Old Book Shop

When you think charming old bookstore, with a collection of amazing books piled high, this is the place you are thinking about. Tucked away and hidden but worth venturing to find, this place is full of fun, random books. Some classics, some expensive, some entertaining and priced very accessible. I hope to come back here at least once a month just to wander the stacks and see what is new to find and see.

This is an excellent bookstore I’ve been coming to for the past few years, and somewhere I try to go at least every other weekend. It’s quietly tucked away and unassuming from the outside, but inside it’s quite large and very well organized. Their selection for fiction alone is constantly being updated with books in very good condition. They are one of the only bookstores in the area with a large collection of used science fiction section, which is very rare in my experience. Pricing is incredible and based on fair market value. I recently picked up a new Adrian Tchaikovsky book, a brand new paperback that retails for 20 dollars, for only 5 bucks. Highly recommend coming here, this is the best stocked, fairest used bookstore around.

I felt silly asking if they bought books. A lady patiently answered the question. I had to start somewhere. I told the woman who took my call what books I had. Fortunately the store was interested. I arrived the next day with books, they priced them very fairly, a check was written and I was on my way. A very pleasant experience.

Hidden gem and the prices are eminently reasonable. There's nothing like staggering home with a stack of $3 finds. I remember this experience from my teens in NYC, but it's become vanishingly hard to replicate. Great store.

Very cool place. It's a bit of an adventure to get there/find it. Very unassuming outside but a great place to kill time inside. There is something for everyone - if you are willing to look. Organization is cleverly done. Feels like a mysterious experience. People who work there are nice, but not overly so...and I appreciate that. Centered. Still. Definitely stop in if you like places like this. I do.

I have sold my books here maybe 10 times. They have always given me excellent prices. These prices are based on market conditions. If you want more money, you need to sell it yourself. If you think your books are worth more, you probably just aren’t aware of the realities of the market. Just as they give fair prices when you sell a book, their pricing for their used books is very reasonable. and because their pricing is reasonable, they always have new things.

They claimed the books I brought in were "in poor condition". Then, they completely took advantage of me for the books they did buy from me. Shame on me! Check the retail value of what you bring them before going in. As one example, they gave me $5 for a book that retails for $60. A "like new" condition, 1st Edition of "Miracle on 34th Street", with the original jacket cover with no tears, folds, or stains. They come across as this sweet, elderly couple. Don't be fooled. They're ruthless!

If you want a walk through vintage literature, old books, lost stories, histories, philosophy, religion, fiction, and more, then this is your little bookstore. Treasures are around every corner and there is something for everyone.

This is a must stop for book lovers. Prices are fair and even have a bargain section. Old books galore. Great place to stop, browse and grab an unexpected read. Maybe call ahead if you looking for something specific. If you are a collector, also a great stop! Lots of specialty and collector signed copies. Great tho for us avid readers looking for a read for an efficient price.

Looks creepy from the outside. But I took a deep breath and went in. What a selection! Very sophisticated people. Great fiction, poetry, history, art. Very curated and culled. It's not Goodwill. It's very thoughtfully organized. Big place.

Very, very good prices used books. I have seen many bookstores in my lifetime. Not the largest selection, but thorough. Very eclectic hard to find literature. Staff not super friendly. Right off exit 36 Rt 287.

The store is a little off the beaten path, but what old school establishment doesn't have a weird road, old brick building and spooky decors? Straight outta a Stephen King right? Well, once you walk in it is like the never ending story (no pun intended) of books, labyrinths of shelves and the smell of the library stacks you can never get enough of. There is a stringent order to the controlled chaos. The shovels are beautifully arranged and organized by author with the category label not to far to the side. The staff is amazing, and the cutest old couple you'll meet. The man reminds me of the wizard from one of my fave movies, "The Pagemaster"! If your looking for a well organized, affordable, non Barnes and noble.. look no further!

Excellent bookstore. I always find good things hidden away, cheap too, comparatively speaking. Always come here before wasting your time on eBay. The books are in great condition, the place is clean and calm. I love that there are no seats or music, I love that the owners are serious and quiet and are not interested in small talk or silly jokes. They know everything they have in that place and they can answer any questions you might have about their inventory. I've been coming here for years now. They say, hello, goodbye and Thank you- and that's it. That's all I need and all I want. To me, the place is very welcoming as I come to a bookstore to buy books, not to hangout and read for free. That's what a library is for. I don't come to a bookstore to chitchat. Too bad for the negative reviews about any perceived rudeness- I think when those "reviewers" find themselves at the age of these owners (I myself am in my late 30's), they might find that they too reserve the right to simply act accordingly as shop owners providing old books- as it's name is OLD BOOK SHOP. Thank you old book shop.

