Love this place! Great events! It's so nice having an indie bookstore nearby, especially one so engaged in community building. I only wish there was a place to sit and stay a while. read more

Lovely independent bookstore. Very spacious and they have a particularly large children's section. A lot of wonderful , thought provoking titles. They also sell tote bags and some small trinkets. They also have a card for summer reading for under 18s (which they were gracious enough to let me have one because who didn't love summer reading at the library?). It's wheelchair accessible with a ramp that they have. read more

We went into this store while walking down the main street. It has a lot of local book options about New York. It was raining when we stopped in and the place was pretty full so i did not get to interact with anyone that worked there. I think if i am back in that area, I would stop in and check it out again. read more

Books Are Magic - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

How have I not reviewed them yet? Tbf I don't think I've reviewed many bookstores (which I need to fiiiiix). One of my favorites, though! Love the curated sections like the one with BAM-recommended titles. They also bring new releases in at lightning speed. A few weeks ago, I came for Richard Scarry-themed Inciardi prints and a new book but stayed for the quaint yet busy atmosphere where turning every corner feels like uncovering a hidden literary world. The kids area in the back is ADORABLE and features a little reading cave. In love with the cookbooks and architectural books around there, too. Their website notes upcoming literary events and is well-organized; full of fun BAM-themed merchandise. Open 10AM - 6PM *daily* -- support local! read more

Books Are Magic - they are! - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I am a big fan of local bookstores so I was excited to come across this one! Super cute and seems like a popular spot because it was quite crowded. Employees were very friendly! It's on the smaller side so they didn't have as many books as I was looking for but I was able to grab one that I've been wanting and I am looking forward to reading it! read more

I came here to pick up the new book by Emily Henry. It was the release day hence this bookstore gave a goodie with it. I received a cute pin. The shop employees were all very friendly. I was a little taken aback when 3 of them greeted me at the register. One of them gave me the book. Another one rang up my purchase. The third one gave me my pin. Apparently, it was a team effort to process my transaction. I explored the shop; I was fascinated how adorable the kids section is. You have to walk all the way to the back however it is quite spacious. Highly recommend dropping by here. It is across the street from the F train station, Bergen Street. read more

Books are Magic was on my list of bookstores to visit, and I finally made it. This is a cozy bookstore, not too big and not too small. It was pretty crowded the day I went, but it was still easy to move around and browse. What I like most about this bookstore is the cards put out on the shelves with books the staff recommends and why. I also like that they have a calendar of events for the month, including book signings held at the Montague Street location. They also have books that were signed by the author for sale. read more

See all

Books are indeed magical and this book store sure proves it. When you first enter it, you notice immediately that there are several pink index cards on the book shelves with a summary and review of people who have read the books above it. There is a kids section in the back that has a mini cave and sitting area where kids can scoop in and read. There were a variety of book selections and we ended up getting a book for middle school kids and a book on female astronauts for my future astronaut. I plan on coming here again for more books. read more

One of my favorite bookstores in Brooklyn. You can really get lost in the sauce of all their amazing reads. I really enjoy reading the staff reviews that are sort of nestled throughout the shelves. Kind & helpful staff. And the Montague location has a secret backyard read more

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! read more

See all

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! read more

Books Are Magic - YA/adult section - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

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 read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

Books Are Magic - New book alert - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Excellent local bookstore with a great selection. The staff is always super friendly and helpful.

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. read more

Books Are Magic - The books in display in the window - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

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! read more

Books Are Magic - Books - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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!) read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Books Are Magic - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Love this bookstore. I asked for a recommendation and, when the bookseller didn't know the answer, he went to ask the others. Fantastic service! read more

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. read more

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. read more

Books Are Magic - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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

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. read more

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

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! read more

Books Are Magic - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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. read more

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. read more

Books Are Magic - Bookstores Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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! read more

See all

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. read more

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.

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! read more

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 read more

See all

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. read more

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!!! read more

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! read more

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. read more

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! read more