Some people feel that they can only truly understand the essence of a city if they walk its streets themselves. This may be true, but you can also get a fantastic insight from books that feature design, history, the food and the people that belong to a particular city. Here is a selection of books that bring on wanderlust for New York (sigh).

Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton

New York Sleeps by Christopher Thomas

Gastropolis: Food & New York City by Annie Hauck-Lawson & Jonathon Deutsch

Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney

New York In Style: A Guide to the City’s Fashion, Design and Style by Janelle McCulloch