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Hidden Gems!

The Bookstore that Gives Back

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“...countless lives have been touched by their service. They are an organization that we should all look for and try to help out!”

Jenna Bush Hager, The Today Show with Hoda and Jenna

We empower children & adults to fall, and stay in love, with reading.

Hidden Gems operates a donation-based bookstore, provides fun, literary programs for schools and communities, travels on an annual Free Book Tour nationwide, offers keynote presentations, assemblies, and more.

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Your support helps us do even more. Every dollar helps a story find its reader.

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20% off this month!

Featured Hidden Gem

The Dream Hunters

Bevan Knight's third triology featuring the Croans takes us on a wild ride through ominous threats, the specter of whatever destroyed the previous civilization, feral robots prowling the desert, and a rising mistrust of the Croans' mysterious abilities.

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Our Philosophy?

The Fun Factor!

When reading is joyful, it becomes irresistible for both children and adults. Our goal is to spark intrinsic motivation by making reading feel like play, not pressure. When people genuinely enjoy what they’re doing, the desire to keep going comes naturally—and that’s how lifelong readers are made.

PBS Interviews Hidden Gems

Senior Correspondent Jacqui Tricarico talks with Kaila Boulware Sykes, Co-Founder of Hidden Gems Literary Emporium, about her nonprofit’s mission to provide free books, promote literacy, and offer educational workshops to the New Brunswick, NJ community.

Our Work

Words are beyond powerful. While society may ask you to "Speak Softly, Girl," @jane.tza reminds us, we must speak LOUDLY. While we were distributing free books at the @justsayitnj j Loud Poetry Festival, we had the pleasure of hearing the amazing @jane.tza , share this much needed message on the main stage. Speak loudly! Write boldly!
#bookstagram #6000MilesofGiving #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #Bookshop, #Booktok

Shop & Support! Through the end of May, supporters will receive 20%* off 100+ titles by AAPI authors when using code AAPI25 at checkout. Scroll through for YA, MA, Adult Fiction & Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Poetry, and Romance Titles!

bookshop.org/shop/hiddengemsliteraryemporium

We love you for reading!

When the youth fall in love with reading--they will love it for life! We operate on the FUN FACTOR! Our goal is to ignite an intrinsic motivation and love for reading in the youth we serve. With your help, we can do so much more. Visit our website HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com to learn how you can help!

Thank you so much to @justsayitnj for asking us to serve their youth with free books at their Youth Poetry Festival! We had a blast!

We love you for reading!

#HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium your non-profit, community bookstore!

Website: HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com
Donate: https://hidden-gems-literary-emporium.square.site/
Venmo: @HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium (609)-361-4331
CashApp: $HiddenGemsEmporium
PayPal: HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium@gmail.com

#bookshop
#bookstagram
#booktok

TOMORROW we will be giving away #freebooksforall at the LOUD POETRY FESTIVAL!!! The L.O.U.D. (Living Our Ultimate Dreams) Poetry Festival is an all day youth festival where teams from across NJ come together to compete and slam, showcase their poems, partake in workshops, as well as win cash prizes. Open to poets aged 13-19, The L.O.U.D Festival centers healing and joy while celebrating the power of storytelling through poetry. Thank you @justsayitnj for inviting us!

GET YOUR TICKETS at HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com/events

“Why can’t I stop and rest when I’m tired? What’s so right about lying about your feelings, and what’s so wrong about wanting to show it?”

These are the questions of poet and author, Roy Jarmon, author of “Family Foundations”— a compilation of poems, prose and other creative pieces.

At the end of this clip, you will hear Mr.Jarmon’s vision for the future—do you agree??

We were honored to interview Mr.Jarmon about his life experiences and his inspirations to publish this book, and others at the one and only @coolstuffcreativegallery 💎📚

Grab your copy at hiddengemsliteraryemporium.com/shop and a portion of your purchase goes towards our non-profit!

Special thank you to Mr.Roy Jarmon who donated copies of his books to Hidden Gems Literary Emporium. These books will be given to the parents who attend the @justsayitnj youth poetry festival this weekend!

#HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium
#Bookstagram
#BookTok
#Bookshop
#BookoftheWeek

What if there was a device that could share your thoughts and emotions directly between users? Former librarian, and current novelist, Bevan Knight, shares a galactic adventure of fantastical proportions with us in “The Dream Hunters”— the third book of his trilogy! 📚💎 We are excited to share this author’s story with you— all the way from #NewZealand!

We first met Bevan Knight a few years ago when we came across his first book in this trilogy. (If you scroll down our YouTube channel you will see our interview with him and his wife!)

Visit HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com/shop to get your copy! 💎📚

“In “The Dream Hunters”, the third trilogy featuring the Croans, the explorers venture to Groob, a planet where remnants of a once-advanced civilization survive at the edge of a vast desert. Their mission to observe and excavate unearths a remarkable device that shares thoughts and emotions directly between users. While some view the device as a path to empathy and connection, others fear its potential for totalitarian control.
The Croans, sworn to impartiality, find themselves entangled with Groob’s inhabitants, attracting both love and suspicion. Meanwhile, ominous threats emerge—the specter of whatever destroyed the previous civilization, feral robots prowling the desert, and rising mistrust of the Croans’ mysterious abilities. As tensions escalate, the Croans must decide how long they can safely remain before they become captives of the very world they sought to study. Rich in tension and intrigue, The Dream Hunters explores progress, fear, and the limits of understanding.”

#bookstagram
#booktok
#bookshoop
#bookoftheweek

Do you remember your first school librarian? 💎📚

For many children, librarians are the first people to help ignite the love of reading.

We were honored to be the official book vendor for the New Jersey Association of School Librarians Spring Conference. Librarians need free books too!

Take a listen to hear the NJASL President talk about how the neighborhood bookmobile played a role in her love for books.

With YOUR support, we will be on the road in the Hidden Gems book mobile soon! Visit HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com to make a donation. 📚💎❤️

Thank you to @njea President, @sean.m.spiller for coming to share a message about the value of education.

Thank you to children’s author, @melissaprincebarry for sharing her book and reminding us all that our families are full of love!

Learn more about the work we do at HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com 📚💎💕

With love,

Hidden Gems Literary Emporium
“Your non-profit, community bookstore!”

#Bookshop
#Bookstagram
#Booktok

Oldie but goodie 💕📚💎 HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com — your non-profit, community bookstore!

Our Co-founder was published to the world through birth—AND this book— on #WorldBookDay 📚💎💕

We would say for her, books are meant to be! 📚

Visit HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com/shop to get your copy and support your non-profit community bookstore! 📚💎

#HiddenGemsBooks
#Bookshop
#Bookstagram
#BookTok

Appreciation Sale on audiobooks! Support your non-profit bookstore while tuning in to your favorite titles! Your contributions keep us growing!💎📚

https://www.libro.fm/?bookstore=hiddengemsliteraryemporium

Free shipping ends tonight! 💎📚 Shop and support your non-profit, community bookstore! Send a hidden gem as a gift to a friend, or order that book you’ve been meaning to read. When you do, a portion of your purchase goes towards our nonprofit! 💎📚

Bookshop.org/shop/hiddengemsliteraryemporium

#Bookshop #IndieBookstoreDay

So this is HUGE....Remember our friends, @@porchwaterpress , who had their last book signing at Hidden Gems? Their band, @speakeasy.mp3 , is going to be on the @nprmusic YouTube Channel TOMORROW, Thursday April 24th at 3PM EST!

We are SO EXCITED to tune in and cheer them on!!! Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/live/0K8VaXN0mBs

"NPR Music received more than 7,000 submissions to this year's Tiny Desk Contest, our annual search for the next great undiscovered artist to play a Tiny Desk concert. Before we reveal this year's winner, our Contest judges are sharing their favorite entries as part of our annual Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf livestream series." - NPR Music

Tune in and tell NPR how much you love SpeakEasy! See you there!

#tinydesk #tinydesk2025 #jersey

A captivating story can unlock a child’s imagination, inspire courage, and open doors to worlds they never knew existed. 📚✨ An exciting storyteller holds the key to that door. Today on #WorldBookDay be that key holder for a child you love!

