A Literary Haven in Brooklyn

Did you know that famed author Emma Straub has two bookstores right in our own backyard? When independent bookstore BookCourt closed at the end of 2016, Straub, who had previously worked there, and her husband Michael Fusco-Straub decided that they didn’t want to live in a neighborhood without a brick-and-mortar bookstore. Six months later, they opened Books Are Magic.

The original Cobble Hill location of Books Are Magic was opened on Smith Street in 2017 with exposed brick walls and a now-Instagram-famous pink mural. Five years later, community needs also prompted a second location to open on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. The shops stock fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books alongside unique merchandise like poetry-filled gumballs and branded apparel. While the spaces have gained popularity on social media, they primarily serve as meeting places for local readers.

Both stores host frequent events including author readings, panel discussions, and children’s story times. Some of these events require advance booking and many have free livestreams.

Straub and Fusco-Straub established the stores with the goal of creating inclusive spaces for literature appreciation. “Books are indeed magic,” according to the founders, who view literature as a tool for empathy and connection.

Straub herself remains active in the literary community, recently releasing a children’s picture book and appearing on the TODAY show to share book recommendations. She was also just highlighted as a “mompreneur” on NBC4.

Since its establishment, Books Are Magic has joined the tradition of independent bookstores serving Brooklyn neighborhoods, providing spaces where residents can browse, attend events, and connect over reading.