#64: 192 Books

Find some gems at this Chelsea spot

The Shop: 192 Books

Chelsea, Manhattan: 192 10th Avenue

In the heart of NYC’s artsy district (aka deep Chelsea), this small shop is a picture perfect fit. 192 Books manages to pull off a sleek yet approachable storefront, beckoning customers with its charming window display. There’s a few small sections for kids books, graphic novels, and philosophy, but where this store selection excels is in art books and fiction. I was especially impressed by both the breadth and depth of the fiction section. You want Bolaño? They have all of the Bolañoses. Want Krasznahorkai? They have all the Krazashorkais. You want DeLillo? They’ve got DeLillos for days. Virginia Woolfs for weeks. Yoko Ogawas for years– I could go on. Make sure to bring a mask when you shop here as they are still requiring them as of this writing.

What I got:

Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch

I’ve enjoyed Rivka Galchen since I saw her read at Literary Death Match way back in ancient history (2014). Her writing is witty, incisive, and illuminating. Her latest novel fascinatingly draws on an obscure event from German history– the 1615 witch trial of Katharina Kepler, mother of famed scientist Johannes Kepler. The novel is told from the perspective of 70 year old Katharina, as transcribed by her literate neighbor. From the first few chapters I’ve read so far, Katharina is about as dry and sarcastic as ladies of the 1600s can be!