Great local book shop, wedged in between such an iconic neighborhood of NYC and amazing food, a literary oasis. The room is cozy and warm, staff recommended books are quirky and fun in their explanation of why to read. Thirsty? Head over to the cafe for an espresso or an IPA. Their is no wrong beverage to consume while you're reading! So happy we stepped into this gem, hope y'all visit soon! read more

Yu & Me Books - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

Okay... a bookstore that features Asian authors, cute stickers/pins/cards, reading nook, and a coffee & beer bar?????? Yea. I'm all in. Books are all genres, kids board books, even sale or pre-owned books for less than $10. Employee picks, etc. Beer has to be finished on premises, tho so just fyi. There's also a downstairs and bathroom if you need. What a happy find!! read more

Cute and nice little bookstore in Chinatown. Beautiful inside and very neatly organized. Very cute. Many Asian author books. Definitely chic, they even have a small counter that sells drinks. read more

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In addition to books, they also have these super adorable stickers and greeting cards! There were also a lot of very cute pins as well. Since it was to support the local community, everything was definitely pricey. It was $5 per sticker.... read more

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An Asian owned bookstore? Yes, please. Absolutely adorable shop. Has a small selection of used books if you're on a budget and a great selection of books by API authors. Staff is friendly. There's also a great selection of cards, stickers, pins, and such, which is always fun! This bookstore is a must-stop if you're ever in the Chinatown area! read more

Yu & Me Books - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

Such a cute bookstore! I love that they highlight Asian stories and authors. They have a section of used books, but also there's a section downstairs with graphic novels and second hand clothes! That was a cool surprise and we got some clothes for $5 each! read more

I love to read and this is one of my favorite bookstores in NYC and the entire country. This bookstore is also one of the very few bookstores owned by an Asian American female, if not the only bookstore yet owned by an AAPI woman. Definitely come support her store and support NYC's Chinatown. I've been here twice now and each time, I've browsed close to an hour as I've discovered so many great titles here that I can't find at mainstream bookstores. I live in Phoenix now and I'm often disappointed when I visit local bookstores there that not even one small section of the store (or even a shelf) has any dedication to Asian American studies or literature. So when I get a chance, I come back to NYC to get a cultural hunger satiated. The original bookstore burned down and this location is renovated and I like it more than the previous bookstore as there is a coffee bar and more seats available. There is also a small downstairs area now too. Definitely come visit this bookstore, shop local and bring home some good literature, often times with an Asian American focus. read more

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Love independent book stores! This one is a neat gem in the Chinatown area of Manhattan. Got a great book by Ling Ma that was a staff pick. I love it when book stores' staff choose books they love and write a note why and set it by a stack of the title. Sold! read more

Friendly & helpful staff. Great and very special assortment of books. Calm, intimate vibe. read more

Yu & Me Books - Recently purchased book - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

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If you love bookstores with charm and cozy vibes, this is the place for you! With stories from global and local authors, prints and stickers from NY-based artists, and nooks for reading a book or two, this has been one of my favorite places to visit in NY! There is much to explore within the shop, I encourage everyone to visit! read more

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Popped into this store after a friend recommended it to me, and I'm so glad I went. Not only do they have a great selection of books, many of which focus on Asian American and immigrant stories, they also have a used book section! I got such a great deal on a Min Jin Lee book! I also picked up a few postcards. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Note: pay cash!!! read more

We visited during "A Very Laufey Day", so it was a quick visit to pick up a few items and see what the space looked like. There were about 2 dozen people in line before the doors opened. The line for the promoted items circled from the front, around a display table, then to the cash register, so sometimes people coming in got confused and went straight to the Laufey table and picked up items before realizing there's a line opposite. The customers were quite enthusiastic to see the stickers and totes yet waited patiently for people to approach the table only a few at a time. There were more totes behind the register, which was a relief to a lot of people. I thought the illustrations on the wine bottles decorating the bookshelves were really cute. I was trying to see what brand it was until I saw the hidden "Yu and Me" on them. I liked the setup for the space as the shelves and display areas were full of different books, a few prints, and cute stickers for your laptop or tumblers. Some books were on sale. There were multiple copies of autographed editions from past book signings. The postcards for the bookshop were quite cute, so I picked up a monkey one. The stairway leading to the basement is kind of narrow. A quick step into the basement area shows a small area to sit and read. The shop is close to nearby park where people were playing games and relaxing. If you want to find some Asian-based stories and cute illustrations, this is the place to explore. read more

