Posman Books
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Bookstores [Edit]
9 Grand Central TerminalNew York, NY 10017
(212) 983-1111
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 9 pm
Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Posman Books
Review Highlights
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"They also have a great selection of items such as journals..." In 4 reviews -
"...I enjoy their selection of journals and the reputable..." In 3 reviews -
"Sure, they'll carry the popular, in-demand titles." In 3 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Shawn A.
Astoria, NY
8/24/2010
For such a small space, Posman does a surprisingly good job of stocking a great selection to either aid you on your commute, or provide you with a browsing distraction if you have to wait in Grand Central for a while.
It doesn't feel cluttered, and is a friendly and relaxing oasis in the midst of the Grand Central insanity. -
Review from Rachael B.
Brooklyn, NY
4/3/2012
Okay, so you are the last of a dying breed. A bookstore. I once worked at a now forgotten, out of business book store, I get it. You are under siege. Your enemy: customers. Yes, that's right...or at least that is the attitude from some of the staff. Ugh, I have to serve you. I have to help you. I have to run your credit card through a machine so you can pay for your books, etc. Come one guys. You have a nice store, you stock it well, get a handle on the attitude, customers=friends and your livelihood.
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Review from Marisa F.
8/3/2011
I can spend a long time in a bookstore, and so having a nice one in Grand Central Terminal is a huge lifesaver when you have a lot of time on your hands. The staff is helpful but not in-your-face, and are happy to let you spend 30 minutes browsing around in the air conditioned literary goodness. They put out a good selection of new fiction, non-fiction, staff favorites, etc. and for a small store, manage to have a lot in stock.
Mostly, though, it's that they've got books and I love books. -
Review from Natalie V.
New York, NY
12/7/2011
I didn't expect to find such a charming little place with such a great selection of merchandise amidst the more overpriced and touristy stores in Grand Central. It's now one of my favorite bookstores in town and I always make a point of stopping in whenever I'm passing through. It's easy to get lost for hours browsing books in their knitting and cookbook sections, and they have one of the nicest selections of stationery and postcards in town. Unlike many, this place truly feels like an independent bookseller. Don't miss this great store!
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Review from Susan L.
11/19/2011
This is my very favorite store at Grand Central. In a fairly small space, they manage to have quite a good selection of many different types of books; even graphic art, children's, and some other very interesting - even whimsical - books. They also have a great selection of items such as journals, plus a decent card selection. Everything is very nicely laid-out - and for a store that's not real large, they even have a few chairs (they actually encourage leisurely browsing, which is something I don't often encounter). The employees are very helpful but also unobtrusive, which is a great combination.
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Review from Maria M.
Woodside, NY
9/21/2007
I have loved Posman for a long time. If it were a man, he would be slightly older than me, cultured and worldly, whip-smart, cool as hell, intellectual, a wine connoisseur, a first-class chef with an affinity for Latin American art and a long and varied iPod playlist. Kind of like Mr. Big (Chris Noth), but good. And faithful. And we'd be married by now with 10,000,000 babies! Since he doesn't bother to turn up the AC, I can tell he is hot for me too.
Every time I go to a new city, I must have a Lonely Planet. Where will I get it? Posman. A new Garrison Keillor book came out recently! Where will I get it? Posman. I need a really cute and snazzy 2008 calendar, Pete Hamill's "Downtown", which is out in paperback (see, Daddy? I waited!), I want to geek out and read the revised version of Thomas Friedman's new book, and I want to learn how to make Japchae. Where oh where can I go? POSMAN.
I love to hang out there, both during my lunch hour and after work, whenever I have a good, long time to chill out. I go there for one thing and I walk out with at least 3 books. Today, I went there for Junot Diaz's new novel. I came out with that book, an updated Lonely Planet guidebook for Buenos Aires, a Vietnamese cookbook and a Yoga for Dummies.
Oh my God, I am such a geek. But it IS quite endearing. And that's why Posman loves me right back.Listed in: The Office
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Review from Sooj O.
New York, NY
2/14/2007
There's always two Posman Books running about in my memory, chasing each other in time.
The old original Posman Books used to be on University Place, right by NYU. The interior was dark with nice lighting interspersed to help you find your books. They had possibly the best poetry selection in town, yes, even better than St. Mark's. Near the poetry section were shelves lining the walls with literary fiction. One naturally flowed back and forth between the poetry and the literature.
Then, further back, they had the critical books: anthropology, sociology, critical theory, philosophy, history....It was a place to get lost in, to step out of the rain or snow and just spend the afternoon contentedly browsing.
