5 Places to Get Books That Aren't Mainstream

Grandma’s Place is a beloved children’s bookstore nestled in the heart of Central Harlem. A community treasure, it offers carefully curated selections of young adult authors like G.A. Sealy and E.B. Lewis. More than just a bookstore, Grandma’s Place is a welcoming space where young people are inspired. Whether you’re searching for a literacy adventure or a meaningful story, you’ll find it here!

Stop by or visit their website: https://www.grandmasplaceinharlem.com/

Recirculation is a meaningful project based out of Word Up Community Bookstore in Washington Heights, created in memory of longtime volunteer Tom Burgess, who passed away in 2020. Rooted in his vast collection of books and records, Recirculation honors his legacy by keeping stories, knowledge, and music alive for current and future generations. A space for discovery and connections, it offers the community a place to explore, reflect and cherish the echoes of a life devoted to the love of books and culture.

For more information about community events and drives please visit: 

https://www.wordupbooks.com/recirculation

The Lit Bar is a dynamic brick-and-mortar bookstore in the South Bronx, founded in 2019 by Latinx venture activist Noëlle Santos. Sparked by the boycott of the last local bookstore’s closure,  Noëlle opened her doors to become the only physical bookstore serving the Boogie Down Bronx. The Lit Bar is more than a bookstore-it’s a community hub where readers of all ages gather to engage in locally-inspired programs, sip socially, and share their excitement for each new chapter. As a native New Yorker and book enthusiast I have to pull up; you should too.

Find out more at https://bookshop.org/shop/thelitbar

Located in the quiet neighborhood of Carroll Gardens Brooklyn-inspired by her late grandmother, Author Maura Cheeks opened Liz’s Book Bar in honor of her grandmother Elizabeth, who inspired her to be an author; to love books. With the aim to live up to the legacy of Liz- to recreate the unique connection between readers and independent bookstores. With over 4,000 titles ranging from Fiction to Philosophy, Liz's Book Bar is building towards a free community. One where creativity is grown out of love for art and literature. Just like her grandmother, Maura hopes to inspire the younger generation to fall in love with words.

https://lizsbookbar.com/browse

In the heart of Jamaica, Queens, New York, LoveBound Pages, is a trailblazing online and pop-up bookstore founded in 2024. As a Black women-owned business, it specializes in diverse and inclusive romance, spotlighting stories from BIPOC and LGBTQIIA+ communities. Every book is meticulously selected to ensure readers discover narratives that speak to their hearts, validate their experiences, and transport them to worlds where love knows no bounds. Creating more than a bookstore, these women have created a safe space for love stories to be just that-a love story for those who rarely see or get to experience a love as liberated as the story thoughtfully selected.

Celebrate love, one page at a time. For more information, go to https://loveboundpages.com/