By Emily FitzGerald, Contributor
As an English major studying in the Big Apple, it is hard not to romanticize the mundane. You’ve heard the story: a young girl starting fresh in NYC with nothing but a conveniently large apartment and a dream. While this archetype is severely lacking in nuance and complexity, I think it is important to sometimes view yourself as the main character in your own story. When we do this, we may find that it gives us the confidence to try new experiences, explore different places, and find things about ourselves that we otherwise might not have discovered.
One way I like to exercise my main character energy is through finding spots around the city to sit down and enjoy a book. Almost every mysterious lead figure (within a novel, TV show, movie, etc.) can be found lost within the pages of a good book, whether it be on a park bench, autumn leaves falling around them, or sitting in a picturesque coffee shop with a $12 cappuccino in hand. For those of us who are not confined to page or screen, we might not have access to the same unrealistic aesthetics or the seemingly never-ending bank account, but being the main character in your own story is so much more than that. It is about connecting with the world around you and allowing yourself the opportunity to connect with yourself on a personal level—which is exactly what reading around New York City does for me.
Without further ado, I wish to share with you some of the places around the city that have made me feel more connected to myself and my surroundings, and are perfect for sitting down and reading a good book.
1. Pier 17
Pier 17 was one of the first places I discovered during my time in the city, and I will not rest until everyone knows the beauty that lurks just down the street from Pace. Firstly, the pier’s view of the Brooklyn Bridge is something straight out of fiction. Whether you go during the day or at night, you are guaranteed a terrific view. While it can get busy midday, there are plenty of places to lounge, including individual chairs positioned to face the water, benches built into the side of the pier for a peak bridge-watching experience, and even a grass turf to lie on! The view, breeze coming off the river, and the fact that you are enjoying yourself alongside others makes it a great place to open up a book.
2. Drama Book Shop
Walking into Drama Book Shop can only be described as walking into a book and theater lover’s dream. Although it specializes in theatrical works, Drama Book Shop has plenty of other items to browse, including multi-media scripts, sheet music, biographies, essays, and much more. From the stacks of books that spiral above you, the quaint but charming coffee bar, and the dark oak furnishings throughout the store, it makes it nearly impossible to not slip into the world of fiction. While there are unfortunately not many seating options available, the comfy chairs they do have coupled with the shop’s enchanting environment make it impossible not to feel infinite.
3. Roosevelt Island
Does the hustle and bustle of city life have you struggling to focus on a book? Well look no further than Roosevelt Island! Located on the East River between Manhattan and Queens, Roosevelt Island is host to a quieter scene of shops, restaurants, and parks. Not only can you hear yourself think, but you can also enjoy a novel while spreading out on a bed of grass! With a beautiful view of Manhattan still clearly visible from the island, you still feel a part of the city while taking a potentially much-needed break from the chaos that comes with it.
4. The Rose Main Reading Room
To fulfill your dreams of being a scholar (the academic weapon’s final form), the New York Library’s Rose Main Reading Room is the perfect spot for you. Dive headfirst into the room’s grand atmosphere, starting by presenting a form of study (book, computer, etc.) to the attendants at the door, and get lost in all that it has to offer. The towering stone infrastructure, intricately designed ceiling with renaissance-like art, larger than life windows, and stunning oak tabletops make this space one of a kind. I recently visited The Rose Main Reading Room accompanied by my copy of Homer’s Odyssey, and it only made reading the epic poem more surreal.
Taking the time to enjoy my own company while indulging simultaneously in my community’s thriving atmosphere has always brought me immense joy and it should be no different now, living in NYC. I’ve realized that by taking time for myself, one avenue being through finding new places to get lost in a book, I set myself up with the energy to tackle all aspects of my life. So, get out there and find your own main character energy, whatever form it takes!
Do you recommend a spot around the city to sit down and enjoy a good book? If so, feel free to share it below!