A team of book spies hits the subways, streets, parks & bars to find out what New Yorkers are reading now.

 

Hold Me Tight, Dr. Sue Johnson (F, 30s, white and blue striped linen blouse, tan slacks, wedge espadrilles, finished book and tucked it into bag, 3 train)

Hold Me Tight, Dr. Sue Johnson (F, 30s, white and blue striped linen blouse, tan slacks, wedge espadrilles, finished book and tucked it into bag, 3 train)

The Red Tent, Anita Diamant (F, 20s, flower bouquet sticking out of tote bag, pleather jacket, Adidas sneakers, 4 train)

The Red Tent, Anita Diamant (F, 20s, flower bouquet sticking out of tote bag, pleather jacket, Adidas sneakers, 4 train)

Central Places, Delia Cai (F, 30s, wet curls, fuzzy fleece, backpack at feet, open book on lap, scrolling through phone, Q train)

Central Places, Delia Cai (F, 30s, wet curls, fuzzy fleece, backpack at feet, open book on lap, scrolling through phone, Q train)

Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace (M, 60s, long grey hair beneath flat cap, leather jacket, iced coffee with no lid, Q train)

Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace (M, 60s, long grey hair beneath flat cap, leather jacket, iced coffee with no lid, Q train)

These Precious Days, Ann Patchett (F, 20s, Mets beanie, blue and white puffer coat, opaque black tights, Asics sneakers, New Yorker tote bag, black N95 mask, 2 train)

These Precious Days, Ann Patchett (F, 20s, Mets beanie, blue and white puffer coat, opaque black tights, Asics sneakers, New Yorker tote bag, black N95 mask, 2 train)

Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison (F, 40s, blunt bob, long black overcoat, dark checked pants, black boots, black N95 mask, Q train)

Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison (F, 40s, blunt bob, long black overcoat, dark checked pants, black boots, black N95 mask, Q train)

Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr (M, 30s, Mets cap, black puffer coat, very clean black and white Asics, wire glasses frames, Q train)

Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr (M, 30s, Mets cap, black puffer coat, very clean black and white Asics, wire glasses frames, Q train)

The Creative Act, Rick Rubin (F, 40s, light grey hoodie with hood up, light wash jeans, melon colored puffer coat, Blundstone boots, Q train)

The Creative Act, Rick Rubin (F, 40s, light grey hoodie with hood up, light wash jeans, melon colored puffer coat, Blundstone boots, Q train)

Sea of Tranquility, Emily St. John Mandel (F, 40s, very thick glasses frames, nose stud, red nails, large black cross body bag, library copy, 2 train)

Sea of Tranquility, Emily St. John Mandel (F, 40s, very thick glasses frames, nose stud, red nails, large black cross body bag, library copy, 2 train)

Solitary, Albert Woodfox (M, 50s, greying at the temples, navy cotton face mask, wool lined black jacket, black slacks, 5 train)

Solitary, Albert Woodfox (M, 50s, greying at the temples, navy cotton face mask, wool lined black jacket, black slacks, 5 train)

Loot, Jude Watson (M, teens, grey puffer jacket, wearing black Herschel knapsack, standing in the doorway, 4 train)

Loot, Jude Watson (M, teens, grey puffer jacket, wearing black Herschel knapsack, standing in the doorway, 4 train)

Prayer on Fire, Fred Hartley III (F, 40s, tan sweatsuit, thick gold hoops, Skechers, patterned “love” socks, 4 train)

Prayer on Fire, Fred Hartley III (F, 40s, tan sweatsuit, thick gold hoops, Skechers, patterned “love” socks, 4 train)

Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Joan Didion (M, 30s, grey Under Armour cap, navy jacket, backpack at feet, large headphones over ears, Q train)

Slouching Towards Bethlehem, Joan Didion (M, 30s, grey Under Armour cap, navy jacket, backpack at feet, large headphones over ears, Q train)

Theodore Roethke: Selected Poems, ed. Edward Hirsch (M, 30s, scruffy, army green utility jacket, jeans, 4 train)

Theodore Roethke: Selected Poems, ed. Edward Hirsch (M, 30s, scruffy, army green utility jacket, jeans, 4 train)

Den of Thieves, James B. Stewart (M, 30s, tall, glasses, black puffy Marmot jacket, all black Allbirds, duffle bag at feet, eyes resting intermittently, 4 train)

Den of Thieves, James B. Stewart (M, 30s, tall, glasses, black puffy Marmot jacket, all black Allbirds, duffle bag at feet, eyes resting intermittently, 4 train)