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Cute cozy bookstore that sells many interesting unique books. I love that Yu&Me is the first female Asian American owned bookstore in NYC. Happy to see so many people inside the bookstore. It was busy in the store when we went on a Saturday. The place is not that big but had a large selection of books, and accessories (tote bag, stickers, etc) sold here. I love reading the random index cards/messages w/ staff's input on what the book is. There is a downstairs area (very small) where there was a small bookcase of graphic novels w/ some chairs. My sister & I both found a book to buy here. They accept cash or credit card. Love that they give you a cute bookmark. read more

Yu & Me Books - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

Totally awesome bookstore carrying API authors. I could probably hang out there all day. They also have a bar with a great selection. If you're in the area please come by and support this local business! read more

Yu & Me Books - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

i love this bookshop!!!! there should be more bookstores focusing on asian/immigrant stories. i've known about them for a while and was so excited to visit. i happened to go at the same time youngmi mayer was stopping by to sign books, so i picked up a copy of her memoir and was even able to speak with her briefly. in addition to a wide range of books, there are also some cute pins and postcards. there is also a full beverage area to buy drinks! the barista and cashier were SO cool and nice. i loved speaking with them and they are so service-oriented but in a cool and human way. there was an awkward situation with a pushy customer that they handled really gracefully and with good humor. i would def go back if im in the area again!! read more

Chinatown has always been my second home because of my family owned businesses. But there's only one type of business that I felt was lacking. As a kid, I've always wondered why doesn't Chinatown have bookstores like a Barnes & Noble or B.Dalton (any one old enough to remember this mall staple?). I think the closest thing the community had was the Oriental Bookstore store, which mostly sold stationary items or Chinese language books. It was one of the my favorite places to be until they started closing multiple locations. I believe there is still one left but I could be wrong. But it's a long time coming since we finally have a legit bookstore in Chinatown that is female owned. Yu & Me is a cute and cozy bookstore that's tucked in a street that's not overwhelmed with touristy traps. If you had superstitious parents like mine did, they always tell me to avoid walking down this block because of all the funeral homes and services. But I love that it's located here because it's quiet and quaint. As with any independent book stores, you will find lots of unique and curated selections. I once heard that if you want to get to know a city and its sub-cultures, visit an indie bookstore. Whether it's a NYT bestseller or someone you never heard it, you will find lots of books here by Asian authors that will spark your interest. So thank you, Yu & Me, for fulfilling my childhood dream of having a bookstore that this community needs. I am a big supporter of small businesses so if you're visiting Chinatown, don't forget to stop by (and put away those e-books!). read more

Quaint little bookstore across from a city park. Love their selection of books and some handwritten recommendations and reviews.

Sweet little hidden gem with so many books packed in there & a lovely graphic novel area in the downstairs-awesome! read more

Yu & Me Books - I loved the graphic novel fan commentary wall! (Not my drink left on a bookshelf, by the way! Never!) - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

Came back for the re re re opening!! Still as packed as ever!! They changed the layout a bit, the cash wrap is in the back now!! Will have to come back again when it's a bit less busy but am happy they are back!! read more

Well-curated range of books with wonderful mini-sections of more fine-tuned deep dives. Mostly new books, with some used and some free. Merch and stationary as well. Great recommendations from staff, she seems to actually be able to tell what you'd like vs. sharing platitudinous recos. You can tell she has a mix of regulars and one-time explorers. What more could one want in a book shop? read more

