I've been to a number of bookstores, and in terms of neatness, organization, and atmosphere, this one is pretty standard. It's a very lovely space, and the parking is not terrible (there is a lot down the street by the train station). I have visited this bookstore about three times, and each time, I am turned off by the lack of friendliness from the staff. No one has ever greeted me upon entering or said goodbye on the way out. The only time I ever heard someone greet a customer is to tell him to put his drink away. Even though this store is about five minutes from where I live, it is not my go-to. read more

I visited for the first time as a part of the 2025 NJ Bookstore Crawl, so it was quite busy! I'm always happy to share the aisles with fellow book lovers, but since it was so busy, I wasn't able to leisurely stroll & peruse as I normally would on a less busy day (not a complaint at all, just setting the scene!) [words] has a great selection no matter what genre you're looking for & their layout allows you to potentially discover a genre you weren't particularly looking for. On top of being well stocked with a varying selection of books, they also have a great selection of activity kits (for children & adults) and other little "doo-dads" (for lack of a better term) that would make for a great addition to a gift for anyone. All of the staff that I encountered during my visit were very kind & helpful. I can't wait to visit again. read more

Great staff, perfect location and good selection of books. The person who appeared to be owner or manager went out of her way to find the only copy in the store of a book I needed for the next weeks bookclub. read more

I just left out of this store a few minutes ago. None of the staff acknowledged me or my family the entire time we were in the store. It sucks because I was looking to spend some money as I was excited to check out the store for the first time. The lady behind the register even walked past me while looking at me and didn't say a word. Neither the guy nor the other woman employee spoke. The store was not at all busy or crowded. Customer service needs to be a priority. Visit at your own risk. read more

At the risk of dating myself, bookstores are no longer anywhere near as ubiquitous as they once were. Sure near some malls you'll find a Barnes & Nobles (which I love), but in smaller neighborhoods? Not so much. Not so in Maplewood! In the main drag full of shops and restaurants sits Words, a large book store that is instantly welcoming when you see its friendly exterior featuring nice window displays. Inside the shop is both wide and deep with book covers grabbing you and vying for your attention. There are also sections with fun items like mugs and novelty items. On this particular day I was looking for a specific book that I was not sure they would have. I went to an information counter in the back and asked an employee if they had the book I wanted. I thought they were going to give me some line about having to order it but nope, they had it on shelf! The staff member quickly hopped out of her chair, went right over to the correct shelf and yanked the book right out. It was like a magic trick! The shop is broken up into different subject areas (as one would expect) including women's studies, economics, history, graphic novels and a nice section for kids that they can also hang out in. I really loved the look and feel of this store and I really recommend visiting if you're in the area. read more

Best local independent bookstore! The staff have excellent recommendations and there is something for everyone. Love the convenient location right in the the middle of Maplewood village. They're open later than most other stores, so it's a great place to browse and pick up books and gifts while waiting for a table. The employee book recommendations are top notch. read more

Always nice to see individual bookstores around since Barnes Noble is the defacto place to browse books physically. The store is a decent size well lit, and kept up nicely. The books and other products are nicely organized. What also is nice is if you're really wanting a new book or the latest read you don't have to go particularly far as this is as neighborhood as you can get. The staff are friendly and willing to make suggestions if you ask. The nice thing about bookstores , like libraries, they're a good place to browse and get a glimpse of those books you see pop up on bestseller lists or otherwise and want physically get a preview of said book and decide if you're gonna give it a read. Above all else, independent bookstores are nice and compliment Maplewood village. read more

See all

surreal old timey bookshop in a good way. I walked in and bought a book about BTS, also, Samantha Irby's latest. Check out staff picks. Very special and rare these days. read more

Such a beautiful store with wonderful service. Has a nice mix of goods and stationary as well for fun little gifts and etc. It's a bit small of a store so there's not a ton of selection but a good enough amount that you're sure to find your next good read! read more

cool bookstore. well organized, good selections and helpful staff. picked up a cool poetry anthology and a Hemingway short story collection.

