The Booket List reviews: McNally Jackson
A quarterly feature by Camille Casey
Happy Friday, Book Lovers —
With five locations in the area it’s not hard to find yourself near a McNally Jackson location when visiting NYC. In my case, the SOHO location at 134 Prince Street was just the respite I required after a morning of bopping around and shopping around the SOHO storefronts.
In what can only be attributed to DRO (Divine Right Order), upon entering MJ I was greeted by Outkast’s absolute anthem of 2000, Ms. Jackson…I am for real. Perhaps the door is programmed to start the song with each customer crossing of its threshold. Unlikely, but just imagine! The charm! The magic! The store is cozy not cramped, and it was pleasantly crowded with what appeared to be locals and tourists alike, browsing in beat to the music. I’m ever encouraged by the real estate dedicated to books in a high-rent district like SOHO. We’re going to be ok y’all.
Having devoured both books I packed on the flight over, I was in need. I went in without a purchase plan. Dangerous indeed. Giving myself over to the pull of the stacks I found a few books that have been on the radar plus one offbeat pick. The description read: A “perfect idiot,” Svejk’s genius lies in his (supposed) stupidity. Bonus, I’m a quarter Czech & it’s apparently “actually funny”, so I had no choice but to give this Czech national hero a chance. Thanks, MJ Staff Member Henry.
I also couldn’t help but notice that one of the Staff Pick slots had been emptied of its selection. I like to imagine the swell of pride washing over this staff member, knowing what a dedicated following they’ve cultivated. And that they’ve won the Staff Picks game this round; lotta peacock-ing going on in the break room on Prince Street.
My plannering brethren will be pleased to know that the stationery stock at MJ is plentiful and satisfyingly arranged by color. But while you’re in the neighborhood, consider checking out Goods for the Study on Mulberry, MJ’s sister-store dedicated to stationery.
Until next quarter…see y’all in the stacks.
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The Booket List on-going Rankings
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Ranking Criteria
Coziness Quotient: Going for a goldilocks level of cozy here. Not so comfortable you feel compelled to toss off your shoes, but not so cold you couldn’t thumb a few pages in the aisles.
Nooks & Crannies: All the best bookshops have ample spots to park it and steep yourself in the sacred selection process that is finding your next read. For this criterion, the more nooks & crannies, the higher the score.
Staff Picks: When it comes to staff picks I’m looking for two things: quirkiness and alignment. Ideally, these two come together in a way that says, “Hey, we’ve got similar taste. You can trust me. Go on, get wild and take a gamble with this obscure title. I got you.”
S.W.A.G.: Stuff We All Get. That free bookmark they throw in at the register, it’s the hallmark of a good bookshop. Design and quality are they key metrics. I will consider accepting a sticker or tote in place of a bookmark, but not much more.
Title Selection: Speaks for itself.
Overall Charm: Belle’s library is really the high-water mark here. After all, aren’t we all just chasing that dream of rolling through mile-high stacks on a ladder?
Titles included
About Camille Casey
Long-time reader, three-time contributor. Working mom by day, she moonlights as the founding member of the Houston-based Ladies Who Read (LWR) Book Club. A self-proclaimed connoisseur of bookshops sharing hot takes on the best spots to browse and buy.
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Not only am I now excited to visit McNally Jackson when I visit New York next month (I really hope Outkast welcomes me in), I am also relieved by Camille’s observation that so much real estate is dedicated to books in a high-rent district of New York. She’s right! What a relief.
Always love your reviews, C! If I was a staff member who had my pick “sell out” I would consider it a career highlight. New goal unlocked! That or getting a book published with an “ACTUALLY FUNNY” label.