Between the Lines: Stories from the Underground

by Uli Beutter Cohen

From the acclaimed creator of Subway Book Review , Between the Lines gloriously takes to the underground and showcases in over 170 interviews what moves us forward—a thrilling ride as unexpected as New York City itself.

“ Subway Book Review has changed how we look at books.” — Forbes
“[Beutter Cohen’s] rosy view of the subway is a refreshing contrast.” — The Cut, New York magazine
“ Subway Book Review is one of the few purely good things on the internet.” —Esquire

For the better part of a decade, Uli Beutter Cohen rode the subway through New York City’s underground to observe society through the lens of our most creative the readers of books. Between the Lines is a timely collection of beloved and never-before-published stories that reflect who we are and where we are going. In over 170 interviews, Uli shares nuanced insights into our collective psyche and gives us an invaluable document of our challenges and our potential. Complete with original photography, and countless intriguing book recommendations, Between the Lines is an enthusiastic celebration of the ways stories invite us into each other’s lives, and a call to action for imagining a bold, empathetic future together.

Meet Yahdon, who reads Dapper Made in Harlem and talks about the power of symbols in fashion. Diana shares how Orlando shaped her journey as a trans woman. Saima reads They Say, I Say and speaks about the power of her hijab. Notable New Yorkers open up about their lives and reading habits, including photographer Jamel Shabazz, filmmaker Katja Blichfeld, painter Devon Rodriguez, comedian Aparna Nancherla, fashion editor Lynn Yaeger, playwright Jeremy O. Harris, fashion designer and TV personality Leah McSweeney, designer Waris Ahluwalia, artist Debbie Millman, activist Amani al-Khatahtbeh, and esteemed authors such as Jia Tolentino, Roxane Gay, Ashley C. Ford, Eileen Myles, Min Jin Lee, and many more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Essays, New York, Memoir, Anthologies

384 pages, Hardcover

First published November 9, 2021

About the author

Uli Beutter Cohen is a German-born American documentarian, living in New York City. She is the creator of Subway Book Review on Instagram.

Reviews

[Ana WJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around 3.7 stars. Enjoyed learning about books and authors I may otherwise never have encountered, but still unsure about the mechanics of it all. Are these interactions completely serendipitous? Or is a photo taken, email exchanged and questions asked after? 2016 entries felt incredibly genuine. 2020 onward felt a little orchestrated. But overall great book to gift to friends & incredibly intimate way to explore the city.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a connoisseur of books about books and a follower of the instagram account that inspired this book, this was an automatic buy for me.

The author stops people on the subway in NY (I think only in NY, but I could be wrong) and asks a few short questions about the book she sees them reading.

This is like a dream job to me. When I see people reading in public, I actually will crane my neck and walk out of my way to see if I can see what they are reading. It just fascinates me. One, I feel like I only get to talk/think about books in my little corner of the world---be it on Goodreads, with a close friend, or with my book club. In general, people don’t just bring up books they are reading at work or in social settings. If anything, people turn to discussing a tv show or movie. So seeing my interest in the wild feels special. Also, I love to see if the book they are reading is anything I have heard of and even more than that, if it “matches” the split second judgment I get of the person reading it.

If I had any complaint with the book, it would be that the interviews seem almost too curated. It started to feel like every interview had a progressive theme. Many people were reading very heavy reads. Everyone was reading to understand the gentrification in their neighborhood, or reading like, a huge biography on Malcolm X, or reading to become a better activist or whatever else. To be clear: I don’t have a problem with any of this and I’m a progressive person myself. I love non-fiction, I like to be challenged. All good! It just started to feel a bit inauthentic somehow? Where were the people who are like, “Oh, I just picked this up because it was a Read with Jenna pick…” or were re-reading a childhood favorite, or were reading fluff because the world was too much at the moment. Or were maybe reading some actually good quality literary fiction but didn’t have some big backstory behind it that informed their politics or whatever. Maybe NY is really just that much more cultured than the Midwest. But did she really not come across many of those readers (and aren’t we all those readers sometimes?) or were they just not worthy of the book?

Also, she had a handful of famous people who were interviewed, which was cool...but IDK, the whole appeal is that she is just (supposedly?) stopping people at random. The odds she happened to stumble across all these famous people is basically zero, soooo then did they then get the time to think about the perfect book to be seen with and what to say about it?

