picture of my #bookhaul coming up.

LeahBergen There you are! 👋🏻 7y
katedensen @LeahBergen Here I am! 😁 7y
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seebiscan
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And because my best friend knows me so well, she also took me to the Strand!