Support this bookstore! It is small business owned, local, and provides great community events. I have ordered books here and I liked the experience. Look outside their window, they have events like poetry evening and I have enjoyed ever moment. The staff are professional and happy. We like happy people! There is a rack of low priced books outside - check them out! read more

Wonderful store with great book offers. Very kind owner who helped me to find a book my son lost at school. He kept the book until I was off work & able to pick it up. read more

What a delightful independent bookstore! Just blocks from a relative's house, and down the street from some of the area's best Cuban food, we couldn't ask for a better location on our trip to Jersey City. I love a good Indy bookshop, and this one provided all I wanted: a variety of interesting reads from older classics to hot-off-the-presses new stuff; knowledgeable and friendly staff; cute greeting cards were a bonus. It was freezing cold and they were happy to let us all hang out and warm up. I took a star away because they weren't totally wheelchair-accessible, but they clearly are *trying* to be a bookstore for all. read more

I love WORD! A Quaint, independent bookstore with a great selection of good reads. Of course it's not on the same scale as BN, but that's the point! Staff is so friendly and always willing to assist even offer suggestions. There is also an awesome virtual BookClub , sign up online or here https://shop.wordbookstores.com/virtual-book-clubs read more

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There's just one cart of used books, outside; the ones that haven't been pooed on by pigeons are around $5 a pop! The inside was not that impressively curated; there weren't any nice surprises. There's kids books and candles and a bit of other gifty items. read more

I am a sucker for small businesses, especially bookstores like WORD. I was in the neighborhood exploring on a random Tuesday night and WORD definitely caught my eye. (Its a few steps away from the GROVE st. PATH stop so very easy to get to)When I first walked in, I made eye contact with one of the staff members but wasn't greeted or asked if I was looking for anything in particular. I made way throughout the bookstore and was impressed by the vast array of books for such a small bookstore! My favorite aspect of the bookstore was there section of Black/African-American books for children. Seeing that made my heart so happy! There is also a large section for children overall. I love that there is a small area to sit, read and sip on some tea/coffee. I can't speak on the coffee or treats that they serve but would definitely come back to relax and grab a book. Lastly, I also loved that they offer cards, small last-minute gifts, and journals/notebooks. read more

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WORD is everything I'm looking for in a bookstore and so so so much more. It's a quaint spot but filled with so many goodies. As soon as I walked in I was greeted and asked if I needed help. I really was just browsing before meeting a friend for dinner in the area. I spent at least an hour in there, this bookstore consumes you. They have every section you could long for, a feminist section, cooking, rally and resist, best selling fiction/nonfiction. Not too mention their amazing cards! They have a nice selection up front of great cards for any occasion. So funny, witty and just plain charming. Can't wait until I have to buy a birthday card because this will be my first stop. There's also a cafe near the back, I would check their hours for espresso drinks because they stop serving them at a certain time. They also have a few snack to munch on. Little bookstores like this one just make you want to celebrate and support small businesses. Can't recommend WORD enough to anyone who enjoys a good book. read more

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I went to this bookstore during my trip to Jersey and was not disappointed! Like other commenters noted, the bookstore had a wide range of variety which I appreciated (from novels, to children's books, to manga, to nonfiction and radical texts). They also had other cute items such as stickers, notebooks, and so on. I think something that made this bookstore especially cool is they had sections on books written by NJ/NY writers, a free and reduced book section, and staff picks and suggestions. It game the space some personal pizzazz! The individuals working were kind and seemed keen to help people if they had any questions. Prices were probably on par with other larger bookstores like Barnes & Nobles, but I was okay with it because I saw how welcoming the space was. Highly recommend if you are a bookworm in the area. read more

We love visiting this bookstore with our 1-year-old son! Great options for kids and adults.

