I have taken three seven week sessions of Italian classes here, starting with beginner. I took Italian once before and Stefan, the instructor, helped me to get my accent right. My hope is to speak when I visit Italy, so that was really important to me. The people who take the class are delightful, very smart and committed. The environment is also wonderful, two modern comfortable class spaces, seminar sized, in a fantastic travel bookstore in a fabulous neighborhood. It's very much a self guided class and you really have to study if you want to make progress. But I have come a long way in twelve weeks, and although I've had moments of nerves when I've had to speak, my progress has been great. Meeting with Stefan and the class each week has motivated me to continue learning and as an adult learner, it's thrilling to realize I'm reading and speaking Italian. read more

I signed up for the beginners Italian course here. It's the type of class where you have to study on your own and come to class to have a conversation with your classmates. Stefano the instructor is very cool and makes the class fun but watch out, he likes to put you on the hot seat! I would definitely recommend the course. I always had a good time while I was there and definitely learned the basics of Italian! The bookstore is very cute and has lots of books for those who are interested in traveling and learning a new language! read more

Great bookstore and language classes, especially if you are looking to brush up before travel. Maurice is the best!!

I take Spanish classes here. I look forward to it every week. The people in the class are wonderful. And the teacher is amazing. Even when he was absent once, his replacement was just as good as he is. I strongly recommend coming here to learn Spanish. read more

When independent book stores seem to be going the way of "record" stores and pay phones, it's heartening to see this beautiful little place continue to build its well-deserved fan base. For a real, or only imagined upcoming trip, Idlewild will almost certainly be able to provide what you need to know, in factual or fictional form. At one of their event nights, I picked up some books on Cuba, in preparation for when we are able to join the rest of the free world and visit the island The staff is great, the space is immaculate and logically organized. Minus one star only because I've signed up for their newsletter (with two different addresses) but never received anything from them. Update: Soon after posting the review, I received a gracious note from David, owner of Idlewild Books. He explained how newsletter requests are sometimes lost and said I would be receiving mine in the future. Thank you, David. I've added the 5th star. read more

I came here expecting a huge variety of guide and travel books. The store is organized by regions which makes it convenient. I was looking for books on Taiwan and did not find that many (three guides) but something I did not expect was the beautiful selection of children books that they have, even in French and Spanish. Books of Wonder barely has any children book in other languages, however, Idlewild not only has many, but their choices are excellent. read more

I hope this little place does well because it's one of the best independent bookstores I've ever visited. It's small but it's focused. It is a travel bookstore, so if you're looking for guide books, you'll find them here. But on top of that, you can find famous and popular literature from regional authors that you might not stumble upon otherwise. I think it's a great way to pump yourself up for your upcoming trip or extend the memories of your last. :) read more

Great travel bookstore with travel guides and fiction and non-fiction related to particular areas. Wonderful if you are planning a trip or just fantasizing about one! read more

Book porno for travelers. If you're literate, have wanderlust and love that feeling of old fashioned studies/libraries, Idlewild Books is the ultimate destination. I came here looking for gifts for a little kid with big dreams of going to China, and thanks to a ridiculously knowledgeable sales associate, came away with a full spectrum of tomes that are useful, educational, instructional, inspiring and timeless. I love my B&N as much as the next geezer, but IB is a truly special, magical place. Evokes the same feeling as The Never Ending Story, like you can lose yourself in an adventure here. Highly recommended. read more

This place is great! I came here for Orangette's book reading so it was a bit cramped. Before the book reading, I browsed the selection and knew I'd have to come back when it's less busy. I like how they organize their books. read more

love Idlewild Books! it's such a comfortable, well organized and cute bookstore. When I went they had a table downstairs with some bargains! Got myself a copy of Luxe's travel guide which I would normally not pay the full price for and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's collection of aviation stories. Both half off. Can't wait to go back this weekend! read more

I've never taken language classes here, so i can't comment on those, but book wise it's one of my favourites. only complaint is more about the publishing industry than the store itself as its not exactly their fault that a few countries get most of the international publishing, (some countries sections are really quite small- sad really) regardless you can still find a lot of gems, and the small space makes it a more enjoyable experience (less fomo/ paradox of choice and all that). the location is also really easy to get to, near all the trains etc. read more

Yay!!!! A great new small bookstore in NYC!!! Organized by country -with travel books and literature. Both the customer and the employee I met were awesome. We had a great conversation, exchanged references, turned each other on to new books - just what you want from a bookstore. And it is beautiful, pretty, cleverly edited. Hooray hooray for little lovely smart bookstores!! They seem to have great events too though I haven't been to any yet. Just found it. And love it!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

I have to admit I some how became loyal to B&N for absolutely no reason! I love this bookstore! I stumbled upon it one day trying to digest a shake shack binge and it's been love ever since. I can spend a day here and not even notice the time. As others have said this bookstore offers more than travel guides, but I generally come here for travel books (guides, phrase books, travel essays). Any time I'm prepping for a trip (or, in this economy, dreaming about a trip) I make this one of my first stops. I love that everything is organized by region and just the general lay out of the store. read more

