Books Are Magic

Books are magic is consistently an incredible place to buy books. It helps highlight the best books for you, and the staff are extremely friendly. It has always been a treasure trove of books and has different sections and genres so that people can find the genres that they love. You can also take a book that you are interested in buying and read it on the stools and special wall space that they have. Enjoy the magic!

Love this independent bookstore. It has a very good selection of books. The lady working there was very helpful. I got The Power Broker which is a big book. I couldn't believe at what a good price I got it. I would highly recommend this bookstore.

Oh my goodness - I love so much about this bookshop. Not only are the staff recommendations absolutely amazing and quirky, but they also have a whole separate section for translated literature which is exactly what my eyes usually have to hunt for on the fiction/non fiction shelves. Amazing stock of some harder to find titles. Also the merch is absolutely adorable - tshirts and totes galore!

This shop had a GREAT selection for a small space! One of the better independent book stores I have been to for sure. They had a great translated section from which I picked up two books. Would stop by again if I'm ever in Brooklyn again!

I haven’t even been to the store yet but i already love it. The staff is so nice and the mail answers are fast. Special thanks to Kevin who was just adorable and understanding with me on the phone when i was nervous about the fact that I’m not a native english speaker !! 🥹 Can’t wait to come to the shop !! - Adriana

A very cute and affordable bookstore in a very cute area! They had such a wide range of books and genres available that it was hard to pick. I loved all of the staff picks as it helped with my choice and the book I got that was highly rated ended up being great! Will return!

I’ve been meaning to pay this bookstore a visit, finally the opportunity presented itself because they were hosting an author event I was interested in. I love the name, love the store layout. It’s very well presented. It’s also very accessible by subway. However, as a first time customer,the customer service and general morale of the staff is not what I expected of a bookstore of its nature. The cashier didn’t seem to be in a good mood, I thought it’s a single incident. Then, I needed to ask one of the booksellers a question and got a very cold response. I hope they improve on their customer service in the future, it’s really very crucial aspect in a business.

Such a cute book shop! The merch is great + super cool Tarot cards selection 😜

Books are magic is consistently an incredible place to buy books. It helps highlight the best books for you, and the staff are extremely friendly. It has always been a treasure trove of books and has different sections and genres so that people can find the genres that they love. You can also take a book that you are interested in buying and read it on the stools and special wall space that they have. Enjoy the magic!

Love this independent bookstore. It has a very good selection of books. The lady working there was very helpful. I got The Power Broker which is a big book. I couldn't believe at what a good price I got it. I would highly recommend this bookstore.

Oh my goodness - I love so much about this bookshop. Not only are the staff recommendations absolutely amazing and quirky, but they also have a whole separate section for translated literature which is exactly what my eyes usually have to hunt for on the fiction/non fiction shelves. Amazing stock of some harder to find titles. Also the merch is absolutely adorable - tshirts and totes galore!

This shop had a GREAT selection for a small space! One of the better independent book stores I have been to for sure. They had a great translated section from which I picked up two books. Would stop by again if I'm ever in Brooklyn again!

I haven’t even been to the store yet but i already love it. The staff is so nice and the mail answers are fast. Special thanks to Kevin who was just adorable and understanding with me on the phone when i was nervous about the fact that I’m not a native english speaker !! 🥹 Can’t wait to come to the shop !! - Adriana

A very cute and affordable bookstore in a very cute area! They had such a wide range of books and genres available that it was hard to pick. I loved all of the staff picks as it helped with my choice and the book I got that was highly rated ended up being great! Will return!

I’ve been meaning to pay this bookstore a visit, finally the opportunity presented itself because they were hosting an author event I was interested in. I love the name, love the store layout. It’s very well presented. It’s also very accessible by subway. However, as a first time customer,the customer service and general morale of the staff is not what I expected of a bookstore of its nature. The cashier didn’t seem to be in a good mood, I thought it’s a single incident. Then, I needed to ask one of the booksellers a question and got a very cold response. I hope they improve on their customer service in the future, it’s really very crucial aspect in a business.