Overall, minor issue. The book was still interesting and fun.

Some of my favorite tidbits from interviews:

I have everything I need, yet I am not satisfied. And you know what? A lot of joy comes from slowing down and being nice to people. Have a conversation with the guy at the deli you’ve seen every day for the past three years and never talked to. That’s your neighbor. Resist running into the store, finding what you need, and leaving. Just be a part of the store. That stuff spreads joy.
pg 91

My practice is to draw something every morning and every night, which feels equally transformative. In the mornings, I draw a toy duck. It’s the same duck on a tricycle, but it’s like a zen thing because I see it at a slightly different time, in a slightly different light, and it changes. I’ve been drawing the duck in the morning every day for two years and my dish rack every night for about four years. It’s akin to a magician practicing scales, I guess. It keeps me sharp, and the dish rack reminds me of my kids, I guess. I see them every day but do I really “see” them? Not if I’m not paying attention. Now I notice everything around me is changing. This morning the duck came out very Picasso-like.
pg 92

This is a difficult experience to describe. I’m reading Leaves of Grass for the fourth or fifth time. It feels a little bit like looking at a painting.
pg 133

[Deedi Brown (DeediReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.

TL;DR REVIEW:

I loved reading Between the Lines so much. It’s a beautiful, well-paced collection of interviews that blends a love of New York City, books, and our shared humanity.

For you if: You are a fan of @subwaybookreview on Instagram.

FULL REVIEW:

I was lucky enough to have received an early review copy of Between the Lines from Simon and Schuster (thank you!) about two months before the book’s official publication. That gave me time to read a little bit of it every day, pacing myself through the 175+ short interviews from @subwaybookreview that creator Uli Buster Cohen has selected and arranged so lovingly. It will be published November 9.

In case you aren’t familiar, @subwaybookreview is an Instagram account where Uli documents conversations she has with New Yorkers who are reading on the subway. She asks about the book they’re holding and their view of the world, with good, deep questions that cut to the center of our shared humanity. For this book, she also coordinated interviews with some well-known modern New Yorkers, like Roxane Gay and Emma Straub.

Long story short, I loved the experience of crawling my way through this book. Every page brings us a new person who serves as a lens to view the world. Every interview expands New York and our connection to it and one another. Reading it slowly allowed me to feel like I was giving each of them the time and attention they deserved, and like I was giving the book itself the time and attention it required to work it’s magic on me.

I recommend this book for everyone, but especially for those who hold a special place for NYC in their hearts. It’s worth it.

[Steve Sarner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. Why?

Well, I love discovering new (and old) books including rediscovering some titles too.

And, I love New York City. In fact, I even enjoy riding the subway in New York. So much better than dealing with the traffic up top.

So, a book about books, set in NYC and sourced from random people riding the subway made it a natural that I’d like Between the Lines.

Ever since I read Books for Living by Will Schwalbe, which was incredible, I have sought out more books about books and Between the Lines certainly delivered!

I suppose it all makes sense as Goodreads is all about sharing and discovering books from other people. That might include friends you see and know well to people on the other side of the world that you’ll likely never meet in person. And that is what Between the Lines is all about too.

As one would expect from people reading on NYC subway lines, this is a rich, diverse and eclectic collection of people, comments, backstories and, of course, books.

The short and concise introductions and reviews are like a feast of small plate delectables at a favorite tapas bar with a kaleidoscope of interesting people sharing their favorite “plates” which of course is a metaphor for the books they are reading.

Between the Lines is not just interesting, it’s simply a book of great fun!

[Gordon Bohrson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept. Author interviewed and photographed New York City subway riders regarding the books they were reading and the backgrounds of the readers. As a long time public transit rider and reader, my observation is that 90%+ of riders read fiction for pleasure and escape (mysteries, thrillers, romance novels, etc.). This writer focused on readers of books with a very focused social conscience.
p.s. the book provided some great recommendations of books to add to my reading list.

[Sierra Hoeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this book at Barnes and Noble I was immediately interested. Based off of her documentary-style Instagram page, Subway Book Review, Uli Beutter Cohen introduces us to the people of NYC and the books they love.