Yu & Me Books - Outside - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

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Lucy has done such an incredible job at transforming this former funereal flower shop into a welcoming resource for the community. As an API female owner, she's done an incredible job at reaching out and getting amazing API authors to come and speak about their work. The bookstore has an amazing curation all over, and Lucy really takes her time to get to know you and will gab on about her favourite books and give suggestions. There are some places to sit as well as coffee, so if you're in the area, go out and support this small local business! read more

they had every book i was looking for! really nice assortment and the staff was helpful. :)

I heard so much about this bookstore in the last year and couldn't wait to go explore it myself in Chinatown. As the first dedicated south asian bookstore in NYC and a south asian myself, the place and its owner were both warm and welcoming. I felt like I was a kid again perusing through the books with familiar author names and stories. It's a small book shop, but can definitely pack a crowd. I picked up two books myself - Will Smith's memoir and A Place for us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. There are cute, quiet spaces to sit and read as well inside. Would definitely come back again! read more

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Beautiful place with an amazing book selection. A bit tricky to locate but once you find if you're good. Loved the vibes and the fact that there was a quiet reading room. read more

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Yu and Me Books is like a sacred temple of literature, community activism, and all around kindness. This cozy bookstore's shelves are STOCKED with great AAPI and other BIPOC books. Also has fun greeting cards, tote bags, and yummy coffee. Founded by Lucy, who diligently works the counter fielding constant emails, calls, as well as in person customer questions - all with an irrepressible smile and cheerfulness in her voice which you know isn't forced but is a byproduct of GREAT parenting. The name of the bookstore is a play on her mom's initials (c'mon, how sweet is that??). Finding this place was like a balm to my soul. Opening during the COVID pandemic and amidst a rising tide of anti-Asian violence, Yu and Me Books is more than just a bookstore. Lucy recently headed an initiative to hand out pepper spray to any ladies for free. As a native Chinatown guy, when I tell ya she transformed Chinatown that day, I'm not kidding. I had never seen a line so long snaking all the way down Mulberry St and up Mosco St. This bookstore is making a difference! Offering a safe haven for powerful ideas and literally fostering a safe haven for our most vulnerable population. Of course, come here to find great books. Tons of amazing titles stock the shelves. The cool part is, Lucy hosts lots of author readings, so you can snag an autographed copy. Beat that Amazon! I believe this bookstore is a bastion of what is good in humanity. The mission is brilliant and so is Lucy. Come out and support, y'all! read more

Yu & Me Books - Line for free pepper spray 3/13 Making a difference!! - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here in the middle of the day on a Thursday. It's small but charming, with a little reading nook in the back. The person working the counter was super friendly and helpful. My sisters and I looked around at the books and were really impressed with the selection. Since my oldest sister is pregnant, we decided to get 2 children books. We were so happy to get Asian American children books and there were a good amount of options. We ended up getting one about a small bok choy and one about the lunch box story. I chose the lunchbox story one because a boy brings scallion pancakes and other East Asian food to lunch while most of the other kids have peanut butter or ham sandwiches. A south Asian girl ends up asking about his lunch (in a kind and curious way) and shows that she had paratha. This was absolutely perfect because my sister's baby will be half Chinese and half Pakistani. Definitely worth stopping by even if you aren't Asian! read more

Yu and Me Books has the distinction of being the first Asian American female owned bookstore in New York City and features a variety of well-curated literature dedicated to stories about the AAPI experience, immigration, and inclusiveness. The store itself is small, but beautiful, colorful, full of character and substantive - some cushioned seats for reading are complemented by nearby copies of Japanese art prints and photographs highlighting important moments that have occurred in Manhattan's Chinatown. In addition, some recommended reads are highlighted in one section of the bookstore and everything else is well categorized by topic. I recognized many of the books here and was happy to see as many different types of stories being represented. I also spied an expresso machine on the side of the register...does this signal the beginning of what could also be a cafe for this store? Whatever the case, Yu and Me Books is a must visit if you're in the area and makes for a strong and compelling argument for community bookstores - they are not just regular bookstores but anchors for people to remember their histories while discovering a bit more about themselves and others. read more

