New Suffolk bookstores with more than just great reads
Jennifer McAuliffe at Northport Books. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
The next chapter in local bookstores has arrived. Long Island has welcomed three new shops offering works by local writers, as well as hard-to-find novels and beloved children's classics.
Sit back, relax and explore these literary hubs.
The Little Nook Bookstore
Imagine having a "blind date" with a book? Avid readers can have this experience at The Little Nook Bookstore in Wading River.
Shoppers can purchase a "blind book" created by Dog Ear Bookshop, an enterprise run by the shop's owner Stephanie DiSanto, that is covered in wrapping paper. All they know about the book upon purchasing it is the genre and the first sentence.
Much like a first date, readers don’t know what to expect.
After being a stay-at-home mom for two years, owner Stephanie DiSanto decided to pivot and open a small-scale bookstore in December.
"Small, but mighty" is how DiSanto describes her 500-square-foot shop. "The store is very cozy, inviting, girly and perfectly aligned with everything I envisioned."
The Little Nook Bookstore in Wading River. Credit: The Little Nook Bookstore
Customers can find nearly all genres, including children's books, books for young adults and used books. Additionally, there is an entire shelf dedicated to local authors like
Dayna Bush ("Crabby Chris' Adventure at Sea"), Paige Pedroli ("Welcome To The NIC-Zoo"), Virginia Mary ("Across the Great Ocean: Desolation"), Eric Murphy ("Echoes of Betrayal") and Shannon Urbancik ("I Hear Her Say").
Families can join workshops such as picnic-style crafts, pumpkin painting, book bedazzling, pressed floral bookmarks and more.
Shoppers can also browse for crewnecks with the store's name embroidered on them ($60 each); book vases ($30), which DiSanto says "always fly off the shelves"; and toddler busy books.
The Little Nook Bookstore, The Shoppes at Eastwind, 5768 Rte. 25A, Suite V2, Wading River
Northport Books
Jennifer McAuliffe says she feels passionate about reading, children and helping her community so opening Northport Books "was a way to sort of bring them all together." Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
When you walk into Northport Books, owner Jennifer McAuliffe is often discussing the newest releases and classics with customers.
"It brings me joy when there are four or five of us in a conversation," she says.
The store, which opened in July, is a place where McAuliffe encourages readers to "stay awhile," with a large seating area for children and adults to relax and read their books of choice.
Previously, McAuliffe worked for Fortune 500 companies in publishing and media during a 27-year tenure. She wrote three independently published children's books, which she promoted through readings and events.
Her books, "Charlie and the Chicken Nuggets" and "Megan and the Mac and Cheese," were inspired by her experiences getting her children to try new foods.
McAuliffe believes physical bookstores are " having a comeback."
"People want escapes and now that escape is to be away from their digital devices," she says. "People also want a sense of community, which I think is a result of the pandemic. There is also a desire to walk into a bookstore, as a customer told me yesterday, and get a recommendation from a human. That's something you cannot get on Amazon."
The store also has community events for all ages, including author visits, a calligraphy class, a cooking demo, art shows, silent reading clubs and book clubs for adults. Kids can join story time twice a week and a music class.
Shoppers can find everything from coffee table books for around $50 to stickers and bookmarks for $3. Additionally, membership packages are available starting at $99 per year (40% off indie bestsellers, 20% off your entire purchase, early access to events, free in-store coffee).
127 Main St., Northport, northportbooksli.com
Forked Road Press
Southold is now home to Forked Road Press, a shop that offers a range of vintage and rare books, vinyl records, art and paper ephemera.
The bookstore, which opened in August, is Nicolas Amara's first storefront, though he has been selling art and books online and on the streets of Brooklyn for the past seven years.
"Selling in person and being able to share with people on a face-to-face basis feels more intuitive," Amara says.
Shoppers will find vinyl records, original paintings, photographs and more for sale, and they can expect to discover lesser-known books while exploring the aisles.
Nicolas Amara, owner of Forked Road Press in Southold, stands outside the bookstore. Credit: Forked Road Press
"As a musician, I've always been interested in discovering older and or forgotten musicians and musical groups, so selling used books, records and art is just a natural extension of my own interests," he says.
The writer and musician finds his rare treasures while scouting the tristate area as well as the Northeast.
The shop stocks classic novels, subgenres of fiction, nonfiction and poetry but Amara "aims to stock things that are lesser known or somehow fringe, as well as works that are rooted in folk and regional cultures, rather than what is socially dominant or popular," he says.
Bibliophiles can find lithographs by Marc Chagall, which were published in France and are priced at $1,500, as well as books and items priced at $3 and $5.
53975 Main Rd., Southold, forkedroadpress.myshopify.com