[Monica Fumarolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love scrolling the Subway Book Review instagram account, but kind of hate how much time you spend staring at your screen, this is for you! I added so many titles to my To-Read list as a result of this collection, and it was great to see more of the conversation and context Uli had with each of these readers. I sincerely hope she stops me on the subway on a future trip to NYC :)

[Richfield Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I agree with other reviewers, I am still giving this 5 stars and recommend status. I do agree with other reviewers that the responses were ever-so-polished! I can't speak that eloquently if I was prepared, and standing on solid ground. Also noted, everyone was reading really intense, action-changing novels (and now my Goodreads list will explode with those recommendations). No Harlequin Romances on these trains.

I am giving 5 stars because I just felt this connectedness to everyone in the book. I want to meet them all and talk about their books. I will never meet them, I don't know if I will ever get to NYC, but I feel like I "know" people there. How did Uli do it? How did she bring out the human-ness of everyone with just one book, 3 questions and 3 paragraph interview replies?

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spotted this bright yellow book on the new releases shelf at the local library and was immediately intrigued by the concept. And yeah, I enjoyed it. But I think I would have loved it had more of the book readers been interviewed in a genuinely organic way. Instead, what we have here is largely a curation of memorably expressive writers, artists, and activists—already connected to the author, one suspects—who meticulously choose their outfits to match their favorite books, which they just happen to be carrying with them as a sort of personal manifesto. The actual people who read books on the subway in New York on, say, a Tuesday morning or a Saturday night are interesting enough in their ordinariness, aren’t they?

TL;DR: Less posturing, more serendipity, please!

[Jasmin Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uli Beutter Cohen goes underground in NYC to stimulate the minds of the bold and the brilliant by asking them to share their literary obsessions and inner emotions. There are so many folks in "Between the Lines", esp. New York artist, writer, activist, creative folks, from the internet, fashion, contemporary art, design, LGBTQ+ specifically Black queer and trans voices, that I know I will find so much joy in re-reading their interviews over and over again. Buy this book, dive in, marinate on these gems, even read it on the subway. I dare you.

[Mitch Chapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never been to New York City but have thought about it many times.  Would I get murdered in Central Park like so many victims of SVU?  Would I drop by Central Perk and meet a new friend?  Almost all my exposure to mega cities is vacations and living in Portland, OR for a year.  I know that a New York City street is busy in Crocodile Dundee, the same way it’s bustling in Uncut Gems, the same way it’s always wall to wall people seemingly everywhere in NYC.  I’d like to think I’d ride the subway somewhere.  This book is a lady who sees people carrying books on the subway system in NYC and ask them some questions.

    It’s a simple premise.  The questions are not always about the book.  Uli needs to know the person before she can understand the reader within the person.   She digs into heritage, history, occupation, dreams… and her style of interview is so kind and generous.   I’d say that half the time she doesn’t ask a question to prompt responses.  I can see her on the subway full of noise and everyone in a hurry to be somewhere… all she wants is to hear who you are and what you read.   I see her with a warm smile always.  She interviews by agreeing wholeheartedly and letting the interviewee speak on what their heart leads them to.  It’s so pure and void of agenda.  

    The interviews have no agenda but of course the people of different creeds, colors, orientations, and nations do.  Living in the heart of the Midwest we fundamentally lack diversity.  I love this book for helping me explore and connect with people.  I felt a cathartic warmth the entire time I read this book.  I find it difficult to put into words.  I needed someone to help me open my reading and mind to ALL people.  I think this book should be read by every high schooler in America.  Let’s hear each other’s stories and bask in our similarities and differences.  We are Us, all out here trying the best we can to figure it out and keep going.  

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books and people, you should read this book! Uli sees people at the subway who are reading books and interviews them. Sometimes they talk about how they ended up in New York and why they picked out the book they are reading. What a great idea for a book. Super easy read. I got cozy on my couch with the fire and felt close to strangers I don't know. It felt like somehow we were more connected after I finished the book. There were so many great quotes by people who Uli interviewed, and I recommend reading this book for their words alone but an added bonus is that I added their books to my book list and will be reading them next. Here are some of my favorite parts, but there were so many that I just couldn't write them all down.

“What someone wears defines who that person is, whether it’s a sneaker, a leather jacket, a hair clip, or a wrap dress. When someone is adorned, they are complete. When they are adorned, they can step out into the world.”

