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Posts Tagged ‘independent bookstores’

Your 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020

Happy holidays, readers! If you’re searching for the perfect gift for your friend, family member, or colleague, we’ve got you covered. Even better: every single one of these books is 40% off when purchased on ipgbook.com! Check out our recommended gifts, and then head over to IPG’s website and use the code IPGHOLIDAY40 to get 40% off from now through December 31st, 2020!

Gifts for Kids

The Adventures of Bubba Jones Series: Explore America’s national parks with Bubba Jones and his time traveling family. This graphic novel series is perfect for inspiring kids to get outside and learn about the outdoors. 

Hide!!!: Hide!!! is an interactive children’s book that not only tells the story of a game of hide-and-seek, but readers can also ‘seek’ for other objects hidden in the illustrations.

My Feet Aren’t Ugly: Debra Beck provides a wonderful book full of advice for growing up as a teenage girl. This is the perfect gift for pre-teen and teens to learn how to tackle pressing issues like bullying and social media.

Gifts for Dads

A Game of Inches: The third installment in the Jack Patterson series has everything dad’s love: politics, sports, and mystery. It’s a gripping story of murder accusations and the politics of professional sports. 

Hidden Falls: This book is perfect for those who might not know what genres they like (or for those who don’t know what genres their dads like to read). Kevin Myers intertwines mystery and family drama to concoct a story that is both thrilling and comedic. 

Anchored: Everyone’s dad knows Ron Burgundy, or at least they know of Will Ferrell’s character in Anchorman. The real journalist Mort Crim tells the story of his life and his persistent search for truth.

Gifts for Moms

North of Tension Line series: Fans of Jan Karon and Jane Austen will delight in J.F. Riordan’s North of the Tension Line series. Riordan combines engaging characters, wry humor, and observations of everyday life that make her books feel like talking to an old friend.

Woman in the Park: If your mom loves psychological thrillers, she’ll love The Woman in the Park. Filled with shocking twists, secrets, and lies, this story is reminiscent of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

Red Carpets and White Lies: Written by The Real Housewives of Miami alum Lea Black, avid reality TV watchers will love Red Carpets and White Lies for its drama, secrets, and scandals.

Gifts for Coworkers

Big Ten of Grammar: Do you have a coworker that struggles with the difference between “who” and “whom”? They’ll love this digestible grammar guide that highlights how to correct the ten most common errors in English grammar.

Success Freak: Perfect for the coworker who needs a little motivation, Success Freak combines helpful exercises and step-by-step activities to help you master 7 essential skills that will transform your life in only one week.

Reboot Your Life: After a year like 2020, it’s easy to feel burnt out and uninspired. Reboot Your Life will encourage you and your coworkers to re-examine your priorities, re-evaluate your career, and come back after the holidays feeling refreshed and excited.

Gifts for Grandparents

Always Have Popsicles: A long-time favorite among grandparents, Always Have Popsicles is filled with thoughtful ideas that will inspire new and seasoned grandparents alike to develop a meaningful relationship with their grandchildren.

Garth Williams, American Illustrator: As the illustrator for iconic American classics like Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Rescuers, it’s likely your grandparents grew up with Garth Williams’ drawings. This biography of his inimitable career will bring their childhoods back to life in a beautiful and nostalgic way.

Do Not Go Quietly: Winner of 9 national book awards, Do Not Go Quietly is an inspiring call to action and guide to a life of greater meaning, consciousness, and passion for those “who weren’t born yesterday.” If your grandparents ever complain about aging, this is the book for them.

Of course, our Holiday Gift Guide wouldn’t be complete without a few goodies from some of our favorite local bookstores! These goodies make perfect gifts for book lovers who already own every book on their TBR list.

Books Are Magic Mug

Sip, sip, hooray! We’re loving this clay and ceramic mug from Brooklyn-based independent bookstore, Books Are Magic.

Click here to see the mug.

The Mysterious Bookshop Tote

This spooky tote from The Mysterious Bookshop, a beloved indie in Tribeca, is the perfect stocking stuffer for thriller and mystery lovers alike!

