Independently owned bookstores can provide a special peek inside the culture of the city or county in which it is located. Each store has a unique take on the books it provides while still carrying classics in popular genres, such as biographies, self-help, fantasy, historical fiction, and more. Essex County, New Jersey is home to several bookstores, each with its own flair, and we’ve rounded up a whole list of them. Read on for must-visit bookstores in the Montclair + Essex County area.
Ant Bookstore + Café | 345 Clifton Avenue, Clifton
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Reading books with a good snack or beverage is a winning combination. Ant Bookstore and Café has the best of both. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and cold drinks are served daily alongside the bookstore. Grab a book inside and head out to the open patio when the weather allows for a peaceful morning or afternoon. Books and food can both be ordered online for pick up in-store.
Read More: Books Based in Essex County + Beyond
The Book House | 281 Essex Street, Millburn
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While every bookstore has something unique, The Book House is one of the only to provide book tastings — a special event where an expert from the store will share a curated list of suggested books to choose from. Members of the tasting receive a special discount off of presented books. For those that want a curated experience at home, The Book House has a subscription service of monthly books.
The Collective Bookstore | 460 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
The Collective Bookstore was founded by Verona residents and husband and wife duo Josh and Lauren Jacobs. Once customers walk into the store, they can immediately find themselves right at home with the smell of printed books and brand-new shelves stocked with new worlds and ideas just waiting to be discovered. New releases, bestsellers, staff picks, children’s books, non-fiction, beloved classics, and more can be found on homemade bookshelves that are categorized by genre.
Indigo | 1200 Morris Turnpike (Lower Level near Bloomingdale’s), Short Hills
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Located inside the Short Hills Mall, Indigo has endless book options to choose from at its Short Hills store. From new releases, fiction, and non-fiction to kids’, teen, and young adult books, the selection here has something for everyone.
Iris | 25 Valley Road, Montclair
This bookstore sells used and new books and zines from all sorts of genres, from cook books to comics. In the back of the store, Montclair locals will find books on sexuality, gender studies, poetry, and more. Iris also sells art supplies, tote bags, and everything under the sun.
Montclair Book Center | 221 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
The Montclair Book Centers, which is the largest bookstore in the Tri-State Area, has been a staple in downtown Montclair for quite some time. Despite humble beginnings, the store now boasts three levels and two stores filled with a diverse selection of genres, including both new and used books. Although its name suggests only books, vinyl records, journals, tarot cards, puzzles, and more can be found here.
Source of Knowledge Bookstore | 867 Broad Street, Newark
Source of Knowledge Bookstore is an African-Caribbean family-owned bookstore carrying books written by and about people of African descent. In addition to traditional genres seen in most bookstores, Source of Knowledge has an array of African art, drums, and Shona stones. Guests can visit to get the latest in literature or stop by the community center for yoga, lectures, parties, and more.
Watchung Booksellers | 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair
Watchung Booksellers is in the heart of Montclair and provides all kinds of books hand-selected by staff and readers. From books on travel to education and biographies to fiction, visitors can fulfill their literary needs. For those not sure what they are looking for, the expert staff shares over 70 years’ worth of knowledge combined and is always happy to help. This spot is not only great for books, but also Italian food. Da Pepo, a charming little restaurant that serves authentic Italian cuisine, is located inside the shop.
See More: A Guide to Bookstores in Hoboken + Jersey City
[words] Maplewood’s Bookstore | 179 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
This bookstore has dedicated itself to the practice of inclusion. This can be seen in the selection of books provided, but also with the staff. Word has hired over 100 young people with autism as part of the vocational training program. The mission of this bookstore has been recognized by others and even awarded. Montclair locals can find all kinds of genres at this bookstore, from romance to fantasy to self-help.
AAPI New Jersey’s Color Run Returning to Essex County on 4/27
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is just around the corner, and an Essex County-based organization is celebrating our incredible AAPI community with an event full of color, fitness, and fun. AAPI New Jersey will host its annual Color Run in celebration of Holi and Songkran, taking place at Bloomfield's Brookdale Park on Sunday, April 27th. The event is a chance for locals to race through a course inside the park, while getting splattered with colorful powder along the way. Read on for more about AAPI New Jersey's Color Run in Bloomfield and how you can participate in this vibrant happening.
Event Details
AAPI New Jersey's 2025 Color Run will take place on Sunday, April 27th, in a closed course at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield from 8:30AM-11:30AM. The event is both a 5K race and a 1-mile Fun Run, with both runners and walkers welcome. The 5K starts at 8:30AM, and the Fun Run kicks off at 10AM. Strollers are welcome (though those with strollers start are asked to start in the back of the pack), and dogs are not permitted.
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The Color Run is a celebration of spring festivals and events in the AAPI community, including Holi (aka Festival of Colors + Festival of Spring) and Songkran (aka Thai New Year). Per AAPI New Jersey's website, Holi is a Hindu celebration that marks the end of winter and honors the triumph of good over evil as people throw colored powder at one another. During Songkran, people pour water on each other to symbolize washing away the past year’s bad luck and welcoming happiness, renewal, and prosperity.
AAPI New Jersey is also raising funds for its Teach Asian American Stories (TAAS) initiative this year through the Color Run, which works to ensure that educators throughout the state have access to the training and resources they need to incorporate AAPI history and contributions into lesson plans. More information can be found on AAPI New Jersey's website.
Registration is open to all, but space is limited. Locals can sign up here — the 5K costs $35, and the Fun Run costs $30.
About AAPI New Jersey
AAPI New Jersey, formerly AAPI Montclair, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that represents Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Montclair, Essex County, Northern New Jersey, and beyond. Its mission is to help create a more inclusive community by uplifting the experiences of AAPI people while promoting awareness and education about AAPI culture and history. The organization hosts a variety of events throughout the year to help spread the core values of inclusion and belonging, community, diversity, and justice, including special events for each year’s AAPI Heritage Month. One of the most popular happenings is the annual Lantern Festival for Justice and Unity, which will take place on May 17th this year. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details about the event.
See More: Asian-Owned Businesses in Hoboken to Support
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