Beautiful well stocked local bookstore. Wish I lived closer but if I did I'd be buying more books than I could ever read and probably wind up living there. Was very impressed that I could order a book online for pick up that was sold out everywhere. The process was super smooth and I was happy to be able to spend my dollars locally. The owner (I think) was really friendly when I came to pick it up! read more

Love this place so much! I was waiting at Grove Street PATH station and needed a quick coffee. Saw this place on Yelp. The cafe inside a bookstore thing is kind of old and reminds me of cheesy mall bookstores so I had pretty low expectations. Imagine how happy I was to find that they serve Stumptown coffee! The baristas are great. Their espresso creations are amazing. They also stock an assortment of random food items that look pretty tasty/interesting (fluffy banana pudding anyone?). Also they have the hard-to-find, delish, and only mildly sweet Pilot brand lavender peach kombucha I've only ever seen at Foragers market in Chelsea. If you get one drink I would go with the aptly named This Side of Paradise, a double espresso shot with Mast Brothers dark chocolate, steamed milk, and coconut flavor (impossible to go wrong with this ingredient list). That first sip was so amazing I literally stopped walking in the middle of the street and almost got hit by a car. Edit: I went back a second time and the drink was pretty bad - chalking to a one off for now. Otherwise make sure you get the good barista... read more

WORD - Drink menu! This side of paradise is amazing - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Love supporting local businesses. Nice selection of books. Classics, new, old, and everything in between. read more

WORD - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

I really like the concept. Books, tea, coffee and even gluten free baked goods - what's not to like. It's one of those places that makes a neighborhood cool. The place has a hipster vibe and staff is nice. I just wanted tea and a pastry and was happy to learn that they had gluten free options. I got a rice cake and a tea called "Paris". The cake was ok. A bit dry for my taste and the tea was ok too. The space in general had a welcoming atmosphere. I wished I could hang out there longer and didn't have to run somewhere. I am a book lover, but somehow the arrangement of the books wasn't drawing me in. I think the books could be displayed better to catch my attention... but what do I know...? Overall, the place is cool and I wish there was something similar by me. read more

WORD - Gluten free options - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Well a bookstore is always needed and although she be small, she is fierce! They have a lot of great books, a great kids section and even some really great arty/comic/graphic novel options. Score. As you can see from the other reviews, they also boast quite a great greeting card variety. What you may not know is that they also have a cafe in the back. I spent an afternoon there, taking advantage of the free wifi and enjoyed some coffee, a lox & cucumber sandwich (from Roman Nose) and a gluten free or maybe was it vegan? peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. Well this endeavor was not cheap. The coffee was close to $3, the sandwich close to $9 and the small cookie over $2. Everything was tasty, however for my own preference definitely a splurge. A bonus: they do have a frequent members club, you get some sort of a discount when you spend $100, food included. With no windows and natural light in the back of the store, this place reminds me more of a back of a library with the communal tables than coffee shop, which is a nice change of pace. Oh hey: They have lectures and speakers in all the time. Definitely get on their mailing list to learn more. I definitely say head to Word if you need a book, a child's gift, a card. Definitely enjoy some of that Stumptown Coffee while you are there! read more

WORD - Gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookie - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Dayum, Word's got my number. I spent half an hour just looking at their greeting cards. I spent another half an hour looking at the children's book section. For no particular reason. I need to buy ZERO children's books.... And I almost purchased two, because hey, you know...... in five years my friend's newborn son will be able to read, right? Stepping into Word I was reminded of how much I love bookstores. Of all the sections the fiction section was my favorite, so well curated with popular books, classics, and some new finds as well. Word isn't a mega barnes and noble, but I found their selection to be larger than I expected to find it; case in point, they had three different editions of the classic book I was looking for. What's more, if you sign up for their frequent customer program you get $5 off for every $100 you spend. The cherry on top was when I passed the café and saw Mast Brothers Chocolate on display at the register. I love their chocolate bars, but more than that, they are so cute and make great little gifts. One last word about Word, the staff is great. If you want to talk to someone about books, stop by and they'll be happy to chew your ear off. Not sure what kind of book you're in the mood for...... They have about a million suggestions for you! read more

