Small, smart, indie neighborhood bookstore (emphasis on neighborhood-- Word is *really* a Greenpoint bookstore.) Iif you want a highly curated fiction selection (e.g. Alice Munro, Haruki Murakami, Jonathan Lethem), this is the place for you! The shelves are filled with great staff recommendations - something I always love! - and the booksellers are eager to offer their two cents (overheard: "I want a book of funny essays." Bookseller then rattles off a list of about thirty books of funny essays. Impressive). What this isn't: an academic bookstore (there's a small "nonfiction section"); a place where you can hang out for hours (there's one chair for adults - and it's really a stool - and it's a small store, so you're not going to sit in an arm chair here for hours). read more

Got yelled at here because the front door is broken, and it swung open in the cold; I went out of my way to pull it closed as I entered the establishment, and looked back specifically at the door to ensure this since it was so chilly out. Couldn't even look at a book; had to leave because of the rude outburst of one employee, who shouted "Ohhh my God" in a inflammatory and childish manner while everyone glared at me as if I were a despicable criminal. This stuffed-sweater of an employee just put their head down after shouting and did not apologize; their jovial pineapple-express type of co-worker sort of joked to perhaps diffuse the tension that had been created, but instead their giggling words amounted to mockery. Order your books online unless you need a team of 2-3 jerks to act pompous, foolish, and disrespectful like these people do--no thanks. read more

This is the quintessential independent bookstore. This isn't a store for a random assortment of yellowed, dated books you buy to make yourself seem more interesting. This isn't a store you go for Amazon-like slashed prices for your new books that you will pile onto a shelf and never read. Truthfully, it doesn't appear to be a store for NYT Best Sellers, either. This is a smart bookstore for the people. You will find something you WANT to read in here. I love this place and anytime I am in Greenpoint I will more than gladly pick up a read to support this business. read more

I can't say enough good things about WORD. There is one particular gal who works there who I always seem to get, and I ask her about YA novels. She is so nice and friendly and gives me great advice. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this bookstore and its events. It's tiny, but space is expensive, even in Greenpoint. I hope someday they get to expand. Definitely subscribe to their emails, read their blog, and join their book-credit-frequent-reader program. Supporting an indie bookseller has never been so easy and painless if you're nearby. But still, it's worth a trip, you can do a whole Franklin Street tour of shops. Oh and if you're feeling literarily amorous, you can post what you're looking for in a nerdy mate on their wall. Are you looking for an Fitzgerald or a Hemingway, a Nin or a Kingsolver? :) http://wordbrooklyn.tumblr.com/ read more

I love me some independent bookstore and WORD is a particularly great one. All the employees are knowledgeable about what they have in stock and what they can order and seem to enjoy their jobs. Yeah, you'll pay a little more than at a Barnes and Noble, but hey, independent bookstore. Great neighborhood place Tons of great readings each month and if you attend one you're entered into a mid-year raffle for books! Neat, right? read more

Nice Children's Section and Host to lots of Super fun literary-ish events read more

I just moved to Greenpoint a couple weeks ago and stumbled upon this lovely bookstore while I was taking a walk around the neighborhood in an attempt to acclimate myself to my new surroundings. I was pleasantly surprised to find this family oriented bookstore. What really blew me away were the staff recommendations. Instead of having an entire section with staff picks, the employees have placed cards on the lip of the shelves containing the name of the book being recommended, the employee's name and a brief summery of why they picked the book. This is a genius idea! I am always so scared when buying a new book because i never know what to expect. These cards are a life saver. The staff were very friendly and familiar with their inventory. I will definitely be going back here. read more

What a cute bookstore. Once I went in, it was like I stepped into a magical world. Been getting more into books lately, so I will definitely come back (even though it's quite a trek for me). Thanks for hosting the book signing for Nathan Pyle for NYC Tips and Etiquette! I loved the space downstairs, super homey for events like that! read more

WORD to your mother. (see what i did there?) great locally owned book shop. support your local bookseller. read more

Came here in search of a nice local Brooklyn bookstore -- and that's exactly what I found! Nice staff, good selections, clean store. Looks like they might do events down in the basement from time to time. I got interviewed for a local Brooklyn publication while here- crazy random happenstance. If you're even remotely close to this store, please check it out. Support local!! read more