“I don’t define myself by a fraction. If your great-grandmother was a Cherokee, then you are, too.”

“Often when I speak to white people, they talk about owning property…this book puts into perspective that even if your name is on a mortgage, you don’t actually own the land.”

[Jim Gladstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uli Beutter Cohen’s Between the Lines: Stories from the Underground grew out of her instagram account called @subwaybookreview. A cousin-of-sorts to Brandon Stanton’s popular Humans of New York collections, this is a wonderful dip-in-dip-out compilation of brief interviews, each of which springs from Cohen approaching a stranger in the New York subway system and asking them about what they’re reading. Cohen reveals the value of books as bridges, serving as catalysts for conversations between people who might otherwise never connect. Book chat frequently morphs into broader topics: Asking about a self-help tome can lead to tales of striving and personal ambition; inquiring about a novel often inspires frank talk about how the reader sees themselves reflected in a character or situation; and questions about cookbooks can lead down a rabbit hole of sensory memories and nostalgia for faraway homes. “The more I talk to readers in the underground,” writes Cohen, “the more I realize that books are a reflection of our identities and souls. Books reflect everything we are and everything we wish we could be.”

[Rose and Mike Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book, “Between the Lines - Stories From the Underground,” by Uli Beutter Cohen in a Goodreads giveaway.

What a great idea for a book about the human animal. Writing about New York City can be a huge daunting task so the author decided, while riding a subway, to talk to someone on the same car who was reading a book. In a conversation the author got the idea to ride the subway for her research and ask ‘thinking people’ (people who read books) their thoughts about the book and their shared city life.

With over 170 short interviews, the author has collected a who’s who list of books that people were reading and even included a picture of each person that was interviewed. Pictures of these strangers in the subways holding their books is mesmerizing to me. The quick interviews take just minutes to read but are very enjoyable as well. You will be surprised by some of the people she met on a train. Even NYC artists, writers and fashion people were spotted on trains reading books. A most incredible book.

Definitely grab this one, even if you don’t live in New York City. It’s a five star charmer!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of encounters with book readers on the New York Subway, the author has done well to coax stories out of so many total strangers on trains or station platforms. It probably helped that Ms Cohen is also the author of a well known blog that follows a similar format and so some of her interlocutors would have guessed that it was her.

I found it a little difficult to accept that those featured are a representative cross section of those who ride the subway, but maybe that’s because those who read real books while travelling are a self-selecting group which is fair enough.

What this is not is a series of mini book reviews. Most of the interaction concerns the values and opinions of the interviewee in a more general sense, and in some cases the book itself receives only a passing mention.

Entertaining stuff though, and recommended to anyone interested in Gotham culture.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book is that the author interviewed over 170- people and talked about the books they liked reading on the subways. It includes never-before-published stories, original photography, and so many great book recommendations. This book shows us that we all have deep connections with books when we unplug and turn off Wifi.

This book was so unique in its structure. I loved how it was organized by people the author spoke to. They were linked in such a clever way. For example, someone would read about Kitchen Confidential. Then the author would have a chef. There were so many people in the book, including Glynnis MacNicol, Laurie Woolever, and Debbie Millman. It was great to hear their reflections on what they love to read.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book about books! I started following Subway Book Review on IG a while ago and was excited that she compiled a bunch of her posts into this book. TBH: the book has been sitting on my shelf for a few years... Since the IG page has become defunct as of 2022, I'm glad I have this book. The collection of stories are from a variety of people the author found reading on the NYC subway. The stories span from 2014 - 2020, with most of them being from 2020. I read another reader's review and agree that the interviews from 2020 feel a little less authentic, almost as if she is purposely setting up interviews with influential/famous locals. From artists to activists, students to retirees, the book seems to cover a good mix of people and topics. I would recommend this book to lovers of books and/or city lovers! (Be prepared for your TBR list to grow exponentially!)

[Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will say right off that I did read every single page of this book. I kept waiting for it to get better. I was hoping to discover what people were reading but I think the author only included the books she wanted in her book. I didn't like most of the people that she interviewed. I am starting to see why New York is so messed up. My son was thinking of moving there but I told him if he ever did then we would have to see each other on Zoom. After reading this book I am doubling down on my opinion of never going to New York. Ever. With crime and their local political climate. I had bought an extra copy and was going to give it to my son's wife but after reading the book for myself I returned the book I had purchased for her.

