Rarely have I felt so helpless as I did during the pandemic. Blame it on my Zodiac sign (Sagittarius!), but not being able to leave my house — let alone travel— was very hard for me. To keep it together during that period, I made a promise to myself, hoping to make strides, somehow: when things went back to normal, I’d return to New York City. 

Fulfilling my promise, going back was exactly what I needed, then and now. I visited MoMa, which is one of my favorite museums, and returned to the Guggenheim. I spent days without taking the subway as I decided that walking everywhere would be the best way to give in and surrender to the city’s landscape, which was more enchanting due to its warm Autumn colours. My sore feet did bother me in the evenings, but were not enough to deter me. And, of course, I visited many, many bookshops. Here are my favorites:

The Strand Bookstore

The Strand is so iconic. I’ve seen many bookshops around the world and this one is unique. The red awnings, standing out in the street corner, are very cinematic. Seeing The Strand in numerous frames all over the city is quite understandable. Take your time browsing; don’t rush. The Strand sells both new and used books. 

Shakespeare & Co.

When I lived in Paris, I was under the impression that Shakespeare & Co. only existed in the Left Bank. Later, when I visited Vienna, I realised they also have a bookshop under the same name there — by the way, it's a great one. While doing my research for NYC, I discovered I was about to visit my third Shakespeare and Co. You can find it on the Upper East Side and I recommend it for their literary fiction section, that definitely stood out to me, and for their cosy café.

Books Are Magic

I visited NYC for the first time, years ago. Shortly after my return, I read about Books Are Magic. I am not one to struggle with FOMO but I felt very frustrated to have missed that place as it resembled a true paradise for a bibliophile. I naturally had to go there this time and it was worth the wait. Books Are Magic, situated in Brooklyn, made me feel, well, quite magical. It wasn’t crowded at all and it was so welcoming that I could have spent ages there. Their selection was one of the very best and I was able to find a book that I had been hunting for a long time. Books Are Magic would definitely be my go-to bookshop if I were to call New York City my home. 

Book Club

Although a cup of coffee is welcome when we’re reading a book, a glass of wine is something else. Book Club is a dark and bohemian place where you can find a perfect title or have a perfect date. Why? Because it’s an independent bookshop and a wine bar. I loved how some people were having fun at the front, having conversations and experimenting with different wines, while others were comfortably sitting in old leather armchairs with books on their laps. I was surprised to find a wine from my region, in Portugal — vinho verde — in their very curated selection.

The Mysterious Bookshop

Although I don’t read crime novels, I had to visit The Mysterious Bookshop and I’m really glad I did. It’s such a beautiful space with its high ceilings and endless references to famous characters. The staff was very welcoming too. We ended up having a conversation with the bookseller named Victor, discovering that he was originally from São Paulo, Brazil.

Three Lives & Co.

Hey, Instagram made me go there and I’m really happy it did. Three Lives & Co. is so worth the hype! Located in Greenwich Village, this is the perfect bookshop to visit after a stroll around the neighborhood, which happens to be one of my favorite in NYC. I was obsessed with their non-fiction catalogue. It’s very curated and perfect for the girlies. You’ll find plenty of Joan Didion and Susan Sontag, and resisting the urge to spend all your money there will be a big, big challenge.