Celebrate New Jersey Independent Bookstores on Indie Bookstore Day, April 27

As Indie Bookstore Day on April 27 nears, think about the cozy feel of picking out a book or gift from a small local bookstore in New Jersey. These stores offer more than just a place to buy things—they give you a special experience, a personal touch, and a way to connect with your community.

When you shop at a local independent bookstore, you’re not just getting a great gift, you’re also helping to support the many small businesses that make New Jersey unique and interesting.

For events throughout the year, be sure to check out our Event Guide. For more New Jersey adventures, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.

A Guide to New Jersey Independent Book Stores:

North Jersey:

Little Boho Bookshop, Bayonne
Open since 2017, this independent bookstore sits in the downtown of Bayonne. According to owner Sandra Dear, “The Little Boho Bookshop is not your traditional Indie store, it’s a cozy getaway spot to find your happy place”
164A Broadway, Bayonne, NJ

The Curious Reader, Glen Rock
The Curious Reader is a unique children’s bookstore that offers a lively reading environment with a wide selection and knowledgeable staff. They are the largest independent children’s bookstore in the community and look forward to growing with the contributions of each new reader who walks through their doors
229 Rock Rd. Glen Rock, NJ

WORD, Jersey City
An independent bookstore featuring a wide variety of new books: literary fiction, non-fiction, gift books, kids’ books, puzzles and more.
29 McWilliams Place on Hamilton Park., Jersey City, NJ

The Nature of Reading Bookshop, Madison
Nestled in Madison, the local environmental bookstore is a haven for literature enthusiasts and nature advocates, offering a carefully curated selection of nature writing, climate change literature, and seasonal reads.
22 Main St, Madison, NJ

The Chatham Bookseller, Madison
The Chatham Bookseller, located in historic Madison, NJ, has been serving book lovers for over forty years. This general shop specializes in good literature, art, and scholarly books across various fields. They also offer rare books, first editions, ephemera, and classical and jazz CDs. Open six days a week, the shop welcomes browsing and can bring out books listed online upon request. They provide book searches, appraisals, and, since February 2015, have been owned and operated by Richard Chalfin, a seasoned bookseller with decades of experience. The Chatham Bookseller buys used and rare book collections in New Jersey and the tri-state area, offering house calls for this purpose.
8 Green Village Rd, Madison, NJ

Words, Maplewood
[words]‘ mission is to serve Maplewood and surrounding communities by offering an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for people and families of all stripes to pursue their literary interests. In particular, they are dedicated to the families in their community that have a member with a developmental disability. They strive to help Maplewood become a model community of inclusion through their treatment of disabled customers and employees, especially those with autism.
179 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ

Montclair Book Center, Montclair
The Montclair Book Center has been a part of the downtown Montclair scene since late 1984. They are one of the largest independent bookstores in New Jersey, with more than 9,000 square feet of new & used books.
221 Glenridge Ave, Montclair, NJ

Watchung Booksellers, Montclair
Founded in 1991, Watchung booksellers is a vibrant, independent community bookstore located in the heart of Montclair NJ. They are a general bookstore, with a fine collection of literary fiction, biography/memoir, and history, with strong sections of travel, education, poetry, and the arts. Their children’s room is a picture book space for all ages – from the smallest reader sitting on a parent’s lap to the happenin’ Teen Corner. They offer a full schedule of author events, poetry readings, storytime for toddlers, in-house book groups, and special programs for writers and readers of all ages.
54 Fairfield St, Montclair, NJ

Books and Greetings, Northvale
Books and Greetings has all your reading needs. Want a book they don’t have, they can get it in a day. Gifts and party supplies include merchants like Papyrus cards, Melissa & Doug toys, Alex toys, Mom agenda, Life is Good, Bee Posh, and Dylans Candy Bar.
271 Livingston St, Northvale, NJ

Bookends, Ridgewood
Bookends Bookstore is a nationally known Independent bookstore that hosts over 100 author/sports/celebrity events annually. They have a large selection of autographed books both in-store and online for purchase.
211 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ

Here’s the Story, Union
Here’s The Story is an independent bookstore in Union, NJ that has been in business since 1995.
043 Stuyvesant Avenue Union, NJ

The Collective Bookstore, Verona
Independently owned and operated, the store boasts a deep-rooted connection to the local community and a passion for books. The transformative power of literature is celebrated here, with offerings ranging from contemporary bestsellers to timeless classics, catering to every bookworm’s taste. What sets The Collective apart is its warm and inviting atmosphere. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the nostalgic scent of paper and shelves filled with literary treasures. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is always on hand to provide personalized recommendations and engage in stimulating conversations, sharing their love for literature with all who enter.
460 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ

The Town Book Store, Westfield
The Town Book Store has been serving Westfield and neighboring communities since 1934. They specialize in good, old-fashioned customer service for the reading needs of adults and children.
270 E Broad St, Westfield, NJ

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Central Jersey/Jersey Shore:

Asbury Book Cooperative, Asbury Park
Asbury Park’s Community-Run, Independent Bookstore features book clubs, books by local authors, and serves as a literary hub and community space.
644A Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ

