"You don't go here to find a book.  Here a book finds you."…read more(I totally cribbed that from another Yelper's review of a different bookstore - in another state - so I'm allowed!) Can I share a story with you?  During the Dark Ages (pre-internet, no Yelp or smartphones) learning about something a bit off-the-beaten-path, let alone being able to source it, was an arduous task. I was an English Lit major and one of my professors loved to talk about even more books than the ones already assigned to his class and he always mentioned 'The Three Christs of Ypsilanti' that he read himself when he was in college.  It sounded more interesting than what we were reading in class (sorry, but there's only so many times you can endure 'Oedipus Rex') and I went hunting for 'Three Christs' but never had any luck.  Most workers at other shops gave the quizzical "What'cha talkin 'bout Willis?!" look and I'd leave empty-handed (or with a completely different book... just because).  Then I found myself here.  And while casually strolling through the store and eyeing up all the titles... I found a used copy!  (Can I tell you one other thing?  The book was a bit dry and dated and part of me wished it stayed like the Holy Grail - that it might keep me searching through different bookstores but never actually finding it.) And it's been more than a few years (okay, decades!) since I scored 'Three Christs' and now I'm here once again - this time doing my part to properly celebrate and support "Independent Bookstore Day" - and man oh man... you could lose an entire day here just drifting from rack to rack, aisle to aisle, floor to floor. Whatever you fancy - they have a section for it. Pricing is a-okay. The quality of the 'newer' used books is most excellent.  (The older, more rare and worn copies are out of reach or behind glass cases.) Behind the counter is the coolest and friendliest gal. From music to books to merch to a "gumball machine" that has poems (of course, right?) - the world is a better place with mom and pop (book)stores like this in it. "Since 1984" - and hoping they'll be going strong for another 40-plus years... (PS: if you stumble upon the movie version of 'Three Christs' - skip that as well.  They tried to make it a comedy and it's awful.)

Some spaces just scream "For Book Lovers" and this charming bookstore is one of them. From the…read moresidewalk shelves of $1 books to the stairs painted as recognizable book spines, this forty-year old store is a haven for story lovers. Some bookstores are big and cluttered, leaving visitors to fend for themselves if they're looking for something specific. Not here. Within the cavernous space, there's a clear sense of organization - by genre and neat alphabetization by author's name. The selection is vast; from literary artwork, coffee table books, local geography, and manga, there's truly something for everyone. I especially loved the well-stocked children's section in the back, where I was endeared by the sight of a young bookworm sitting with her head in a book for a while without any one bothering her. That, more than anything else, is why I love local bookshops - they're homespun spaces where people can curate their love for books. Speaking of homespun, this bookstore isn't fancy. The shelves look like they're made of unvarnished plywood that have been hammered together, and most of the store signs have been made with little more than marker and posterboard. Don't let that fool you - the workers here know their stuff. I overheard enough conversations to know they can talk books with anyone who walks in and can help you locate most anything in the store. If you're in the area and need a space to just breathe in the smell of books old and new, please do yourself a favor and stop in.

I love This Store! The staff are so Kind, and The Selection is amazing! and I love to shop here!…read moreJust an amazing store overall.

Still great to buy books. Sit and read either coffee in cafe! Still nice to but and read books!read more

When I think of going to a quaint, local bookstore.... THIS is what I envision. Friendly people…read moreworking to assist you in finding your next favorite read, enough books, quantity and variety, to offer the customer a diverse and amazing amount of ideas to make it difficult to decide on a single book, and Chatsky's to make it difficult to settle on a single item. The next time I am in New Jersey, I will definitely be stopping in here! As for the attached restaurant next door, I have nothing negative to say. The food was fresh and had a great taste, and the people were friendly and helpful with everything. We sat outside because the weather was fantastic, and they delivered the food to us and picked us up afterward.

For those of us who are old enough to remember the movie You Got Mail . This gem of a book store…read moreis " The Shop Around the Corner " . The staff was young so they admittedly didn't get my reference LOL .Has the quaint & cozy vibe . The selection is expansive , albeit they may have one copy of a book on the shelf , understandingly given space . The Kids section is 4 doors down . Also great selection . Awesome space . No Big Box store feel here . Just note , for those parents who do take oversight to what their child is exposed to , know there is lots of material & books SOME parents might not find unsuitable for your OWN child to be exposed to . Literally there is a " Banned book " selection for young as toddlers .