The best travel bookstore, period! The books are organized by regionally, I was able to get my travel guide to Indonesia and several books set in Indonesia and some of the best Indonesian fiction writers. wonderful place, now if they just served coffee, read more

Perfect little gem in west village. All the travel and language books you could want and at a good price. Had the exact book I wanted in mini format. Amazing find. Go check it out! read more

Cool concept. Pick up a novel related to the place you're traveling to.

while running errands today i stumbled upon this place and it's one of the most incredible book stores i've ever seen. they specialize in travel guides and literature. the store is divided by continent/country/city so if you're going to munich, for example, you can find guide books, history books, and novels taking place there. according to their website you can also provide them with details about your upcoming trip and they'll create a customized book collection for you. the economy sucks and independent stores are closing left and right, so i'm posting this in the hopes that some of you will go check it out and help keep it open. read more

Just love this bookstores. Wide selection of genre.

Amazing selection of travel books in NYC, there was a Spanish class in the front of the class that looked like fun

The only language I speak is English, I wanted to explore other cultures and open my horizons and I came upon Idlewild Books. I decided with Italian and my teacher is Stefano, very few schools made me feel comfortable but Idewild and Stefano did. They don't know how they really helped me learn another language, I still have a long way to go. But two months ago I knew nothing about Italian, today I keep getting better. read more

Idlewild's language courses are both fun and practical. First off the store is amazing. The chairs are salvaged from an old American Airlines international terminal creating an exciting setting to bring ones inner xenophile to life. Unlike typical subject-segmented bookstores, the merchandise is arranged by country: Shoppers jetting to Italy can pick up a guidebook, map, novel, translated poetry collection, cookbook, and children's book based on the region from a single shelf. The section on Spain not only displays guidebooks for Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, but also literature set in Spain, best-selling Spanish authors, and even murder mysteries. Near the register, a wall of travel accessories handles non-literary needs, filled with international power adapters, carry-on bags, and luggage tags. read more

I signed up for the beginning Arabic classes. Even though the material covered followed the class description on the website and the curriculum handout given by the teacher, this class was not at all for "absolute beginners" as advertised. The first class was fun - we covered five letters of the alphabet, and learned common greetings and expressions. During the second class, we finished the alphabet (28 letters minus five seen the previous week, plus five different ways to write each), which was impossible to learn and memorize in one week. I expected that we would review the letters in the following sessions, through games, dictations etc., but the third class was as accelerated as the previous one, and built upon the previous weeks. I have studied several languages in the past, and speak 4 now fluently. In all other cases, the introductory classes were at a suitable level and pace. Since I was dissatisfied with the course as not in fact being for beginners, I complained to management and asked for a pro-rated refund for the remainder of the course and only got a very rude and dismissive response. read more

Friendly, well-stocked travel-based bookshop with an eclectic array of titles plus foreign language lessons geared toward the traveler, film buff, and those just plain interested in brushing up or advancing through a new language. Caveat: Not so great air conditioning for summer book browsing. read more

I'll preface this review by saying that I am an absolute, certified, language snob. I've been learning languages for years, and speak 6 languages, 3 fluently. With that said, Idlewild Books is SO disappointing for language and linguistic enthusiasts! I will say, their French and Spanish literature collections are very impressive. I've never seen a literature collection for either language so well represented in the US. However, their inventory for all other languages is POOR. There were a few (2-3) books each for German, MSA Arabic, Italian, Chinese. I can't remember seeing books on any other languages (what about Greek, Portuguese, Swahili, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Hindu, Afrikaans?!) Therefore, how can you truly call yourself a language bookstore? Idlewild really is a French & Spanish bookstore. Very, very sad because I've yet to find a bookstore in NYC that can meet my thirst for languages. The other half of the bookstore is dedicated to travel books like Lonely Planet. However I almost never browsed this section because 90% of the material is made free on line. I also enrolled in Idlewild's Upper Intermediate French class. Again, quite disappointing. First, you pay about $300 for an 8-week course. This is on-par with competitors, but still, damnn! Unfortunately Idlewild doesn't enforce any strict leveling system. So several beginner students were allowed to enroll in the Upper Intermediate course, and consequently held back the progression of the more advanced students. Often times we'd have to stop the class to explain simple things like the meaning of "aimer" or "tous les jours". Come onnnn! This forced the instructor (who was pretty good at teaching) to conduct 90% of the class in English. Again, hindering the progression of those who know enough French to speak it continuously for 2 hours. While I ultimately enjoyed the 8 weeks, I would hesitate to enroll again. A big plus is that students receive a 20% discount on all book purchases. If you are planning to enroll in a class, you probably don't need the textbook they suggest. I got by fine without it. Finally, one last thing that peeved me is Idlewild has wifi, but refuses to give the password to its students. This normally wouldn't be such a big deal, but Idlewild is a huge deadzone! You cannot get service in the back room where the classes are held. Which means if you have to look up a word, or read an article from LeMonde.fr, welp! you're SOL. Still, check it out for yourself. Although Idlewild has some unfulfilled potential, it's worth a visit. read more