Here we are reading a title from @chroniclekidsbooks and @chroniclebooks ! Thank you to everyone who watched this video on YouTube! 54,000+ views!

Learn more about how our storytimes make children smile at HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com!

(609)-361-4331

#worldbookday2025 #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium
#PowerOfStorytelling #ImaginationUnlocked #StoriesChangeLives

It’s our favorite day of the year…WORLD BOOK DAY!!!! 💎📚 We believe in the magic that books have to offer! That's why our goal is to put as many free books directly into the hands of children and adult readers as possible.

With your help, we can do more! Visit HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com to learn more and to support the movement!

We love you for reading! 📚💎

#WorldBookDay
#WorldBookDay2025

Proverbs 3:5 tells us to Lean not on our own understanding. Most people would see this photograph and think that everyone in this vehicle would have perished. But if you read Psalms 91 you will know the only reason why we survived!!!!💕💕💕💕

On this day one year ago, my children, my husband and I crawled out of this crushed van completely unharmed. No one broken a bone. Not even my 6 foot 3 husband who was in the front seat next to me. My children were completely safe. My then 1 year old daughter, Wisdom, didn’t even cry. The onlookers, the paramedics and the police were all in awe at our miraculous survival, and everyone was outside our van praising the Creator. Complete strangers, came together to give praise to The One Who Saved Our Lives. Clearly, HE is the only logical answer for a miracle so powerful.

Right before this accident, we were giving away free books at a school—all of us as a family of four. Today, we will be giving away free food for the first time as a family of five. Our newest daughter, Faith, was growing in my womb just a few weeks after this accident. Yet another testament that HE is always watching over us because we have faith in HIM.

Today is a very emotional day for us. Not one of sadness. But one of rejoicing because Yahuah saved our lives, and used us as an example of what HE can do for others.

With love, Truth, Wisdom and Faith,

Kaila 💕

Big news for bookworms! 📣 Hidden Gems pitched James Patterson & Matt Eversmann on a docuseries of their "Secret Lives of Booksellers"! 🤩 We think these amazing bookstore stories NEED to be seen! 📚🇺🇸

Please help us make it happen! Tell a friend to tell a friend to TAG @JamesPattersonBooks & @mpeversmann and say you want this docuseries! 🙏

#SecretLivesDocuseries #JamesPatterson #MattEversmann #IndieBookstores #BookDocumentary #SupportLocal #BookLovers #TagThem

📖💖 JFK Elementary + Hidden Gems = Literacy Fun! 🎉📚

Bringing FREE books and big smiles for #WeekOfTheYoungChild! 🥰 This year's extra meaningful after losing our book van in a crash post last year's event. 💔

Help us rebuild and fuel our #6000MilesOfGiving tour to share literacy across America! 🇺🇸 Support our journey at www.hiddengemsliteraryemporium.com. Every Dollar counts! ✨

#WeekOfTheYoungChild #EarlyLiteracy #BookLove #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #6000MilesOfGiving #SupportLiteracy #KidsBooks

🌈 Toddler Tuesday took us to the amazing Whee Zone! 🌈 Our little ones had a ball climbing, sliding, and playing with all the exciting toys. 👶🏼 We love creating these special playdates for parents and their toddlers. ❤️ Interested in joining us next week? Send us a DM! #ToddlerTime #Playtime #hiddengemsliteraryemporium #EarlyChildhoodEducation #MommyAndMe #DaddyAndMe #Preschoolers

So happy to support the Books Behind Bars Book Drive this weekend!! Come out and enjoy a documentary screening, and conversation. Bring your books to be donated towards community members who are currently incarcerated. Help us spread love and kindness through the magic of reading! Thank you @cnj_dsa_mutual_aid for this beautiful effort!! 💎📚

We love you for reading!!!!

🎉 Huge thanks to the Rutgers Honors College Book Club for hosting an amazing book drive for Hidden Gems Literary Emporium! Your generosity will help us share the love of reading with our community. 📚❤️ We’re so grateful for your support! 🙏

#BookDrive #CommunityLove #SupportLocalBookstores #HonorsCollege #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #BookLovers #ReadingCommunity #ThankYou #Grateful #Bookstagram #TikTokBooks #BookTok

BUS FOUND! 🚌 Now, let’s build a book fair on wheels! Donate to the #6000MilesofGiving tour here: www.gofundme.com/hiddengemshome

Thank you @amawohome for helping us realize our mission to spread love through literacy!