"One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change…read moreus." -- Cassandra Clare I'm old enough to remember when B&N were deemed the 'enemy' to mom-and-pop shops but now they're... David to Amazon's Goliath. (I guess?!) Sadly there's no small/local bookstores in my town so I have to make the hike to this location (which I'm more fond of than their much-closer location in Clifton). You probably know the scoop... lots of books (duh!), lots of toys and (board) games, a vinyl record section (!), a café, and on my most recent visits... super cool down-to-earth workers eager to help without a chip on their shoulder (which I've encountered from time to time at that OTHER location). I'm not trying to pontificate (too much) but I recently saw a study that "reading for pleasure" is down by 40% and collectively our IQ scores are starting to go down (the first time in decades) so you owe it to yourself (and the future of our species!) to get yourself a (good) book and exercise that brain of yours.

The negative reviews of this store baffle us. The store is well-organized, staff are helpful and…read morekind, and they have one of the last full collections of magazines. Their selection of vinyl is also quite good. Stock of books is quite large, and I've found things here I haven't found elsewhere. This store reminds me of what Barnes and Noble locations used to look like, and we love that hit of nostalgia each time we come here. Staff are also excellent about providing recommendations. The store is clean and well-kept. They are also well-staffed. Lines are moved along quickly. Prices are what you would expect. Overall, have never had a bad experience here.

I've always had great customer service here. The supervisor or manager here is terrific. Customer…read moreservice is vital. It will determine if I will patronize a business again or not. My orders are always correct. I always have minimal wait time. I don't have a single complaint other than them not accepting Starbucks card payments.

A surprisingly spacious and sunlit Starbucks situated between the train station and public library…read more Not very useful as a general-purpose bookstore, though.

What a fantastic shop! Located on the second floor of the Williams center, this place has some fun…read morefinds. Cassettes, records, books. You name it they probably have it. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Came here to sell some records and I'll probably be back to shop around their book section.

I love this place and I can't believe I didn't know it existed before tonight! I love that they…read morehave a bunch of stuff (records, cassette tapes, and books), and the owner is super friendly and helpful. He even offered to play anything I wanted to hear in the store while I shopped around -- a personal touch I've never experienced at a record store before. Can't wait to go back!

On an annual trip to NYC, I decided I would visit bookstores and take in all I could. B&B was right…read moreby my hotel, and I was delighted to find a comfortable room full of baseball memorabilia and a great variety. They specialize in 19th and 20th century English and American literature, which means you're going to see a lot of titles you're familiar with. I stopped in late in their day, so I wasn't surprised to be the only one there, but the team gave me space, answered very basic questions I had, and - gasp - LET ME TOUCH THE BOOKS. This is far from a stuffy environment, and when I finally convince my partner that I need that very expensive piece that has F. Scott Fitzgerald's music for Princeton, I know exactly where I'll go.

5 minutes before B&B books was closing, I buzzed the room located on the third floor to see if they…read morewould let me in "just to look." Well, 45 minutes later, I was still oohing and awing at the marvelous selection of first edition books they have to offer. This is the largest selection (aside from corporate-owned Bauman's) of rare books I've seen that include the dust jacket- a collectors actual dream. It's the biggest breath of fresh air to find a rare book store owned by a woman, and to be treated like a human being. I normally get side-eyed from rare bookstore owners and some of the conversations I've had sound like: "May I see the Portrait of a Lady in the case?" "All of these books are at least $100.00 and up." ".....I know." "Do you have any Wilde?" "The book about the woman hiking alone? That's too new to be in our shop, Barnes & Noble would have it." "I'm talking about the 1800s poet." "Oh." I take it personally because while I look like a millennial who doesn't know what she's talking about, I treasure my rare books like they're my children. Sunday stayed AN EXTRA HOUR at her store while I looked and answered all of my questions that I had, never making me feel rushed or unwelcome. After selecting a first edition Fitzgerald, she wrapped it in bubble wrap for my travels back home and gave me an updated book with all of the rare book sellers in the country.