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Independent Bookstores in New Jersey

NewPages.com guide to the best New Jersey indie bookstores

Independent bookstores in New Jersey are sorted by City as you scroll through. If your favorite indie bookstore is missing, please contact us.

words! is a highly curated, small, independent bookstore that promotes new ideas,aspiring authors and open discussions with authors and artists. We sell new and used books, both fiction and nonfiction.

Paranormal Books & Curiosities

Paranormal Books & Curiosities is a unique experience boutique. We carry the largest selection of paranormal books and gifts you’ll find in a brick and mortar store. Our books range from local and regional titles, historical guides, ghost hunting primers, parapsychology, science and theory, cryptozoological research, metaphysical subjects such as astral projection, reiki and past life regression, as well as an incredible selection of paranormal fiction featuring ghosts, vampires, zombies, werewolves and more! The current issue of Weird NJ can always be found in our store along with the Weird U.S. series and exclusive collectible magazines.

Offering an outstanding collection of best-selling and most beloved children’s books of all time, our carefully curated selection gives options to please all ages and personalities. Our books will take you from newborn through the 12th grade.

  • LBI Book Swap
  • 325 9th St.
  • City: Beach Haven
  • Phone: (609) 207-6183
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
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New and used adult, teen, young readers and kids books. Over 1500 new titles and over 6000 used titles.

All books are half price or less (unless otherwise marked) than publisher’s list price. We carry all types of books and the inventory is constantly changing. If you’re looking for something specific, give us a call and we’ll let you know if it’s in stock. If it’s not, we can order it for you.

  • Bookworm
  • 99 Claremont Rd.
  • City: Bernardsville
  • Phone: (908) 766-4599
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
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General bookstore with unique greeting cards, journals, and notecards. Great selection of puzzles. Book related socks, T-shirts, onesies, and stuffed animals.

The Old Book Shop of Bordentown offers a selection of used, rare, and out of print books in all categories and price levels, as well as antique prints and other items of interest. We specialize in New Jersey-related books, maps, prints and other items, baseball books and prints. In shop inventory approximately 10,000 items with 15.000 more online.

Broad Street Books
  • Broad Street Books
  • 1 Mill St.
  • City: Branchville
  • Phone: (862) 268-5184
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Art, Children's, Literary, Metaphysical/New Age
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Broad Street Books is an independent used bookstore specializing in a wide variety of nonfiction books, children & young adult literature, leatherbound classics, and CDs. The only new books we carry are by our local authors and they are all signed. Our hours are Mon-Sat. 10-6. Sunday 10-3.

Used books, vintage vinyl, stylish kitchen & bar ware; coffee & tea made one cup at a time. 

Visit our store on the Washington Street Mall and up the escalator. We have books, games, puzzles, and more!

  • The Bookyard
  • 1598 Kings Hwy. N.
  • City: Cherry Hill
  • Phone: (856) 229-7071
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
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Books To-Go is a bargain bookstore located in the Cherry Hill. We offer a diverse selection of books for adults, teens, and children of all ages. Our prices are unbeatable, with most books priced at $5 or less and ranging from board books for toddlers to National Geographics.

  • The Book Trader
  • 73 Westfield Ave.
  • City: Clark
  • Phone: (732) 381-2665
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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Ida’s Bookshop, named for historic heroine Ida B. Wells, celebrates women authors, artists, and activists. Sister store to Harriett’s Bookshop.

The Book Garden is a used book store located in rural Central Jersey. We carry a wide selection of books, back-issue comic books, and paper memorabilia.

River Road Books seeks to bring authors, poets, readers, and artists together to promote cultural literacy as well as fostering community.

Act 2 Books is one of New Jersey’s favorite, family owned, independent bookstores. With over 25,000 volumes of new and used books, we boast over 3,000 titles for under $1! We are proud of our reputation as one of the most eclectic, carefully curated, thoughtful, and fun bookstores in the New York City and Philadelphia areas. We also buy books – call or email to learn more!

