1313 Madison Ave., New York, NY

This shop has been on my list for a long time, and I saved it for a special occasion. You see, I frequently travel to the upper east side area of NYC from upstate NY for cancer tests and treatments at Sloan Kettering, and sometimes after I leave an MRI or CT/PET scan, I’m exhausted, shaken, and feeling really low. So after a particularly hard morning of scans, I decide it was time to treat myself. I wandered over toward the Carnegie Hill neighborhood as the aftereffects of my valium wore off, and I sat myself down inside this shop for a bit, taking in its simple beauty. It’s only one room, but with its excellent selection and a subtle classiness that matches the neighborhood, it’s the perfect shop to have “right around the corner.”

The Corner Bookstore features a subtle brown façade with gold lettering and two big windows displaying a grid of books on either side of the door, matching the wall-to-wall array of books you’ll find inside. The shelves wrap around the entire room, floor to ceiling, and there are multiple island displays in the center that keep you circling the shop in figure eights. You can also lounge on one of the two park bench seats they have inside the door, just behind the gorgeous window displays. The shop has a simple, modest, and classic feel, with dark browns and soft yellow lights that makes one feel calm and welcomed.

As for the selection, they offer an excellent array for a shop of its size. From brand new hardcover novels and nonfiction to classic editions of old favorites, this shop runs the gamut. There’s a little bit of everything, with particular emphasis on children’s and YA books, newly released novels and well-known popular fiction, and modern nonfiction offerings that included: art, literary essays and letters, massive coffee table books on world art and historical sites, bird and gardens, travel and language, politics and social movements in civil, gender, and feminist rights. A little bit of everything, with paperbacks in the back of the shop, ranging from mysteries to romance, mainstream fiction to fantasy. I also saw cards, gift wrap, bags, and other gift items.

Beyond the solid selection of books, it’s the clean, organized, and professional feel of the shop that gives it its highest marks. Everything in its place, smartly displayed, and ready for that lucky reader who happens upon their next gem. The shop has its stellar reputation for a reason, and I highly recommend a visit.

Atmosphere — Classic dark woods and island displays make wandering this organized and a warmly inviting shop a delight.

Quality — The books are new and pristine, excellent editions throughout.

Quantity — For being just a single room, they have a solid amount of choose from, and the many displays throughout offer a nice figure-eight pattern or browsing.

Diversity — This shop hits most of the usual categories, with plenty of fiction, history, and lots of YA, middle grade, children’s books.

Affordability — The books were all very fairly priced for new releases.

Amenities — There are some benches inside, but otherwise you’re there to browse.

Location — Carnegie Hill on the upper east side, not far from the park and a few blocks from the 96th street station for the 4/5/6 subway line.

Customer Service — There were a few staffers on hand and all were busy helping folks find books and ring out, and packaging call-in and online orders, etc. Seemed very efficient and pleasant.

Overall — A classic corner bookshop for a classic New York neighborhood, concise yet organized, with an excellent selection of new titles and classic favorites. Very much recommended.