There’s nothing so grounding as a bookshop, am I right? The aroma of paperbacks old and new, the creaky spinning bookmark racks, and those secluded cozy corners where you’ll find a low hanging lamp and a puffy couch.
The environment of the bookstore cannot be fully recreated online. But you’d be surprised at the virtual possibilities developed this summer. One store in Jersey City has done a pretty good job at making their online presence thorough and inviting, with some exciting upcoming virtual events.
Founded in 2007, the WORD independent community bookstores are located in Jersey City and Brooklyn. They are much more than just a vibrant spot to pick up your next favorite book. Search their current staff picks, shop for puzzles, and select your tickets for various videos on demand.
WORD also offers curated book lists on themes like “How We Get Free,” “Full Lives, Beautiful Experiments,” “Cook Picture Books for Hot Days,” and antiracist lists for multiple age groups.
There are a few ways to engage with WORD online. See this list of upcoming virtual events at WORD Bookstore to find what you’re interested in.
Upcoming Virtual Events
Image Courtesy of WORD
8/4/2020 @ 7:00:00 PM
Melissa Faliveno
Author of “Tomboyland” in conversation with Elena Passarello
Via Zoom—check Word’s website later for details
8/8/2020 @ 11:00 am
Drag Queen Story Hour
with Harmonica Sunbeam
On Instagram Live @wordbookstores
8/8/2020 @ 2:00 pm
Desmond is Amazing
Author of “Be Amazing: A History of Pride” in conversation with Harmonica Sunbeam
On Facebook Live @ wordbrooklyn
08/19/2020 @ 7:00 pm
Jordan Ifueko
Debut author in Conversation with Dhonielle Clayton, COO of We Need Diverse Books
On Facebook Live @ wordbrooklyn
Jersey City Bookclubs
WORD even hosts six different book clubs in Jersey City alone. They are open to everyone, and you’ll even get 10 percent off the club’s pick each month before the respective meeting.
Inner Circle Memberships
Image Courtesy of WORD
Interested in becoming an official member? Here’s what WORD can guarantee:
-$25 to spend on anything in their stores and online
-10% discount store-wide
-Advance notice of ticketed events and complimentary entry to $5 vouchered events
-Special sales and surprises exclusive to members throughout the year
WORD VIP Cards
Sign up for the VIP card to get access to 10 percent off everything in the store and online.
Mailbox Subscriptions
These convenient subscriptions come in three forms: “Just for You” will send you tailored reading recommendations, “Childrens” will secure your child a six or 12-month reading supply, and “Young Adult” provides the same for teens.
Merch
Courtesy of WORD
You can shop WORD merch, from tote bags to beanies and more, right here.
About the Author/s
Tom Garback is currently pursuing a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College, where he is a Staff Writer, Blogger, Copy Editor, and Reader at various on-campus magazines. His fiction, poems, and essays have been featured in Thin Air, Blind Corner, Teen Ink, Oddball, The Magazine, Generic, Polaris, Gauge, and Sonder, among others.