Twice Told Tales features all categories of new and gently used books: children’s, young adult, nonfiction, and fiction of all types except crime fiction. The Moonstone Mystery Bookstore carries both new and used crime fiction, from cozies to hard-boiled, with special attention to foreign and classic mysteries. The stores are connected internally providing one stop for all your reading interests.

Frenchtown Bookshop, a family-owned independent community bookstore, is committed to selling worthwhile books and related products, carefully chosen to inspire curiosity, connection, and compassion.

Our children’s bookstore is designed to provide children, parents and teachers of the Glen Rock community easy access to books of appropriate difficulty and depth for their situation.

  • Inkwood
  • 106 Kings Hwy. E.
  • City: Haddonfield
  • Phone: (856) 429-1298
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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The only full-service, independent seller of new books in the area!

Booktrader of Hamilton
  • Booktrader of Hamilton
  • 2421 Nottingham Way
  • City: Hamilton
  • Phone: (609) 890-1455
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
  • Sidelines: Greeting Cards/Postcards
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Small used books store. Has been operating in Hamilton for over 35 years. We take books in for store credit which could be used for your purchase of used books. We have just been listed as one of the “Top 10 Bookstores in NJ” by Best Things NJ. We carry mostly popular paperback fiction with a little bit of everything else. There is something for everybody.

Little City Books

We are a general-interest independent bookstore with a strong children’s section, events with and for writers, and a place for the community to gather.

Symposia Bookstore
  • Symposia Bookstore
  • 510 Washington St.
  • City: Hoboken
  • Phone: (201) 963-0909
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Alternative/Political, Art, Children's, Science Fiction/Fantasy
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Symposia Community Bookstore, Inc. is a PUBLIC BENEFIT nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. Specifically, we operate a thrift shop consisting of books and offer our shop location to be used as a community center.

The Bear and the Books is a children’s bookstore in Hopewell, New Jersey, founded in 2013.

WORD
  • WORD
  • 123 Newark Ave.
  • City: Jersey City
  • Phone: (201) 763-6611
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
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WORD Jersey City is an independent community bookstore, dedicated to being whatever our community needs us to be!

Black Dog Books

We have plenty of history books, a good selection of biographies, literary fiction. We also carry children’s books, mysteries, thrillers and nonfiction. It’s a great space. Come visit, read, and enjoy being around other people who love books.

Locally owned, independent bookstore actively supporting the Jersey Shore community. We have a wide book selection for adults, children, and teens, and we also carry special gift items. Thank you for shopping local first! We appreciate your support of BookTowne.

[words] Bookstore

[words] has twin mission of their bookstore – to provide terrific reading for local residents, and to assist individuals with autism. Since opening in January 2009, [words] has provided vocational training to over fifty young people with autism.

The Book House

The Book House is a cozy bookstore where you can relax and discover new reads and local talents.

Bogart's Books & Cafe

Books, coffee, poetry and live music fill the walls of the 100+ year old building. Evolving into one of South Jersey’s eclectic hot spots.

We’re one of the largest independent bookstores in NJ, selling new and used books in the heart of downtown Montclair and online! If you can’t find the book you’re looking for, we can special order it for you! On our lower level section we carry a large selection of vinyl and music CDs. We also carry sideline items like greetings cards, journals, blank books, and bookmarks. When you’re here you can also check out (and buy!) artwork done by local artist and MBC employee, JY. We’re pet-friendly!

Watchung Booksellers
  • Watchung Booksellers
  • 54 Fairfield St.
  • City: Montclair
  • Phone: (973) 744-7177
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Café/Food, Coffee/Tea, Curiosities, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
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A vibrant, independent bookstore serving the greater Montclair community. Literary selections with a sense of humor, fabulous kid’s room, author events, book groups, workshops, gifts, games and cards also.

A real brick and mortar bookstore located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey!

Welcome to Hidden Gems Literary Emporium! New Brunswick, NJ’s family owned literary store.

African American Bookstore and Gift Shop

We have all your reading needs. Want a book we don’t have, we get it in a day. We also carry gifts and toys, including Melissa & Doug toys and Papyrus greeting cards.

