Independent Bookstores of Washington, DC
Independent bookstores are COMMUNITY first.
They host THOUSANDS of author talks — everything from bestselling to your neighbor who is self-published. They host a handful of book clubs each creating communities all throughout our little district. They are mighty and able to support smaller press, and help give more visibility to authors that may not get recognition otherwise. Just because it doesn’t have reviews online doesn’t mean it isn’t a good read 😌.
Here are some of my favorite independent bookstores!
Support your small business 🙏🏻
Bold Fork Books (3064 Mt Pleasant St NW) specializes in cookbooks
Bridge Street Books (2814 Pennsylvania Ave NW) specializes in politics, cultural studies, poetry & philosophy books
Capitol Hill Books (657 C St SE) is one of the most extensive secondhand bookstores.
East City Bookshop (645 Pennsylvania Ave. SE #100) a small general bookstores with a great gift selection
Kramers (1517 Connecticut Ave NW) a general bookstore with a cafe
Little District Books (737 8th St SE) celebrates LGBTQIA+ authors and stories!
Lost City Books (2467 18th St NW) specializes in small press, used, literary fiction, sci-fi
Loyalty Bookstore (843 Upshur St NW) specializes in Black, PoC, and Queer voices
Mahogany Books (1231 Good Hope Rd SE) specializes in Bestselling and Classic African American books
Middle East Book and More (1902 18th St NW) specializes in Palestinian-Israeli conflict material
Politics & Prose (70 District Square SW and 5015 Connecticut Ave NW and 1270 5th St NE) largest bookstore at their Connecticut Ave NW location
Potter House (1658 Columbia Rd NW) specializes in social justice and amplifying diverse voices
Second Story Books (2000 P St NW) rare & used books
Solid State Books (600F H St NE) a general bookstore with cafe and extensive children's section