Who was that sly gentleman who casually recommended a book just a few weeks ago? Having just flown in to visit my daughter, I was in the store on a rainy evening Monday, Oct 24th. Accompanied by my husband and daughter, I was seeking a new book to replace one I had just finished (Three Sisters). Seeking historical fiction, he immediately and conclusively reached for A Gentleman in Moscow. Insisting I would love it, I took him up on the recommendation. And he was right! I just finished after carefully selecting moments of quiet and contemplation to take it in. I am glad I savored it and did not rush through. Thank you kind sir! read more

Lovely staff, beautiful store. Love the old school book lovers feel of the place. Bright displays and cool vibes from fellow customers/readers. My new favorite bookstore in Essex County. read more

My all time favorite bookstore in N.J. I love their selection, staff and hours and they always have the best author events. I spend so much time at this store just browsing on my next title. Would def recommend to anyone looking for a great indie family owned bookstore. Shop local! read more

See all

Nice, clean bookstore with all the new titles, but expect to pay full retail price. Personally, I just like going here to window shop while inevitably having to wait for a table at Arturo's across the street. No used books is a bummer. read more

Small store, cute. Very limited selection. Looks to have a decent section for kids but not too much variety for adults. If you're looking for anything specific it's likely best to call ahead and see if they have it. read more

The BEST bookstore! In a world where anyone can order any book with one click, it's so nice to still have a place where you can browse actual real-live books(!) and this place is really a cut above the rest. Nice kids section with places to sit and read to them. Great selection. Lots of fantastic author events on the lower level. Don't see the book you want? Just tell them and they'll order it for you and give you a shout when it's in. And the owner, Jonah, is super supportive of local causes and organizations, which is so nice and actually makes me go out of my way to shop there. Love it! read more

Based on my friend's recommendation, we left the familiar surroundings of our neighborhood to visit Words. I felt as if I was cheating on my local bookstore (JC word) but i'm not going to pretend this didn't give me a slight tinge of excitement. Books are more exciting these days than an iPad subscription as snail mail is more exciting than email. My first impression was that the store was very homogeneous. Nice folks, but I felt a bit out of place there being literally the only minority. The store was a perfect size strategically designed placing the children's section in the back with a specific nook of an area for the kiddies to read with their parents. (My son and I took full advantage of this). The selection of the children's book section was surprisingly diverse. Of course everything is more expensive than amazon, but to keep local havens like these in business, dish out the extra 2 bucks/book would ya? Overall: I would definitely come back here, especially with my son who is infatuated with books. read more

I had stopped in here when it first opened and it looked pretty cute, but the supply seemed lacking. Now, however many years later, I popped back in with a friend and was pleasantly surprised to see how it has evolved! There are plenty of books! And really interesting genre choices! The staff is friendly, and found the book before I could. I love small, independent bookstores! And this is one to love! read more

I love Words, a lovely welcoming store. For me, they excel most at having an overall nice atmosphere, what seems like an awesome children's area, strong display of new releases, and a solid current events section. read more

I love this book store. I love the variety of author events they have. I love their selection and how friendly the staff is. Most of all, I love that every time I return to my hometown I feel welcomed here. read more

"WORDS" Bookstore in Maplewood is a lovely, inviting local bookstore. They host interesting events, book signings with current authors, art filled window displays, not to mention a great selection of books and a helpful staff! Good children's selection too. Special orders are accepted Located in the heart of Maplewood Village. 2- Hour parking available in lot behind the store. WORDS is a "must-visit" in Maplewood Village! read more

Cute bookstore in a great location. Mostly kids stuff or was I missing the adults section? Both employees were tied up with customers so I didn't ask and didn't have much time to look around but I loved the atmosphere. read more

A very cute local bookstore. They have a nice section for kids. I wish the local history sections was bigger. The rewards program is a great idea. read more