LBI Bookswap, Beach Haven
The LBI Bookswap features over 10,000 new and used books for adults, young adults, middle grade, and children. They also frequently hosts well-known authors.
325 9th Street, Beach Haven, NJ

A Paperback Exchange, Belmar
The Paperback Exchange was established by Isabelle Carlo in 1977. This unique bookshop allows customers to bring in books and receive trade-in credit. They carry used fiction and non-fiction books, every genre from romance to horror, spirituality to science, history to science fiction. They also carry some collectible books and new books by local authors. Their inventory is constantly changing, so if they don’t have it today they may have it tomorrow.
703 ½ 9th Avenue, Belmar, NJ

The Bookworm, Bernardsville
Support a local bookstore in the heart of Bernardsville! They offer everything from the latest books to old favorites. Come in and browse their selection of books, unique greeting cards, journals, puzzles, book-related apparel, stuffed animals… and more!
99 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ

The Book Garden, Cream Ridge
Located in rural Cream Ridge in Central Jersey, The Book Garden is a must-see for all book lovers. Thousands of square feet filled with books of all sorts.Out of print and rare books, as well as back-issue comic books and magazines can also be found here.
868 Monmouth Road, Cream Ridge, NJ

River Road Books, Fair Haven
River Road Books opened in 2006 with the goal of bringing a community of readers together. Author Events bring favorite writers, poets, and artists to you.
759 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ

BookTowne, Manasquan
Booktown’s motto is where “Good Friends Meet Good Books”. Along with a wide assortment of literature to choose from for the young and old alike, BookTowne also has events and happenings throughout the year that involve and nurture the reader in all of us.
171 Main Street, Manasquan, NJ

The Little Point Bookshop, Point Pleasant Beach
Established in 2019, the Little Point Bookshop’s hope is to create, foster, and celebrate the love for reading for people of all ages.
629 ½ Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Labyrinth, Princeton
Labyrinth is an acclaimed independent bookstore serving the students and faculty of Princeton University as well as the town of Princeton and beyond. They offer a large selection of constantly-changing inventory, daily sales, and deep discounts on most books, used and antiquarian titles, Labyrinth Books as well as gifts for readers and writers, art supplies, and stationery. Additionally, they are proud to host a full calendar of author lectures, conversations, and signings.
122 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ

Thunder Road Books, Spring Lake
Flicks, books and rock & roll. Indie bookstore at the beach!
1108 3rd Ave, Spring Lake, NJ

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South Jersey:

Princeton Antiques & Book Service, Atlantic City
Princeton Antiques is a collector and search service for old, rare, leather-bound, and out-of-print books for sale. With 250,000 titles in stock, it is likely that they have the book you need in stock at the time YOU need it.
2917 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ

Old Bookshop of Bordentown, Bordentown
The Old Book Shop of Bordentown is a general used, out-of-print and antiquarian bookshop. Browse approximately 10,000 hardcover titles which feature strong sections on New Jerseyana, American history and military, baseball, historical mysteries, children’s book, and more.
200 Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, NJ

Inkwood Books, Haddonfield
Inkwood Books is the area’s only full-service Independent Bookstore in downtown Haddonfield. Shop books, gifts, and signed books at this adorable community hub.
106 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield, NJ

Second Time Books, Mount Laurel
At Second Time Books, the business of books is a labor of love. They specialize in history and science-fiction/fantasy and hand-clean and cover every book on their shelves. With sections of art, science, philosophy, religion, music, and even children’s books, there’s plenty for you to browse. Boasting over 60,000 titles in stock, and more added daily, you’ll be sure to find the book you didn’t even know you were looking for!
114 Creek Road, Mount Laurel, NJ

Bookateria Two, Ocean City
Bookateria Two has been selling used books for 45 years and counting. You can bring in your good condition paperback books to trade for other used paperback books.
1052 Asbury Ave, Ocean City, NJ

Sun Rose Words & Music, Ocean City
Open since the 1970s, Sun Rose Words & Music is a quaint, old-fashioned shop specializing in new books, office/computer/art supplies, greeting cards, and fun and regional complementary items, all at competitive prices, located in the heart of downtown Ocean City.
756 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ

The Book Nook, Sea Isle City
Open seasonally, the Book Nook is located right on the boardwalk! They are a family-owned independent book store with a focus on regional titles, children’s books and activities, best sellers, and back-list books. They also carry puzzles, games, and photo products.
3700 Boardwalk, Sea Isle City, NJ

Barrier Island Books & Art, Stone Harbor
This Cape May County used bookshop specializes in fiction, nonfiction, nature, birding, local history, US History, classics, and more. They also have great gift items, which including local art, and specializes in vintage beach tags & postcards.
301 95th Street, Stone Harbor, NJ

Stone Harbor Book Shop, Stone Harbor
Located in Harbor Square, this independent bookshop features books, games, and toys.
261 96th St, Stone Harbor, NJ

Hooked on Books, Wildwood
Open seasonally, this award-winning Jersey shore book shop’s primary focus is on second-hand books. Bonus: It’s two blocks away from the beach.
3405 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