Yu & Me Books — Local services in New York

Yu and Me Books is like a sacred temple of literature, community activism, and all around kindness. This cozy bookstore's shelves are STOCKED with great AAPI and other BIPOC books. Also has fun greeting cards, tote bags, and yummy coffee.

Founded by Lucy, who diligently works the counter fielding constant emails, calls, as well as in person customer questions - all with an irrepressible smile and cheerfulness in her voice which you know isn't forced but is a byproduct of GREAT parenting. The name of the bookstore is a play on her mom's initials (c'mon, how sweet is that??).

Finding this place was like a balm to my soul. Opening during the COVID pandemic and amidst a rising tide of anti-Asian violence, Yu and Me Books is more than just a bookstore. Lucy recently headed an initiative to hand out pepper spray to any ladies for free. As a native Chinatown guy, when I tell ya she transformed Chinatown that day, I'm not kidding. I had never seen a line so long snaking all the way down Mulberry St and up Mosco St. This bookstore is making a difference! Offering a safe haven for powerful ideas and literally fostering a safe haven for our most vulnerable population.

Of course, come here to find great books. Tons of amazing titles stock the shelves. The cool part is, Lucy hosts lots of author readings, so you can snag an autographed copy. Beat that Amazon!

I believe this bookstore is a bastion of what is good in humanity. The mission is brilliant and so is Lucy. Come out and...

On the only day I forgot my unusually large umbrella I marched on allowing my hair to get RAINED on, and for my black people you know that's unthinkable.

Yet once I stepped unto Yu and Me Books, it felt worth it. There was very soft alternative soul music playing in a cool and tastefully lit atmosphere which was made even better by a unsweetened, ice jasmine tea with a paper straw.  There is a cozy room in the back that felt too personal to video record so I encourage you to explore in person.

The name of the store is from the owner Lucy Yu, who opened the bookstore she wished she had when she was younger. Well the music was great and I haven't met Lucy but the playlist had Beyonce's new songs so I think she and I will get along. If she hasn't already, she should add Little Dragon and Maggie Rogers to her playlist, I have a feeling she'd like them.

I picked up a book called I Feel Love, not sure if it spoke to me because it was lavender or it because was about queer people.

This was a great stop on a Sunday, a 4.9 in NY is crazy and in this crazy it's...

Newish, small bookstore featuring a selection of popular Asian and Asian diasporic authors, across genres including history, fiction, memoir, poetry, and children's books. They also sell a handful of non-Asian titles and random used books. I was disappointed by the lack of range in offerings and the vibe of the store and its organization. The shelves are too deep, so the books are hard to browse, and the narrow walkway is made more difficult to navigate because of the benches with stacks of books on them. It just comes across as thoughtless and cluttered. Besides books, they sell stickers, greeting cards, and other little knick knacks by local AAPI artists, as well as refreshments (coffee, tea, beer). There is a small reading nook in the back. I appreciate what this store is trying to do, but I don't plan on...