48 Broadway, Tivoli, NY

I found Half Moon Books tucked away in the quiet village of Tivoli, maybe a twenty minute drive south of Hudson, NY, and when I say this shop was a pleasure to browse, I truly mean it. Half Moon has a sister shop over in Saugerties, and while that one is bustling and busy, this one has an art gallery vibe to it, the kind of bookshop equally suited to hosting an exhibition as often as a reading. But the most important aspects, the books and diversity, are still great draws no matter the space.

After climbing the steps onto the porch and entering the shop’s wide open main room, you’ll find their books are presented in orderly and stylish shelves along the outer wall and in a few islands throughout, each with endcaps that look like pieces of art. It’s a stylish space, with abstract designs, mirrors, and furniture placed here and there to give the shop a fashion-forward feel.

When it comes to the books, they have a lot to offer. The titles are a mix of new and used and the prices seem fair, but the selection feels edgier than most shops, with an alternative and artistic sensibility. It feels like something you’d find in Brooklyn or lower Manhattan rather than upstate New York, and it almost reminded me of Mast Bookshop in the East Village. They have a lot of poetry, plays, and essays scattered about in various sections. There were large chunks of them near the entrance but also mixed in toward the back with the rest of the fiction.

In between there were long walls of nonfiction with music, film, philosophy, religion, myth, occult, and science. There was a display for local and regional titles, a little mystery nook, and a lot of great fiction offerings that included classic editions of bestselling paperbacks to flashy new releases from current on-the-cuff authors. It’s a wide and interesting mix, and somehow refreshingly different from your standard used or new bookshop.

There’s also a separate room for children’s books. There weren’t a ton of those, but there’s a big space for them to grow into, and that section also had shelves for cooking and gardening, but there were still picture books, YA classics, and chapter readers in display shelves, with some gifts mixed in.

It’s a shop worth browsing through, with wide stylish rooms full of classics and modern delights. Tivoli might seem like a quiet village, but this shop has style to spare. If you’re in the area, drop in!

Atmosphere — Part art gallery, part alternative bookshop, with a wide range of books to offer.

Quality — The books are a mix of new and old, but were in excellent shape, and even the used were like new.

Quantity — There were a good amount of books in here, enough to make each section interesting and eye-catching.

Diversity — A solid range with a focus on the arts, fiction, and more eclectic nonfiction categories.

Affordability — The prices I saw ranged up to $12 for paperbacks and higher for nice hardcover books, but all were cheaper than you’ll find in shops offering exclusively new books.

Amenities — There were a couple chairs and couches and the atmosphere was airy and spacious.

Location — It’s right by the main intersection in Tivoli, which isn’t far from Bard College, Red Hook, Hudson, and Catskill.

Customer Service — The gentleman working the desk allowed me to browse and efficiently checked me out, just as I like it.

Overall — This shop has the aesthetic and taste of an edgier NYC bookstore (one with plenty of open space though!) with a range of books that any reader will appreciate, from those looking for a classic to those seeking a more avant-garde title. The unique feel and great selection makes this shop a highly interesting stop for anyone who finds themselves in Dutchess County.