Neighborhood browsing for books on LI
A customer browses inside Canio's Books on Main Street in Sag Harbor. (Jan. 17, 2009) Credit: Newsday/Rebecca Cooney
With the shutdown of the last six Borders stores on Long Island, some bibliophiles may be wondering where to find their next read. Try one of these independent bookstores on the Island, each with its own distinctive character and clientele.
313 New York Ave.
631-271-1442
Tables and couches littered throughout the store encourage customers to spend some time at this shop, Long Island's largest indie.
"We want to be casual and comfortable and professional at the same time," says co-owner Richard Klein.
Book Revue is known for its high-profile book-signings, which draw authors such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Judy Collins and Snooki to Long Island.
ON THE SHELVES "Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing" by Lydia Peelle ($13.99); Patti Smith's "Just Kids" ($16).
290 Main St.
631-725-4926
Shoppers at Canio's, housed in a historic building dating to the 1770s, should expect some bookshelf-induced claustrophobia. "It's cozy, and people think of it as a sort of a living room," says Maryann Calendrille, one of the store's co-owners.
Poetry books make up Canio's most notable collection, filling an entire wall of the store.
ON THE SHELVES "Fire to Fire: New and Selected Poems" by Mark Doty ($15.99); "Everything Beautiful Began After" by Simon Van Booy ($14.99).
Black Cat Books, Shelter Island
54 North Ferry Rd.
631-725-8654
Black Cat opened its Shelter Island location on Memorial Day in a building that formerly served as the shop's warehouse.
Black Cat joins an extensive collection of pricey art books with an intriguing selection of used contemporary fiction.
"What is important to me is to have a store that has high-end collectibles, but also plenty of things that are affordable for people who just want something great and interesting to read," says owner Dawn Hedberg, who lives next door to the shop.
ON THE SHELVES First edition of "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison ($800); signed first edition of "Cityscapes / O Books" by Edward Ruscha ($350).
Fourth World Comics, Smithtown
33 Rte. 111, Smithtown
631-366-4440
Spider-Man looms in the corner of Fourth World Comics' window, and a clock counts down the hours until October's New York City Comic Con.
Fourth World has sold comic books, figurines, toys and other memorabilia for more than 29 years, 23 of them in its current location.
"When you're around that long, you build up a big clientele," says Glenn Fischette, the store's owner, who believes that audience continues to grow as comics are made into video games and movies.
ON THE SHELVES "The Walking Dead" graphic novels ($15 each); Marvel's "Fear Itself" comic books ($3.99 each).
Dolphin Books, Port Washington
299 Main St.
516-767-2650
Dolphin Books is a bookstore for people who love distractions.
With a small, hand-picked selection of literature, Dolphin supplements book sales with children's toys, greeting cards and aromatic candles. Co-owner Patti Vunk says Dolphin sells them in order to expose customers to books they might not know they're looking for. Dolphin could be adding another distraction soon; work has begun on a cafe that could open as soon as this fall.
ON THE SHELVES Soy wax candles named after authors ($22.95); "A Small Work of Art" greeting cards by Kim Attwooll ($5.95 each).