Thanks to Covid, I don't get out too much anymore. Restaurants? Occasionally, but I'm usually ordering take-out, if I'm ordering anything at all. Grocery stores, because they're a necessity. Work, because I gotta pay for all those groceries. Bookstores? In truth, most every book I buy nowadays...as well as CDs, DVDs, and-- come to think of it-- pretty much everything else with the exception of groceries...is through Amazon or Ebay (and, in the interests of full disclosure, I can't blame that all on Covid-- I've been buying most of my stuff on Amazon and Ebay for the last 20 years). But there are 3 " brick and mortar" bookstores that I've tried to continue patronizing, even as malls and shopping centers close everywhere. The Barnes & Noble in Paramus (a really great and unique bookstore that I encourage any book lover to visit, even if you're not exactly enamored of the Barnes & Noble chain overall), the Barnes & Noble in Poughkeepsie, NY (although its been a long time since I've bought anything there; I don't want to have to go into quarantine on my return to NJ just in order to buy a book in NY State!), and the Old Book Shop in Morristown. Of the 3, the Old Book Shop is the only one exclusively selling used books. I wasn't really too sure what the status of "brick and mortar" bookstores was. I visited the Paramus Barnes & Noble at the very start of the pandemic (I wrote an updated review of it at the time). Then, a few months ago, a friend wanted to go there again, and I accompanied him. It was open--- masks were being worn and social distancing was practiced, but books were being sold. A few weeks ago, I was in Morristown to buy lunch, and the thought occurred to me, "Hey, if Paramus is open, maybe Chris and Virginia are too!" Sure enough, they were (and are). The parking situation isn't great; there's an auto body place right next to the Old Book Shop, another business a stone's throw away (I've never paid attention to what it actually is), and the County Jail just down the street (as well as a lumber yard, a former bar/nightclub that I sometimes hung out in back in the day, and a locksmith in the other direction). Usually, though, that doesn't present a problem. On this particular occasion, it was a problem. The store had more customers than I was used to seeing, and parking was difficult. But, finally, I secured a spot. A sign on the door indicates that occupancy at this time is limited to 12 people. Masks are worn; social distancing is practiced. The store was more crowded than I've ever seen it, but I took that as a salutary sign. In the age of Covid, it's good to see a business that actually seems to be thriving. Other than that, nothing much has changed, and I mean that as a positive. Back in the days when there were a good number of used bookstores in the NJ/NY/CT area, this was one of the best. Now, given the paucity of used bookstores, it IS the best. It's nowhere near as spacious or large as the old Strand Bookstore in NYC (where I haven't been for years), but it has an amazingly eclectic selection of books in spite of that. The books are in nearly perfect shape despite their "used" status, and the prices are more than fair. This last visit, I bought 2 books of the Arcadia "Images of America" series (I've been collecting them for years and highly recommend them to anyone unfamiliar with them), a book of short horror stories, a "true crime" book on a 1938 Hoboken murder, and a book on the history of Germany during the pre-Weimar Republic era, the Weimar Republic era, and the Nazi era, for less than $40 altogether. You can't beat that, folks. Not to belabor what I said in my initial review, but I've been patronizing this place since I was a teenager, and all these decades later (well...not THAT many decades later...but a few...), it's still going strong, and hopefully will continue to do so. Hopefully, it will still be around decades and decades from now, when I'm ready to "kick the bucket" and pass on from this vale of tears (although if Chris and Virginia are still running the store when that happens, you might want to consult the Necronomicon before you venture out to Morristown, NJ; the Necronomicon is not a readily available item, by the way, unless you happen to live in Providence, Rhode Island, but if you can't purchase it there, chances are good that you'll be able to buy a copy here...). It's a great bookstore, whether you're talking new books or used (and its used books might as well be new, considering the pristine condition they're in), and vintage magazines, postcards, and other historical ephemera are available for sale as well. Absolutely one of the best anywhere. If you're as much of a bibliophile as I am, this is a "must visit" location.