#Bookishness #SupportBooks #LiteracyDrive #Edutok #bookstagram #6000milesofgiving #tiktoklearningchallenge

One-On-One with Steve Adubato, PBS NewsHour Great interview with Jacqui Tricarico from PBS’s One on One with Steve Adubato! Huge thanks to the NJEA and the NJEA Convention for inviting us! For more information on how you can support our mission visit www.hiddengemsliteraryemporium.com#HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #PBS #OneOnOne #bookstagram #Interview #NJEA #NJEAConvention

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO this!! 📚💎 Our 30-minute special airs on @njpbs and @thirteenwnet this weekend. Please tune in if you can! 💕

Saturday, February 22, 2025 @ 7:00am on NJ PBS; 7:30am on Thirteen/WNET

Sunday, February 23, 2025 @ 11am on NJ PBS

The first of many more beautiful announcements to come! 💕 We love you all!💎📚

Love,
Hidden Gems Literary Emporium

🎉 We were SO surprised and overwhelmed with love at our recent baby shower! A huge thank you to everyone who helped pull off this amazing surprise at the incredible Draw Cool Stuff Creative Gallery in Highland Park! We're so grateful for our Hidden Gems family and can't wait to welcome our little bookworm. 💖 #SurpriseBabyShower #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #DrawCoolStuff #HighlandPark #BabyLove #LiteraryFamily #CommunityLove #BabyCelebration #BookLovers #Blessed

💖📚 Pink books & sister chats! 📚💖

These bookish besties are seeing the world through rose-colored glasses! 🌸 Join Kaila, Wisdom, and Journi for a fun chat about their fave pink books. 😉 #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #bookishness #youngreaders #pinkbooks #sistertime #bookrecs

P.S. What's YOUR favorite pink book? Tell us below! 👇

“Reading The Good Egg by Jory John with Truth & Wisdom, thanks to the Johnson & Johnson book drive! 📚 Love this book? Find it & more on our founder’s list at Bookshop.org! 💛 #TheGoodEgg #BookDriveLove #KidsBooks #BookShopOrg #ReadingTogether”

📚✨ Today’s the day! Johnson & Johnson is teaming up with Hidden Gems Literary Emporium for a holiday book drive! We're using the books to breathe new life into the library of a Paterson, NJ school—where the books are older than the students! Let's spark joy and inspire young minds together. Drop off your books and make a difference!

#HolidayBookDrive #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #LiteracyMatters #PatersonNJ #BookLoversUnite #GivingSeason #CommunityImpact #Booktok #Bookstagram #J&J

Sharing the Wisdom of the Bat Flower with our son Truth as we read “Wisdom of the Flowers” by Liz Marvin and Rosie Dore. #bookstagram #booktok #hiddengems #bookishness #hiddengemsliteraryemporium # fyp #sundayvibes

Thank you @njpbs @pbs @njeaconvention @insta_njea @jacqui2244 for helping us spread the word about Hidden Gems Literary Emporium!!! Keep an eye out for our interview which airs in a few weeks! ❤️📚💎

“Dr. Van Johnson deserves our support.” Dr Conrad Worrill, @chicagodefender defender 1990. Visit www.FramedandProfiled.com or our Bookshop to purchase this page turning memoir, “Framed and Profiled: The Legal Lynching of a Black Psychiatrist” by Dr. Van Johnson today. #framed #racism #doubledstandards #change #bookstagram #hiddengems

Who’s ready for a field trip!? The Frizz Family is coming to the @njeaconvention to fundraise for their Magic Book Fair on Wheels! And we’re bringing copies of Frizzy! #HiddenGems #NJEA #Frizzy #AtlanticCity #bookishness #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #booktok

Were the New Kids on the Block at this years NJEA Convention! #NewKid #HiddenGems #AtlanticCity #NJEA #bookishness #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #booktok

#QueenCityReads 📚❤️💎 Special thank you to @chrysalisproject in #PlainfieldNJ for inviting us to facilitate their book discussion, and for the amazing work they do for youth in Plainfield! We love you!!!!

