Independent bookstores are thriving in N.J., so we made you a guide to visit some of the best – NJ.com

When a mom and her little boy came into Watchung Booksellers, she told owner Margot Sage-El her son didn’t like to read. But shortly after their encounter with the kids’ bookseller, they left with 10 new books that her son picked out himself.

Bookstores are staples of their communities. They’re often social hubs for friends to run into each other, for parents to get their kids interested in reading, or for fans to celebrate an author and get a book signed.

Even in days when it’s easy to order books online with the click of a mouse, our readers told us about 42 beloved book shops that are thriving in New Jersey.  We asked for their suggestions as part of our hunt to find the best independent bookstore in the Garden State.

“They’re a community gathering spot without strings attached,” Sage-El said Thursday afternoon. “It’s not a church, synagogue or your school. I really feel like we’re a hub in town. It’s where people run into each other, celebrate authors.

“In our area, people make a big effort to shut off the computer, walk or drive over and spend time here,” she added. 

Over the past 10 years, there has been a national resurgence for independent bookstores, according to a recent American Booksellers Association (ABA) statistic. Last year, indie bookstore sales had gone up by 5 percent from 2017, the ABA said. 

“It is all about community,” Sandra Dear, owner of The Little BOHO Bookshop in Bayonne, said. “Libraries and bookstores are a cultural epicenter for talent. They are so necessary.” 

Looking for a new bookstore to get lost in? Picking a favorite is hard when New Jersey has so many to choose from. 

Take a look at our guide to the book shops readers nominated — organized by region — and scroll through our map to find one near you. 

Did we miss your favorite shop? Tell us about it in the comments!