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If you are a librophile who cannot bear the thought of paying full price, or if you enjoy the mystique of a pre-loved volume with a mysterious inscription and yellowed pages, consider trekking to Cobble Hill, where you can find a marvelous selection of book stores within less than a mile of each other. Take the F or G train to Bergen St., which will leave you at lively Smith Street. Exit at Bergen, and walk north to Heights Books (120 Smith St. between Dean and Pacific, 718-624-4876). Recently relocated from Brooklyn Heights, this new location is open but “under construction”, so to speak, and staff is still unpacking books. The store is definitely worth a visit, though. Over the years, they have developed an impressive assortment of second-hand volumes. They have a fair fiction section and usually have a breadth of collections on topics as diverse as politics, religion, history, and literary theory, among others.
Keep walking north to Atlantic, cross the street, and turn left (west). Walk past Court St. to find Atlantic Book Shop (179 Atlantic Avenue, 718-797-5756, atlanticbookshop@verizon.net). In a former life, this store was located in the West Village and was known as 12th Street Books. This orderly store specializes in hardcover volumes and has a notable collection of rare books.
Once you are finished there, walk back to Court. Now, here you have a choice. Since you are very close, you may want to head north two blocks to the considerably less romantic Barnes and Noble (106 Court St. between State and Schermerhorn, 718-246-4996). Why not? You are in the area, and although you will not find many surprises or buried treasures, the big BN has, like many retailers, an ample collection of discounted books these days.
If you would rather not browse around a large chain store, stroll back down Court and visit the charming BookCourt (163 Court St. between Dean and Pacific, 718-875-3677). This neighborhood staple has recently expanded, and the welcoming atmosphere and warm décor are, on their own, worth experiencing. The store has only new books, but they offer a variety of discounts (click here for current information). The store also hosts free readings, lectures, book launches, and signings on a regular basis.
Finally, cross the street, head south for a couple of blocks, and make a stop at Community Bookstore (212 Court St. at Warren, 718-834-9494). This labyrinthine storefront is a book lover’s dream, and has new but discounted, as well as used books, for adults and children. Note that the packed shelves and loose organization are not for the impatient, but the collection of books is fantastic, so do not be overwhelmed; dig in and search for treasures. Note that at the time of writing, Community Bookstore is closed for a seasonal break, which is not unprecedented for this store. However, it is scheduled to reopen on March 18, 2009.
Once you are done there, my personal recommendation is to hang out and enjoy the neighborhood for a while. However, if you must run, cross Court St., turn right at Warren. When you reach Smith again, you will find another entrance to the F, G at Bergen.
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