A “wanderer” can be defined as someone who simply wanders. But in my book, the standards for being a certified wanderer are high. To be a wanderer, one must have a strong sense of the whimsical world around them.
What is the golden standard to show off your whimsy? Bookstores.
Being well read and educated is whimsical, so to achieve my most whimsical self I have compiled a list of the best bookstores in New Jersey (and one out of state) to tap into your wanderer side while being able to read some good books.
The first bookstore I recommend would be the Old Book Store in Morristown, New Jersey. Filled to the brim with used books, there are books on just about anything you can imagine.
From garden how to’s and old japanese poetry, this bookstore serves as both a cheaper and more sustainable option to buy your books.
Used bookstores always have a different vibe about them. You can feel the love and stories that are poured into each book you flip through, on each ripped or water stained page.
The fact that you are buying a book that someone had before you, in my opinion, is like inheriting a story and adding your own experience to it.
Although as a wanderer who walks everywhere, the trek here can be a bit difficult. Be prepared to duck under some bamboo plants on a road that arguably could be labeled as the highway, but I label it as a more fun pathway for my sanity as I have to run across.
The next bookstore I would recommend is the [words] Bookstore in Maplewood, New Jersey. This store sells new books, and also has very fun trinkets on the side just as my polar bear keychain wearing a party hat can contest.
This bookstore hands down has the most organized foreign language section I have seen in my travels through local bookstores so far. I have personally ransacked the Spanish and Italian section, but for my readers I of course left some things behind.
This store also has beautiful journals, although be warned that their prices are higher compared to used bookstores. Although who doesn’t love a fresh book to crack open?
There is a bookstore in New York that specializes more in African literature/historical readings. Sister’s Uptown Bookstore is a vibrant bookstore with cozily dimmed lights that makes it feel like a retreat of sorts.
They have a variety of readings from prominent civil rights figures to stories about African American history. I would suggest coming here for both the atmosphere and to pick up a couple of very educational reads. Anything by Maya Angelou is bound to be a good read.
A Source of Knowledge bookstore in Newark, New Jersey, also focuses on African history/literature. On 867 Broad street, the best thing to do is to buy a good informative book and to be able to walk to any nearby boba tea shop.
They are a bit pricier than Sister’s because their books are new, but both bookstores have such in-depth material on African literature/history.
One more store I have to plug is our local bookstore, Chatham Booksellers in Madison, New Jersey. They have a big variety of books, and their prices are on the cheaper side. It helps that Drew students receive a discount here if you present your ID.
The creaky floors and occasional rumble of a passerby train makes this bookstore feel familiar. If you can go downstairs, I would suggest doing so.
Downstairs there is a catacomb of books that cover just about every genre you can think of. You might occasionally find me in a dark corner, flashlight in hand, like a rat ransacking the Italian section.
But please interrupt me, as I will probably be buying too many books and may need a reality and a wallet check.
Kayla Kiernan is a sophomore majoring in Spanish, Italian and political science.
