Crazy Story Books is opening at 42 Monmouth Street, in Red Bank, on Sunday, May 30th. The owner, Rachel Luce, said she’s “opening an independent bookshop in Red Bank to give our community the gift of discovering and buying books in-person, an experience that truly can’t be replicated online.” She went on to explain that in a technologically based world, it’s so important to create “a vibrant community space, where people can connect and participate through events, consistent programming, and local collaborations.” Luce mentioned some stores that inspired her and whose style she wants to emulate, including Books Are Magic, located in Brooklyn. Big corporations like Barnes & Noble and Amazon have taken over the book industry with a large inventory and convenience, which smaller stores have a hard time competing against. However, in a world dominated by billionaires and same-day delivery, there is something uniquely magical about walking into a carefully decorated shop full of books hand-selected by fellow book lovers. While many people (myself included) are guilty of turning to the bigger brands for a new read, these corporate booksellers can’t match the soul and spirit of an indie bookstore. So, this summer, as you’re picking out a new beach read or looking for your summer reading book, make sure to check out Crazy Story Books.