Christina Mastroeni 
There’s never a bad time to pick up a good book, and there are so many reasons to get one. Whether it’s exploring a new genre or just grabbing a new book for that new book smell, Northern New Jersey has it covered when it comes to book shopping. Shopping small is also easy, as there are so many independent bookstores to choose from. Keep reading for more information on independent book stores in Northern New Jersey.
Essex County
The Book House | 321 Millburn Avenue, Millburn
The Book House is located in Millburn Town Center on Essex Street. This shop is known for its homey charm on the outside, and the book-shop-meets-cafe-meets-work-space-meets-play-area on the inside. The Book House has espresso beverages available inside. There is a children’s space for kids to hang out + explore, as well as some tables in the event those stopping by need a space to get some work done, or just want to sit, relax + read.
The Collective Goods Co | 460 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
This bookstore is located on Essex County’s ever-bustling Bloomfield Avenue. The Collective is open seven days a week with books + audiobooks for all crowds, as it prides itself on having great ties to the local community. The store has a fiction book club that meets monthly, + a non-fiction book club that has a hybrid option. In addition to books, the store has other items for the home, such as tote bags, + kitchen finds like knives, bartending glasses, + towels. There is also a room available in the back of the store, used for writing workshops + pop-up shops.
Montclair Book Center | 221 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
Anyone who is native or a frequent visitor to the Montclair area has a story about the Montclair Book Center. This staple of society is located on a one-way street near the three-way intersection of Bloomfield Avenue + Glenridge Avenue. The store is packed with possibilities, including new + used books, vinyls, + CDs. Events include Silent Book Club of Death, Montclair Book Lovers, + Storytimes.
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Watchung Booksellers | 54 Fairfield Street, Watchung Plaza, Montclair
Watchung Booksellers is located across the street from Watchung Plaza, near the three-way intersection of Fairfield Street + Watchung Plaza. The bookstore has a cozy interior with places to sit and read throughout the store. Books line the walls + aisles with captivating designs and titles. Watchung Booksellers also has other items available like socks, change purses, candles, + stationery. Watchung Booksellers has events like a monthly Writers’ Workshop, + The Watchung Booksellers Podcast made by and for the community of writers + readers as they “dive into books they love.”
[words] Bookstore | 179 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
[words] Bookstore is located on Maplewood Avenue + can be recognized by its large brown awning. This bookstore is all about community, and works to “engage readers of all ages and interests.” [words] also hosts book events with authors, with the full list of upcoming pop-ups listed here.
Hudson County
Dungeon Books | 115 Brunswick Street Storefront 1R, Jersey City
Dungeon Books is located at the intersection of 2nd Street + Brunswick Street. Dungeon Books is a bookstore for fans of role-playing games (RPG) + tabletop games. The store has books + audio books available as well as comics, magazines, stationery items, + puzzles. Events include RPG, D+D (Dungeons + Dragons), + a Horror Book Club.
The Little BOHO Bookshop | 164A Broadway, Bayonne
The Little BOHO Bookshop opened its doors on Bayonne’s Broadway in 2017. This bookshop has new and used books, as well as a book club called A Novel Bunch Book Club. Community engagement includes events like storytime for kids, as well as a list of staff picks for patrons.
Little City Books | 100 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken
Little City Books is located near the intersection of 1st Street + Bloomfield Street. The bookstore sells books of all genres, including biographies, fiction, humor, history, self-help, + travel. The store also has some signed copies of books available. Little City Book Club + Little City Queers Book Club are open to all. Other events the bookstore has available are storytimes, open mic nights, + story slams.
Word Bookstores | 29 McWilliams Place, Jersey City
Word is located on McWilliams Place in Jersey City and has an additional location in Brooklyn. This bookstore has books available in all genres, as well as programs like a monthly or annual membership, a romance book club, + Word to Your Mailbox, which is a subscription-based option.
Bergen County
Bookends | 211 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood
Bookends is located near the three-way intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue + Cottage Place. The store is known for having a variety of author events + signed copies available. Past authors have included Rainn Wilson, Dave Davies, Henry Winkler, + Lionel Richie.
Books + Greetings | 271 Livingston Street, Northvale
Books + Greetings is located in the NorthVale Square on Livingston Street. The store has books, children’s toys, + other household items like candles + mugs. The store also had some public figures stop by for book signings like Jack Carr, Christine Brown Wooley, + Kate McKinnon.
Dear Reader Books + Stationery | 382 Main Street, Wyckoff
Dear Reader Books + Stationery is located near the three-way intersection of Main Street + Everett Avenue. Here, books are available for all ages with grade-level reading bundles + a fantasy book club. For those who love to read and share the same feelings about community, Dear Reader Book + Stationery has an option to “Host Your Book Club” at the store.