The new Posman in Grand Central is a different beast. Rather than a bookstore serving an academic audience, it's a general bookstore catering to the commuter spending the commuting hours reading. Therefore, it has a good general selection of fiction, a small poetry section, all the current events books, history books, some good design books, business books, and NY interest books. They also have a decent selection of interesting gift items and cute cards; great place to shop for coworker gifts around Christmas time.
The staff at Posman has always been noteworthy for being very knowledgeable about their stock. That, thankfully, has not changed.
Take note of their table displays. They are judicious in deciding what will land on their tables, and it's always good books.
Go to Posmans rather than the new Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue, even if you aren't waiting for a train. I used to work right by Grand Central and spent many lunch hours here.
By the way, keep an eye out on their display window. They go out of their way to work with book industry people to put up a fun window.Listed in: The New York I knew and miss, Indy Bookstores, Bookstores NY
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Review from Micaela L.
Brooklyn, NY
5/9/2007
Posman Books is a Midtown oasis! I always find myself stopping here at lunch or on the way home from work. Their stock is pretty comprehensive for a small bookstore located in the middle of Grand Central.
I really enjoy their selection of blank journals, and they carry a wide range of Moleskine products -- always a plus! -
Review from Tina C.
9/14/2008
I like Posman Books as it's clean and organized. This location sits inside Grand Central Terminal's Concourse shops. They have a small selection of gifts and journals, however, do not under estimate their selection of books due to the size of their retail space. Personally, I enjoy their selection of journals and the reputable Moleskine products.
Due to the location, it's convenient for every New Yorker who is on the go. -
Review from Michaela D.
Brooklyn, NY
10/7/2009
I have this thing about books. I like to read things that aren't the newest, hottest, hippest thing. I like to read things written 15 years ago, 50 years ago, 200 hundred years ago -- you get my drift. Now, I know you're saying, "Ho-hum, big deal, ya big book snob." But, I'm telling you -- it IS a big deal. Thanks to the fact that many bookstores in NYC are small, many do not carry a great depth and breadth of authors' back catalogs. Heck, even the big-box stores are guilty of this crime. Sure, they'll carry the popular, in-demand titles. But hidden gems and sleepers? You'd better see a used store or the library for those.
Unless, amazingly, you're at Posman Books. The selection is, for lack of a better term, "well-edited." As space is at a premium, there is no fat and no filler and no waste -- just stacks and stacks and stacks of awesome books. Maybe I was just lucky, maybe the buyers have the exact same taste that I do -- either way, I had to limit myself to just getting what I went in for. If i had't, I would have left with about five back-catalog titles from various authors that I've been looking to buy for some time and hadn't seen at any other store. See, I was in my interview clothes and heels and I didn't want to lug a big bag of books home. So let's all cross our fingers that I get this job near Grand Central so I can give Posman more of my business in the future. -
Review from Jennifer S.
Huntington Station, NY
4/26/2007
Since Coliseum has closed I now come to Posman for my reading needs. They carry all of the best sellers and a good selection of everything else.
I particularly love this place because as I get off the Shuttle to head into work I pass by here and if its a co-workers b-day I pick up a $25 giftcard and its so great because I know that no matter where the person lives, they have to go through Grand Central anyway so its not a total waste! (unless of course you drive to work, but no one i work with intimately is that "well off") -
Review from Heath R.
Los Angeles, CA
7/23/2006
This independent bookstore located in the thick of Grand Central Terminal is a great place to kill time before or after a train ride. I often stop off on my way home if I don't have time to make the short walk to nearby Coliseum Books on 42nd Street across from Bryant Park to pick up titles that piqued my interest during the work day.
The store has a well-selected new fiction and nonfiction display, as well as a relatively well-stocked New York section. Their fiction leaves a little to be desired, but they shelve Hard Case Crime in the mystery section, have a decent current events stack, and have many notable poetry texts you might be interested in.
If they don't have what you're looking for, you may need to go elsewhere unless you commute via GCT daily, but for a spontaneous browse, they can't be beat.
They have a frequent customer card, but I'm not sure the discount is worth the participation fee. It's also not a bad place for last-minute gift selection because they feature postcards, gift books, and other similar items.
Worth exploring!Listed in: Best NYC Book Stores
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Review from L K.
Westchester County, NY
11/28/2009
This book store offers personable service and a selection to rival many other independent bookshops, and is a great alternative to the Borders/Barnes & Noble monstrosities that dominate today's reading landscape.
