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The Best Books About New York City
New York has probably been written about more than any other city, so we’ve rounded up a list of novels, children’s books and travel guides that capture its many sides. The city shines in love stories, serves as a force for change, and can be a pressure cooker of survival and a place of coming of age. It’s a backdrop for transformation and a city that never fails to captivate. Whether you’re planning to visit the Big Apple this year or prefer armchair travel through stories, explore the best books about New York City below.
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Colson Whitehead’s vivid, wildly entertaining heist novel that makes you feel as if you're walking down a bustling 125th Street in 1960s New York City is ultimately a love letter to Harlem.
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Shaped by Brooklyn’s gentrification pressures of the 1990s, this deeply moving noir follows a detective with Tourette’s syndrome as he investigates the murder of his charismatic boss.
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Renata can see ghosts… but not all the time. After her best friend Mark passes away, Renata searches for meaning, closure and his spirit in this unforgettable story set against the backdrop of New York City during the AIDS epidemic.
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In 2007, on the cusp of her thirties, Alicia faces her future with uncertainty in this stunning examination of ambition, desire, and the struggles of growing up.
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Falling for a mystery man on her flight to Paris, Sasha won’t stop until she finds out who he is, even if she has to hire a private investigator once she's back in NYC.
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A coming-of-age story that’s stayed relevant for a century, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn has one of those titles that evokes the very soul of the story it contains. A tale of perseverance and vulnerability, join Francie as she faces an unforgiving world and learns to thrive in it.
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After the global sensation Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus delivers a charming and funny novel about a young man searching for his place in the world. When he stumbles into a job at an unconventional New York City poetry journal, Batter Gray discovers the transformative power of language and a community he never knew he needed.
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Perhaps the quintessential coming-of-age story, Holden Caufield’s journey of self discovery is equal parts hilarious and touching. It’s a story of growing pains, of transitioning out of childhood, and, in true Peter Pan fashion, of a certain refusal to grow up.
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Offering a front seat to New York City’s fashion world, this pop culture staple follows a young woman whose dream job at a prestigious magazine soon becomes her worst nightmare.
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James Baldwin’s lyrical semi-autobiographical novel traces a teenage boy’s struggles with identity, faith and belonging while vividly painting the atmosphere of 1930s Harlem.
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Considered by many to be the greatest novel of all time, the story of Jay Gatsby is an expertly crafted novel of class divides, moral depravity and the death of the American Dream set in 1920s New York.
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Emotionally resonant and ripe with themes of the immigrant experience and what it means to be American, Brooklyn is a light read that’s nonetheless impactful in its lasting message.
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A necessary narrative steeped in themes of racism and privilege, The Other Black Girl is an exceptional novel that is unsettling, unexpected and incredibly timely. With elements of satire nestled alongside the twisty, turny plot, it’s a story you won’t soon forget.
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Set in New York City, one of the most profound character portraits of mental illness, The Bell Jar tells the story of a brilliant young artist who is losing her mind. Grappling with themes of feminism, societal pressures, and ambition, this is a deep dive into a mind capable of so much being gradually reduced to so little.
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Considered a quintessential New York City read, Truman Capote’s novella about two lonely souls crossing paths vividly paints Manhattan’s charming atmosphere while highlighting the realities of trying to survive in the big city.
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A scathing satire of modern capitalism wrapped in a slick shell of sociopathic sleaze, American Psycho is as grim and disquieting as you'd expect from 1980's Wall Street.
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Book one in the Great Cities Duology is a joyride of magic and myth set in contemporary NYC. Transformed into living, breathing characters, the city’s five boroughs must unite to save New York from an ancient enemy in N.K. Jemisin’s inventive urban fantasy.
The Cricket in Times Square: Revised and updated edition with foreword by Stacey Lee
George Selden
4
Paperback
$8.99
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As fun as it is wholesome, this is a classic "tail" of three unlikely friends and their heartfelt — and often hilarious — life in the big city.
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Living in Manhattan's Plaza Hotel, Eloise may not make the best neighbor, but she's nothing if not entertaining. This spunky girl inspires free thinking in young minds who like to bend the rules.
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Exploring New York City through the eyes of a fiercely inquisitive young girl named Harriet who jots her observations about people in her secret notebook, this American children’s classic is set on the Upper East Side.
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An ode to New York City and those drawn to its allure, Patti Smith’s narrative mastery is on display in this true tale of two young, in-love artists as they rise through the many circles in the city on their way to fame.
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A NYC travel guide for fashion lovers? Yes, please. Experience the Big Apple through a fashionista’s eyes, from Central Park to the city's chicest shopping spots, discover New York one stunning illustration at a time.
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Get to know the city that never sleeps through the people who live there with Brandon Stanton's photographs and interviews that have touched the hearts of millions on social media over the years, inspiring people to see New York through a more human lens.
Moon New York City: Neighborhood Walks, Bagels & Bites, Theater & Nightlife
Christopher Kompanek, Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
$21.99
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Explore the city like a true New Yorker, with a handy guide filled with personal recommendations and trusted advice from someone who lives there. From things to see to places to eat, plan your trip with confidence.
The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
David McCullough
5
Paperback
$23.00
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You've seen it in films, now learn the history behind the making of the magnificent bridge that continues to capture the hearts of locals and visitors alike. From the first vision to construction challenges and the climate of the era, get to know the Brooklyn Bridge from the ground up.