I am a newer resident of Maplewood and would love to support this local small business, however due to terrible return policy I will not be returning. I purchased a book at 3pm on Monday, attempted to return it for a refund at 4:30pm on Tuesday- because when I went to the talk based on the book I received the same book. I have no use for two of the same book. Beware: you can only get store credit. The staff was flippant and defensive. If this is the policy it needs to be stated at time of purchase. I will be returning to Amazon or Barnes and Noble for my book purchases. read more

i love this store! i mainly go to buy gifts. i love their merch as well. the colorful heart logo i just adore. staff is very helpful. i like that its a small business too. read more

A wonderful independent bookstore in the heart of Maplewood Village. They are relatively new so their collection is still nascent, but they are quick to order anything they do not have in stock. The service is super-friendly. They also hold many in-store events including music and readings by local authors. Finally, because of the owner's personal experiences with autism, the store has a comprehensive section focused on raising special needs children. I highly recommend this place. read more

This store has a really cute book store environment and very kid friendly . Hanging out and reading books is always a good time. They often have kid friendly/ adult friendly events and book singing. HOWEVER I feel it's better to window shop here rather than buy something. For example I purchased Harry Potter and the cursed child here for 32 bucks and I was so excited someone had it since it was the second day it came out. THAT SAME DAY I went to target who had a surplus of copies and they were only 17.50... that's a big difference. The staff is nice here and the area is nice but I would recommend checking the price online for one of the books before purchasing or waiting for a sale/membership points. read more

Love this bookstore. They don't have a ton of books, but they have enough to always keep me occupied while we're waiting for a table at Arturo's. They have a good collection of children's books, so I always pick up something for the nieces. I highly recommend - stop in, shop local. read more

A great neighborhood resource. As bookstores slowly disappear or transform into coffee shops, this is a still a great place to browse. When bookstores go the way of the records store, we'll have lost another great resource for meditative introspection. Words is more, though. They've done a great job getting authors in to speak and sign books. It feels like a cultural hub. I'd love to see them hook up with a place like the Writers Circle and really embrace that role. read more

Words is a really nice, well kept book store in the downtown of maplewood. It is pretty modern and just the right size. The service there is good and it is not overly crowded, making it easy to navigate your way around the store! read more

A wonderful center in our community and cultural life. Excellent service. Brouse, buy, or ask advice-no pressure.

The owner of this establishment was very rude and combative with me and my child last night as we entered the establishment at 9PM. While it is understandable they were closed (despite the open door and many clients in the store) there is never a reason to speak so rudely to folks coming in to purchase items. The level of spite emanating from this person eclipsed back-in-the-day DMV workers and caught us off guard. We will never return to this establishment that demonstrates such contempt for would-be-customers. Learn to speak to people. This experience was simply disgraceful. As a more-than-decade-long resident of Maplewood I was so very disappointed by this behavior. I have come to expect much more from the storekeeps in our wonderful villiage/downtown. read more

Nice place to spend sometime while waiting to for your table in the many restaurants in the area. Good selection of books and magazines but no place where you can sit and read read more

Words is an indie bookstore in downtown Maplewood, and is a really awesome place. They're got a well-curated selection of new and classic titles, as well as an excellent children's section. Words regularly hosts author readings, for both kids and adults. They're also autistic-friendly and contribute a lot to their local community. Honestly, drop in and buy a book. Bookstores are an endangered species, and we need to support them whenever we can! read more

Excellent store. Good service. With people buying books online more and more I really hope this place lasts. Very well done.