Such a cute book shop! The merch is great + super cool Tarot cards selection 😜

Pros: - Bright and inviting - Maaannnnny staff picks all throughout the store to catch your eye (smart business model) - Fun merch - Book events and signed copies - Well separated children's section so it's easier for parents and non-parents alike Cons: - I am not a fan of the staff vibes here and although they are very friendly with each other I have never been treated to that same energy. Same goes for their other location on Montague Street. If you want friendly and helpful booksellers I would go to P&T Knitwear (LES), Lofty Pigeon (Kensington), or Terrace Books (Windsor Terrace). - It can get very crowded on weekends. Their Montague store is slightly larger.

This place is absolutely amazing. I love the vibrant, unique area it's located in and that environment is translated and used inside. I have never had such a peaceful, welcoming, and fun time browsing books! They have a MASSIVE selection of books. Their assortment covers off on anything you could really think of. Each section is clearly labeled and has staff recommendations all throughout the store. There weren't many discounted books, but those that were on sale were clearly displayed and called out, which made it easy to identify potential savings. The staff were absolutely amazing. Helpful, but not overbearing. Extremely friendly and you could tell they loved working there. I left with several books (and merch items!) and I will definitely be back!

If you're looking to romanticize your NYC life, you might picture dogs, cute little coffee shops, restaurants, and cozy bookstores. At least that's what I picture. I guarantee the bookstore you're thinking of is Books Are Magic. Books Are Magic has 2 locations: 1 in Cobble Hill and the other in Brooklyn Heights. The Cobble Hill location is the original store, and they recently opened the Brooklyn Heights store (also worth a visit!). This place is full of must-reads that are worth every penny. The best part about Books Are Magic is that the employees tag the books they've personally read and recommend. The tags include a little explanation as to why they recommend that particular book. It's nice to know that the books are being personally vetted, and it's always fun to read about what someone else has enjoyed! They have extensive collections in every genre you can think of, and they have cute merchandise, as well. Perusing the cookbooks at Books Are Magic is my guilty pleasure, but every single section will deliver exactly what you're looking for, every single time. This location is well-situated off the F/G subway line, and there is plenty of free street parking. If you're searching for the perfect weekend plan, I suggest picking up a coffee and a pastry at a nearby coffee shop (try Poetica Coffee or Amano) and get lost in the shelves!

Such a great bookstore! Tons of staff recs (with very descriptive recommendations) and lots of new releases, bestsellers, and more. A great place to browse when you want a new book but don't know exactly which one. The merch is cute and the staff is very friendly. Great spot for any bookworm.

I went to a ton of in-person events here throughout the years, and they've all been fantastic. Books are Magic has such a great selection of authors come by to talk, and it's all for free (and truly a magical experience!)

Books are Magic is a family-owned (author-owned!), independent bookstore that actually has 2 locations (on Smith and on Montague). They have a nice selection of books, signed books, ebooks, various merchandise, staff recommendations, and in-store events. I liked their independent book section of local writers, which I found interesting! If you're a fan of this bookstore, you can grab one of their large coffee mugs! +author-owned independent bookstore +independent local author section

I don't fashion myself as an avid reader. I do, however, enjoy a great book filled with action. The staff at the bookstore were more than friendly, breaking down each genre and giving a stellar recommendation. They have some of the best collections of books I've stumbled across in awhile. They also have a rewards program that will help me save a dollar here and there in the future.

What a great selection of books for a small independently owned book store! The store itself is highly organized, clean, and easy to navigate. I got a few summer reads there, and went completely off vibes. I remember enjoying all the books I purchased! That's the great thing about highly curated book stores, its hard to go wrong especially if you know what kind of books you like to read. I heard from another book store owner that Books are Magic is owned by a local author! How fantastic. I totally recommend popping in to re-ignite your love of reading.

