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Rapper, reader Jack Harlow hosts book giveaway with SoHo bookstore McNally Jackson
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 21, 2026
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Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 21, 2026
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Jack Harlow is not only a rapper — he’s a reader.
The 28-year-old Grammy-nominated performer said he’s spent countless hours at SoHo’s McNally Jackson bookstore in search of inspiration while recording his latest album, and now he wants to pay it forward.
The New York City-based independent bookstore chain is inviting customers to the SoHo location on Wednesday for the chance to get one free book courtesy of Harlow himself. The giveaway is the result of months of collaboration and starts at 6:30 p.m., though McNally will let people line up earlier.
Harlow, who announced the collaboration in a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, is not the first celebrity to publicly share their fondness for McNally, which boasts locations all over the city and has been serving New Yorkers since it opened its doors more than two decades ago.
The Louisville native is instead one of many celebrities that the bookstore’s SoHo staff have become acclimated to seeing routinely peruse its shelves.
Patti Smith, Annie Leibovitz and Pedro Almodóvar are just some of the literary figures who have held book signings, hosted events or been seen at any one of McNally Jackson’s locations.
But this is the first time that a celebrity has ever offered to foot the bill for the bookstore’s customers, according to Jack Kyono, who is an assistant manager of its SoHo location and the director of marketing for the entire company.
“This is sort of new for us, but it’s really exciting,” Kyono said. “It’s sort of a win-win for us and for him. He’s really trying to be a patron of reading in the city and we all really appreciate that. And it’s also going to be a win for all of the people who come out tomorrow.”
Kyono confirmed with Gothamist that any book available on the store’s shelves is up for grabs.
But certain capacity constraints mean that not everyone who lines up will be able to grab a free book if they can’t make it into the store before 8:30 p.m.
Kyono said the store’s staff are prepared for what is expected to be a huge crowd and that the bookstore will be closing its doors at 5:30 p.m. to prepare.
Security will be present to manage the line and control crowd flow.
“It’s definitely a logistical challenge – but it’s one that we are definitely excited about,” Kyono said. “And the fact that he’s a customer here? That’s what makes it really special to us.”
A representative for Harlow did not immediately respond to requests for comment on what books he may have taken musical inspiration from.
Tagged
Music
art
manhattan
new york city
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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