Table of Contents
About The Store
Recently, I decided to finally visit an indie bookstore near me. I had been there once before, but didn’t have a lot of time to look around. I’m so glad I came back. Good Neighbor Bookstore located in Lakewood, NY is family-owned and the welcoming atmosphere is definitely a reflection of that. Walking through downtown Lakewood feels magical, and the blue and white storefront to this little bookstore fits right in.
Inside, they have a great, well-curated selection of genres and titles. I saw books I had loved reading, books that people have recommended to me, and titles I’ve been on the lookout for. They have something for every reader: non-fiction, young adult, historical fiction, thrillers, romance, an amazing children’s section, and so much more. They not only have a great selection of books but lots of cute bookish merch too. Perfect if you need a gift for the bookworm in your life. I found myself wanting 1 of every sticker, mug, sock, stuffed animal, and tote bag they sell.
I am not typically a great conversationalist but Bob, one of the owners, made it easy while my fiancé and I visited. We were greeted when we walked in but had time to look around quietly ourselves which i truly appreciate as an anxious person. When we did have questions, he was extremely helpful, genuine, and easy to talk to. Their message on their websites “about” section reads: “With a focus on fostering empathy, we work on curating titles for the community that promote understanding, diversity, and creativity.”. You can truly feel this message when walking into the store. Everything from their sticker section to offering Pride Month reading suggestions says you are safe here. Taking a look at their social media, you not only see people passionate about their business but also their community.
What I Bought
While we were there we picked up 3 titles were really excited about. After cashing out I found a cute “Support Your Local Library” sticker, so we bought that too!
‘Carved in Bone’ by Danielle L. Jensen, the newest book in the Unfated saga. It has red sprayed edges and is signed by the author. My fiancé picked this one. He loved the first book and audibly gasped when he saw it on the shelf.
I found a book I was really excited to get my hands on, The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera. It’s the newest book in the ‘They Both Die at the End’ series, which I absolutely loved. I still think about those books sometimes. This is the book that made me gasp, and I knew I was for sure buying that day.
The last book I bought was The Tenant by Freida McFadden. This is another book that came out recently. I have loved every book I have read from this author so I had to pick it up.
Where to Find Them
Good Neighbor Bookstore can be found at 124 Chautauqua Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750. If you want to support them from a distance you can buy books from their website https://goodneighborbooks.com/
They have Facebook and Instagram if you want to be kept up to date on what they have in store and events which you can find at the bottom of their website.
Final Thoughts
It took me a while after finding out where this store was to visit it. I know…someone who is a huge advocate for supporting your local library hadn’t visited a book store 10 minutes from where she’s lived her entire life. (until our recent move, making it now require a bit of a drive). As I’ve gotten older I have gotten more comfortable facing my anxiety of being perceived, which I have talked about before. I couldn’t open the door to a store, restaurant, etc. I hadn’t been before without being afraid. Afraid of what? I don’t really know. Afraid that I might stick out. That I wouldn’t say the right thing, or I might mess up some invisible process I’m supposed to know but don’t. While I still struggle with this and it can mess up a lot of my days or plans, I am working on it. When I went to this bookstore I even walked in alone while my fiancé went to ask a question at a store close by. I never in a million years would have done that before. I remember the suffocating feeling of panic that would have given me.
While trying to face my fears I also want to support more local businesses because that has been something that has become very important to me. I have moved away from things like Amazon and want to even limit big stores like Walmart/Target and focus on amazing places like this.There is a book that was sitting near the cash register that caught my eye, “How to Resist Amazon and Why: The Fight for Local Economics, Data Privacy, Fair Labor, Independent Bookstores, and a People-Powered Future!” By Danny Caine. I’m going to have to pick that up the next time we go. I want to educate myself more on that topic and that book seems like a great place to start.
Overall, our experience shopping at Good Neighbor Bookstore was amazing and maybe a little life-changing. I’m so glad we went and I’m excited to go again. It is a place I am proud to support and give my money to. After all, I will always buy more books even when my shelves are full. I need to buy a book light Bob talked so highly about I’ve been thinking about it ever since. And there’s a thriller that says recommended by Shannon I am dying to read.
**All opinions are entirely my own. I have not been contacted or asked by anyone to write this. I make no money from any links provided**
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