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This is the bookstore of my childhood dreams. Thankfully, you are never too old to enjoy a well-curated independent bookstore, especially one that is Asian-American owned and community-minded. It's a small but well utilized space with new and used books, signed copies, and a great selection including a small section for children's books. I don't live in NYC, so buying books to take up precious carry-on space seems unwise but where else could I grab signed copies of books by Celeste Ng, Constance Wu, Marie Myung-Ok Lee, and Ryan Lee Wong? Add this to your lists of Chinatown favorites. read more

A very friendly staff who helped me find books for my daughter. There was a variety that was for her age group and I was able to pick up a book of Chinese fables to broaden my daughter's ethnic culture. read more

Meandered into this bookstore to kill some time, and so happy I did. I loved the feel as soon as I stepped inside - warm, cozy, welcoming and in support of a wonderful cause. I purchased Behold the Dreamers, a novel exploring the immigrant experience and American Dream by a Cameroonian author, and read the first few pages in the store. It was the perfect place to land for a bit, and I would absolutely go back if I lived in the area. read more

Love a cute AAPI bookstore and Y&M has a great mix of fiction and nonfiction for all ages. That includes great kids books, cook books, and the like. Also neat that it's in Essex Market that has really blown up since the last time I was there a few years ago. They've also got all sorts of neat pins, tote bags, and stuff like that. Great spot to get some gifts. read more

One of the best bookstore experiences in the city! Excellent selection, kind staff, tasty beers - a must-visit! read more

Yu & Me Books - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

It was such a cute bookstore that I stumbled upon near Chinatown. They sell both new and used books. It just felt so cozy and fun to be inside. I noticed that they also sold surprise book gifts (books that are wrapped with a brief description of what they're about). What a great gift idea for a date or friends! read more

Yu & Me Books - Surprise book gifts - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing AAPI bookstore in Chinatown. I love it! Wish they existed when I was a kid. They have a ton of signed books. I got the We Were Dreamers book by Simu Liu. While it may be small, it is perfectly placed, right across from Columbus park. They have drinks and some seats to sample some of the books before buying it. read more

Yu & Me Books - Bookstores Near Me - New York, New York

such a cute book store. i loved their sticker section which was done by a small artist. i picked up a sticker for myself. staff was super friendly. seems like a cute spot for shopping for sure! read more

A lovely, lovely bookstore. I love that it's Asian-owned and features so many Asian authors! Everything about this bookstore felt homey and cosy, and I wish it were closer to me so I could visit more often. I also love that you can buy things other than books here, such as coffee, other drinks, and greetings cards. On my last trip there, I bought a Nom Wah cookbook (which I've since had lots of fun making dim sum with), as well as some cute greetings cards. I'm looking forward to finishing up everything I'm currently reading so I can head back to Yu & Me Books and find something new to read! read more

Such a cute & cozy bookstore located across the street from the park! Yu & Me Books is such a refreshing and unexpected find in Chinatown that it makes it a local gem. I would definitely stop by again! read more

Really really wanted to like this place; local small business, owners story is inspiring and boasts "Come stop in for a cozy home that welcomes you too." My wife and I walked in on two different occasions, both times we wanted to check out the place, perhaps talk to the owner and welcome them. BOTH times, we were completely ignored. Did not feel "welcome" at all. Workers and owner looked at us and simply looked away. It wasn't "busy" nor was it crowded. The fact we were never even acknowledged with a "Hi" left a really bad taste. We will not be supporting this business but we hope they are successful. read more

Really cute and cozy. I stumbled upon this spot by accident. I'd love to go back and relax with a coffee and check out more of their selection. They have a nice little back room with about 4 cozy chairs and convenient lighting. Interesting and diverse selection. I'll be back. read more

I kept seeing this place on my social feeds from AAPI activists that I follow and had to drop in to support! Follow their IG to see the cool initiatives they're supporting in the community, authors that they're supporting/promoting and definitely visit to pick up some new books! They had such a cool collection for literally everyone- kids, adults, everyone inbetween, chefs, even comic book lovers! I wish that I lived closer so I could drop in more often. read more