Indie bookstores are my favorite places to visit when I'm out of town. Books Are Magic caught my attention on instagram, of all places, because of its beautiful mural outside. I was able to pick up a book I had my eye on, plus a store-branded t-shirt, on my travels here. The store itself is kind of small and narrow, but it packs a ton of personality. I didn't find myself lost in browsing, however. I think it took me longer to walk to this bookstore than I spent in it. But I still enjoyed experiencing it! Recommend.

Getting something to read. Absolutely lovely small bookstore in Brooklyn, wonderful books! Can feel many books speaking to us, making it hard which ones to choose!

I was such a big fan of the Montague St location that I decided to visit the original Smith St one too. They are one of my favorite local, independent booksellers as their selection is always *chef's kiss* and they always host interesting events here and there. The staff are always friendly and ready to recommend a book or two if you are having trouble looking for something. This particular location has higher ceilings than the one on Montague St but still manages to encapsulate the feeling of magic and wonder of a kid in a candystore.

This place has a great, curated selection of books and bright, friendly staff. I was happy to find a copy of David Graeber's and David Wengrow's The Dawn of Everything there. This is a fine neighborhood bookstore.

This store gives NO REFUNDS. Period. and they don't even have a sign to warn you of this which is illegal and just plain mean

Interesting selection, all depends on your style and what you are looking for. It's obviously a very popular and bustling place. Staff were very friendly and helpful to us.

Amazing hidden gem of bookstore. Love the book recommendations and ambiance. I highly recommend.

The selection of books is so limited that I'd skip and go elsewhere. There seems to be a one type of book thematic to select from.

Beautiful book shop with friendly, helpful service, lots of staff recommendations on display, and a nice selection of gifts.

The staff are very unwelcoming and obnoxious and the selection is limited. I love supporting small businesses but this one was definitely a let down.

Such an adorable bookstore and one I'm so much happier to patronize over Amazon. They've got a great selection of books, and honestly I ended up buying some just based on what was displayed at the window outside. I'd been meaning to pick up the first Dune, and they have the whole series prominently displayed. The store is impeccably clean and beautifully organized. They also are keeping a strict capacity on customers at any given time as a precaution for the virus as well as having hand sanitizer readily available. It's not the closest walk in the world for me to get here, but it's absolutely worth it when I'm in the area.

When I was exploring Cobble Hill a few weeks ago, I had to stop in at Books Are Magic. I love to visit and support independent bookstores, and I've had it on my list to visit for a while. It's owned by novelist Emma Straub and her husband. It's not large, but - like many smaller independent bookstores - it's well-curated, with a great selection of books. I know a bookstore is for me when I have a book in my hands already just after browsing from the table at the entrance. That was how it was at Books Are Magic. The choices made by the staff were great - there were great books I wanted to take home with me displayed on the tables and employee recommendation cards were great. I found a book quickly and am looking forward to reading it (it's number four in the to read pile on my nightstand)! Definitely worth visiting if you're in the neighborhood. Cute shop. Support your local independent bookstores!

This place was such a cute indie bookstore! I loved the mural outside and there are tons of places to take pictures. The bookstore itself was really small, but the people working they were really nice and friendly. There were lots of good books to choose from Even though there weren't that many sections. Super cute!

One of my favorite bookstores in the world. Amazing recommendations, helpful staff and a great atmosphere for browsing. They also have a wonderful children's section that I have frequented as an early ed teacher. Can't recommend this place enough, it really is magic!

Really adorable bookstore -- it's a bit small, but the staff curated selection makes up for it. Saw a lot of staff books on display with recommendations that weren't just the NYT Best Sellers -- not that the NYT Best Sellers are bad, but I love discover new things when I go into a bookstore and feeling like the staff are giving me a personal recommendation. Very nice place!

There is absolutely nothing negative I can say about this bookstore. Paid a visit on my most recent trip to New York (just got back today) and I fell in love! Such a cute little bookstore with an amazing selection of all kinds of books. Plus they have the cutest merch ever (that I, of course, had to bring back home with me). Will definitely be visiting again whenever I find myself back in New York!

