Alabaster Bookshop

Nice but can’t help but wonder, as the days go on, will this spot coexist with or outlast the Strand? Or neither?

Such a quaint little bookstore. I spent a good half an hour browsing the outdoors section, where they had all these $ 2 books (in my opinion, even though the selection was smaller than Strand’s outdoor section, the selection here had much better quality books). I ended up buying three of them. The inside is small and packed to the ceiling with books. I love this place. Great place to get lost.

I found this place while waiting for a chronically late friend to join me for dinner at Ngam. I have no idea how this place is still in business but it’s got lots of charm. The space is tiny, the selection limited, the vibe sort of odd.
Outside they have mobile racks of books for $ 2. I found Shit Girls Say (which is going to make an *amazing* gag gift for someone), Running with Scissors, and Into that Darkness by Gitta Sereny. I also found a pristine hardcover copy of The Smartest Kid on Earth inside the store priced for $ 30, which seemed kind of high to me but their an independent bookstore after all.
They have history, poetry, fashion, plant, animal, fiction, philosophy, psychology, and occult sections. I remember seeing Anton LaVey’s Satan Speaks, and possibly a copy of Drawing Down the Moon. Ginsberg, Nietzsche, Jung, Death of a Salesman.
They seem to be open pretty late. I left at 9:20pm on a Tuesday and they showed no signs of closing.
Two things here made me smile: They seem to make a point of keeping all the little odds and ends that would end up inside a book in them. I found business cards, a print out of Catholic prayers, an explanation of Zuni fetishes (it’s not what it sounds like), personal written messages, among other things. There were so many that I couldn’t help but wonder if they were stuck in there on purpose but I choose to believe they’re not. The second bit was a local coming in to chat with the guy behind the counter, and their conversation was just random and amusing with the soft jazz and musky book smell in the background. I miss places like this.

If you’re lucky, Alabaster will have some sale stacks outside the store where you’re bound to find some great bargains. If I wanted (and I was tempted), I could have purchased the entire Twilight series for $ 6. My students probably would have appreciated it, but I didn’t feel like lugging the books around the city all day.
Inside, the place is very cramped. While it’s somewhat organized based on genre, you really have to spend some time searching through the stacks to find what you want. Prices are based on the condition of the book. They had about 5 copies of «The Stranger» ranging from $ 6-​$ 9. There were several boxes of books marked «unpriced» as well, but I’m not sure if those were available for browsing pleasures.
I’d probably stop here again, as it’s kind of like a thrift store — hit-​or-​miss. But I wouldn’t go out of my way to do so. They have a $ 15 minimum on credit cards, so just beware if you’re the type who never carries cash.

I found this place while wandering around manhattan alone (no i wasn’t lonely) and it was a nice escape from the city (cliché lol). at first it was pretty much empty excluding the worker and me, but then around 6pm-​ish it got a little crowded. the books were in great condition, and the prices were pretty reasonable (most were $ 10 – 20, but some were $ 40+). they have a LOT of books and they were categorized by genre (fiction, mystery, cooking, travel, etc) which made it easier to look for things. there were 3 book shelves outside of the bookshop, and they were all only $ 2 each! (it was actually $ 2.17, i guess the $ 0.17 was tax?) i wasn’t even planning to buy a book, but i bought a lovely europe travel guide that was originally $ 24.99 for $ 2.17 and it was awesome. the store is pretty small (i wouldn’t say tiny though), but seems smaller because it’s crammed with so many books and shelves. the inside of the store was very vintage and cozy, it’s overall a great place for bookworms. it was a really nice find that made my day (esp because i got a good book for cheap).

Whoever said they had lower prices than the Strand… Not true anymore!!! Just saw a copy of the Vagina Monologues for $ 15. It’s cheaper new. For that kind of money I want Eve Ensler to come to my house and read it to me!

Crammed with books, mainly in the arts/​theatre and biographies. Great selection, friendly staff, convenienly located near Union Square and the strand… I see piles and piles of books when I go in there, they have a cheapy cart out front with some good selections!
They also buy slightly used books here! Cash in and get something new!

Honestly, it surprises me that this small shop has lasted since 1996. Very small space, maybe twenty five feet wide by thirty feet deep. About the same space as your average Starbucks. So book selection is limited. I was tempted to just turn and leave. But I browsed a bit and found one book; came originally from RIP Borders. 30% off list.
Guy at the counter seemed bored but polite.
No reason to go out of your way to shop here.

The few books I wanted in the shop were not in great condition but were being sold for prices that were what they were originally sold for, kindof a letdown because in a world of
I was hoping to snag some books at a decent deal or below retail

Wow. I could get lost in here for hours. So cram packed it’s mouthwatering. However it’s hard to move around when there are more than a couple other shoppers in the store but it’s worth it.

