Online Bookstore Opening Brick And Mortar Shop Led By Chatham Native

CHATHAM, NJ — In Morris County, a brand new bookstore led by a Chatham native will open, offering residents a variety of seasonal reading options as well as books about climate change.

The Nature of Reading Bookshop, a virtual bookshop well-known in the community for its pop-up occasions at neighborhood markets, will soon open its first physical location in Madison Borough, on 22 Main Street.

Brock, who returned to the Madison area during the pandemic after finishing her studies in the UK, spent years during her breaks from school working at the Chatham Bookseller, cultivating her love for the business.

"Ever since high school, I had been working at The Chatham Bookseller during my academic breaks, and I became manager for about 18 months when I moved back to New Jersey in 2020. I had long loved the bookselling world, and as I typically focused on medieval history during my academic career, I loved the antiquarian book world especially," Brock told Patch.

"Throughout my studies, I vacillated between going into academia, becoming a special collections librarian, or entering the antiquarian book world. But when the pandemic happened and all my values became topsy-turvy, eventually I was able to see what I truly loved: bookselling."

Brock stated that while considering the next steps in her potential bookselling career, she had a strong desire to play any small role in the ongoing climate crisis, which is how the Nature of Reading Bookshop was born.

The online bookstore first opened on Earth Day, April 22, 2022, as a niche bookstore specializing in both seasonal reading and climate change books.

Brock defines seasonal reading as using books to better connect with the changing seasons. "Seasonal reading is personal; it's about discovering what makes you appreciate the natural world the most, what makes you feel most connected and in tune with the cycles that surround us."

The shop's other focus is climate change books, which include any nonfiction or fiction dealing with the climate crisis.

"Since I began doing pop-ups last spring, I've sold countless nature guides, plant-based cookbooks, eco-fiction novels, and nature kids books. With each pop-up event, I feel so grateful to connect with readers and offer personal recommendations based on their favorite books or what they're in the mood to read," Brock said.

Although no official grand opening date has been set, Brock expects to be open within the next few months.

A crowdfunding campaign has also been launched to help fund the grand opening, with $11,815 of the $22,000 goal already met.

According to Brock, the funds will be used to purchase inventory, allowing her to stock the shelves of the shop and significantly increase the inventory size of the pop-up. She intends to expand her current categories, such as nature writing, eco-fiction, nature guides and children's books, while also adding some new ones to meet a broader range of reading needs.