WORD is probably my favorite business in Jersey City. Who doesn't love an independent bookstore?! We don't have any other (indie or not) bookshop in Jersey City, but Word is a solid solid option. I just wish it were bigger! The layout of the shop is great. They always have a front display table for relevant themes (Black history month, Hispanic heritage month, holidays, etc etc) with recommendations and sometimes non book items. There's also a table for new releases. They are always on point with these! I picked up a book for my friend and she asked how I was so in the know about new releases - it's Word! They carry books by so many diverse authors which is so refreshing and encouraging. You can find staff picks all around the store, and many of them are total hits. Besides books, there's always fun gift and card options. There are games, puzzles, stationary, and even book themed clothing. Word is one of my go-to places to for gifts. There is also a robust event calendar with multiple book clubs and storytimes. Virtual for now, but in person regularly. One of the coolest events they had was George RR Martin at the Loewe Theater in Jersey City! This was super special (although would have been even more special if it was for a Winds of Winter release lol) The one thing as mentioned before is that I wish this shop were bigger! I could do with a selection twice as big. But, love Word and highly recommend everyone stop there! read more

adorable book store with a neat selection of books, cards, a children's section, games, and other gifts!

Great local bookstore with all of the new releases you're searching for + all of the previous bestsellers you might have forgotten to pick up! I even spotted some titles I've never heard of, particularly in the staff picks section, and was tempted to buy them all. They also sell some knick-knacks like candles, pins, re-usable bags, and more. It's much bigger on the inside than it looks from outside! Dog friendly, as long as your furry pal is on a leash, and the staff is beyond nice. Shopping local is easy and worthwhile when you have a great option like Word in the neighborhood! read more

Mainstay bookstore (both locations) The staff always helps me find my holiday gifts, great art and music selection. Blank notebooks and moleskines. read more

WORD - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

I've walked past this place dozens of times and never given it a second glance. On this occasion my kids were looking for some graphic novels so we decided to step in. I'm really glad we did. I'd forgotten how nice it was to actually browse in a book store instead of buying books online! The staff were very knowledgeable and spent a while talking us through the suitable graphic novels for my kids. This place has a great vibe. Aside from the obligatory books, you can buy small gifts and trinkets, gift cards and most importantly coffee and snacks! There's even a space at the back to sit down and work whilst you enjoy your beverages. My favourite part of the visit was at 11am (Saturday) when there was story time and one of the employees read not one, not two but three stories all whilst trying to engage the kids and have them discuss the meaning of the story. This was a lovely touch and a great way to get the kids engaged in books. read more

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WORD is an amazing bookstore! It's always a pleasure to stop by and browse, and the staff is happy to provide recommendations and guidance. The monthly staff picks are on point and cater to a variety of readers. For anyone looking for customized suggestions, I would highly recommend their monthly book club. There's an option to share genre preferences along with Goodreads/Story Graph account info to help the bookseller pick out the right read for you! I just got my first month's pick and they included a gently used book in addition to my brand new Sci-Fi recommendation. Bookworms, this is your spot! read more

One word: That little bookstore that could... You know that overwhelming feeling you get at big box bookstores, when they still existed anyway?? I know you know what I mean. Well, you won't get that here, as this shop is quite manageable, esp. for persons of ADD with little time... Unless you preplanned spending a whole day here, which I'd question, as there aren't any real accommodations here, unless you're a couple of kids... Though granted, there are two tables outside for you and your drink(s) purchased from the inside cafe... So you get to browse their "curated" selections--I say curated because they can't possibly fit every book and curiosity in all the publishing and creative realms in here because how would we get inside?? Final word: Again, this is that little bookstore that could... Which brings to mind the same idea in the film You've Got Mail... You stop by for the experience, not the size of the place. Though in terms of actual space, I'd say this is big enough and also has a flagship(?) store in Brooklyn, which opened first. Extra words: The cafe grub (inc. the brownie, cookie, and tomato Scone) and drinks (i.e. hot and ice coffee, and Matcha) I tried are just okay (though pricier than others in the area) and not something I'd come here for. There are more than enough spots in the neighborhood to satisfy your gastronomic needs. But for your upper department, go ahead and peruse this place. Also note: Some of their items will crack you up silly, so be prepared to wave that thing you're ogling to save face... Or you might look like a giggly, mental case. But who cares, I've been there and bought the thing... It said "I'm a delicate [ducking] flower." So laugh away and cheers--it's good for the heart. read more

