There’s nothing more satisfying than cracking open a good book.

Although digital books and similar options have taken over the literature landscape in recent years, there are still plenty of local bookstores to visit across Long Island to get the old fashioned book browsing experience.

-Photo Credit: Berry & Co. — *-Photo Credit:* *Berry & Co.*

1. Berry & Co.: Formerly known as Harbor Books, Berry and Co. provides a unique book browsing experience in its location in Sag Harbor. Since 2014, it has been offering its store goers a collection of books old and new and a cozy environment alongside a selection of coffees and teas. Is there a better combination?

It stands out from the rest with its eclectic selection of events and experiences. These include but are not limited to the shop’s Dobra Tea Tastings, and a consultation with Sensimilla Lifestyle, the shop’s sister site, which educates on a lifestyle and healing rooted in cannabis. A handful of other events are TBD, such as Sip and Spell with Juli, which features spell making, astrology, aura readings, and much more. You can find costs and reserve your spot at any of these events through reservation links that can be found here.

You can visit Berry and Co. and explore all it has to offer at 51 Division St. Check out its website for more information.

-Photo Credit: BookHampton — *-Photo Credit:* *BookHampton*

2. BookHampton: Nestled in the village of East Hampton since 1971, BookHampton provides book lovers with everything from literature, to events, to a cozy atmosphere to enjoy the book of their choosing. The shop was purchased by current owner Carolyn Brody in 2016 after it faced the threat of closing. The shop has since been thriving, and is open year-round for those who remain in the area during the east end’s slower off-season.

The shop features a number of titles and genres. Customers can find books featuring Long Island’s eastern end, local authors, fiction and nonfiction titles alike, and much more. It also hosts a handful of events throughout each month, most of which are virtual for the time being. You can view the events calendar here.

One recurring event is Carolyn’s Book Club, which features a choice book and includes a virtual discussion. Admission to the club is complimentary upon purchasing the chosen book at BookHampton.

You can visit BookHampton at 41 Main St. in East Hampton from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

-Photo Credit: Dolphin Bookshop — *-Photo Credit:* *Dolphin Bookshop*

3. Dolphin Bookshop: Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe has been an important establishment of Port Washington since its opening in 1946, about 75 years ago. It has been a part of the town’s heritage for generations, spreading a love of reading and keeping to the personal touch that only a privately owned, small bookshop can offer.

As times have changed, the bookshop has experienced a change in storefronts, owners, and the addition of a cafe. However, Dolphin Bookshop’s goal of allowing people to discover their next reading adventure has remained the same.

The shop has also been known for book signings, where notably they hosted J.K. Rowling among other authors and celebrities. Its long history has been attractive to those from outside of Long Island and the greater New York area as well, with visitors and patrons popping in from all over.

Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe can be found at 299 Main St. in Port Washington. Their typical hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with some variation on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You can find out more on their website. Check out our full article on the shop here.

-Photo Credit: Red Jacket Books — *-Photo Credit:* *Red Jacket Books*

4. Red Jacket Books: Newcomer to the Long Island bookshop scene Red Jacket Books had its grand opening on March 21, 2021 in Westhampton Beach. Located at 77D Main St., it has since invited in plenty of customers to explore its selection of books.

Owner Ben Vengroff began his journey as a virtual bookseller in July 2020 out of a complete love for reading, writing, and everything in between. Red Jacket Books-- its namesake being a beloved red jacket that Vengroff has made his trademark over the years-- manifested into a physical reality when he made the decision to quit his desk job and follow his longtime dream of opening a bookstore. “Life just seemed to be too short to be stuck somewhere that I just wasn't happy,” he said in a blog post.

Vengroff took note of the opportunity the COVID-19 pandemic presented prior to opening his online shop, as people looked for hobbies to keep them occupied while in lockdown.

The store is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you wish to support the shop from home, its website provides customers with the option to shop online and get your books shipped directly to you. You can also check out the Red Jacket Book Instagram, where the shop announces events and other happenings, and does roundups of the week’s best sellers, new releases, and more.

-Photo Credit: Book Revue — *-Photo Credit:* *Book Revue*

5. Book Revue: Known for being Long Island’s largest independent bookstore, Book Revue resides at 313 New York Ave. in Huntington and provides new, used and discounted books to its eager patrons. Operating since 1977, the store prides itself on its longevity in its community.

Book Revue offers a wide selection of literature for book lovers to browse, take home, and enjoy. Its collection includes local and independent authors, Long Island and New York-centered work, digital audiobooks, collectibles, and works old and new. The shop also offers its “6 Books for $40” bundle option, in which readers divulge books and genres they have enjoyed, the most recent books they have loved, or a general type of book they are interested in. The booksellers at Book Revue will put together a bundle of six books from the shop’s discounted remainder tables and send them out as a fun surprise package of recommended reads. You can find that option on their website here.

Alongside its extensive selection of books and more, the shop holds plenty of events, most virtual for the time being, which can be found on its event calendar. It will hold a clearance sale from May 31 through June 7.

It also hosts its Book Revue group, which meets on the third Wednesday of every month (excluding December) to discuss a pre-selected book. Registration is not necessary to join; those interested can simply read the selected book and join the meeting. Participants receive 20% off that month's book when they mention to the seller that they’re purchasing for the book club.

The shop is open seven days a week. You can visit Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you prefer to shop from home, you can order online via the Book Revue website. Curbside pickup options are available.

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