Click here to see the tote.

“If You Love Me, Read Me a Book” Sweatshirt

McNally Jackson (multiple NYC locations) knows the key to our hearts. Also available as a tee, this adorable, cozy sweatshirt is the perfect addition to any book lover’s wardrobe.

Click here to see the sweatshirt.

Bookshelf Puzzle

Are you and your family in need of a new quarantine puzzle? This bookshelf puzzle from Books of Wonder in Chelsea and the Upper West Side will bring hours of bookish entertainment.

Click here to see the puzzle.

Independent Bookstores in the City

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

Hello readers! I am Ryan, one of the new fall interns at Beaufort. I thought for my introductory blog post I would talk about some of the independent bookstores in the city. I just heard the good news on Shelf Awareness that Michael de Zayas, of gourmet cheese fame in Crown Heights, is creating a new bookstore on the corner of Bedford and Park Place (just one block from my apartment). De Zayas has already proven himself a capable businessman in the neighborhood: he’s the man behind Wedge, an artisan cheese and bread store, and Little Zelda, a coffeehouse next door. Given his success on Franklin Ave. with two such hipster retreats, hopes should be high for a third, especially since the nearest local bookstore is a twenty minute walk away (though some would undoubtedly claim that Unnameable Books is worth the walk).

Beaufort’s office is actually located in a particularly dense bookstore cluster, only a few blocks from the iconic Union Square triumvirate of The Strand, St. Mark’s Bookshop, and Shakespeare & Co. Booksellers.

The Strand is the biggest of the three with a huge fiction selection, three floors, great prices, and good vibes.

The Strand,

The Strand * 828 Broadway New York, NY 10003 * (212) 473-1452

St. Mark’s Bookshop is a bit more arty and spare and is located right in the heart of St. Mark’s (hence the name)—stop in for that anthology on Foucault and you will pass by the Continental bar, with its infamous 5 shots for $10 deal.

St. Mark’s * 31 3rd Ave New York, NY 10003 * (212) 260-7853

Shakespeare & Co. is part of a small NYC chain of three bookstores that form an axis on the East Side. The one I’m talking about is right next to NYU and has a definite college feel in terms of its staff and its course book offerings. It lives up to the hype of its name both in the selection for Shakespeare titles and in its smell, mahogany shelves, and comfy chairs.

Shakespeare & Co. * 716 Broadway New York, NY 10003 * (212) 529-1330

The country’s largest Barnes and Noble is also right on Union Square, and, given its huge collection, it’s a great place to find that sought after book you just can’t find anywhere else. It’s also a great place to find that sought after bathroom after drinking three cups of coffee at the Farmer’s Market.

B&N * 33 E 17th St New York, NY 10003 * (212) 253-0810

I’ve recently been working at Book Culture, an independent bookstore in Morningside Heights beloved by Columbia students. Come by our main location on 112th mid-block between Broadway and Amsterdam, or, if you are with kids or are just looking for bestselling fiction, try our newish location on 114th and Broadway.

Book Culture’s 112th location

Book Culture’s Broadway location

Since the advent of e-readers, independent booksellers have been characterized in the media as a relic of the past, but the truth is that they have actually become more important than ever. With their carefully curated selection and knowledgeable staff, they have become cultural beacons, as important as publishers in determining the trajectory of literature. Amazon may have millions of titles, but it has no way of sifting through its offerings and determining what is relevant to you, unlike the former English majors roaming the stacks and re-shelving overstock who can make recommendations, tell you what people are buying, and talk to you about your favorite authors. Apple offers great convenience with e-books, but independent bookstores offer you one-of-a-kind events in the form of author readings, lectures, and Q&As.

It’s not that Amazon and Apple are worse than independent booksellers, or vice versa—they’re just different and provide equally necessary services for the book world. So stop by and support your local store: they’ll appreciate your business and, who knows, maybe you will get to meet a really interesting person.

 

Cheerio,

BEAUseph Conrad