[Sherry Fyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cohen randomly approaches New Yorkers in the subway (her Underground of the title) and asks about the book their reading. In what was probably a fairly brief chat, she asks how the book has illuminated and impacted on their lives. The people whose stories she has included in this book respond with remarkable openess and candor. They are bright, engaged, enthusiastic, and generous. Cohen approaches and lifts up the stories of the marginalized or too-often ignored to show us that simple book chats among strangers can be a form of social activism and social justice. She is also passionately in love with the NYC subway system! She honors it as a democratizing force that powers my great city.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Not what I expected, but in a good way. Cohen photographs people he sees with books on the subway and asks them about their choice of book. We get an assortment of intellectuals, activists, a guy who raises chickens, chefs, immigrants, children of immigrants and a variety of interesting thoughts about their reading.
This would get 5 stars but as several reviews point out, it would be nice to know the standard for selecting the interviews included here. Nobody's reading popular fiction unless it's also literary (Whitehead, Morrison)—no Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Harry Potter, etc. I think that would have helped make the mix more eclectic.

[Josh Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so many things at once. It's an intimate portrait of New York City, it's a captivating look into the people who make this city interesting, a reference guide for your next great book, and an intoxicating slice of humanity. Cohen has honed an impeccable approach for talking to strangers, managing to give the same wonderful shine to average joes and major celebrities (which this book is full of). This book reminds you how interesting the people sitting next to you on the train might be. Can't recommend this enough!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I not love this book? It was a lot of fun to meet the folks who live in my city and see what they’re reading and why they’re reading it, or what they think about it. My TBR list grows and grows. I dipped in and out reading a few profiles here and there and then went back and added all of the books I wanted to read to my list. It was nice to read something so positive and see so many smiles after the last few years. It was real antidote to 2021. An easy 5 stars from me. Give this one to all your book loving friends and family!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a librarian and avid reader (as well as someone who is interested in other people’s lives), I found this book fascinating. It is a compilation of the author’s interviews with people who ride the NYC subway about the books they are reading. Many of the interviews are like mini biographies, little windows into other people’s lives and struggles and philosophies. A diverse group is represented, and I was heartened to see that so many people are readers and willing to share their thoughts about life.

[Linda Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took her forever to finish this book yet she gave it four stars. Because it was a book that gave her books. Uli Beutter Cohen brings together a collection of short interviews of people about the books they are reading on the NYC subway. It is full of insights on books, people and life in NYC. Not a book to read from one end to the other in a sitting but almost a reference on what to consider reading next. And the diversity of people!!! So consider this unique collection… become part of the wider world. (She says as she picks up another mystery to read.)

[Kingston Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to look at the city and to learn about its people. I met the author a couple years back as she is a friend of my son. We talked about this book & I was quite fascinated. I am excited for her and excited to share her accomplishment with others.

We bought a 2nd copy which I plan to give to a friend of mine who lives in Manhattan. I am hoping he finds joy in the book and is also willing to share with others to help expand its recognition.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This compilation of photographs and short interviews focuses on NYC subway riders and what they're reading. The author looks for those with actual physical books (getting to be a rarity these days) and gets them to elaborate on their connection to the material. Lots of diversity in people and kinds of books. Fun to peruse.

[Micebyliz]

i loved this book. i am happy to say that i have read quite a few of these books but the rest i will sort through and add to my list. It's great to get recommendations like this! i always ask strangers what they are reading, etc. so i admire Uli Cohen for writing this book. What a study of human behavior/anthropology on the subway.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the premise of this book, and found a few good book recommendations, but I was sad to realize that most, if not all, of these interactions were set up/scheduled and not just “woman on the street” interviews with readers on the subway. A lot of these people are “famous” or known and that changes the tone. Still a fun project that captures the spirit of NYC.

[Jeff Dow · Rating 3 out of 5]

The older reviews are better, more direct, and more about the books. It felt that many of the reviews/interviews bordered on pretentious. That said, saying a book is pretentious is in and of itself somewhat pretentious.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. This is a lovely collection or short interviews of readers and what they are reading on the NYC Subway lines (hence the title). As a book reader and ex-NYer I was intrigued about this book. It does not disappoint. I now have added some new books to my TBR list.