A visit to a Greenwich Village bookstore

Remember when I asked for your assistance regarding books to read and bookstores to visit in New York? I got so many great suggestions unfortunately I wasn't able to do and see everything that was recommended to me. But given I had planned an afternoon stroll through Greenwich Village on Saturday I made a beeline for Three Lives & Company, which Emile had claimed was "very quaint and intimate". She was definitely right.

The store, which is on the corner of West 10th Street and Waverly Place (a short stroll from Washington Square), is like stepping into someone's living room. It's not very big, but the selection of books, mainly fiction, is wonderful. And there's a peaceful, relaxing ambience to the place, helped by the gentle sound of classical music being played over the sound system, and the dark wood shelves and the bare, shiny floorboards.

For the first 20 minutes I had the place to myself. I took my time seeking out novels with a New York theme and managed to stumble upon Karen Shepard's Don't I Know You? which is about an 11-year-old  boy who comes home from school to find his mother has been murdered in their living room. Yes, nothing like an edgy Manhattan thriller to attract my attention!

While I was there people kept popping in and asking the staff -- an older man and woman -- if they had such-and-such in stock, while others just dropped by to say hello. One chap cheekily wanted to know why his book wasn't on more prominent display! I got the sense that the store was like a little community hub, not just for local readers but local authors too.

All in all, a delightful little store and well worth the visit. It's such a shame the weather was so nice (a very balmy 24 degrees Celcius), because I would have browsed for longer had it not been so lovely and sunny outside.

As an aside, moments after leaving this store I visited a local eatery, where I sat at an outdoor table, and ordered a delicious (but overpriced) eggs Florentine brunch. Cameron Diaz then plopped herself at the table next to mine, shattering my book-induced peace with mindless chatter about love, life and the secrets of the universe. I kid you not.

Comments

[jess]

Oh, I'm so jealous! Hanging out in New York book shops sounds so much more exciting than my little bit of Australia right now!

[Deirdre]

I'm jealous too, I was born in NYC but hardly ever get there anymore, I'm strictly a tourist when I go.
My daughter is there now, I told her to visit this bookstore, can't wait to hear how she liked it.

[emilie]

Oh I LOVE IT!! a pure new york moment/day... Wow I'm so glad and honored that you dropped in---and here I was secretly hoping you'd find a Grace Paley (Is she still alive?) or Paul Aster type.... Well, Cameron will have to do! I'm smiling ear to ear...