Alternatives to lonely nights reading at Butler

It’s the first month of school and students’ bookshelves are crammed­. With so much to do, is there any time to actually enjoy reading?
Probably not, but rest assured that there are plenty of alternatives to diving into the catacombs of Butler. Try taking a book to one of these lesser-frequented neighborhood spots—they can be much more conducive to the reading experience.

Avery Library, which houses Columbia’s graduate collection of art and architecture books, is by far the nicest library on campus. Located between Low Library and Fayerweather, Avery has tall windows, artful molding, and wide wooden tables on the 300 level. Though the furnishings are sometimes uncomfortable, there are five leather armchairs scattered about its rooms.

David Solomon, CC ’12, said, “Avery is far enough away from Butler and College Walk that you’re not going to see everyone you know but still run into a few friends.” If you need a distraction, Solomon added, “The well dressed European architecture students are interesting to look at … and so are the patterns on the ceiling.” No food or drinks are allowed inside Avery, but Brownie’s Cafe is located two floors below­—it’s a tasty alternative to Blue Java or Café 212, though it is cash only.

The next time you want to drink coffee while you read, skip the Hungarian Pastry Shop. Instead, head north to Max Caffé (1262 Amsterdam Ave., near 122nd Street). The same dim lighting and quiet conversation are there, but with more space and better seating arrangements. Mark Hay, CC ’12, explained, “Usually, I’m pretty particular about the environments I study in. At Max Caffé, the amenities are consistent and the ambience is good.”

On the other hand, if you prefer scenic views to rows of bookshelves or the company of others, climb to East Campus’s 20th floor lounge. The polyester upholstered chairs and bare tables may be unexciting, but on a clear day the room offers a 180° view of the city from Morningside Heights to Midtown.

Of course, when the sun is out and the air is fresh, hunkering down in a lounge or café can be no better than holing up in Butler, which makes Riverside Park an appealing spot. The park stretches uninterrupted from Grant’s Tomb to 95th Street and is the premier location for outdoor reading in the neighborhood. Occupy a bench on the tree-lined paths or bring a blanket and lie on the grassy fields below 110th Street. As Anna Kelner, CC ’12, details, “Riverside is nice because it’s close to campus but doesn’t have many Columbia people there. It’s also quiet enough that you can get a lot of work done and it’s beautiful.”

Those needing a tropical flair to the afternoon may want to stretch out on the sand at Hudson Beach (at 105th Street). The park’s topography is diverse enough that you can enjoy a different location every time you read there.

Changing where you read won’t reduce the number of pages you have to get through, but it can enliven the reading experience. The next time you have to pull an all-nighter to get through a Literature Humanities or CC text, don’t head to Butler.