CARLA SLAVEY CJ Staff Writer

In this digital age, it can be tough to sell the concept of owning a physical object. Newspapers, magazines and, especially, books are dismissed by some as things of the past. But a mother / daughter team is telling the story of their own bookstore and how it is finding its place within the community. Books, Nooks and

Crannies is a store where

the magic of reading can be explored in the hidden corners that make up the Somerset shop.

Owners Ranae Ruby and her daughter Jessica Ruby say they opened the bookstore because they feel it’ s“ way more fun” to look for a book in the shop’ s environment than ordering one through a computer screen.

They’ ve taken great pains to decorate each room in a different style. If not completely fitting

the theme of the books contained within, each room certainly has become its own character.

“ You literally have to dig through the nooks and crannies in here,” Jessica Ruby laughed.

Unlike a traditional book store, Books, Nooks and Crannies is located in part of what was once Somerset’ s City Hall and Police Station. That’ s led to some unique ideas, such as putting the section containing the crime

and murder mystery books in what used to be the evidence room for the Somerset Police Department.

Ranae Ruby said the duo decided to call that room“ the vault,” since it also houses the sci-fi and fantasy novels. They’ ve set it up as a“ dark and mysterious” space for people to explore, she said.

After opening the bookstore on July 26, 2024, the owners marked the anniversary in a special