Skyline Books, a fixture in the Flatiron district for the last 20 years, closed its doors forever on January 31, the victim of rising rents and the inescapable competition of chainstores like Barnes & Noble and online bookstores like Amazon. Each time an independent bookstore closes, it is like a knife in the heart of a writer like me, even though the books I write are sold at Barnes & Noble and by Amazon. There’s just something about a small, neighborhood bookstore. Skyline Books, you will be missed. Skyline Books was at 13 West 18th St. The nearest independent bookstore is Idlewild Books, 12 W. 19th
