Coliseum Books

I used to go to the one on 57^th every week. I had a shrink appointment in that neighborhood every Friday, and then I’d go over on the way home and blow way too much money on books. Sometimes, based on the enjoyment of their selection, I thought I should just quit the psychiatrist and spend all of the money on books there.
Aside from the usual rants about indie book stores versus giant chains, the old location had a great selection and a very intimate feel to it. There were a lot of books crammed into a small location, and it made it even more appetizing to me. The various staff picks and tables of new or popular releases also steered me to many an author that I now greatly enjoy. And prices weren’t bad. I was very sad to see them go, and spent entirely too much money on their fire sale.
The new place? Eh. I didn’t think it was a great location, first of all. Yeah, it’s across from the library, and by the park, but it’s just not a super high traffic area, and every time I was in there, maybe a dozen people were shopping. The cavernous space also removed the intimacy, and made it seem more like another Barnes and Borders. The café was nice, but honestly, I’d rather buy a dollar bottle of water from a hot dog cart and have a much better space. I did make a couple of trips, and spent some money, because there was that nostalgia. But it never got in my regular routine of shopping. Maybe that’s my fault, and I should have made more of an effort to come here. Who knows. It was nice when it lasted, but it was no Tattered Cover or Elliot Bay or City Lights Books. And now it’s shut down, and the old one’s a Bank of America, but I still keep finding those yellow and black bookmarks in my collection, so it still holds a nice memory for me.

Used to intern at a literary affairs department and we used Coliseum all the time, we’d call ahead to reserve copies of books, its a little bit more disorganized than the Barnes and Noble, but the great part about it was always when i walked in, I was like, yes its big, but it has such a neighborhood, casual vibe to it that why the hell is it plucked in midtown?
Coliseum, with your bulletins and brochures,
allowing us to procure
your books of glory and fancy,
of the trivial and the tantamount,
inch for inch, binding after binding,
we’re minding your closing, very much
But really I’m getting a lot done at work right now.

I was sad to learn of Coliseum’s demise; I passed by it and there was this eerie sense, like it had vanished without a trace amidst the bustle and flow… there sprang the memories; afternoons of browsing through the selections after or before summer outings on Bryant Park — like many have said here, it was an Oasis in the middle of the chaos.
One memorable purchase I made here was Knut Hamsun’s «Hunger» — they also had a great selection of Spanish books… I will keep my black and yellow Coliseum Books bookmarks as a souvenir of summers gone by. ++ In memoriam ++ RIP

I first started going to Coliseum when I was in high school. Being a band geek, I was part of the all-​city orchestra and all-​city band which convened on Saturdays in an auditorium near Lincoln Center. Then on Saturday afternoons, I would walk around the area and finally stumbled across Coliseum Bookstore.
Since then Coliseum moved to 42^nd St due to the increase on their rent on their old location (right by Carnegie Hall) and then closed down. As all cities should know, small business owners don’t make serious bucks selling culture. Yet, the presence of bookstores and other purveyors of culture (art galleries, dance studios, small theatres, etc.) make cities the exciting centers of thought.
New York, as well as other American cities, need to consider doing more to keep culture vibrant in cities. The first thing they need to consider is how to combat the vulturous inflation of real estate prices that puts money ahead of everything. While it’s true that money is a large part of the engine driving New York, there’s so much more to New York than just money. Politicans should consider that just money will make New York a boring and emotionally vapid city.

I went this place yesterday. didn’t want miss this one before their closing.
since I had no idea what I was looking for, I browsed first. pretty diversity of selection. wish I could enjoy this place more. so sad… =(
I got some word history books for building up my vocabularies.
ta da~~

everything is 50% off right now!
get there while there still might be something worth reading!

Sadly the Coliseum is closing at the end of this year. So stop by soon ’cause everything is on sale.

Cheers to one of the best, most dependable independent bookstores in New York. I come here nearly every day after work to browse, and I rarely leave empty handed (especially now since they started having a 20% sale on everything in the store — GO NOW!). They’re sure to have the best new books in fiction and nonfiction, and their history/​current events section can be counted on to have the best books from the best writers.
Finding a bookstore you can trust is often like finding that wonderful gem of a restaurant in a hidden nook in the city. You go there first for the possibilities offered, and later for the comfort of familiarity. With Coliseum, you’ll know that the books they offer for your browsing and purchasing pleasure will be valuable reads, and it’ll bring you back time after time.
In addition — has anyone actually used the NYPL to borrow a book? It’s infinitely easier to browse at Coliseum than it is to fill out a call slip and wait half an hour for dumbwaiters to bring your book to you so you can read it on a hard wooden chair for the short time each day that the library’s even open. Don’t get me wrong, I love the NYPL — for its architecture, its LIVE events, and because the hundreds of hours I spent researching there have gotten me attached, but the NYPL experience is, in no way, comparable to an experience at Coliseum. Apples and oranges, one might say.
In the end, I nixed one star solely because I disapprove of coffeeshops in bookstores. I know lots of Unilocalers love the coffeeshop, and I confess to having rested my weary feet there many a time when it was too cold for the NYPL steps and entering the Starbucks was too daunting, but it’s really something of a stubborn principle thing — irrational pet peeve, if you will.

