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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.

If you are the owner of an indie bookstore, you can submit a free enhanced listing for your bookstore in our Guide here.

The Asbury Book Cooperative is an independent, community-run bookstore that serves as a literary hub and community space in the vibrant and diverse shore town of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

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.

  • Wolfe & Kron Books
  • 808 ½ 5th Ave
  • City: Asbury Park
  • Phone: (732) 533-0119
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Comics/Graphic Novels, Crime/Mystery, Horror, Literary, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA
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Wolfe & Kron Books is the new sister store to the secret bookstore inside Collingwood Fleamarket, Knackered Books. Located in uptown Asbury Park, we carry mystery, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, YA, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, manga, thrillers, horror, kids’ books. . . and an assortment of other books to strike your fancy.

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.

  • The Bookworm
  • 99 Claremont Rd.
  • City: Bernardsville
  • Suburb of: Morristown
  • Phone: (908) 766-4599
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Crime/Mystery, Literary, YA
  • Sidelines: Calendars, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings
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Support a local independent bookstore in the heart of Bernardsville! Serving our community for over three decades, we offer everything from the latest books to old favorites. Come browse our selection of books, unique greeting cards, journals, puzzles, toys, gifts, and much more! Can’t find what you’re looking for? Ask our staff! We’re happy to order it for you.

We are coffee. We are books. We are a place in Blackwood NJ where you can be authentically you.

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
  • 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 Book Trader
  • 73 Westfield Ave.
  • City: Clark
  • Phone: (732) 381-2665
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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  • Clinton Book Shop
  • 12 E Main St
  • City: Clinton
  • Phone: (908) 735-8811
  • Type: New books, Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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Clinton Book Shop is an independent bookstore in Clinton, NJ.

Ida’s Bookshop, named for historic heroine Ida B. Wells, celebrates women authors, artists, and activists. Sister store to Harriett’s Bookshop.

Kiss & Tale™ A Romance Bookshop is a woman owned and operated business. We love all things romance and are excited to help you find your next read!

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.

Knackered Books, formerly The Wolfe & The Krone, is a secret Used Bookstore hidden inside the Collingwood Fleamarket now in Aisle 1 next to Cutting Edge! Explore the back-catalog of your favorite author, books you won’t find in print at “that store,” or be the first to discover a book never-before-reviewed on TikTok. We specialize in Genre Fiction. Yes, we also shelve Literary Fiction, some Narrative Non-Fiction, and Memoirs too, but at our heart, we’re your deep dive into Romance, Mystery, or Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Bring us your Used Books for cash or store credit . . . and touch some books while you’re at it.

  • Act 2 Books
  • 24 Central Ave.
  • City: Flemington
  • Phone: (908) 968-3711
  • Type: Used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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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!

Frenchtown Bookshop

  • Frenchtown Bookshop
  • 28 Bridge St.
  • City: Frenchtown
  • Phone: (908) 628-9297
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Art, Children's, Literary, YA
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings
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Frenchtown Bookshop, a family-owned independent bookstore, is committed to selling worthwhile books carefully chosen to inspire curiosity, connection, and compassion. The Bookshop is committed to partnering with the many diverse residents and organizations of the Frenchtown area and to emphasizing the art, literature, and natural setting of the Delaware River Towns.

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
  • 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
  • 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 Jersey City

  • WORD Jersey City
  • 29 McWilliams Place
  • 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.

An environmental bookstore specializing in seasonal reading, nature writing, and climate change books, pulling together the joy and wonder of the natural world with the knowledge and passion to fight for its survival.

BookTowne

  • BookTowne
  • 171 Main St.
  • City: Manasquan
  • Phone: (732) 722-7255
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Calendars, Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Storytime
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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.

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
  • 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.

Source of Knowledge

  • Source of Knowledge
  • 867 Broad St
  • City: Newark
  • Phone: (973) 824-2556
  • Type: New books, Rare books
  • Specialty: African American
  • Sidelines: Artwork, Gifts
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
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African American Bookstore and Gift Shop

  • Books & Greetings
  • 271 Livingston St.
  • City: Northvale
  • Phone: (201) 784-2665
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Newspapers
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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.

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 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.

  • Thunder Road Books
  • 1108 3rd Ave.
  • City: Spring Lake
  • Phone: (973) 436-0914
  • Type: New books
  • Specialty: General Interest, Children's, Literary, Regional, YA
  • Sidelines: Gifts, Greeting Cards/Postcards, Puzzles, Stationery, Toys/Games
  • Events: Author Signings, Book Clubs, Readings, Storytime
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A beautiful indie bookstore located one block from the beach! We specialize in flicks, books and rock and roll- but also carry all your favorites! We are owned by Thunder Road Films founder, Basil Iwanyk and run by retired special education teacher Kate Czyzewski. We support the art of storytelling in all forms!

  • 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

  • Here's The Story
  • 1043 Stuyvesant Ave.
  • City: Union
  • Phone: (908) 688-2665
  • Type: Primarily new with some used books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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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.

  • Hooked on Books
  • 3405 Pacific Ave.
  • City: Wildwood
  • Phone: (609) 729-1132
  • Type: Primarily used with some new books
  • Specialty: General Interest
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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!

Barney Loves Books