This is a thriving independent bookstore that I gladly pre-order books from and trek to pick up--just for the pleasure of knowing I'm supporting a small business OWNED BY ARTISTS! They always have great readings and events and the staff is nothing but friendly and helpful. Plus, there's a rewards program where s percentage of what you spend is recorded and eventually leads to money towards more books! I'm an avid reader, if you can't tell and greatly miss the small businesses that used to thrive in my manhattan neighborhood. As they no longer exist, I'm grateful Books Are Magic does. My sweet old pup loved it here before he passed, and so do I.

Love this local store! Bookstores really say a lot about the neighborhood it serves, and this one is a great example! It has its characters and I enjoyed reading their staff's handwritten notes for the books they love. It shows me, a tourist and a bookworm, a side of Brooklyn I'm hoping to experience.

This is a beautiful indie bookstore that I first happened upon in 2017 or early 2018. I lived in Manhattan then, and didn't need to trek it out to Brooklyn when Strand was just a quick walk away. I now live not too far away from Books are Magic but still don't find myself here very often as it's not the closest bookstore, but whenever I do find myself here, I find it hard to pull myself out. I came here in February, as my vet is around the corner and is only doing drop off appointments right now, I thought I'd kill some time in the bookstore. Right now, they are limiting capacity, asking everyone who comes in to use hand sanitizer, and also asking customers to limit their time inside. Staff are friendly, and they have a sign up offer with $10 off for every $250 you spend.

I throughly impressed with their follow through. I ordered a book to be autographed at event and they accidentally sent it without the signatures before the event. Their amazing events person Amali came through and resent the book autographed. This kind of service is rare and now the have life long customer on the west coast!!! Thank you bringing sunshine in the long recovery I am Battling!!!

Beware! Books are magic sells books that have been misprinted (missing 65 pages!) but will not take accountability for faulty merchandise because I no longer had the receipt. The manager was unhelpful, and condescending. Reordered same book - from Amazon.

Omg amazing! Friendly staff - lots of choices - not your average bookseller! Lots of merch to choose from too! Worth a trip from Dallas to Brooklyn!!

I am from an era of wanting to hold actual books in my hand, to find a spot in a bookstore and curl up to read, to drool over the "staff picks" and to have my bag weighed down by a number of different books. When I hear of "Books Are Magic" I knew it was going to be my kinda place. For me it's a commute but I always like to pretend I'm traveling in this fine New York City. I recommend checking out Brooklyn Farmacy or Clover Club for food and then hitting up the book store. Magic to me means that these books have put a spell on me! I love them to put my feet in other peoples shoes. But I also love learning new cooking skills. And I guess I like more ethnic foods at time so it's also a form of traveling. I enjoyed that the cookbooks were placed in the kid's section. And in the kid's section was a shelf for women's history (her-story) month. I did not realize how many fantastic feminist books are now available for kids and it makes me smile. The Maya Angelou's "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" with illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat definitely caught my eye for future kid party gifts. I especially enjoyed hearing a dad reading enthusiastically to his daughter. There's a couch in the back but nothing like a reading nook. I noticed a very interesting book "Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants" by Robert Sullivan that I juts might have to return for. Along with the "M is Mexican" cookbook and the Robert Crumb graphic novel. Thanks for reminding us of the magic that are books! I'll be making more day trips in the near future!

Buying books online has sadly made me miss out on this beautiful place for embarrassingly too long. If you're already out there in the market for books, do yourself a favor and take an afternoon to come here. You'll be surrounded by fellow book lovers, adults and kids alike. I overheard one kid with a slightly raised voice saying to her parents, "CAN I GO READ NOW?" And I really felt that in my soul. I would've done the same to my parents. The bookstore is filled to the ceiling with books separated by section - non-fiction, fiction, essays, poetry, cooking, science fiction, history, etc., and there's even an NYC section. On the shelves there are little tags placed on the edges letting you know about upcoming events relevant to the authors in the section you're looking at, which is pretty cool because they're making sure people are aware of events specific to their interests. I like it. In the back, a large portion of the space is for kids (and a place for kids to read), but there's also a cooking section, young adult section and art & design section. Plus Books Are Magic bags/gifts/etc. My only disappointment is that there isn't a place to sit and read, but that's understandable with how busy this place is. I'll be back, no doubt. You'll feel the same when you go here, too.

