225 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, United States
Not only are books magic but “Books are Magic” is magic, as are the coven curating the creative compositions there.
You can tell a lot about a person from the books and music on the shelves in their home – what’s on display and what’s been repeatedly used and lent and dog-eared for reference. But I was keenly aware that the books there are carefully considered recommendations for the benefit of the person walking through the door.
There are the big hits with substance, and they sit alongside the books of big impact with a smaller distribution. The range is impressive – rather than 90 copies of this seasons “Eat, Pray Love” they’ll have 2 copies and a dozen + titles speaking to a broad range. They have recommendation cards a plenty so you know they know the library. You can tell books are a personal love language here. As a middle-aged / Autistic / Aboriginal / Jewish / Australian I felt uncommonly welcome. I may have helped that the music was in one of the many playlists I’ve had over the years, like a sound track across the epochs of my history.
I bought two books – Katherine May’s “Enchantment” I had previously bought in virtual edition for a book club, and uncharacteristically a new manga “Love Bullet” that once I flipped a few pages, insisted to me that I take it home – like the face of a puppy staring up at me in an animal shelter.
The staff are attentive and happy to facilitate as if you are a house guest rather than a target for financial transaction.
Loved Books are Magic. Well worth a 23 hour flight.
Heath Wilder 