The Story of Tiger and Fish, by @truthisartsy

We’re still here! Lol 🤣🫠. While getting ready for baby #3 and the NJEA convention, so much has transpired this summer you guys. Get ready for some SERIOUS book recommendations and event updates coming soon!!!! #bookishness #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #hidddengemsbookstore #booktok

#BTS with @hiddengemsliteraryemporium for the #aadcwomensconference ! Hidden Gems Founder Kaila Boulware is and will always be #aadcproud ! #LadiesFirst!

📸 @x_ray_visions
👸🏾👸🏽👸👸🏻👸🏼 @douglassalumnae

Our son Truth says, "I'm strengthening my neurons!" whenever he learns something new. So we brought some free books to the Caresparc Sustainable Health and Wellness Festival in New Brunswick, NJ. Thank you to Caresparc, @iamdmuse , and a special thank you to @art4changenj for working with us to spread love through literacy. #HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium #booktok #bookstagram #healthtok #nonprofitsofinstagram

It’s always a great time giving away books at the @caresparc Health and Wellness Village fest!

📸 @x_ray_visions
#nonprofit #freebooksforall #hiddengemsliteraryemporium #xrayvisions

PLEASE donate books, school supplies and teacher supplies to Hidden Gems Literary Emporium📚💎❤️. We have FIVE COMMUNITY EVENTS this month and we are helping teachers across NJ fill their classrooms! More info of that coming soon! Text us for the drop off location near New Brunswick, NJ! 609-361-4332

Next up….Plainfield, NJ 📚💎❤️#QueenCityReads #BooksBuildBrains

Another Day spreading love through literacy with our Lakewood NJ Community! Thank you to all of the organizations who brought this together!
#hiddengemsliteraryemporium #filmphotography #bookishness #vintagestyle #dazzcam

Book Delivery day with @truthisartsy and @x_ray_visions 🥹🥹🥹❤️❤️❤️❤️
#freebooks4all #HiddenGemsEmporium

Rain, sleet or snow, it’s always a Lovely Day to give. Support Hidden Gems on Gofundme.com/HiddenGemsHome Thank you to @themjfoundation for this beautiful event!

Throwback to our time with @mypeaceofhappy author Jamie Watkins! Jamie lovingly donated copies of her book to our effort to supply books for incarcerated women. ❤️💎📚

Thank you @themjfoundation for inviting us to serve at the #GetReadyFest2024 💎📚

You neighborhood book fairy❤️💎📚

📸 @x_ray_visions

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Connect with us!

@hiddengemsliteraryemporium

Your Non-Profit, Community Bookstore

Welcome to
Hidden Gems!

We empower children & adults to fall, and stay in love, with reading.

Donate

Shop our Bookshop &
Support

The Dream Hunters

Our Work

Hidden Gems & New Brunswick Public Schools Read Across America

Rutgers Students Support Literacy with Open Mic Fundraiser

Books & Care Packages for Incarcerated Mothers

Malcolm Jenkins Writes a Book---and it's a MUST READ!

Youth Art Exhibit Submissions

Help Us Build a Library for Middle Schoolers in New York

Rutgers Students help Hidden Gems Give Books to NJ and NY Young Readers

Connect with us!

SIGN UP AND STAY UPDATED!

Your Non-Profit, Community Bookstore

Welcome to Hidden Gems!

We empower children & adults to fall, and stay in love, with reading.

Donate

Shop our Bookshop & Support

The Dream Hunters

Our Work

Hidden Gems & New Brunswick Public Schools Read Across America

Rutgers Students Support Literacy with Open Mic Fundraiser

Books & Care Packages for Incarcerated Mothers

Malcolm Jenkins Writes a Book---and it's a MUST READ!

Youth Art Exhibit Submissions

Help Us Build a Library for Middle Schoolers in New York

Rutgers Students help Hidden Gems Give Books to NJ and NY Young Readers

​

Connect with us!

SIGN UP AND STAY UPDATED!

Welcome to
Hidden Gems!

Shop our Bookshop &
Support