9. powerHouse Books, a Place With One-Of-A-Kind Books

powerHouse Books, an extension of the event space “powerHouse Arena” located in DUMBO next to the Manhattan Bridge, is a small bookshop focused on art and photography books as well as self-published and limited edition books. Though it has a handful of mainstream titles available, the majority of books there are from smaller, independent publishing companies, including their own.

Since its opening in 1995, the bookstore has continued to thrive. Located in a former warehouse, the store has bright space for books as well as seating. The venue has held many book parties and events, featuring authors such as Salman Rushdie, David Sedaris, Tracy K. Smith, and Paul Auster, among others.

Publishing hopefuls can even get their chance to see their title on shelves: Powerhouse Books has a publishing submission program which, for a $300 fee, gives applicants a detailed and constructive evaluation of their book as well as the chance to be published in the Powerhouse bookstore.