The 10 Best Books About New York

I first moved to New York City in 1996, and I have no need or desire to live anywhere else in the world. After living in New York City for over half of my adult life, I still find myself in many New York moments that remind me why I'm living in the greatest city in the world. Strolling in Central Park in the summer with my kids, we might come across a line of people who waited overnight to see Shakespeare in the Park with some of the world's best actors, take in the sights and sounds at the Boathouse restaurant and arrive at the amazingly entertaining Rose Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History. On the tiny island of Manhattan, endless opportunities arise for entertainment, stimulation and awe. My book, New York, New York: So Good They Named it Twice, An Irreverent Guide to Experiencing and Living in the Greatest City in the World is for those who choose to live here, as well as for those who have always wondered what it would be like.

Here are some classic fiction and nonfiction books that will help the armchair traveler, the visitor, and the newly arrived to understand the heart and soul of New York.