Everyone who works here is really really smart. I can go up to the counter and say things like "I'm going to Spain next week and want some good contemporary Spanish fiction, in english, to read on the plane." and they can give me a recommendation. I grew up near two really good bookstores and it's great to have one as an adult. read more

If you're looking for a good book to read , but don't know what to get, come to Word. Very local, independent bookstore with great atmosphere, and selection of new books. You'll find staff recommendations on the bookshelfs, or just ask one of the very helpful staff members directly. The only bad thing about Word is that, it should be bigger. read more

I can't say enough good things about this store. Great selection, fantastic employees, awesome events, several book clubs - I only wish I lived closer. I went to their midnight Murakami party for last year's release of "1Q84" in English and had a wonderful time amongst other Murakami fans reading excerpts from our favorite books. I was sad to miss their Moby-Dick-a-thon last month. Sign up for their monthly email for wonderful recommendations, updates on their book clubs, and upcoming events! read more

I absolutely love this place and wish that I lived close to it. It is lacking the dusty ancient decor that I love in bookstores, but they make up for it with there good selection and very helpful employees. Keep doing the stuff you're doing word. werd. read more

Small, highly-curated (don't worry, they still have all your Palahniuk and Murakami) purveyor of new books in an idyllic part of Greenpoint, just enough off the beaten path to be both accessible and serene at the same time. Small selection of independent publishers such as Solid Objects and Two Dollar Radio. Heavy community focus going here - lots of events going on both kid-friendly and otherwise, and then have a bulletin board for roommate connections as well as personal ads (did I fill one out? you'll have to see for yourself!). According to their website they also donate to and partner with the Greenpoint Soup Kitchen, which is always an added plus in my book to support local establishments. read more

Cheap, good service and cute cozy book store. Definitely coming back. P.S if there is a specific book you're looking for and you can't find in the store they can order it for you (my book was $10 cheaper than B&N) read more

Absolutely my favorite bookstore after the one on W11th st/Bleecker. Franklin street rocks!!!! The owner is Italian and when he found I love Italian culture we spent like 40 minutes talking. His recommendations were superb!!! I completely support local businesses. SO live and prosper forever!!!!! read more

WORD (a haiku review) Why a YA heart! Phile through biblio means. Between the sheets: love. read more

My sister and I were hiding from the cold so we went in here and spent a good 30 minutes browsing. We're totally planning on coming back. I LOVED their card selection. If you need to get a birthday card or any type of card, they have really unique, really hilarious/clever cards. I even instagrammed a few and didn't get in trouble (shhh). This is a small bookstore and there isn't a place to sit down and revel in the bookiness of it all but their selection is great and its a wonderful place to buy a gift. read more

WORD is the kind of bookstore you fall in love with (the best kind), just by passing it on the street. I love that from readings to window displays to totebags to Bananagrams tournaments, Christine and the staff seem to delight in all of the possibilities of the independent bookstore at every opportunity. It's just a real dream and I imagine many peoples' Happy Place, and in the short time they've been open, a real community has sprung up around it. YAY. read more

WORD is such a relief in an area full of pretentious book shops! The selection is smaller but the owner and staff are so friendly and willing to order items quickly. I also signed up for the email list and they regularly send discounts in their newsletter. I always see events advertised but have not been to any. Cute that they are so involved in the community though. read more

A great independent bookstore that inspires one to browse and to read outside of one's standard genre of books. I love how they display the books...making it a visual field trip in more ways than one. You can read more at my blog (check my profile). read more

I have officially lifted my boycott of Word! I had not shopped there for over two years because they did not allow my young child to use the restroom (in an emergency situation and after spending over 30 dollars). I hereby amend my review because they now make a restroom available to their customers on the main floor and they also make their downstairs space available to local community clubs and events. I am also very impressed by their unique variety of books for adults and children in a very limited space. Way to go Word! read more

Cosiest book shop in NYC and a real Greenpoint gem. Fine selection of books and well-curated events programming.

I love this local bookstore and never miss a chance to stop in for good reads. It's a great selection, they'll order you anything they don't have in, and I've been meaning to check out their events and classes. read more

It took me 1 week of living in this neighborhood to find my local bookstore. The folks behind the counter were super helpful in recommending some books when I came in for suggestions. We walked around the shop together and went back & forward with stories I might like, etc and I eventually walked out with 2 books that I've really enjoyed. Neighborhoods need more places like this and all local shops should strive for this level of customer service and satisfaction read more

I am a librarian and I have never met more well read people in my life. I'm so glad that there are people out there in the world who love books so much and that there are jobs available to them. The book clubs are wonderful. The space is really small and I really do hope they can expand some day! read more

Excellent small bookstore. Great selection and friendly staff. Perfect place to stop in Greenpoint.