Wow. This book store is absolutely incredible. We we're completely blown away by the selection and quality of books in this shop. It is a carefully curated trove of treasures. We will be back!

Charming store with an amazing selection of used books at very very reasonable prices. I could spend hours in a place like this. The older couple that runs it are also very friendly and kind.

When I realized I was coming up on review #200 I wanted to make it someplace special and not just a random stop on the way to filling my belly. Well, I found it... due to fellow Yelper Laura P. I read...I read a LOT, so when I couldn't find this place a few years back I was very disappointed. I LOVE used book stores-one of the greatest places for a book lover to hang out-so much more character than chain bookstores. When I saw The Old Book Shop reviewed by Laura P a couple months ago I knew I had to try again... I was off on Columbus Day so I went so I decided to go on a little book-adventure to find this place...an I found it! So let me simply start with - THIS PLACE IS AWESOME! When I walked in the door the owner stopped what he was doing and asked if I needed help, but I just wanted to dive in and wander. I've worked my way through a LOT of used bookstores, probably 50 over the past 25 years and this one is by far the most organized and has the most reasonable prices I've seen. I guess I was expecting the usual musty, disorganized mess that I'm use to in many used bookstores, but not here. I spent about an hour in the Old Book Shop and walked away with four great books and the knowledge that I'd be back for more. Since this place is only about a ten to twelve minute drive I'm definitely going back...much to my wife's chagrin. I just hope I don't become a book hoarder...I don't want to end up on A & E. If you're a book lover-The Old Book Shop is the place for you!

If you're looking to visit a bookstore where you'll spend a lot of time browsing, flipping through pages, and calmly contemplating the human condition, this is not your kind of place. I concur with the reviewer who called this bookstore utilitarian. The proprietors of the store are likely in their 70's, and I felt as if I were walking into their basement. There are no windows in this store, the walls are made of cement, and the place is clean, but not welcoming. There aren't any chairs or benches to sit on. Because it is a private bookstore, you might expect that the owners exude passion for reading and are eager to share their knowledge about their collection. But I wouldn't say they were forthcoming when the customer in front of me asked about the book she was buying, and my jokey question about whether they would buy my old Dilbert books met with a chilly response. Nevertheless, I did walk out of there with some finds - a hardbound copy of Slaughterhouse Five for $10, an Agatha Christie paperback for $1.50. I spotted a first US edition Dickens (rebound) for $60 and a book club edition of the Vonnegut piece for $30. All told, if you are just looking to buy something, you can be in and out of there in half an hour. Just don't expect to remember the experience.

"This is a place for treasure hunters," said the owner of the Old Book Shop when my friend and I entered. The owner's little dog greeted us with a few barks before we embarked on exploring this treasure trove. Any type of book/genre/magazine you can imagine is in this store. The shelves reach the ceiling and fill the entire store. The books (et al) are absolute gems and are priced extremely well. I got Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" and James Joyce's unfinished "Stephen Hero" for $6. The owner is extremely nice. He told us that there are new books everyday, and by "new" he didn't mean the literal definition of "new" because all of the books are used, but he meant that he acquires an assortment of books everyday. And the fact that a little dog follows you around will you peruse the shelves makes the whole experience feel as though you are in one of the storybooks. We are definitely coming back to the Old Book Shop. What an amazing little place.

Love going to this used book store. It has a very large collection of books on many many different areas. They have a great cook book section as well as a discounted book section. I have been able to pick up many 1st/1st books from well known authors. Their autographed section is quite expansive. It is a little hard to find the first time, but once you do find it, you will keep coming back.

This place is my favorite Morris County hidden gem. I love that I can find new & popular books, but also used, unusual, and unique ones at a great price. It's worth the trip!

Quirky, utilitarian, reasonably-priced. They're all very accurate descriptions of the Old Book Shop. Chris and Virginia have created a place where book lovers, especially choosy ones, can spend hours, discovering treasures. After reading the other reviews, though, I felt compelled to add information that others haven't covered: the place is a boon for historians and researchers, particularly the New Jersey section of the store. Several book cases are organized by county, where you can find documents and books published by local authors and small publishers, as well as larger publishers. Granted, there aren't many people looking for histories of local churches, for example, but if you are, the Old Book Shop is likely to have the book published on the 250th anniversary of the local Presbyterian Church. They also have a great selection of books and documents on various aspects of New Jersey history, culture, geology, politics, environment and so on. Prices are very reasonable. They're also willing to contact you to let you know when they acquire titles you're looking for, if they don't have it in stock. As someone else said, if you're looking for the Barnes & Noble experience, this isn't the place to go. That said, these folks know their business, and for the right buyer, they've created an amazing book store.

