Books Are Magic 2: Electric Boogaloo

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Hi all! Breaking news! Mike and I have lost our collective marbles and we’re opening a second Books Are Magic location. Eeek! See below for my note that’s going out in the bookstore newsletter tomorrow. And here we are, feeling giddy. I have to say, standing out in front, talking to all the very excited residents of Brooklyn Heights, was pure serotonin. (Especially to the gentlemen who asked us what we were doing, and when we told him, responded “It’s about fucking time!”) And shout-out to our new neighbors Brooklyn Poets! Bringing Brooklyn Heights back to being a literary epicenter in 2022! Go team!

Dear Readers,

One consequence of opening a physical space is that almost immediately, people start asking when you're going to open a second. It is, in fact, very much like when you have a baby and strangers start talking to you about siblings.  When we opened the store in 2017, real estate developers began to appear in our inboxes twice a week, offering us spaces in Manhattan, in Los Angeles, in shopping malls. We could hardly wrap our.minds around the one space we already had, let alone entertain the idea of two. Even if we'd been ready, we weren't interested in a high-gloss new building somewhere outside of our zip code. 

But the eye does begin to wander. Our children go to school in Brooklyn Heights, and every day, we cross Montague Street. If you're one of our local customers, you know it well--the beautiful buildings, the empty storefronts, and now, the croissants. Over the years, we've looked at half a dozen spaces--too small, too big, up a flight of stairs, etc, etc. A few months ago, we walked into 122 Montague, the former site of Housing Works, of Fishs Eddy, of the Montague Street Saloon. It was just right--too good to say no to, in fact. We signed the lease, and have started building a new bookstore. The friend who helped us build the store on Smith Street is helping us again, and right now, we are brainstorming with the booksellers about what the space should be. It's right next to an ice cream shop.

For longtime residents of the Heights, our neighbors, our friends, hello! We can't wait to open our doors this fall, and to take you back to the days of Cousin Arthur's and Our Mutual Friend, and to bring an independent bookstore back to Montague Street. Expect: our same brilliant, friendly staff, our handpicked book selection, our ever-rotating merch selection, and some new surprises of its very own. We hope to be selling you books before Halloween. And yes--before you even ask--this is it. The family is complete. No more! Just these two. 

Yours, with love and twice the magic,

Emma and Mike

What I’m Reading:

A Calm and Normal Heart, by Chelsea T Hicks. I had the pleasure of meeting Chelsea when I was in Tulsa on my book tour, and I finally started reading her fabulous debut story collection.

The Bird Has Flown, by Susanna Hoffs. Susanna Hoffs! A novel! It is juicy and fun! Extra fun for those of us who have Eternal Flame tattooed on our hearts.