On the corner of 6^th Ave. and 42^nd St. there is the busiest.Starbucks.of.all.time. But, just steps away, there is Coliseum Books! Where you can obtain a coffee and a baked-​item for half the price and sans the giant.line.of.mayhem!
The coffee and beverage selection is quite large, and the prices are reasonable! The baked goods look great, and they have just about everything Starbucks has (scones, muffins, pound cake slices, black & white cookies, etc.).
By all means, walk up half a block and get your coffee and breakfast-​treat HERE, instead of that crazy Starbucks! What’s more, there are tables and chairs if you want to sit down! And a very friendly and personable staff.
Additionally, this is a great bookstore! There is a large selection of unique books and stationary products and gift items!

I understand that there’s a good bookstore right next to the café, but with NYPL right next door, I wasn’t in a book buying mood. So this review is only for the coffee shop. Pretty good (if pre-​made) sandwhiches, harsh-​sounding warnings about being sure to share the tables, and good teas all made for a nice little hanging out/​working experience. If only the Bryant Park WiFi signal were a little stronger.

Support Independent Bookstores! Their coffee is great too…
The best thing I have to say about the place is their CUSTOMER SERVICE. Each time I visited the store these folks were knowledgeable about their books, friendly and eager to help you find what you’re looking for, without being intrusive.
Unlike the big chains, unique finds and gifts can be found, like one-​of-​a-​kind journals made by independent craftspeople (and I mean really unique – not just ubiquitous lock-​and-​key leather journals or the fragile looking, made-​in-​India, beaded notebooks you find in Borders). I found a whole stack of moderately priced ones piled on a low shelf, en route to their restroom. OK, so it wasn’t the best Point-​Of-​Sale location, but that’s what I LOVE about the store – it’s quirky, alternative, and invites you to browse. And of course, I had to buy one.

four stars for the selection, in particular a refreshingly well stocked travel section which is hard to find in bookstores. this really pleased me. they really stock up on their titles. they even have a belles lettres section, which struck me as oddly specific for a times square/​bryant park business. but maybe the staff here actually reads books and cares about how they’re presented. makes me think there’s a lot more to find in this here store stacked with books (and a mini café!). and just a hop away from the park and library if you want to make an event out of reading your new purchase.

I first stopped by because it was the closest book store to my office. Now I go back when I need something and have time to dash there at lunch.
The staff is helpful, the selection decent and they can always order what you need.

A cozy bookstore, with good variety of books and 20% off on staff picks. Prices are good and there are live reading events every Wednesday at around lunch time in their café area. I go to this place every day during my lunch and eat there while reading a book. Although the food is a bit pricey, their café space is comfortable and induces concentrating on work. It’s also good for killing time. Besides, there is free wifi that you can pick up from the park accross the street; it can’t get any better than that, my friends.

So glad to see this bookstore back in existence! The staff is great and he selection wonderful.
For writers: It has a café area where you can sit with your laptop and write or get other work done. You can pick up the wireless from Bryant Park if your WiFi card is strong enough and you sit near the window. Doesn’t seem like a place that would be large group friendly, and perhaps they wouldn’t like it if we took up space and didn’t buy food every hour. The food is a bit too expensive for what it is. They have Boylans, though!
ETA — Sadness! Coliseum is closing again :(Why does New York throw away everything good?

Easily one of the best bookstores in the country. It’s an independent bookstore that’s big enough to have a huge selection of books, but independent enough to have a real NY personality, (unlike the chain stores which are exactly like their branches anywhere else).
I hope Coliseum Books is around forever.

Great bookstore in the middle of the mass consumerism that is Times Square. I had the chance to go here twice on my recent visit to NYC — once to meet a friend for coffee — they have a nice café that beats the pants off of any Starbucks — and then to pick up some reading material for my plane trip home. The woman who helped me was very cool, had some nice suggestions too.

The counter by the window in this store is on my list of great reading spaces.

This is one of the best book stores I’ve been to in Manhattan. They have a great selection of books, especially of those relating specifically to New York City. I love the décor — it’s less «store» like than Barnes and Noble. Grab a great read and some delicious coffee and go to Bryant Park to spend the afternoon in another world.

Five stars for the classical music almost always playing.

A fairly large and welcoming bookstore. They often have 20% discount on new books and authors often come for book signings. They also have a counter by the window where you can read books, the Village Voice or just people watch while eating your lunch. It’s also across the street from Bryant Park.

Coliseum Books is somewhat an oasis … smack in the middle of 42^nd Street, a shortcut through this peaceful store can transport you far from the maddening crowd. In addition to their excellent comprehensive range of books, Coliseum also has a café where you can relax with your selections. The staff are knowledgable and helpful, and there’s a secret bathroom behind the Pets section.