Great books but staff in the turquoise sweater today wouldn't let my 3 year old use their bathroom. Subsequently peed himself outside their store trying to find somewhere else to go in this 30 degree weather. Don't care how nice the books are...or whether their staff helps you pick out the best book. I'm not going there again. read more

I love this bookstore. It's a place for people who worship books and love to read. The selection is really well curated, and they have fabulous events like "read your favorite bit of Murakami," in celebration of the release of 1Q84, and Bananagrams tournaments. Great events, great selection, helpful (and cute!) super wordy staff. Love ya, Word. read more

On rainy days I go here to find a good read. The staff are VERY helpful and I always end up buying what that recommend. I'm never disappointed! They also have a program where after so many "points" you get coupons:) read more

I have loved WORD from the first time I caught a glimpse of their awesome "WORD" banner logo from the outside (how anyone could complain about the logo, I just don't understand.) I've had nothing but positive experiences with the shop, the truly lovely owners, and their conscientious staff. To me, WORD epitomizes what a small, independent bookstore should be. They pay attention to what their customers desire - both insofar as their stock is concerned as well as the frequent events that they host. read more

I've been going to Word pretty regularly for over 2 years now, and every time have the most wonderful experience. The staff is extremely nice (they have no problem with me bringing my dog in, and even give him treats), the selection is great, the staff picks are always on point. And if you don't find the book you're looking for, they will probably be able to order it for you free of charge, and it will only take few days to pick it up at the store! read more

Its a nice little book shop in Greenpoint. As weird as it may sound, the location of this bookshop kind of fits. Its on Franklin Street, which can be quite but in recent years has seen a surge in businesses, mostly bars and restaurants. I have lived in Greenpoint pretty much my whole life and cannot remember having a bookshop with books in English. So this is an automatic plus. But that is negated by the prices. I understand they are an independent shop and make money by selling at a retail price but if I spent my entire life going to B&N for books and getting amazing prices it wont change much. I know big chain bookstores can afford to sell at discounted prices and as a student that is more of a plus for me. I do wish I could support them more. The shop is small but not tight. It also has a nice little charm to it. Also if you check their website out they tend to have a calendar of events that are open to the public. I remember they used to do Harry Potter book release parties (I believe only open to adults) which was kind of cool, but of course I never went. I say WORD is a welcomed addition to Greenpoint and thats coming from one of the people who lived in Greenpoint before the hoards of hipsters began moving here. I hope to see the business grow and once I get big paycheck I will support them more! read more

I really, really love Word. I never have any money, but if I did, it would be spent here. For a tiny place, they have a decent selection. If you need a gift, check them out. From Cunt: The Coloring Book to an array of children's books, they will have what you seek. I am guilty of taking a couple of the free books they offer in the basket near the window.. but they were terrible. Anyways, I would kill to work here so I could happily spend my entire paycheck on books and be evicted from my apartment. read more

Beyond great. WORD is obviously run by people who truly love books and authors. Do yourself a favor and sign up for their e-mail list so you can be in the know about their fantastic events. I feel so lucky to live in the area and have access to this literary community! read more

Nice little bookstore with a downstairs space for events. Friendly staff, clean and well lit. Decent selection of books.

This is a perfect example of the wonderful, small independent bookstores you'll find thriving throughout the City. Friendly, attentive staff, great author events, as well as a reasonably good selection of books-including some interesting volumes about the history of Greenpoint-all contribute to an atmosphere that any book-lover would enjoy. Definitely worth a return visit or two. read more

The staff is helpful and the store is cute and well-curated. I will no longer use Amazon.com to shop for books. They ordered the title I wanted and emailed me when it was ready to pickup. Will go back often. read more

Word's author events are some of the most creative and well orchestrated in the city. Whether it's a look at Jonathan Lethem's newest novel or a rousing game of Bananagrams, the events at this fantastic independent bookstore give ample opportunities to talk with authors and fellow readers alike. And who knows? You might even meet someone special on their adorable personals bulletin board. read more