Best of Washington, D.C. (Book Stores Edition)

Since the debut of the Kindle and other impressions, who needs real books anymore? They’ve become as obsolete as the VCR or record player, right? Maybe. The popularity of books has certainly taken a hit, but my guess would be there’s still some folks out there who enjoy reading a real book – holding it in their hands, turning the pages, or sharing it with friends. At the very least, there’ll always be the cheapos out there like me who remain faithful to the library simply for budgetary reasons. In any case, in a city like Washington, D.C. that’s proudly ranked as the most educated in the country, there is certainly a high volume of reading going on whether it’s in electronic or antiquated form.

To satiate this grand appetite for knowledge, a number of independence booksellers have set up shop in the District. Even if you’re not in the market for a new book, these shops can be fascinating to walk around in because you never know what treasures you will stumble upon. A great place to start is Capitol Hill Books, a used bookstore in the Eastern Market neighborhood. This place merges the worlds of Alice in Wonderland and a hoarder’s dreamland, as the owner has books piled up arbitrarily around the store and even along the creaky, sagging staircases. Don’t let this deter you from visiting though; its quirkiness is just part of the experience. Capitol Hill Books has a collection of used books including some ancient and newer titles, all for a great deal. You could affordably grow your book collection by visiting this staple of the Eastern Market neighborhood.

Over in Dupont Circle, you’ll find Kramer Books & Afterwords Cafe which has a much more corporate feel to it, even though it is an independently owned bookstore. Here, you’ll find readers camped out for the day, or at least a few hours, browsing over the collection of mainstream and independent titles that fill the store. It’s easy to lose a few hours in this place, getting sucked in by the great selection that Kramer Books maintains. Make sure to save time to stop by the café for a treat or even a meal. They have a surprisingly big menu with full meal options such as lamb chops and gumbo that you would not normally expect to find at a book store cafe.

Fighting for customers in Dupont Circle is Second Story Books, which offers a great selection of rare books. In fact, it claims to be one of the largest used and rare book-sellers in the entire world. Second Story Books will take used books off your hands and pay you for them, if they have any value. They offer appraisals too, if you believe you have a hidden gem. If you need any sort of book repair, bring it here and they’ll take care of it for you.    

Down the street in Adams Morgan, make sure to check out Idle Time Books which maintains a collection of both used and new books. This shop is open daily with three floors fully stocked with books. Idle Time Books has an antique feel to it with a volume of dust to match. If dust bothers you, you might want to skip this one. If not, then stop by and enjoy the jazz music playing in the background as you browse their wide selection.