The beloved and infamous Strand underwent a radical transformation, quantum-leaping into the 21st century with a beautiful new second floor chock full of art and photography books. Now with new lighting thoughout the store and impressive air conditioning on the main level, searching here seems less like trolling through your grandmother's attic. While New Yorkers previously loved this zany outpost with its "18 miles of books," the truth is that in its previous incarnation the Strand was filthy, dusty and sometimes smelly. Now the renovations as well as its Internet book sales have brought Strand on par with its toughest competitors, and Strand is clearly holding its own. The quirkiness remains—especially in the lower level—where we recently heard the Replacements "I Will Dare" while admired several thick piece of label tape on bookshelves such as "Eastern thought ends here" and "Returning books to their proper place is a sign of healthy social integration". Well worth many repeat visits.

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