Sure, you can find Crappy Trashy Novels here, but that's not what you're in the market for when you come to Posman Books. The selection at this store is large, varied and enviable, and ranges from bestsellers to literary fiction of the most delicate and dreamy kind. It was here that I picked up "Every Man Dies Alone," by Hans Fallada, the German novelist persecuted by the Third Reich who also did time in a Nazi insane asylum; "The Maias," by the Portuguese novelist Eca de Queiros; any number of books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; "2666" by Roberto Bolano; and a nice little tome by Pope Benedict XVI that the store showcased when the pontiff visited New York. What I'm trying to say is that whether you've heard of the book or not - Hans Fallada had never crossed my radar until Posman put him there - this store probably carries it.
They also carry a great selection of nonfiction titles that are nicely and neatly displayed on a large table near the registers. I often have difficulty choosing between a fiction or a nonfiction title when I'm here because the selection is so superb. They tend to have an impressive selection of World War II-era titles, with American and New York history thrown into the mix as well.
Posman Books is a great bookshop with hip, knowledgeable employees, and this is a more than splendid location to pick up some high-quality reading material. Skip the myriad magazine stands if you're dashing to the train, and stop at Posman Books instead. You won't be disappointed.Listed in: New York, New York, Born to Shop, Book Heaven
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Review from D R.
New York, NY
4/1/2009
Located in Grand Central Terminal
they always have some sort of book-signing going on
Anne Rice was sitting right up front signing books one day.
It's a cool little book store.
sometimes all you need is just one book, this place is small enough so that you can just call ahead, reserve it, pick it up and leave. -
Review from Elena T.
New Rochelle, NY
6/12/2011
Posman Books has expertly selected new fiction and nonfiction table displays. I look forward to popping in after a hard days work and getting something new to read on the train. It's hard not to splurge here!
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Review from Port D.
New York, NY
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Used to be down near NYU, smart move for them to be in Grand Central now. Independent and very smart in design and stock. A gem for NY.
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Review from Donna H.
Brooklyn, NY
9/25/2006
Though it may not have EVERY title you're looking for, it does have a lot, and the employees go above and beyond. I was in a pickle the other evening, waiting for my other half sans cell phone. They were very considerate by letting me use their business phone (a FEW times), and even followed up several minutes later when they realized I was still standing there like a dope. Anyway, in the future I'll always find time to stop in, and next time maybe even buy something!
Listed in: Shopping:
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Review from Jeff M.
New York, NY
2/16/2009
No matter what your interests are - Posman carries exactly one copy of every book you should read.
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Review from Li M.
New York, NY
12/31/2005
If you're at Grand Central and you forgot your reading matter, stop by Posman's. Not a great selection...but well, if you really need a book and there's nowhere else to go, why not?
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Review from Sterling C.
Ozona, FL
7/6/2009
Whether or not you're irked by the mall-ification of Grand Central Station, this book store does sell the credit card sized subway maps. I don't mean the ones that fold-up to credit card sizes, I mean these are that size already, so you need good eyes. These are the most useful thing for the minimalist traveler. They also have ones that are street maps. The thing is, they are so small you have to buy a few of them. One with Brooklyn/Queens on it, a street one, etc., but they are only $1.50. Just get a jumbo paper clip and clip them to the inside of your pocket-sized notebook along with your Metrocard and debit card (and possibly i.d.) and you're set. Don't forget a pen.
(a note on notebooks: Moleskines are O.K. but they're rigid and uncomfortable in your back pocket when you sit down (I know, they make paperback ones now), plus they started making them in China. Get a Rhodia, Rite in the Rain (waterproof), or if you're really classy, a Miquelrius). -
Review from nasanta n.
New York, NY
3/7/2010
I have spent many hours (and dollars) in Posmans. I have been impressed by the employees who seem to enjoy books and enjoy working there. They have been helpful and knowledgeable, and at least one particular employee hand-sold several books and introduced me to authors I would not have tried before.
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Review from Lee L.
New York, NY
6/17/2009
Every time I go in here I leave saying "never again!" Yes it's a convenient stop on the way home and yes it's nice to try to support the small stores struggling against the big chains but when the sales help is unfailingly rude and snide as they are here - and when there are about 6 of them in a store the size of one's living room (always talking amongst themselves and never asking customers if they're finding what they need) then it's time to ask if it's worth it. The answer is no! Just avoid this little dump.