Saldato Books + Records | 15 Sylvan Street, Rutherford
Soldato is near the three-way intersection of Franklin Place + Sylvan Street in Rutherford. This bookstore is known for its collection of not only books but vinyls, CDs, cassettes, + box sets. Soldato also has a book club for those who love fiction available to meet on the second Sunday of every month. Soldato also has a curated radio station for book lovers, too.
Morris County
The Book Barn | 18 Pocono Road, Denville
The Book Barn is located near the three-way intersection of Pocono Road + Diamond Spring Road. In addition to selling books, the store also has events like Book Art Flower Shop, which gives crafters a space to make art with old books. What makes Book Barn truly special is its Bargain Barn, which is an older barn that has been repurposed as a thrift shop.
Chapter One Bookstore + More | 84 East Main Street, Mendham
With its modern glass window exterior countered by beautiful stone walls, Chapter One has cozy vibes inside and out. Chapter One has two book clubs that meet regularly: Anything Goes (which includes fiction, non-fiction, mystery, or romance) + Romantasy (a combination of romance + fantasy). This bookstore also has events, including a Gilmore Girls Party, + Q+A Book Signings with authors.
Gingerbread Bookshop | 410 Main Street, Boonton
This secondhand bookshop is located near the three-way intersection of Main Street + William Street. Gingerbread is open Friday through Sunday for all ages to pursue the collection of books or donate books in very good or like-new condition on Fridays in exchange for a gingerbread cookie. Events at Gingerbread include Fireside Stories + Storytimes for children, and Backlist Book Club for ages 18+.
The Chatham Bookseller | 8 Green Village Road, Madison
The Chatham Bookseller is located near the intersection of Green Village Road + Kings Road in Madison. Those looking for “hard-to-find, out-of-print, used, + rare books” may find just what they’re looking for at this bookstore. Categories of books include baseball, chemistry, + antiques.
The Nature of Reading | 4 Green Village Road, Madison
Originally designed as a pop-up shop, this bookstore prides itself in specializing in “nature writing, climate change books, + seasonal reading.” The bookstore has books + audio audiobooks available, as well as a feature to custom-order a book. The Nature of Reading also has a book club covering the latest in the environmental book genre.
Sussex County
Black Dog Books | 191 NJ-15 Unit 8, Lafayette Township
Black Dog Books is located on Route 15 or Lafayette Road + has a custom greeting experience. On Saturdays, Anya, the Black Dog, is available to visit with patrons. The store has over 350 books for guests to peruse. In addition to shopping, Black Dog Books also has an Open Mic Night inviting writers of all genres. MG recommends calling the store for the next Open Mic Night date.
Broad Street Books | 1 Mill Street, Branchville
Broad Street Books exists between two main intersections in Branchville + can be identified from its arches on the exterior and its hanging sign. Broad Street Books doesn’t just provide books for purchase, it’s also seeking books like academic + scholarly collections from art book collections, private estate collections, + technical books.
Sparta Books | 29 Center Street, Sparta
This family-owned owned + operated bookstore is located in a shopping plaza on Center Street. The store has books including genres like cooking, fantasy, poetry, science fiction, STEM, business, thriller, + YA options to name a few. In addition to books, the store also has puzzles + games available. Events at Sparta Books include storytimes + a book club that meets on the third Thursday of every month.
Union County
Here’s the Story | 1043 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union
Here’s the Story is located near the intersection of Stuyvesant Avenue, Emerson Avenue, + Axton Avenue. Joe Leo, owner + resident of Union, NJ, celebrates 30+ years of business with the community as the bookstore partnered with other businesses in the Township of Union. Here’s the Story has a diverse variety of book genres available as well as puzzles + book signings. It’s also a great spot to find something special for a little one or baby shower, as just under half of the store is dedicated to children’s books.
The Town Book Store | 270 East Broad Street, Westfield
The Town Bookstore is located on the corner of East Broad Street + Elmer Street. This small but mighty shop first opened its doors in 1934, but moved to its current location in 2007, where it is open Monday through Saturday. The Town Bookstore prides itself on its carefully curated collection of books available, as well as having fast turn-arounds on special orders, author signings, + book club discounts.
Bonus
Belvidere Books + Cafe | 415 Front Street, Belvidere
Belvidere Books + Cafe is located on Front Street and can’t be missed from its homey exterior and cozy interior. The cafe has coffee options like cappuccinos + mochas, specialty lattes, + non non-coffee items like teas + fresh pressed apple cider. Belvidere has an array of books + audio books available as well as events like Book Swaps, Book Clubs, + author events.
Bookworm | 99 Claremont Street, Bernardsville
Bookworm is located near the three-way intersection of Claremont Road + Mine Mount Road, and can be seen from the road with its old home charm. This bookstore has fiction, non-fiction, + New YA (young adult) + fantasy books available. Preorder options are also available.
See More: 12 Amazing Bookstores in Bergen County, New Jersey
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