Specialties
City Books carries new & used, collectible & rare, and English & foreign language books for diverse audiences. We are a small, friendly shop with an emphasis on both old-world charm and modern customer service. Located on Pittsburgh's Northside, City Books is conveniently within walking distance of the region's premier attractions, including Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center, the Children's Museum, the National Aviary, the Andy Warhol Museum, City of Asylum, and the Mattress Factory. We have comfortable chairs, great lighting, and soft jazz playing in the background. Come for a quick peek or a long afternoon browse.
History
Established in 1984.
Originally located on the South Side, City Books re-emerged in 2016 as a small, more stream-lined store on Pittsburgh's Northside. Since reopening the store, we have been building sections not included in the old store's inventory. We now have books in areas such as Children's, Drama, Food & Drink, Local History, Travel, and Young Adult. If you don't see something, ask. We can easily get it for you in about 7-10 days - and we have independent sources not named after large South American rainforests. We are happy to help you make selections for yourself or as gifts.
Meet the Business Owner: Arlan H.
A Pittsburgh native, Arlan received her MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has completed research at the University College of Wales-Aberystwyth and at the University of Padua. With credits in food, music, and travel writing, her writing has appeared in print and online in Thirty-First Bird Review, Connotation Press, The Literary Bohemian, Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, atU2.com, and USA Today. She has presented critical work at popular culture conferences in Boston, Kansas City, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C. After teaching literature and creative writing at Washington & Jefferson College for fifteen years, she purchased City Books, Pittsburgh's acclaimed bookstore founded by Ed Gelblum in 1987.
