29 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY

Woodstock might seem like it’s a quiet rural community, but in the summer and fall months it becomes a touristy hot-spot, especially in the Hudson Valley’s beautiful leaf-peeping season. And tucked away in the middle of busy cafes, music shops, antiquarians, and souvenir stores you’ll find a small literary oasis called the Golden Notebook. It may not have the size of other bookstores, but it has heart and an excellent selection of topical nonfiction, new releases, and counter-culture necessities.

The first floor is floor to ceiling books on either side of you, with tables and shelves running down the middle. The first few displays were the usual suspects of new fiction and nonfiction in hardcover and paperback, book club selections, and staff recs, but the topics along the walls are what gave the shop it’s own unique flavor. On one side I saw plenty of books about green living and the connecting with the outdoors, and on the other side a dynamic selection of books on music, early rock and roll, the Woodstock music festival, the NY music scene, and other pop culture topics relevant to the history of the arts in NYC, upstate NY, and the region.

Working toward the back past the fiction, memoirs, history, and topical new releases you’ll find an alcove for kids books and shelves of new and classic YA, a travel section, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, graphic novels, and more. It got a little shadowy back there but it was cozy and twisty and very enjoyable to browse. There’s a staircase leading to a second floor, but it seems a bit underused, like an excellent event space just waiting for the pandemic to end so readers can come and share their works with the world again. But there was a large shelf of classic fiction up there, and a few tables with coffee table books, many about music and the Woodstock festival.

Had it not been in midst of a pandemic I would have browsed for longer, but even in this quick trip it was obvious that if you’re in the area and looking for a hot new read or a favorite classic, this is the shop to hit. The clean space, polished wooden floors and shelves, and diverse topics all made it an inviting and comforting place to shop.

Atmosphere — Matching wooden shelves, tables and floors give the shop a uniform and polished look.

Quality — The books are all new and the gifts unique.

Quantity — It’s a smallish shop but they load a bunch of books in there, especially that first floor.

Diversity — This shop hits all the main categories but has plenty of books about the music scene, the history of rock, alternative living, and of course the Woodstock festival.

Affordability — New books at new book prices.

Amenities — Not much in the way of lounging areas here, but there are loads of great cafes nearby.

Location — Close to the center of Woodstock, a block or so away from the main intersection (a three-way stop with signs only, so it gets BUSY in the fall on weekends) surrounded by busy shops and restaurants.

Customer Service — I didn’t have a chance to interact as I was in and out, due to the pandemic.

Overall — This shop deserves a second look if I’m ever in the area (and if this pandemic ever ends), and it seems like the place to go for a new bestseller or a book about the NY music scene. A clean, welcoming little shop in a fun little town. Take a look if you’re able!