Brilliant bookstore. Actually, this business sells much more than books. They sell virtually everything you can make from paper and paper accessories (King of the Hill reference). I've bought maps, postcards, comics, posters, and various ephemera. The co-owners are tremendously knowledgeable. You can ask them anything. I've traveled the country visiting used book stores and I have yet to find another that has a collection of comparable quality and diversity. I've been a customer for 20 years, I only wish my mother had introduced me to this shop earlier -- I'm sure I'd have a lot more goodies.

I have visited used book stores from Maine to Florida. Old book Shop is one of the best I have ever visited. This used book shop has an excellent selection of everything paper under the sun. Not only does it have a wide selection of books, but their prices are very reasonable. I very much like this place and continue to go back again and again.

A Morristown gem that I didn't know existed until today, and I've lived half a mile away for 2.5 years. I won't say it's the most complete used book store, but it has great selection, very good prices (two out of print books for $8 total), nice staff, and some truly old items. Flyers for cruises from the 50s for $7, old photos and postcards, lots of americana (big sections on local books), stacks of old playboys for $1.25 eash (yes really), and a bunch of other stuff. Yes its location is beyond random - off of Ridgedale halfway between the 287 exit and Wal-Mart right near the Jail, the Palm Bar, and the train tracks. I've seen the sign but ignored it until today, and for that I feel ashamed. Take the turn next to the train tracks that leads towards the jail and Palm Bar, head on down the windy road and it's on your left, if you get arrested you've gone too far. If you like used book stores with good prices and a bit quirky selection and have come to trust my reviews on other places in Morristown, you should check this out as well.

I'm new to the area and Yelp helped me find this place to feed my voracious appetite for reading. WHAT A GEM!!! I picked up 6 books for $34 -- AWESOME!!! I will be back and I will be back often!!

This is the best used book store in NJ. This store has something For everyone, books, (hardbacks & paperbacks) postcards, magazines, cabinet cards, maps & anything else made out of paper that you can think of! Virginia & Chris have everything cleanly & neatly organized. Anything fragile or valuable is in plastic to protect it's condition. The stuff is priced to sell & it does! If you don't buy something when you see it, don't expect it to be there when you go back. It is a magnet for book sellers and collectors throughout the state, (as well as out of state people, like me!) who love books. Go to Barnes & Noble for great coffee & a Danish, then go to The Old Book Shop for great books! I hate to recommend you go there, (only because I don't need anymore competition!) but you really need to, I promise you, You won't be disappointed, just don't blame me for the money you Spend there!

Best priced booms around. 2-4 for a book? You can't find that anywhere. A wide selection, which even though I didn't find much that interested me I could definitely appreciate. Really friendly owner as well, showed interest in what we were buying. Hard to come in since they're really only open business hours but hope to be back soon!

This place is amazing! You can find just about anything you are looking for. I always leave with more than I planned on. You have to go often to find hidden gems.

This is a great used book store. It's located down a road in an industrial area, so at first, you may think, is there really a book store here. But yes, there is. They have a good collection of New Jersey books filed by county which makes it convenient to look through. They have a lot of old items here like postcards. They have a good selection of cookbooks too, as well as old sci/fi magazines that you don't see often.

Every time I visit I always find something new! From old books, to old maps. The prices are good and the owners are knowledgeable about all their inventory.

The Faulkner Reader printed in 1954; $3.21. Buy something! An absolute treat this store is. A must see.

Beautifully organized, exciting selection. I love this obscure English author Elizabeth Goudge- I always look for her in used bookstores- success!! Definitely browsing-friendly; I hate it when used bookstores are so cramped and dark you can't tell what you are looking at. Smells nice too. If you like the thrill of the hunt this is the place for you.

Fine example of a medium sized old and rare book store with solid and varied selection and quite reasonable prices. A must for those who like to browse and have eclectic tastes. I walked out with 22 volumes on my first visit.