  • The Bookateria Two
  • 1052 Asbury Ave.
  • City: Ocean City
  • Phone: (609) 398-0121
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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We sell new and used paperback books at discount. New books are 15% off and used books are 50% off or $2.34 with trade.

  • Sun Rose Words & Music
  • 756 Asbury Ave.
  • City: Ocean City
  • Phone: (609) 399-9190
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Regional
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards
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Computer and art supplies, greeting cards, papyrus cards, wrapping paper, gift bags, gifts, a large variety of regional and children’s books. Special orders fulfilled fast! Teacher and military discounts.

Welcome to Words Matter Bookstore! We’re your local portal to the universe. We offer a curated inventory of new books, book related items, gifts, games, and whatever else we find interesting in a welcoming space where curiosity is encouraged.

Established in 2019, we are Point Pleasant Beach’s independent bookstore. Stop by and peruse our selection of carefully curated books. If you can’t find the book you’re looking for, we’ll be happy to order it for you.

Sell us your records and books! We buy vinyl: rock, punk, jazz. We buy and sell scholarly books and are looking to buy specialized collections.

The Cloak & Dagger

Intrigue. Mystery. Suspense. Discover the Cloak & Dagger, an independent bookshop catering to mystery lovers. Free parking behind bookshop.

A community and scholarly bookstore in Princeton, NJ.

Nationally known independent bookstore which hosts over 100 author/sports/celebrity events annually. We also have the largest selection of autographed books in the tri-state area. We are open seven days a week and take phone orders for our author events for those that are unable to attend.

Since 1984, we’ve been selling new and slightly read books at discounted prices. Over the years, we have expanded our inventory and services to include not only books, but a large selection of maps. The famous Weird NJ magazines issues 1-38 and the hardcover books of various states are available. We receive a new shipment of comic books every Wednesday. We stock comic bags, comic boards, comic boxes, card holders, pages, and albums. Sports cards, non-sports cards, and gaming cards are available by the pack or the box.

  • The Book Nook
  • 3700 Boardwalk
  • City: Sea Isle City
  • Phone: (609) 263-1311
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Magazines
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Sparta Books
  • Sparta Books
  • 29 Theater Center
  • City: Sparta
  • Phone: (973) 729-6200
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Art, Children's
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Magazines, Newspapers
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Established in 1965, we are a proud community store serving all of Sussex County. Special orders, free gift wrap, and gift certificates are available.

  • Barrier Island Books & Art
  • 301 95th St.
  • City: Stone Harbor
  • Phone: (609) 368-1415
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards
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We are a second-hand book store specializing in popular fiction, classics, nature, art, and history. You’ll also find vintage beach tags, postcards, and Cape May County memorabilia. We also have beautiful artwork for sale by local artisans, including bird carver, Anthony Hillman; photographer, Michael Zuccato; graphic artist, Mary Place; and fish print artist, Chris Boyd of In Depth Fish Prints.

Classics Used and Rare Books is a community driven bookstore in the heart of downtown Trenton.

Here's The Story
The Town Book Store

Located on the site of Westfield’s original library donated by Andrew Carnegie and in business since 1934, we are a general bookstore specializing in personalized customer service. Alongside our well thought out selection of books, we also stock a variety of non-book items and host author events. We happily special order any book not in the store and receive orders usually within a day or so. We offer free out-of-print book searches and free gift wrapping as well as incentives for frequent buyers and book clubs.

Located in the beautiful beach town of Wildwood, New Jersey, we’re a seasonal store, open from May through September. We carry all kinds of books. Although our primary focus is on second-hand books, we do also carry a selection of the latest “just-released” titles brand new at a discounted price. More than just the latest bestsellers, we specialize in carrying an authors entire backlog of titles!

Located in the Williamstown Farmers Market, we are a new and used trading bookstore. Our new books have prices comparable to major retailers PLUS you can return them for credit towards used books!

Barney Loves Books