All tagged Hudson Valley

A Review of Oblong Books (Millerton)

A Review of Oblong Books (Millerton)

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

26 Main Street, Millerton, NY

And then, very suddenly, a village appears. The rolling farmland along the border between New York and Massachusetts parts and Millerton appears, with all its genteel new money on display. Perhaps not NEW new, but Millerton is one of those small, almost-hidden nearby towns like Rhinebeck, Kinderhook, Stockbridge, Lenox, or Athens that has seen small waves of artists and the well-to-do leave New York City for trendy enclaves just like this, and Oblong Books is just the bookstore to bring the literary flair of the big city to quiet country living.

A Review of A New Leaf Used Books

A Review of A New Leaf Used Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

RR 199 Pine Plains, NY

A New Leaf sits a few doors down from the crossroad at the heart of Pine Plains in New York’s Hudson Valley. It’s one of many quaint little towns dotting the long strip of land in New York between the Hudson River and the edge of where New England officially begins. And like the village it’s in, A New Leaf was a quiet, quaint, and pleasant browsing experience.

A Review of Big Red Books

A Review of Big Red Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

120 Main Street, Nyack, NY

On a warm spring afternoon, on my birthday in fact, I discovered Big Red Books tucked into a string of cafes, bars, and restaurants in the heart of Nyack, NY, a charming and walkable town overlooking the Hudson River at what most people in the area still call the Tappan Zee Bridge. I had just wandered through a delightful landslide of a used bookstore (more on that in another review) and was very happy to see Nyack also had a bright, organized, and well-appointed new bookshop. We only had a few minutes to wander before the shop closed, but Big Red did not let us down.

A Review of Split Rock Books

A Review of Split Rock Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

97 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY

I had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful bookshop at the height of summer, the streets of Cold Springs bustling, the roads leading into town full of hikers, almost a parade of people, and the shop was just as busy. It made for an exciting browsing experience, and it had the feeling as if this was THE place to be on such a gorgeous day. Now, months later as I reflect back, I think of how the shop must feel the same even if the summer crowds have gone. The leaves are falling, the heaters are turned on, and I imagine the shop feels just as vital: a warm, cozy place to find that next great read.

A Review of Postmark Books

A Review of Postmark Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

449 Main Street, Rosendale, NY

As they themselves describe it at their website, Postmark Books is a “bright and airy space on Rondout Creek” that is “full of good cheer,” and I can attest that they are 100% correct about that. I stopped by in mid-winter and found the space full of sunlight, beautifully decorated, and about as clean and organized as a bookshop can be. And the selection? Yeah, they got that right too.

A Review of The Golden Notebook

A Review of The Golden Notebook

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

29 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY

Woodstock might seem like it’s a quiet rural community, but in the summer and fall months it becomes a touristy hot-spot, especially in the Hudson Valley’s beautiful leaf-peeping season. And tucked away in the middle of busy cafes, music shops, antiquarians, and souvenir stores you’ll find a small literary oasis called the Golden Notebook. It may not have the size of other bookstores, but it has heart and an excellent selection of topical nonfiction, new releases, and counter-culture necessities.

A Review of The Little Red Book Shack

A Review of The Little Red Book Shack

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

2710 Route 9, Hudson, NY (according to Google, but it’s really in Livingston, NY)

Finding this shop was as much of an adventure as exploring it, but once you’re there you’ll find shacks and barns and outbuildings full of books, art, and music, with plenty of rare and one-of-a-kind gems tucked into the eclectic mix. Keep an eye out for the signs though, as I passed it by twice in my search. But as soon as I parked on the grass I thought, “Goldmine!”

A Review of Briars & Brambles Books

A Review of Briars & Brambles Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

61 Route 296 & South Street, Windham, NY

Up in the Catskill Mountains tucked in among the ski resorts, hiking trails, and panoramic overlooks you’ll find Briars & Brambles Books in a small unassuming plaza in Windham. It may seem tucked away, but inside there’s plenty of personality, not to mention enough bestselling titles, new releases, and games to satisfy any bookworm or ski bum needing a break from the slopes.

A Review of Oblong Books & Music

A Review of Oblong Books & Music

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

6422 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck, NY

Located just a block or so north of Rhinebeck’s vibrant little downtown strip is a red brick building that is home to a much larger bookshop than I expected at first glance. Not only does Oblong have an impressive selection of new books, but they hit a lot of the key traits that I think makes up a perfect bookshop.

A Review of Rodgers Book Barn

A Review of Rodgers Book Barn

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

467 Rodman Road, Hillsdale, NY

It took us a while to weave through the countryside of Columbia County, backtracking down a few wrong turns on dirt roads, but at long last, we stopped in front of the unassuming wood barn along the edge of the road with a sign out front reading Rogers Book Barn. The sign included different summer and winter hours, but it’s a solid bet to be open on a Saturday afternoon no matter what time of year you arrive. And I’m very thankful they were open, because this shop wasn’t just worth the drive, it was a delight to explore.

