It’s Up To You, New York

By Rod Dreher • January 10, 2013, 9:11 AM

Hey NYC-area readers, my publisher is putting together the Little Way Of Ruthie Leming book tour, and we’re thinking now about where would be the best bookstore in Manhattan for an in-store reading. What do you think? It’s been a long time since I lived there.

And: would you come? I know I have more than a few New York City readers, but I’d love to know if I could count on you to come out to support Little Way in April, when it is launched.

This is actually a serious question. You might remember last year, when we asked y’all for your input on which cover we should choose for the book. Your heavy voting for the rocking chair cover made a big difference in the publisher’s decision to go with it. I’m told by the publicist on Little Way that the number of people who say they’ll show up for the reading (and mean it) makes a difference in the kind of venue we can book.

For readers outside of NYC, just wait — more cities will be announced soon, and I’ll be asking you the same questions.

So: where in Manhattan should we do this? Will you come?

Posted in Little Way Of Ruthie Leming. Tagged Manhattan, Ruthie Leming.

28 Responses to It’s Up To You, New York

Jack Ross says:

January 10, 2013 at 9:34 am

My perspective may be limited since above 59th Street is another world to me, but I have a hard time seeing it as a good fit for any of the indie stores I know in the city rather than Barnes and Noble (of course Union Square if you can get it). Maybe my perspective is viewed by both the subject matter and loyalty to Brooklyn, but it seems to me a better fit for an indie store in Brooklyn, though I see that’s not in the cards. Whenever and wherever though I will be there.

I notice that the official release date is the 13th. If you can possibly help it, try to time your trip to drop by the Brooklyn Folk Festival the weekend of the 19th, you won’t be disappointed !
Samuel Goldman says:

January 10, 2013 at 9:54 am

I’d suggest McNally-Jackson and Housing Works, both of which regularly hold readings and other literary events. If Brooklyn is a possibility, perhaps consider Book Court in Cobble Hill.
Ted says:

January 10, 2013 at 9:58 am

I hate to say it, but Jack Ross’s first suggestion wins: the B&N on Union Square is the best choice. It’s big, it’s pretty commodious as well as big, and it fronts the great Union Square farm market, which mitigates the shame of doing it at The Chain, etc., etc. Now that Books & Co. (I miss it every day) is gone all these many years, that’s your best bet. And there are kicking places to eat around there.
amm139 says:

January 10, 2013 at 9:59 am

The Barnes and Noble on the Upper West Side (82nd and Broadway) often hosts readings for major authors. There’s plenty of space and it’s convenient to the 1/2 and B/C subway lines.
Ted says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:00 am

Oh, and, yes, I’ll come.
Turmarion says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:00 am

Can’t help with NYC, but for a future stop, I’d suggest Lexington, KY. Joseph-Beth Booksellers there would be a great place to do a reading/signing (that’s one thing it’s known for in the area). If you wanted a funky, indie bookstore in that area, I’d suggest Sqecial Media (no, that’s not a typo!) or The Wild Fig, though I’m not sure either would have enough capacity. The extra benefit is that Lexington is only about an hour from Henry County, home of Wendell Berry. You could pop over and meet him, or even better, maybe he could introduce you. Crunchies of the world, unite!

There’s a small book scene in Frankfort (the capital, about twenty-five miles from Lexington), too–the Paul Sawyier Public Library does a lot of this kind of thing, and there’s an indie bookstore/cafe, Poor Richard’s, downtown.
Amanda M. says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:01 am

Glad to hear you’ll be visiting New York on the tour! My favorite place to attend readings and events is McNally Jackson Books on Prince St. in Soho (http://mcnallyjackson.com/). Really great basement reading space, a kind staff, a delicious cafe, and easy to get to via the 6 or NR. Also in the area is Housing Works on Crosby St. and the NYU bookstore on Broadway.

Looking forward to it! I’ll be there!
Noah Millman says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:06 am

Would be thrilled to see you again after so long, Rod, so do let me know where, but I second Jack’s suggestion that Brooklyn is a better fit – Book Court or Greenlight or whatever.
Adam DeVille says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:18 am

Strands on Broadway and 13th. We make a “pilgrimage” there at least twice a year to offer sacrifices to the Visa gods in exchange for books.
Frank says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:22 am

Rod, you have to include The Strand in Greenwich Village. It’s the biggest indie bookstore in the Tri-State area, if not on the East Coast.
Zathras says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:25 am

The Strand, if they’ll take you.
pinkjohn says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:29 am

I’d also say that the Union Square Barnes & Noble will give you the biggest bang for the buck. If you’re looking for an indie venue as well, Three Lives in Greenwich Village is one of my faves.