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Word cafe is a gem of a place located in Downtown JC on Newark Avenue. While it's a book-store/cafe/gift shop it's as valuable a business as the multiple glowing night-life venues located in the neighborhood. Some of the most memorable highlights of this place - There's a cute little cafe in the second half of the shop that serves brilliant coffee, croissants and a bunch of home-made organic food items. - The greeting cards are absolutely adorable. I've come here to pick a card for almost every special occasion ranging from "Happy Birthdays" to "All the bests" and "Valentines Days". The best part about them is the quirky messages/ visuals on the front side followed by space to write your own sweet message - The store holds a vast collection of books of all genres as well as other gift items such as candles, mementos and so on pro tip : If you create an account with the shop, they do let you exchange items within 24 hours of purchase. J.C. needs more of such businesses :) read more

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Very interesting experience here at WORD today. The books are curated quite nicely and they have a hodgepodge of stationary to select from. However, as soon as my friend and I walked into the store, an older man (part of the staff) would not pry his eyes off of us--he paced back and forth from the register to behind the cafe counter while still watching our every-single-move. It was honestly unnerving and felt incredibly creepy. At one point I looked up when my friend mentioned that he had continued to watch us like a hawk & lo and behold, we made eye contact and he still wouldn't look away. He eventually rang me up at the register and was cordial--however those 15+ minutes spent at word prior were very, very strange and most definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. read more

Quaint bookstore near Grove street in Jersey City. We were there on Bastille day, party in the street feel, street vendors , and DJ. I ducked the the bookstore at least 3 times while my family was walking around and made two separate purchases! Clean bathroom facilities, and friendly staff. The motto in their shopping bags is think local, buy local. Happy to support the local businesses. read more

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What a SUPER cute little bookstore. I honestly came here expecting to walk away with one book (Dune) and walked out with 2 more (LOTR: The Fellowship Of The Ring & Twilight of Democracy). Everything was laid out perfectly, though being a first-timer in the store I definitely ended up a little confused, even though again - the layout was fine. I was just overwhelmed by the choices. Mask compliance was 100%, which is amazing, and honestly, I wouldn't expect less from educated people anyway. However, as someone who cares about that, it was great to see everybody had them on and everything was sanitary and good. The book I took the longest to find was found in five seconds flat by one of the helpful staff (I'm clearly blind). Overall, a great experience from start to finish. Will definitely be back to buy some more after I finish these 3! read more

Every time I come here, I end up buying something. They know my weaknesses (books and chocolate). This is all WORD's fault. I really like this bookstore. It's neat and eclectic. Its organization is eye-catching, and I love reading the workers' selected book choices. I've been to the WORD in Brooklyn as well, but I still like the JC one a bit better. It's nice and bright, and it offers a wide selection of choices despite it not being that large. While I wish they had more room to sit inside while sipping on a coffee or tea, they do have seating outside during the warmer months. The staff is wonderful here as well. With my last book purchase, I struck up a conversation with one of the workers and she said, "Oh, this is a really good book. Stick with it because it's confusing in the beginning, but it's definitely worth it." Based on my experience with the first few pages, she provided absolutely sound advice. It's nice to be surrounded by MY people, the people who can appreciate my overt excitement when stepping into a library or a room filled with books (book lovers unite). I haven't been to any of their events, but I am on their email list and am looking forward to attending a book talk in the future. They also have book clubs if you're interested! read more

WORD - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Well, it has to be said. Great staff. Great selection. Always a good vibe in the store, and there are great events. But, it's a shame about the owner. She's never really in the store - she doesn't know what's in it when a customer asks. She puts on a progressive facade but she doesn't pay her employees $15 an hour or provide affordable health insurance. She is constantly negative with her employees and does not speak or handle situations in a professional manner. Because of this, I will no longer shop at the store. read more

Despite being on the smaller side, Word has a great selection of books; all the current best sellers plus some great options from a variety of genres. They also sell some really fun knickknacks like cards, pins, notebooks, little gifts etc.. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the neighborhood. read more

WORD - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Word is just the cutest, and it's fun to say which is always an added bonus. I live across the street, and it's nice to have a little neighborhood book shop where I can peruse the shelves when I'm feeling bored or pick up a last minute gift. Yes, it's not the largest but they've usually got plenty of current best-sellers in stock. They also have a pretty large cookbook and business section which are two of my favorites. Apparently I've been doing it all wrong by getting my cards at Duane Reed because they've got some funny and adorable cards here. Next time I've got a birthday or another occasion that calls for a card I'll definitely hit up Word first. Even though it's small there is also a cafe area with some tables and chairs. They've got prepackaged baked goods and sandwiches to nosh on while you skim through a book. I miss the pre Barnes and Noble days when there were more small bookshops around and it's nice to have Word in the neighborhood! Word. Word up. See, it's fun to say right? read more