A Review of Inquiring Minds Bookstore & Cafe

A Review of Inquiring Minds Bookstore & Cafe

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

200 Main Street, Saugerties, NY (I have also seen the address listed as 68 and 65 Partition Street)

This shop more than any other has come up as a prime recommendation by most locals I talk to, so I was happy to finally drop in on a rainy weekend this winter. Located on a busy corner in downtown Saugerties, NY (which has a lot more going for it than I expected), Inquiring Minds Bookstore falls into what I’ve come to think of as the “Ideal” type of bookshop. Not only are they an excellent supplier of books, but they feel like the kind of community bookstore that also serves as the social hub of town, and that’s how a shop can go from great to magical.

A Review of Half Moon Books

A Review of Half Moon Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

35 N. Front Street, Kingston, NY

I stopped into this curious little shop at the end of a long day of browsing, and even though I was getting tired after trekking through the rain and wind, this shop still surprised me with their eclectic selection and the deep cuts they had hidden within. And the books were organized in interesting ways too, like the excellent cultural- and science-focused section called “smart, but not exhausting.” They really make good use of their space and there’s a lot more happening inside than you may expect at first glance. They have a thrift shop too, so if you go I assure you that you’ll be in for a pretty diverse mix of topics and editions.

A Review of Our Bookshop

A Review of Our Bookshop

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

97 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY

I drove to Saugerties on a cold, rainy Saturday to visit the Inquiring Minds Bookshop (which I will review in another post) when I saw this shop located just down the same street, not far from where I parked. I’ll never turn down a two-for-one bookshop hunting trip, and I was not disappointed by what I found. What Our Bookshop may lack in the latest bestsellers, they more than make up for in vintage and unique titles and excellent deals on used books, records, and comics.

A Review of Rough Draft Bar & Books

A Review of Rough Draft Bar & Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

82 John Street, Kingston, NY

I’ve been proud to shine a spotlight on a handful of bookshop / bar combinations in the past, and even a couple wine shop and bookseller combos too, but when it comes to putting a pint, a bite, and a book in front of a casual browser, Rough Draft is the top of the pile. At least so far, though I think they’ll be tough to beat. I stopped in on a rainy Saturday recently and it was such a warm, charming, bustling respite that I didn’t want to leave.

A Review of The Spotty Dog Books & Ale

A Review of The Spotty Dog Books & Ale

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

440 Warren Street, Hudson, NY

A good beer and a good book go together so well, but it’s not very often you see them sold together. The Spotty Dog does just that, but they don’t stop there. This bookshop bar combo also sells art supplies, holds incredible readings by writers and poets from all over the map, and they have an incredible selection of books by bestsellers and indie authors alike, making The Spotty Dog a tough shop to beat.

A Review of Fairview Books

A Review of Fairview Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

424 Fairview Ave., Hudson, NY

Much in the same way that The Bookloft bookshop in Great Barrington, MA is just outside of town in a large strip mall, Fairview Books is just outside of Hudson, NY in a busy strip mall too, but while Bookloft surprised me with the organized presentation of an indie version of Barnes & Noble, Fairview is a different animal altogether, and I’m still not quite sure how to categorize that animal. The shop has unique items and some discounts, but the quality and style are all over the map. This can be good, or not so good, depending on your book shopping needs and expectations.

A Review of Magpie Bookshop

A Review of Magpie Bookshop

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

392 Main Street, Catskill, NY

The small city of Hudson, NY has garnered a lot of attention in recent years as a bustling and growing hotspot for NYC transplants feeding its downtown revival, but just a short drive away and across the Hudson River is a somewhat subtler, quieter town that may be overlooked from time to time, but shouldn’t be. Catskill has a fun little downtown lined with trendy shops, cafes, a movie theater, and yes, an excellent bookshop. Magpie Bookshop is not one to overlook, and mixes small town charm with literary surprises that will make any bookworm happy.

A Review of Beacon Reads

A Review of Beacon Reads

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

309 Main Street Beacon, NY

Beacon Reads is a small two-room shop next door to the Howland Public Library on Beacon’s Main Street, and they sell a lot of overflow titles, mass market paperbacks, and some older classics. Though it feels like a balance between a tag sale book table and a tiny bookshop, they do sell their own shirts and bags, and all the proceeds go to support the library itself, so you can feel good about dropping a few dollars on that David Baldacci book or the Michael Connelly novel you’ve been meaning to read. And to its credit, it has some other unique finds that make it worth exploring if you’re walking by.

A Review of Binnacle Books

A Review of Binnacle Books

James Duncan
Bookshop Review

321 Main Street, Beacon, NY

When I lived in Beacon circa 2009, there really wasn’t any bookshop outside of the small library annex that sold overflow titles and well-worn mass paperbacks. This bookshop, however, puts Beacon back in the literary race. It’s a small shop, just a few cozy, compact rooms, but it packs a punch, has plenty to browse through, and gives Beacon’s Main Street some much needed literary representation.