Who Says Bigger is Better? Check Out Your Local, Independent Book Store

As you walk down the street in your local town or suburb, you spot a storefront. Books carefully arranged in the window. Children's puzzles stacked in colorful rows. Large posters boasting of author signings. The door is right there--you grab its handle, pull it open and hear the tinkle of bells affixed to the top. You step in and notice--no coffee bar, no escalator to the second floor, no checkout station featuring eight or nine employees. The one cash register at the front of the store is manned by one employee--the owner--and she smiles genuinely at you as you enter her independent book store. Welcome to another world, my book-loving friend.

Independent book sellers in my area are few and far between. Here in Bergen County, NJ, where our suburbs are peppered with main streets and "mom-and-pop" shops, we often find ourselves drawn to the massive book store on the highway, where we can take books off of the shelves, drink an overpriced latte, and hang out until 11pm. Yet there is something to be said for the charm and intimacy of the independent book store, in which you can browse books that are often "Not in Stock" in the other, large book stores that feature a gamut of ever-turning media. Three local book stores that I enjoy patronizing all boast perks that I enjoy over a visit to a huge book seller.

Bookends, in Ridgewood, NJ, has managed to stand the test of time by reinventing itself as a place to meet and greet authors and celebrities. Each month, the staff hosts a variety of interesting authors and writers with whom you can take a picture and purchase a signed copy of his/ her book. Also, they have autographed copies of so many books in stock, so it makes for a great place to pick up a signed copy of a beloved author and give it as a gift. I've seen patrons queue up in a massive line that stretches literally around the large block during some of the Bookends signings. You don't need an appointment-just some patience, to wait in line-and you have to purchase the author's book at Bookends in order to participate in the event. However, who minds the wait or the book purchase when you could meet Pat Benatar, L.L. Cool J, Lance Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Jay Mohr, Criss Angel, John Cena, Mary Higgins Clark, Damon Wayans, Jodi Picoult, or Jeff Corwin?

The author/ writer event takes place downstairs in a room that is lined with children's toys for sale, like puzzles and train sets. I appreciate that Bookends also has a lot of toy sales, which makes their prices very competitive with chain stores. Upstairs, the spacious book sales floor has a wide selection of books, and a friendly, approachable staff working to help you find what you need. I love shopping at this book store, especially at the holidays, when they are open late and have all sorts of holiday goodies that I can't find in chain stores. The signed baseballs (Yogi Berra!) and the fun collection of calendars make it a great place to visit when you want to find something special to give as a gift.

Bookends is on Ridgewood Avenue, right in the heart of the town-and because of its autograph-signings niche, it shows no signs of slowing down. Definitely check it out if you live in the area or if you are up for a trip. http://www.book-ends.com/

Montclair, NJ is home to the Montclair Book Center, which is located off of Bloomfield Avenue at 22 Glenridge Avenue. Montclair is a town with character and charisma, as is this enchanting book seller that prides itself in its one-of-a-kind and out-of-print tomes. I can find wonderful books in this overflowing book shop, and leave with my arms filled with media. We're talking about a storefront that is more than 15,000 square feet of books, ephemera, and reading material!

I love that the Montclair Book Center is open on Sundays, because in Bergen County, stores are typically closed. Not so at the Montclair Book Center-it's open from 11:00AM to 5:00PM so that I can shop its treasures. This independent book store has an eclectic vibe that is appealing. The shelves are reminiscent of a library's, and quirky signs designate genres like "mystery" or "science fiction." There is so much to poke through in the store that you really feel like you've hit a paper-based gold mine.

For connoisseurs of first edition books, this is a great place to check out. Also, you can find well-kept used books in a variety of genres, like magic studies or metaphysics. It's hard to find specialized books in a large-scale bookstore, but the Montclair Book Center doesn't disappoint. It's nearly impossible to wander in and not leave with a new collection of books to read. For college or university students, you can call the helpful staff and ask about a particular title in stock-save yourself some money on a pricey textbook and support your local commerce at the same time. Good deal!

http://www.montclairbookcenter.com/

Shaw's Book Shop, in Westwood NJ, is an independent book store with a lot of heart. A smaller retail shop, Shaw's is a neighborhood favorite, with "regulars" coming in to support their local book seller and catch up on what's new.

The staff and the owner are friendly people who know their books and authors, and can give you insightful recommendations about books that may appeal to you. This warmly-lit and inviting book store has an assortment of books that I haven't seen for sale in my big, chain book seller. I was able to find a perfect title for my husband's birthday in Shaw's-Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd-after spending a bit of time browsing in the comic/ graphic novel section. They also had a Sesame Street book for sale that I haven't seen anywhere else in my typical "chain store" travels. That's really the appeal of a store like Shaw's: the stock is unique, appropriate, and affordable.

Located on Westwood Avenue, Shaw's Book Shop is right in the center of town, and it has its place in the hearts and minds of the locals. This place feels personal, from the people who come in and know the owner by name, or by the non-invasive but friendly assistance from the staff. Need a book and it's not there? No problem-Shaw's will order it for you. The personalized service and honest approach of the bibliophile employees make this book seller a long-standing community member. This is a store from which no one emerges disappointed.

Overall, patronizing local shops always invigorates one's community. Why not step in to these, or your own, local book sellers? You'll be surprised at what you may find inside!