Looking to pick up some summer reading? The woman at the desk of Partners and Crime, in the East Village, told Bwog reporter Emma Jacobs that Manhattan's bookshop scene's just not what it used to be--but we didn't believe her. You can still find some of the best bookshops around hanging in on Manhattan to serve every taste. Click here for a map of the bookshops, and happy browsing!

Three Lives & Co.
154 West 10th Street, Greenwich Village

Wooden shelves and red brick. This one's a classic, traditional bookshop in a cozy space in the West Village.

Unoppressive, Non-Imperialist Bargain Books
34 Carmine Street, West Village

In an incredible corner of the Village, you'll find amazing prices on remainders focused around politics and art. Children's bookshop is next door. Also, the name is awesome.

Housing Works Used Bookstore Café
126 Crosby Street, Soho

Beautiful Soho space sells used books and coffee, with proceeds going to help homeless New Yorkers living with AIDS. Great monthly concert series too.

Partners & Crime
44 Greenwich Ave

This place has exclusive mysteries and detective novels. The staff know their stuff inside and out.

Alabaster Bookshop
122 4th Avenue, East Village

Another small-scale classic with used books and rare titles. It has a cat and amazing bargain carts outside.

Slotnick Bonnie Cookbooks
163 W 10th St , West Village

A bookstore for you cooks and gourmands with lots of hard to find vintage cookbook titles you never knew you'd missed.

Shakespeare & Co.
716 Broadway Frnt, Greenwich Village
939 Lexington Ave, Midtown East
137 E 23rd St, Gramercy Park

There's more than one, and they're all adorable.

McNally Robinson Booksellers LLC
50 Prince Street, Little Italy

To be honest, this place is a little blander, but the selection is good and it has a teahouse. Who doesn't love a teahouse?

St. Mark's Bookshop
31 Third Avenue, East Village

A little like Labyrinth, an academic place, but with an especially great collection for starving artists.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street, Tribeca

Surprised that one mystery bookshop can make it? Well, there's another.

Drama Bookshop
250 W. 40th St., Midtown

For more dramatic tastes, offers a collection of sheet music, plays and movie scripts.

Forbidden Planet
840 Broadway, off Union Square

A bookstore of comic books, graphic novels and assorted supplies to realize your personal geekdom.

Urban Center Books
457 Madison Ave, Midtown

Architecture and design bookstore of the Municipal Art Society.