Answers:

llull
Shambhala

It’s been a decade since i went to Strand, but I would say that you can find obscure, strange and valuable books at both. Strand isn’t as large, nor as organized as Powell’s in my memory. It is a unique and massive emporium of books though. Good question. What do you think of Strand? Is there any other massive used/new book store in NYC we should know about?

cheekyassmonkey
Portland

i totally agree with this. strand can be unbearable in the summer, too. there aren’t any old bookstores left in the city … used to be a great little shop on ann street, but it closed 15+ years ago.