I gave this bookshop 5 stars, though I don't think it is that perfect. But among hundres of used bookshops I have visited, this is definitely an outstanding place, for the following reasons 1. a large stock--about 35,000 in the shop, according to the owners and I agree 2. the books are well organized and easy to browse 3. almost everyone can find something there, although none of the categories is extraordinary, it has almost everything, mainstream as well as some that are slightly off. 4. the price is very fair and often can beat the best offer online (Abe or Amarzon), since the books are priced with only minimal reference of the online price (the books are piled on the counter and one of the two owners just pencils a price, based on his/her judgement--mostly priced by Chris Wolfe). the store doesn't sell online, doesn't issue any catologues and rarely participating any bookfairs. the two owners (Virginia is the other) are knowledgeable and both have been in the trade for years, since early 70s. she is quite friendly and he is--depends on his mood from okay to nasty (occasionally). the store is in a weired location, may not be easy to find if you don't know the area or don't have a GPS. so it is a good idea to call before your first visit and Chris/Virginia will give you a good direction. the customers, there are almost always some one there, even in the odd hours such as 10:30 AM on a Tuesday. there is no amenities such as sofa, chair, coffee etc in the shop, so you cannot really relax there or read much. the idea is to find the books you want, buy them and leave. For book lovers, this is a very good place to visit, once in a while.

The worker was so helpful and genuinely nice. I just showed him a list of the books I needed, and he took me around the store and got almost all the books. The prices are unbelievable, and the books are in great condition. Totally worth the visit; I definitely went to the right place.

Literally my favorite place in the universe, and it's in the back of a parking lot in Jersey. A truly great bookstore, wonderful owners.

This is s model for used book stores. The quantity is vast, the selection broad and unusually well-organized. The quality of the books is outstanding - no junk books. Prices are uniformly fair, although there are pricey items for those who are more selective. Ambiance is "utilitarian" rather than "charming," and it lacks a cat (as far as I can tell), but otherwise, it's the best.

Not as warm and inviting as the Chatham Bookstore but the selection is much bigger and includes some nice quirky pockets of strength.

So much cool stuff to look through in here!!! The prices are great and there's just such a wide variety of books, magazines, postcards and photos, vintage things and new things. A wonderful place to spend a rainy day.

Great book store. Well-organized with lots of great books and wide aisles. Be aware if you have children that one aisle contains a number of old playboy magazines.

I travel the Midwest and northeast for my job, which is really just an excuse to frequent used book shops. This one is a gem. Not a huge selection in any category, it is well curated. What they do have is good quality and at better prices than any other store in the region. Well worth a visit for both collectors and casual buyers.

Wide selection of books at reasonable prices. What is free is advice from the unusually experienced owners. They know their stock well and can be most helpful, even if they do not have exactly what you are looking for.

Wonderful breath of books, with a mixture of interesting magazines (bound and individual), and ephemera thrown in. Well organized, condition of materials impressive, and fairly priced. Worth the visit.

This place is one of Morristown's offbeat gems, one of my favorite places to browse in town. It's located in a spacious building out by the county jail behind an auto body shop. They don't sell new books. The selection of used books is excellent, prices are excellent as well. They also sell old local maps, postcards and a variety of old prints. Worth a trip!

Owners are a bit cold and distant (is it too much to ask for a "hello" and or a "thank you"?) but the shop itself is fantastic. Certainly worth a look. And as an added bonus you have a great view of the prison, which is right next door!

Visited this great store again today for gifts. They were at a postcard show in New York so all the postcards were with them. So a word to the wise- call before you go to make sure that what you are going to look at will be there. Still love this place!

I love this place. Several times I've found obscure books here that I hadn't been able to find anywhere else, even online. They have great prices and it's extraordinarily well organized. The only bad thing about this store is that it's pretty out of the way. If it was downtown where you could walk to it easily from other stores and restaurants it would be perfect.

Great store! The selection is vast, the prices are reasonable, and you will find yourself in the company of other civilized book lovers Highly recommended.

An excellent used book store although I find the owners are a bit cold and a little standoffish. Never a "Hello" or a "Thank You", and very limited eye contact. Still, the store and selection couldn't be better.

This is one of my favorite used bookstores. They have a wide variety of books that are very reasonably priced. I picked up a few paperbacks at $2 a piece. It's hard to beat that anywhere else. The staff is very friendly and they take credit cards which is a plus.