A Bookish Week in NYC- Birthday Edition

May 20

I love a celebration- and in my family we celebrate birthdays for the whole week. This year I wanted to celebrate with a bookish event or activity every day. So read on for a week of bookish nyc inspo! Pulling from some of my favorite things and also bucket list items!

Five books were award at the New York City Book Awards this year!

Monday

After a day of working- I went up to the UES to visit the New York Society Library NYC’s oldest cultural institution. Since 1754 they have been a private library (before public libraries existed!) Anyone can be a member and they host events almost daily.

Every year they award a handful of books that have been published in the last year that go above and beyond in furthering insight into New York City. I added several to my TBR at the ceremony this year!

Tuesday

Started the morning finally visiting cutandcropped in SoHo. This Italian charm bar has so many options to choose from! Of course I picked the book charms, along with some iconic NYC items, plus a couple personal favorite things. Such a cute momento!

I also joined my friend for tea at the hidden tea house at the Genesis House. It is in Chelsea, in the showroom for Genesis cars. The tea room itself is gorgeous and full of so many books!

We enjoyed traditional Korean tea and food while chatting- I would love to bring a book there and sit and read. It is such a quiet oasis that feels so removed from the city (even though it’s in the heart of Chelsea!)

Wednesday

I worked most of the day but I did treat myself to a new release as a birthday gift to myself. Now that I get books gifted to me (and I have always used the library) it’s rare for me to buy a brand new book.

I have heard so many good things about this one! It’s a romance set in NYC? I’m in!

I will have to update y’all and see how it is once I get to it!

Thursday

On Thursday my plan was to do some of my favorite bookish errands!

I started with selling books at the Strand. So far they are the best deal for getting money back (still not a lot but it’s something!) In their rare book room I found a Fairyloot copy of “The Sun and the Starmaker” that is absolutely stunning, and with my trade in it was $3… so basically free!

Whenever I am in the area I have to visit Bub’s Bakery NYC- it is the best allergen friendly bakery I have ever been too!

I had my eye on a shirt from Climax Books for over a year. I decided this year to finally treat myself to one! So cute!

Lastly, went up to The Book Cellar to grab one of their NYC bookstore passports. If you get five stamps (including one at the Twisted Spine!) you can redeem it for a free book!

Friday

Took myself on a little shopping spree at Her Winter Flowers in Williamsburg. Such a cute space! Not just stationery- but the cutest items from around the world.

Then I finally visiting Milk & Roses. The ambiance was stunning, with old books, red leather seats, and gorgeous woodwork. It was a book lover’s dream spot. The food was okay- but you are there for the ambiance!

Saturday

On the last day of the week I went on a bookstore crawl in Washington Heights! It was through my community group for readers (@pagingthroughnyc) and was supposed to be the week before, but it got rained out. It ended up being the perfect way to end my birthday week!