Ten Best Books About New York
The Travel Pages picks the ten best books about New York including memoirs, classic fiction, modern novels, essays, history and biographies.
The 10 Best Books About New York for Visitors and Enthusiasts
New York City has inspired countless books, from gripping novels to insightful histories and vivid memoirs. Whether you’re planning a trip or reminiscing about a past visit, these ten books offer a deeper understanding of the city’s energy, history, and culture.
1. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
Fitzgerald’s masterpiece captures the glamour and excess of 1920s New York, particularly the elite world of Long Island’s Gold Coast. Through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway, we meet the mysterious Jay Gatsby, whose lavish parties and doomed love for Daisy Buchanan unfold against a backdrop of jazz-age decadence. The novel paints a vivid portrait of New York’s roaring nightlife, from the Plaza Hotel to the Valley of Ashes (inspired by Queens). A must-read for anyone drawn to the city’s mythic allure and tragic undercurrents. Buy it here:
2. Here is New York – E.B. White (1949)
Written as a love letter to the city, this short but profound essay by Charlotte’s Web author E.B. White reflects on New York’s unique energy and resilience. Composed during a sweltering summer in a Times Square hotel room, White captures the city’s duality—its ability to feel both intimate and overwhelming. He muses on its neighborhoods, its people, and its enduring spirit, making this a timeless read for visitors who want to understand what makes New York so magnetic. Buy it here:
3. The Power Broker – Robert A. Caro (1974)
This Pulitzer-winning biography of Robert Moses, the controversial urban planner who reshaped New York, is essential for understanding the city’s infrastructure. From parks to highways, Moses wielded immense power, leaving a legacy of both progress and displacement. Caro’s meticulous research reveals how New York’s streets, bridges, and public spaces came to be—and at what cost. Ideal for history buffs or anyone curious about the forces that built (and sometimes divided) the city. Buy it here:
4. Bright Lights, Big City – Jay McInerney (1984)
A defining novel of 1980s New York, McInerney’s debut follows a young writer navigating the hedonistic world of nightclubs, cocaine, and magazine publishing. Written in the second person, the book immerses readers in the protagonist’s chaotic life as he stumbles through parties, relationships, and existential crises. The novel perfectly captures the era’s excesses and the city’s relentless pace, making it a fascinating (and cautionary) read for visitors drawn to NYC’s nightlife. Buy it here:
5. The Colossus of New York – Colson Whitehead (2003)
A lyrical, impressionistic ode to the city, Whitehead’s collection of essays explores New York through its sounds, rhythms, and hidden corners. From the rush of Penn Station to the quiet of a diner at dawn, he captures the emotional landscape of urban life. This isn’t a traditional guidebook but rather a poetic meditation on what it means to live in—or visit—New York. Perfect for travelers who want to feel the city’s pulse beyond the tourist spots. Buy it here:
6. The Bonfire of the Vanities – Tom Wolfe (1987)
Wolfe’s satirical novel exposes the greed, ambition, and racial tensions of 1980s New York. When a wealthy Wall Street trader’s life unravels after a wrong turn in the Bronx, the story spirals into a media frenzy and courtroom drama. The book skewers the city’s social divides, from Park Avenue penthouses to the Bronx’s struggling neighborhoods. A gripping, darkly funny read that remains startlingly relevant today. Buy it here:
7. Up in the Old Hotel – Joseph Mitchell (1992)
Mitchell, a legendary New Yorker writer, chronicles the city’s eccentric characters and vanishing neighborhoods in this collection of essays. From Bowery saloons to Fulton Fish Market, his portraits of everyday New Yorkers—oyster shuckers, street preachers, bearded ladies—are filled with warmth and wit. Mitchell’s writing preserves a bygone era, making this a treasure for visitors who want to glimpse the city’s soul beyond the skyscrapers. Buy it here:
8. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – Betty Smith (1943)
A beloved coming-of-age novel set in early 20th-century Williamsburg, this book follows Francie Nolan as she grows up in a tenement with her struggling but resilient family. Smith’s depiction of Brooklyn—its hardships, joys, and tight-knit immigrant communities—is both tender and unflinching. For modern visitors, it’s a poignant reminder of the borough’s working-class roots before its hipster transformation. Buy it here:
9. A Town Without Time: Gay Talese’s New York – Gay Talese (2023)
Gay Talese, one of New York’s most celebrated chroniclers, offers a fresh collection of essays and observations in A Town Without Time, capturing the city’s relentless energy and ever-changing character. With his signature eye for detail, Talese revisits old haunts—from the fading glamour of Midtown’s once-grand hotels to the immigrant enclaves of Queens—while reflecting on how New York both resists and embraces change. Buy it here:
10. Just Kids – Patti Smith (2010)
Smith’s memoir recounts her early years in 1960s-70s New York with artist Robert Mapplethorpe, a time when the city was a haven for struggling artists. From the Chelsea Hotel to CBGB, she captures the bohemian spirit of a grittier, more affordable Manhattan. Her poetic storytelling makes this a moving tribute to creativity, friendship, and a lost era of New York’s cultural history. Buy it here:
Final Thoughts
These books offer a kaleidoscopic view of New York, from its glittering highs to its gritty depths. Whether you’re drawn to its history, its fiction, or its real-life characters, these reads will deepen your appreciation for the city—before, during, or after your visit. Happy reading (and exploring)!
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