Book shopping in Washington, DC
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A
Kramerbooks
With the Afterwords Café and bar behind the shop, this round-the-clock bookstore is as much a spot for schmoozing as for shopping. You can grab a meal, have a pint and flirt with comely strangers (the store is a fabled pick-up spot for straights and gays). This flagship independent – which leapt into First Amendment history when it firmly refused to release Lewinsky’s book-buying list to Starr’s snoops – features fine current literature, travel and politics sections.
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B
Bartleby’s Books
A neighborhood classic, Bartleby’s Books has packed shelves lined with used and rare editions covering all manner of subjects. The selection is particularly strong in American lore – presidential biographies, political history and works by American writers and poets – with first editions and antiquarian books kept in the front cabinets.
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C
Idle Time Books
Three creaky wooden floors are stuffed with secondhand literature and nonfiction, including one of the best secondhand political and history collections in the city. Its sci-fi, sports and humor sections are top-notch, and there’s a good newsstand in its front window.
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D
American Institute of Architects Bookstore
Architecture buffs are in good company in this small specialty shop, which stocks the latest architecture and design titles and periodicals. For the classic overview on the city’s iconic buildings, pick up the AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, DC.
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Politics & Prose Bookstore
Way up in Northwest DC is a key literary nexus and coffeehouse. This active independent has an excellent selection of literary fiction and nonfiction – it’s fiercely supportive of local authors – plus it has dedicated staff, high-profile readings and 15 active book clubs.
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Chapters
The best bookstore in this area is dedicated almost exclusively to literary fiction; it has one of the liveliest reading calendars in town and an active book club that meets monthly. Blocks from the White House, it is a favorite of white-collars as well as tourists.
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G
Yawa Books & Gifts
The focus here is on the books – lots of ‘em – addressing African American political, social and cultural issues. Sports, spirituality, sex…nothing is overlooked. There is also a good selection of fiction by African American writers.
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Big Planet Comics
Not just for comic-book-loving geeks, Big Planet appeals to a surprisingly diverse audience, with an excellent collection of limited editions and graphic novels, plus posters, t-shirts, manga material and collectible stuff.
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Lambda Rising
This landmark in gay and lesbian DC sells CDs and videos, as well as books covering a range of provocative topics. Check out the flyers and free giveaways near the door to find out what’s happening in gay DC.
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Bead Museum
The Bead Museum Washington DC closed its doors to the public on December 31st, 2008. The majority of the programs affiliated with the museum will continue as activities of The Bead Society of Greater Washington.
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K
Trover Shop
This two-level goldmine is a DC institution for books, cards and gifts. It also has a wide selection of books on tape, which are rentable. Unsurprisingly, its section on politics is primo.
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World Bank Infoshop
The controversial multilateral lender runs the excellent World Bank InfoShop, which sells a vast collection of books and documents on all aspects of development and economics.
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Beyond Comics 2
Teens love this small shop crowded with scores of new and used comic books. Trading cards and heaps of action figurines from TV, movies and animation are also for sale.
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