Books Are Magic is a wonderful independent bookstore in Cobble Hill, both a neighborhood go-to and a hub for the broader literary community in New York and beyond. I live in Los Angeles, and I've been aware of this bookstore since it opened--I love hearing about new independents emerging and thriving, and this one has an undeniable online/social media presence. I had a book come out in October and did an event at Books Are Magic while I was in New York last month, in conversation with my inimitable friend Sarah Weinman, an author who has appeared here multiple times. I got to spend some time wandering the store both before and after the event, and I loved the selection, which was broad, well curated, and organized for easy browsing. I ended up buying a novel for myself and a couple children's books and an adorable Books Are Magic onesie for friends. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and they gave me a hefty visiting author discount. The event went wonderfully, thanks in large part to Sarah's questions and the nice event space. We talked for a while, and then I signed books. I was touched that a few people I didn't know came out to see me on a rainy night. This doesn't always happen, to be perfectly honest, and I credit Books Are Magic for putting the word out. They even made a cool drawing of my book cover to display outside. I depend heavily on my local independent bookstores, so I know I'd be at Books Are Magic all the time if I lived in New York. The store is fantastic, and the calendar is always packed with interesting events. I look forward to going back whenever my next book comes out, and preferably a few times before then.

Dear Owners of Books Are Magic, Thank you. I too live in this neighborhood. I too was sad to see BookCourt go. And I too think that books are magic. I don't know where I'd be if my parents didn't give me books, instead of TV and toys. As a result, I spent entirely too much time reading as a child, to the point that even those parents complained. But books are endlessly entertaining, fascinating, and enlightening. As George RR Martin, your friend and mine, wrote, "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." So I appreciate you bringing this magic back into our neighborhood. I know my friends with kids will love the beautiful children's section in the back, and hopefully a new generation of readers will be born. I already love the excellent selection (great staff picks), and bright, open layout. I've yet to come in for one of your many, many events, but I appreciate that you've got such a full and interesting calendar as well. I wouldn't mind some comfortable seating so I could spend too much time with you, but I understand if you don't want me around that much...no one does. I pledge to try, much to my wife's chagrin (she is running out of shelf space), to read less books on electronic devices, and buy more actual books from you. Cheers, Peter

As for a neighborhood bookstore goes, Books Are Magic has that perfect aesthetic, service, and selection that make it an immediate hit. In particular their weekly events and great children's book area really make them a core contributor to the community aspect of this neighborhood. Unlike some other independent bookstores where you feel guilted into supporting them simply because they're still in existence amongst the threat of Amazon, Books Are Magic really exemplifies doing all the right things to deserve your support. They're knowledgeable, supportive of authors, the community, and most importantly all the readers that continue to purchase from here.

Books Are Magic is a deeeeelight, and probably my favorite bookstore in all NYC, particularly for all the author events they hold throughout the year (I find it way more "me" than the Strand, for one). The layout is spacious and airy, and the book selection is so carefully and lovingly curated that it's clear they really have a good grasp of whom their readers are. I've been to many events at Books Are Magic, and am always impressed by the thoughtful questions and awesome snacks/bevs available. Emma Straub has created such a terrific literary destination here!

Books are Magic is a wonderful little reading haven I'm Cobble Hill. It sets the standard for small, local bookstores. The books are so well curated. I can easily browse the main tables and features shelf and get a good feel for the best books of the season. I can't afford to buy all these books, so often I get library book ideas from their featured books. In fact, I think 90% of my to read list comes from here. (Don't worry, I buy books here for myself and also stock our work library with purchases from BAM.) I also want to note Books Are Magic is very active with events. I think there's often a reading or talk by authors and illustrators at least 4x a week, if not everyday. I've been to a handful but need to attend more. Finally, it is partially women-owned (maybe half? Not sure), so all the more reason to shop here. Happy reading!