A bookstore that pays little heed or homage to its namesake One of the small, yet definable pleasures in life is discovering a quaint bookstore amid the myriad specialty shops and restaurants in a picturesque downtown area. I entered the WORDS Maplewood Bookstore recently filled with this expectant pleasure, if not wide-eyed exhilaration. Genuine bibliophiles and logophiles know this feeling well. After fifteen minutes perusing their inventory of books on food, a petite, bespectacled, stylishly dressed woman approaches and asks if I was looking for a particular title. "Yes," I replied, "on a previous visit, I saw a book on the history of food and its cultural significance throughout the world. It's a hardcover edition, listed for about $29.00. Do you still carry it?" She repeated my description with a seemingly amused tone. Maybe she found the ecumenical nature of the subject matter humorous or possibly too pretentious sounding for her culinary predilections? She was unable to find the book based on that general description. She even consulted with the resident expert on the store's inventory and they suggested a less expensive paperback, which they didn't have in stock anyway. Not one to be easily deterred, I mined my cellphone history and gave her the exact title of the book. Without delay, she located it situated on a shelf directly in front of where she was standing. I thanked her as she handed me the book. Wanting to spend a brief amount of time leafing through its pages before purchase, I deposited my carcass into an available chair. Unfortunately, moments of quiet contemplation would be without the benefit of comfort or quiet. I was too late in noticing the ripped, jagged leather chair with protruding foam that sliced my flesh. The cackle also permeating the bookstore at times seemed reminiscent of a trendy Soho restaurant. Oddly, the hubbub wasn't from the patrons, which would have been tolerable. Rather surprisingly, the cacophonous din erupting inside came from the WORDS Bookstore staff themselves! As a result, it took triple the amount of time to consider the books I wanted to purchase. Do they value the customer less who reads for more than 30 minutes without buying? Or alternatively, could it be that the staff finds each other so irrepressibly fascinating that they're unable to control their overly enthused dialoguing. At about this time, a customer enters the store inquiring if the pillow on window display truly has a jelly donut fragrance. I overheard this as the staff was forced to go into listening mode. I thought, "Wow, what a great novelty item." I soon approached the checkout counter with the books I decided to purchase and asked, "Do you really have a pillow that smells like a donut? May I see that?" "Why yes we do," said the fashionably attired woman. "Here, try this," gesturing to a small, point-of-purchase display of scented pencils on the counter. "These have a donut smell," she added. As directed, I picked up a pencil and as I was bringing it towards my nose, she blurted out "Don't put that to your nose. Customers touch them with SNOT on their hands!" Golly geesh! Thanks for the imagery, lady. But repulsive imagery aside, since she suggested that I smell the pencil, known as "Smencils," why would she then chasten me for moving it near my nose? WORDS conveying mixed messages can be cues to psychological game playing, but beyond that it exposes a lack of scholarship about the tenets of good communication. If I am off base here, then it would raise some very intriguing anatomical questions. What orifice or organ does this lady use to detect a scent? Is she that rare synesthete who can detect the molecules of a fragrance through her skin? Did my cologne trigger a blended sense impression and, if not, then what possible meaning should we assign to her near constant proximity? Dedicated service? Surveillance? A coveted mating opportunity? Questions about my purchase soon flooded my mind. Is it a biohazard to touch their books? How many patrons get sick shortly after visiting this store? Cut flesh and virulent microbes can be a deadly duo and are not what one seeks when entering a bookstore! Even a cursory investigation into the scientific literature on pathogens in nasal mucosal discharge (SNOT) makes clear the high prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, commonly known as the superbug MRSA, to name just one! Is Madam Proprietress aware that exposing customers to such hazards, not to mention disgust, could extinguish the passion for reading altogether? The WORDS this establishment should be promoting are aesthetics, contemplation, literacy, sanitation, customer service, comfort, decency, and kindness instead of juvenile game playing, needless condescension and the spreading of germs and disgust. The staff would do well to avail themselves of the WORDS by Simone Weil who (paraphrasing) wrote, "To degrade others is to transfer the degradation that we bear inside ourselves." read more

Staff is very rude- our family won't be back. Unfortunately the lack of customer service is bad business practice and we won't support it. I'm not sure why my family was singled out in two bad experiences. read more

Great local bookstore with a surprisingly solid range of genres for its small size. Would love to see more poetry titles, but I'm still a big fan. read more

Phenomenal bookstore with loads of interesting events and a stellar selection of kids books in particular. Jonah is an avid supporter of local authors, too. So happy to live in a town that has such a lively independent bookstore! read more

An increasingly rare and precious thing - a great independent bookstore with interesting choices, experienced staff and frequent community outreach. A true cornerstone for the village. read more