Looked great for grown-up travel books. But as I was there for kids' books in French, which they used to have but no longer--I was disappointed. read more

My boyfriend and I enrolled in the beginner Italian class with Stefano and LOVED it! It was a small group (started with about 15 and ended with about 10) where we learned the basics, including the alphabet, general conversation and how to create a basic sentence. The class gets tough, but if you study and do the suggested homework, you will pick up. For the last class, you get in a group and just talk and practice what you learned over snacks that people brought. Stefano does a great job of keeping the class on track, while also making it fun. I would HIGHLY recommend. It is a great value. read more

I happened upon this bookstore and it is such a gem. I appreciate the selection of fiction and travel writing next to the guide books, and the owner (who is always there when I've gone back) is very helpful. read more

LOVE this bookstore. I read a lot of travel essays/memoirs and I have found so many here that I've never seen anywhere else. Check out the new nonfiction and the staff recommendations. Also love the organization: it's great to pick a geographic area and see travel guides, travel essays, and fiction all in one place. If you're traveling anywhere soon or are just interested in travel fiction/essays, definitely come to Idlewild! read more

On one of my passing visits to this store, I found it both charming and interesting. The staff was very polite, helpful and friendly. I am looking forward to take a language class here. read more

I am just finishing up the Beginner Italian class offered at Idlewild's new location in the West Village. I was impressed by Idlewild's customer service from the start, after I asked if it was possible to join the class a week late, and was not charged for the portion I missed. I didn't have too many expectations coming into this class (although the reviews I had read were very good), but the price was right and I was interested in learning a few of the basics before my upcoming trip to Italy. I had a wonderful experience with this class - the teacher (Stefano) is top notch, very friendly but also very capable and does his best to keep the class going at a good pace. The teaching style is very effective and incorporates a combination of a brief lesson followed by small group conversation and participatory exercises. You can't sit in the back of the room during this class! I can honestly say my head hurts at the end of each hour-and-a-half class, but in a good way. I am very happy with what I've learned in six short weeks. I do agree with a previous reviewer that you will get much more out of these classes if you are able to devote a lot of personal time to study between classes. I wish I'd known that in advance and had been better prepared. However, I fully intend to continue with the Advanced Beginner class when I return from Italy, and am excited to learn this beautiful language in a friendly, yet challenging, environment! read more

I took a language class there last year. The class itself was good. About a dozen students, good teacher, non-textbook approach. I've taken language classes in other venues, college included, and I'd recommend this class. What prompted me to finally write this review, though, was running into someone yesterday who is taking a Spanish class. I was reminded that getting any assistance from Idlewild is apparently impossible. Once they get your money you'll never hear from them again. For that, 3 stars. read more

Expertly curated book selection mixing travel lit, novels, trip planners, and maps all in one convenient spot. Super friendly staff. And their language courses are excellent. read more

I took an Italian class at Idlewild, I love how it's conversation based and the classrooms are light and airy. The price is also a lot cheaper compared to a lot of language centers read more

Love that they have French books! I also enjoy their travel books/books about certain countries. Whenever I want to take a mini mental vacation, I come here to browse and flip through everything, imagining I'm in the country of whatever book I'm looking through. It's not huge so it's perfect for walking through section by section and taking a world tour. read more

A lovely, unique bookstore filled with travel literature. I love traveling and I wish I was traveling somewhere soon. Next time I have a trip planned I'm definitely buying my guidebooks from here. They also have very cute travel notebooks. read more

Amazingly wonderful independent bookstore, among my favorite in the country. I read a review in the NYT, and I put Idlewild on my list of places to visit when I spent the weekend in New York last month. It was totally worth the trip! What a great find! The store is cozy and charming, especially the large globe in front of the windows. I am researching Arab-Islamic feminism in my graduate program, and I found a number of amazing non-fiction books on Middle-Eastern women -- unexpected gems that I would not have found at a big, chain store. Despite the fact that I had to lug them back to Chicago, I walked out with six books!! I will definitely add this one to my repeat list when I return to New York. read more

Great bookstore! Highly recommend the language classes! I've taken french class and it was wonderful.

An independent small bookstore with a focus on travel--you'll find the mass market travel guides, as well as specialty books. Idelwild offers language classes, and I am in a beginner's Spanish class now, with Eduardo as the teacher. Small class, opportunity for each of us to practice speaking, and this feels like just the right way to revive my Spanish. read more

Oh Idlewild, you are so perfect. A tiny bookstore that manages to house "Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale - Retold By Allen Say," and Graham Greene's the Comedians, a classic book about Haiti. And the staff...the sort you definitely want to be friends with! If you love books and our lonely planet, you will love Idlewild. read more