The word to describe the cafe bookstore would be cozy. The staff consiste of vounteers and actually paid workers. The volunteers might not know everything but they do try their hardest to help and the cafe in the back is a nice touch to the place. the things are rather cheap and the people their friendly. The prices for the books aren't bad too not to mention they have bookfairs once a year with insane prices.

At Housing Works Book Cafe you can browse, read, have a light meal or dessert, attend a reading or music event - and all the money you spend there goes to support homeless people with AIDS. The store is super relaxed, run almost completely by volunteers, and a great place to hang out. There are thousands of books, organized in the usual categories, at great discount prices - half of the retail or less. Also LPs and CDs and tapes and comics. I love this place!

Despite consistently disappointing latte's, I love this place. Keep it a secret.. a reviewer of another local spot put it right when they said "...stay away if you are not from the neighborhood. We don't want you here."

What more could you ask for. The ultimate combo, boxes of cheap donated books, and I mean cheap. A nice coffee shop where you can grab a good cup of Joe and look through a stack of inexpensive paperbacks. There are a lot of great deals here and all the money goes to a good cause.

PROS: great deals
CONS: none

Interested in catching a great deal on a book? Here at Housing Works Used Book Cafe you will find a decent selection of both used books and records. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. They have live readings and music and if youre hungry, choose something from their menu of sandwiches and soups. This might not be the best book store out there, but it does benefit homeless New Yorkers who are living with HIV and AIDS.