So sorry to see that Word was no longer off of Grove Street, but glad to know if just moved. What I like about them is not only the selection, but also the fact that the owners/front desk actually read all of the books in the store and have great recommendations. Glad to support independent bookstores. read more

I have passed this place daily for months and finally stopped in to look for a very specific book. It was nothing obscure so they had it in stock - 3 copies even. Loved the vibe here - super cute and cozy. Very friendly staff. I didn't really want to leave... It's a fairly small store so not sure how good the selection is. It does seem they stay current as far as bestsellers go. They also had some cute knick-knacks. Pleasant experience - definitely recommend giving this place a shot before going to a larger retailer. There's also a cafe in the back but I didn't have a chance to check it out. read more

I like this bookstore. Their selection of available books is definitely a little different than traditional stores but in a fun way. They have a very nice seating area in the back, though when it starts getting dark the lighting is not that good. They also sell coffee and snacks which I think is necessary in a book store. I've had a couple of their coffee options and I'm not a fan, some of you may know me as a coffee connoisseur. Buuuuuut they have won me over with their delicious chai. Last time I was there I got iced chai and a hummus sandwich and I was in heaven! Fyi, the sammiches are a little $$-but they're really good. The employees are also very friendly and that's pretty much all you can ask for. read more

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Really tiny bookstore, the selection isn't the greatest, however it was adorable. That said, I did still find some stuff to pick up while I was there. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, only because Journal Square is a bit of a haul for me. read more

Super cute bookstore located in the heart of Jersey City, downtown area. Came here for a book reading by a drag queen for kids and fell in love with the store. They are a small store, but have so many books. Its a very quaint book store, but it has so much charm and appeal. The staff was very friendly and willing to help, or direct you as soon as you walk in the door. I love the way they have the books set up, especially the kids section. They have a small cafe where they serve coffee and other drinks and snacks. After the reading my son and I stayed a while and picked a few books up, which I was not planning on doing, but this place just made me want to spend my money. Can't wait to go back and also loved that they offer programs like the drag queen readings to show kids diversity and that there are different types of people in the world and that we need to respect everyone. After the reading they did arts and craft which was also awesome. read more

WORD - Bookstores Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Since my college days I found solace in libraries and bookstores. Decades later, I still find great comfort of browsing the stacks, spending part of an afternoon looking for the next fun read, or gift. Bookstores are even where I found most of my partners before the internet ruined everything. Anyway, Word has brought this atmosphere back to Jersey City. Such a great asset to the neighborhood. Even found a great gift for everyone on the Christmas list in no time. read more

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I think I will eventually love WORD. There cannot be enough independently owned and operated book stores. I'm more than willing to support local in these days of online superstores, show-rooming and ebooks. It's spitting distance from the PATH and the new frozen yogert place (waiting for summer, I'm done with this cold winter). I grabbed a coffee and sat in the back reading my case study for class. I think I found my place to regularly read and study. One thing I would like to see are a few JC specific items sold at the coffee shop. An ensaymada (or other baked goods) from Philippine bread house would fit perfectly with a hot coffee or tea on a cold night. Just a thought. It would be interesting to watch this place grow into a critical part of the neighborhood. Can't wait to see who will give talks. Allie Brosh? read more

Who doesn't love a neighborhood bookstore? They're rare nowadays as people own e-book readers (myself included) and have slowly lost use of printed books. Nice to see WORD on Grove! Though small, WORD offers a good selection of books and most importantly brews Stumptown coffee. :) Everyone's really friendly willing to answer any questions you may have-- so grab a cold brew and actually buy a book! Only downside is that they don't allow unpurchased books in cafe section. BLAH! Still worth a trip! read more

A Gem. Great cross section of books. The staff are helpful and pleasant. I could spend all day here.

I tried to buy $90.00 worth of books. Word said they would not accept a hundred dollar bill as payment and suggested I go to macdonalds and break the bill. How about I go home and use Amazon instead! I think I'm done with word. read more