What’Cha Reading? Bergen County Bookworms Share Popular Literature Trends

By emily r. condon

It’s no secret that reading books has a variety of benefits, but according to the National Endowment of the Arts, its popularity is still declining. And with millions of books published annually, and now even many books being banned from shelves, readers or non-readers, may have a hard time finding the right titles to pass time or get back into reading with.

What titles and authors are trending? What books should those trying to get back into reading get? BC the Mag spoke with bookstores and book clubs to find out what readers across the county are picking up.

Brier Rose Books, Teaneck

On Cedar Lane in Teaneck lies the literature treasure chest which is Brier Rose Books. With the store set up like a library, thousands of titles – many donated or over a 100 years old – line the rows of bookcases.

Howard Rose, the store’s owner, likes to coin the term “browsing store” as readers sift through cases to find titles.

“I like the idea that I set the store up over 20 years ago so when you enter the store, you’re leaving Teaneck behind you. People kind of get lost in what they’re looking for,” Rose said. Rose explained that his customers, who vary from octogenarians to parents and children, all have different interests, so he hasn’t noticed any trends.

“Everyone comes in with a different interest for the most part,” Rose stated.

In terms of literature, he explained that books by Stephen King and James Paterson have always been popular. He sees customers coming in for history, military or humor as well. Collectors even come in looking for interests.

One standout difference in the summer which Rose shared is that people come in looking for inexpensive paperbacks for beach reading. His store has a section of dollar priced paperbacks.

Another trend that Rose has noticed over the years is readers coming in for the nostalgic experience of juvenile books. His selection of the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew books fit this niche.

The Curious Reader, Glen Rock

At Glen Rock’s children’s bookstore, The Curious Reader, Manager Christopher Lutz notices a resurgence in reading since the pandemic.

The store aims to sell to ages ranging from birth to 18, with grades four through seven being what Lutz called the “sweet spot.”

“It’s like our bread and butter. We sell a lot of books to those kids,” Lutz shared.

Among this age group, Lutz is seeing popularity in fiction and horror.

“I’ve noticed that really deep, emotional realistic fiction and escapist horror have been really popular, possibly to deal with some of the anxiety from the pandemic,” Lutz said.

Some popular authors that he shared were Dave Pilkey (the Dog Man series specifically), Leslie Connor (fiction), Nicole Melleby (fiction) and Kenneth Oppel (horror).

Another trend among young readers that Lutz commented on was reading about people who are different from them. He cited stories about LGBTQIA+, inner city and indigenous peoples.

“I think that’s terrific that they’ve got an interest in reading about people who are not like them from a different walk of life,”

Bookends, Ridgewood At Bookends, located on East Ridgewood Avenue, Manager Dave Logan finds that people are reading a lot of light fiction books and rarely any nonfiction. “Fiction books are big for summer and going to the beach; no one wants something too heavy,” Logan said. Colleen Hoover is one of the most popular authors this summer, according to Logan, for mainly teenage girls and older. Some of these fiction books include It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us, to be released in October. Other popular authors this summer include Emily Henry (Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation), Taylor Jenkins Reid (Malibu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) and Erin Hilderbrand (The Hotel Nantucket) with her summer themed stories. Another comeback this summer noticed by Logan is Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens. He shared

“They get it and drive it over to us PLAN A VACATION WITH JET SET GETAWAYS for the day that we are doing that 300 Franklin Ave. #101, Wyckoff that this is probably largely due to the new movie rendition of the book, which was released in July.specific activity. He is so easy to Chico’s Book Club, Woodcliff Lakework with and so knowledgeable. We are really in a routine every Summer goes by fast, and many people forget to take time for themselves and book a vacation. Between running to and from year, so I don’t have to think twice camp for your kids and work, it can turn into a stressful time. A book club is hosted in the Chico’s store in Tice’s about it. And their equipment is Jet Set Getaways is a one-of-a-kind luxury travel agency that Corner Marketplace, located in Woodcliff Lake, by top notch. You get stuff online that will help you specialize in custom travel arrangements and VIP Lynn Seggebruch. Seggebrunch, the store social is terrible, but this stuff is real treatments. They have valuable direct relationships with the finstylist who is also a Ridgewood resident, finds that quality and has a lifetime guaranest hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines and tour operations in the her group is also enjoying fiction this summer.tee. It couldn’t be any easier with world as well as an expanded resource of insider destination them; they make my life very sim-knowledge. Chico’s partnered up with Simon & Schuster to ple.” pick a book every season. Back in June, Seggebruch Set fun goals for yourself. Summer is full of distractions between launched her book club with While Cornell Surgical has only driving your kids to camp, working, and gatherings every other One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle.recently stepped out of the shadweekend. Setting summer goals will help you stay productive ows, it has been making the lives and not feel as if you wasted the summer away. Challenge yourThe group that tends to consist of middle-aged to of many people in North Jersey self to see how many books you can read or how many times you older women has already begun their second book simple for three quarters of a cencan get to the beach. Write them down, set a date, and put them by Serle, In Five Years. tury. on display so you don’t forget to accomplish them. Make it fun! “I find the ladies enjoy fiction and something that we can discuss or get into,” Seggebrunch shared. Michelle DeSantis is a Bergen County girl who lives, breathes, eats and sleeps Bergen County. Founder of the blog, The Bergen Skinny, Michelle is determined to find the best food, fitness, fashion and entrepreneurs in the area. Check her out at www.thebergenskinny.com.

HMHN held their annual gala at The Glasshouse. For more information, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

Robert and Laura Garrett, Tatiana and Peter Cancro

John Meditz, Helen Cunning Bill and Rachel Simoneau, Inez and Larry Inserra Larry Lauricella, Helen Cunning, Joe Burt

Dr. Dante, Christine and Catherine Implicito, Patrice and Dr. James Cahill

Frank Pinto, Cheryl Fittizzi, Danielle Dubenezic, Lance Johnson Shawn and Christine Reynolds Jim Kirkos, Michele and Jerry Iannone

Dr. Mark Schlesinger, Glenn Luppino, Anthony Carramusa

Jim Maggs, Peter Hendricks, Heidi Maggs, Dale and Peter Wegener

Frank Vuono, Dr. Andrew Pecora Drs. Irina and Yair Kissin

Debbie and Nick Cangialosi

Chris and Dawn Rotio, Dr. Yuki Kimora and Dr. Jeff Boscamp Yogi Virk, Balpreet Grewal Virk, Colleen and Mark Sparta

HMHN held their annual gala at The Glasshouse. For more information, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

Mary and John Capazzi Pam Simunovich, Tracey Martinez Frank Fekete, Eli Manning, Robert Garrett Sharon Goldstein, Debbie Cangialosi

Dr. Rick and Sophie Winters Becky Kaiser, Lisa Iachetti Michael, Diane, Nicole and Brad Chessin Jose Lozano, Jennifer and Steve Adubato

Frank Fekete, Joyce Hendricks, Peter Cancro Peter and Tatiana Cancro Steven Salemme, Christina Rizzo, Regina, John and Michael Salemme, Luke Stelmac Sharon Goldstein, Nicole Chessin, Debbie Cangialosi, Diane Chesin