Review for Online Order: I purhcased a few items from Books Are Magic online and they unfortunately came a bit damaged. I was pretty upset about it, so I messaged Books Are Magic to ask what could be done. They offered me either 15% off my order or I could send the items back for a replacement. I ended up going with the second option, but Books Are Magic was SO KIND and chose to just send me new items without having to send the originals back. Thank you Books Are Magic for a splendid customer service experience! Supporting independent bookstore and authors is so important!

This is a great indie neighborhood bookstore. There's a great selection of bestsellers and unknown niche books for every taste. The staff are friendly, it's accessible and the mural on the side of the building is gorgeous. A lot of the books are signed too! Which is always a fun find when you stumble upon a signed copy of something. I definitely recommend to any book lover to make the trip out to Brooklyn to check out this bookstore.

Fantastic book selection and a generally friendly staff that has great recommendations. The store is logically laid out so that people tend to be spread out. Our young one also loves going there and it seems to help inspire him to read more. I love to also support a local business and highly recommend this place.

I really like this bookstore. It's deceptively large and I never walk out empty handed. The staff is always friendly and helpful (as if they don't hate being there, which I appreciate) and they have cool events and speakers. I love walking down Smith street and seeing the colorful "Books are Magic" wall mural- I can never resist going in !

I really liked this bookstore! First of all, there was this really nice (more than smiling and actually beaming) clerk/owner wandering around asking people if they needed help and it seemed as though she had read all of the books people had questions about. Second, they had a very nice little reading area for kids, which took up a fair amount of space. The whole vibe was very good overall; a humorous aside was that they had covered "Fire and Fury (the book about Trump's White House) so DJT's photo was not visible. When asked about this, she replied " we're sensitive to the possibility we might upset our customers and are proactively helping them to exercise self-care". It seemed a bit much to me but I thought it was funny that people might be triggered so easily. Definitely a reflection of the left leanings of the customer base/surrounding community.

What a lovely store, I wish it were in my neighborhood! I have no idea how book stores can hack it these days, but it's great to see new ones actually open. I was here killing time before a movie at the Cobble Hill theater and ended up buying several books as gifts. They have amazing events (check out the board) and signed copies for sale. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Check them out!

This place is wonderful. It is a pleasure to support this independant bookstore. Such a wonderful array of books. Everyone is very pleasant. Such a gem in the neighborhood. It is actually much larger than i thought it would be. They also have events, so its good to check the front door often.

Very helpful - they obviously love what they're doing. One person was helping, then 2-3 more joined in. Made the experience very easy and memorable.

Love this book store, I'm able to find a new book to peak my interest every time I step foot inside!

This is an amazing independent bookstore that my friend introduced me to. Outside the store is this really nice wall with a drawing that a lot of people on social media seems to be sharing a photo of. I am so glad to finally got a chance to visit back in February. It is smaller than some bookstores but definitely has a lot of books. I love that there are some staff recommendations all around and they are pretty much equipped with a wide range of selections -- from the classics to modern fiction. I like that the genres are well organized and that they have genres such as travel, cooking, and history. The children's area is very nice and I like that there is a shelf there for YA novels. They also have some things that are not books such as cards and mugs. Very cute! I hope to come back once this COVID is over.

A fantastic independent bookstore. Well stocked with books, courteous staff, clean, and well lighted. It's a popular bookstore with readings and such after 7pm. Selection seems to lean towards literature and children's books predominately, but also a range of other genres with good selections. I would rate this store as the gold-standard for independent bookstores!

The people who work here are helpful. And super positive and friendly. I like the positive vibes here. I was able to purchase a book and warm up from the artic chill outside. It was right next to Painted Pot. How convenient!