And yes, I will show up!
Yair says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:41 am

I don’t know the city book scene well enough to make a venue recommendation, but wherever it is, I’ll be there (as long as it’s not April 1-2, which is the end of Passover).
Peter says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:41 am

I’m on the UWS myself. Agree that Union Square is maybe your best bet, or perhaps the Strand, if for no other reason than proximity to the offices of NR, New Criterion, Commentary & First Things, and hence a few convenient pools of potentially interested and influential readers. Wherever you wind up I’ll be there.
AnnaMW says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:47 am

I would come! The Strand and the Union Square B&N are both good suggestions. The Strand has more character but the B&N may have more space.
tmatt says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:54 am

Is there a bookstore in Tim Keller’s church?

Metaxas should line up a reading.
Noah172 says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:56 am

I may be visiting the area in early April. If I am there, I will definitely come. Let us know when you have a date and location.
Mark Burke says:

January 10, 2013 at 12:58 pm

Barnes & Noble at Union Square is the best place. It’s big, and easily accessible on multiple subway lines.

Book Culture on 112th near Columbia has readings, but the space is small. It’s an independent store, though.

And, I’ll come.
Juan C. Marrero says:

January 10, 2013 at 1:06 pm

I know someone who was very instrumental in bringing the relics of St. Therese to St. Patricks in 1999. It seems your book has an indirect Therese connection. If you’d like, I will contact her to see whether there might be an existing resource to be tapped in NYC in terms of audience turn-out.
Nate says:

January 10, 2013 at 1:31 pm

I second these suggestions. Strand is probably your safest bet. It’d be cool if you could use St. Mark’s or McNally’s, though. I agree that Book Culture would be great, but it’d be really tight. The other indy places I like would be even tighter than that, so not even worth mentioning.
(Though…too bad Coliseum Books went away, eh?)
The monolith B&N at Union Square is obviously a great place for such things, but certainly there might be some irony there, given the Dreher aesthetic. But hey, we’d all understand if that’s where it was. In fact–if the crowd is huge, we might have to have it there, no? That’d be pretty cool, actually.

Wherever it is:

as The Dude said to Marty: I’ll be there, man.
Jonathan says:

January 10, 2013 at 1:34 pm

So, I know you said to wait, and you would post other cities. But I’m voting in advance for you to set up a reading at Book People in Austin (http://www.bookpeople.com/) and Parnassus in Nashville (http://www.parnassusbooks.net/). I will either be living in Nashville or in Austin by the time your book comes out, not sure which yet.
Chris Jones says:

January 10, 2013 at 2:57 pm

Rod,

I love the Strand, but I have difficulty picturing a reading/book signing event there. Every inch of the place is crammed with books! (That’s why I love it.) Where in the Strand could they fit a table for you to sit and sign books?

If you are not coming to Boston, I’ll try to head down to NYC for the reading. If you are coming to Boston, I’ll suggest the Harvard Bookstore or the Co-op (both in Harvard Square, Cambridge).
Gene Callahan says:

January 10, 2013 at 3:09 pm

Brooklyn is where it’s at, Rod. Book Court on Court Street in your old neighborhood would be perfect.
Evw says:

January 10, 2013 at 3:51 pm

Queens, Rod! As lovely as Manhattan and Bklyn are, they would’ve held nothing for your sister (if I may be so bold). Queens is the Ruthie to your Brooklyn. And if you go here (http://www.astoriabookshop.com/) you could join the movement of those trying to resurrect the indie bookstore, even to the lowly, unassuming Outer boroughs. (And I could walk to the reading.)
Siarlys Jenkins says:

January 10, 2013 at 5:40 pm

I won’t be in New York in April, but I’d say its the Strand or some big box. They can make room for anything if they just shove a few tables around.
Gene Callahan says:

January 10, 2013 at 11:08 pm

“Queens, Rod! As lovely as Manhattan and Bklyn are, they would’ve held nothing for your sister (if I may be so bold).”

Evw, dems fightin’ words! My neighborhood in Brooklyn is far like “hometown America” than the suburbs I grew up in.
Lulu says:

January 11, 2013 at 1:24 am

Barnes & Noble @ Broadway & 82nd, or @ Union Square or @ West 23rd Street; or

Book Culture (which used to be Labyrinth) because it’s right accross the street from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

I’ll be there.
Tom says:

January 11, 2013 at 11:53 am

While I’ve not been there, McNally Jackson Books on Prince St. in Soho (http://mcnallyjackson.com/) does seem to be the best fit for you and your book.
Next would be the Strand, and then (if you’re willing to make the aesthetic and other compromises) Barnes & Noble.
I’ll be there.