I stopped in here on a Saturday to ask about selling some books. Two employees spent several minutes with me going over prices, topics of interest, store policies etc. When I lugged about 40 pounds of books there the next day a third guy at the counter told me the store wasn’t buying any books. When i told him about the previous day’s conversation he said «I don’t know what they told you yesterday but we’re not buying any books.» So I was stuck schlepping my 40 pounds of books back home with nothing to show for it. I agree with the previous poster, the staff has attitude and seems to like jerking people around. The guy on Sunday could barely be bothered to look up from his computer when I talked to him. Bad taste left all around from dealing with this store.

I’ll admit, when I first started coming here, I got a lot of attitude from the guys who worked there. Like, dude, I get it, you work in a bookstore, therefore you think you’re smarter than I am. But I’ll admit, they’ve gotten a lot better. Not sure if the staff is new or they got a talking to from the boss, but the guys are now really sweet and downright helpful. Manoeuvring through the stacks of this tiny gem of a bookshop is a lot of fun. The window display books never last long so if you see something you like in the window you should buy it right away.

Small place with great used books — I found some terrific art books for two bucks each! Owner was helpful and polite. Nice find.

Fantastic bookshop! Excellent array of modern art books and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get back to stock up before I came back home. Loved the baskets outside with catalogues from recent Exhibitions/​auctions. You really need to set aside some time and really browse the shelves. Young guy at the front desk was helpful and I got the sense that its actually OK to spend time and browse. Oh well, there’s next time, and this bookshop is definitely on my ‘to do’ list.

This is an adorable little book shop and the guys running the place are extremely helpful and eager to find what you’re looking for. Plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in here but a bit on the pricey side. Totally worth it, though!

I love this place. It’s the cliché bookshop. Overfilled, smell of old books, a tiny man sitting at the front desk by a classic library lamp. It’s nice. It’s pretty small though, so if you’re not serious about devoting time to look through. Don’t come. Head over to Strand or Barnes and Noble. This place is sweet because you can find some special gems. Or childhood books you forgot about. I often come here to find books I wanted to read when I was young but couldn’t afford then. It’s nice. I think you can exchange books too, for money or store cred. But I’ve never dealt with that.
I would suggest any serious book lover stop in for a visit. Even just the atmosphere is a lovely one.
Though it seems like it would just have good books.
Don’t fret. There is a whole wall of the Twilight saga.
It’s massive.
So no, it’s not pretentious. Don’t fear!

An ok little bookshop around the corner from the Strand. Since it’s a used bookshop, the selection can be hit or miss.

Alabster Bookshop: A new sitcom by Justin Lamb
Aspiring Writer sits behind the desk. His buddies, Hippie Smiley Guitar Guy and Stand Up Comedy Girl chat with him about Pop Tart World. We’ll work in some banter here later. Suffice to say, it’s hilarious! A Pear Shaped Girl enters.
Pear Shaped: Do you have Twilight?
Aspiring Writer: DO WE?! Straight back! A WHOLE WALL OF IT LUCKY LADY!
Pear Shaped returns with the book.
Pear Shaped: You can’t make fun of me because I’m buying it.
Aspiring Writer: I wouldn’t dream of it! Would you like a bag so your precious, precious cargo doesn’t get damaged? It’s supposed to rain.
Pear Shaped: (sighs) Sure…
Credits.

I stumbled into Alabaster Bookshop when I needed to kill some time and get out of Union Square. Outdated hardcover, and some more recent hard cover and paperback books, were overflowing the crowded shelves, just as you’d expect from such an establishment. Most books seemed to be organized by subject and the place is built for browsing until you find something you didn’t even know you were looking for. That’s what happened for me… the perfect book just happened to be placed on my eyelevel. I flipped through the pages and realized it was the perfect gift for my mother, which is why I can’t mention the title here. Stop in and take a look. You might just find something you’ll like!
*Credit Cards are accepted for purchases $ 15+

Like the small sea creatures who survive by hanging around the neighborhood whale, Alabaster enjoys a similar relationship with the Strand.
The store is small, but teeming with good titles, which is indicative of, as noted in another review, good taste and careful cultivation. Moreover, the prices are better than the Strand and even Amazon. If you see something you have wanted for a while in Alabaster, especially when it comes to their art and photo books, it’s most likely going to be the best price you will find.
The store has no database for their books and some sections, such as Psychology and Occult, are simply organized generically, so it’s a store — like it or lump it — you need to set aside some time to browse. Whoever is at the front desk of the store however is usually friendly, helpful and will point you in the right direction to find a title.
Also, their outside books are all in good shape and filled with recent mass market bestsellers. Plus, they are only $ 2 a piece.
BIG TIP: there is a $ 15 minimum for credit card/​debit card purchases. I have been on the wrong end of that exchange too many times so learn from my mistakes!
Next time you are on a bookstore run, complete the trinity of bookstores in the area: Alabster Bookshop, The Strand and East Village Books.