After decades without a bookstore, the town of Boonton NJ is ecstatic over the opening of Gingerbread Bookshop. Owned and operated by a professional librarian, the shelves are gorgeously curated with top rate books. Although technically a used bookshop, the books on display are in beautiful condition.
On the Gingerbread Bookshop Instagram account, the owner reflected upon her opening weekend with these words:
“When I was a child, I kept a small collection of books on a shelf in the basement of my childhood home. I glued small pockets, cut out from old file folders, in the back of each title. I stuck an index card in each pocket, my mom got me a set of rubber date stamps, and just like that, I had a lending library. I carried the Little Golden Books, oversized hardcover Disney picture books, Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends, Judy Blume, and an incomplete collection of the Babysitter’s Club. When I “grew up,” I become librarian, a position I’ve held my entire adult career in several public libraries. I have had the privilege of curating book collections for entire communities for half of my lifetime. But, over the past decade, I found myself thinking back to that little green bookshelf, in the basement next to the wood stove, where my siblings and I spent many hours playing. I realized I wanted more “play” in my life’s work. I dreamt about a curated secondhand collection in a space that would both welcome in and create community. I thought, what if I could make a bookshop that would recall the warmth, comfort, and familiarity of the “little room” my cousins, siblings, and I shared at our grandma’s house? Or the capacity for imagination I had at play as a child at home in my family basement? I let myself fall deep down slowly into the rabbit hole of memory, and I carefully considered each cupboard, bookshelf, and picture hung up on a peg, and many empty jars, one of which may have been labeled “ORANGE MARMALADE.” And I set out to create a little wonderland. This weekend, after months of preparation and years of daydreaming, I had the honor of opening the door to Gingerbread Bookshop, welcoming in a community of readers.

Homemade gingerbread cookies as delicious as they are beautiful!
To everyone who has supported me, to each of you who donated books from your own collections, and to all of you who stopped in for my first weekend to browse and wander: I am excited to share this space born out of the cubby holes of my imagination. I am overwhelmed by your support, enthusiasm, generosity, and genuine love. You make me hopeful for a more magical, meaningful human experience. I look forward to seeing you at the bookshop real soon.”
Authors on display included some of my personal favorites: Margaret Atwood, Michael Chabon, Louise Edrich, Jennifer Egan, Lauren Groff, John Irving, Ian McEwan, Celeste Ng, George Saunders, Zadie Smith, Elizabeth Strout, Colm Toibin, Anne Tyler, Colson Whitehead, and Meg Wolitzer.
Gingerbread Bookshop is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Gingerbread cookies are available Fridays, first come, first served.
Delightful outdoor tables and flowers
Fabulous books by amazing authors
Adorable reading area
Comfy irresistible chair