Archive-name: books/stores/north-american/dc

Last change:
Fri May 31 14:40:52 EDT 1996

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[Note 1: I collected these comments from a variety of people.  I personally
have no knowledge of many of these places and take no responsibility if you
buy a book you don't enjoy. :-)   Phone numbers and precise addresses can be
gotten by calling directory assistance for the appropriate city.  Call ahead
for precise hours, as even when I list them they are subject to change.]

[Note 2: If you can add information for any of these, in particular
addresses when they are missing, please send it to me.  *PLEASE SPECIFY CITY
AND STATE.*]

[Note 3: I am cross-posting this to rec.arts.sf.written, but the bookstores
listed include *all* types of bookstores, so please don't tell me that a
particular store has a limited SF section unless I have specifically claimed
otherwise.  All references to science fiction are abbreviated SF for ease in
electronic searching.]

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Areas covered:
	Dupont Circle
	Georgetown
	North of the city
	Smithsonian/Capitol
	White House
	Alexandria VA
	Arlington VA
	Burke VA
	Centreville VA
	Fairfax VA
	Falls Church VA
	Herndon VA
	Manassas VA
	McLean VA
	Reston VA
	Springfield VA
	Vienna VA
	Warrenton VA
	Bethesda MD
	College Park MD
	Frederick MD
	Gaithersburg MD
	Kensington MD
	Rockville MD
	Silver Spring MD
	Wheaton MD

John Alvey writes:

In 1979 Henry Turlington published a guide to Washington's bookstores
called Washington Used and Rare.  At the end he gave a list of 50
bookstores.  Of those 50, only three are still in the same place, with
the same name and the same owners and the turnover is still continuing,
so just because a store is mentioned here in or in one the books does
not mean that it will be there tomorrow.

Adams-Morgan (the culturally diverse area East of Connecticut Avenue
and North of the Washington Hilton):

Editorial El Mundo (1796 Columbia Rd NW, Washington DC 20009,
	202-387-8716).  New books, magazines and newspapers in Spanish.
	Open Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6PM.
Idle Time (2410 18th NW, Washington DC 20009, 202-232-4774.  Good general
	used books.  Open 11AM-10PM seven days a week.

Dupont Circle:

Atticus (1508 U St NW btwn 15th & 16th near New Hampshire Ave, Washington
	DC 20009, 202-667-8148).  Good general used bookstore, also CDs,
	sheet music.  Open Mon-Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun 12N-6PM.
Backstage Inc. (2101 21st NW at P St, Washington DC 20037, 202-775-1488,
	FAX 202-296-3430).  Theater books; a very small amount of cinema.
	They also carry makeup, costumes, scripts, tapes and videos and
	other theater paraphernalia.  Open Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat 10AM-6PM,
	Thu 10AM-8PM.
Super Crown (11 Dupont Cir NW, Washington DC 20026, 202-319-1374).  Discount
	superstore.  "Well, I did find the AMERICAN SPECTATOR there.  (And
	picked up ALBION'S SEED in the same trip.  I *am* prejudiced by thea
	Crown label--the not-so-super Crown chain is probably the worst I've
	ever seen, far inferior even to Waldenbooks and the like.  I'll
	admit as a big book store, this one has some advantages, but Barnes
	and Noble it ain't.  Yes, yes.  I *am* prejudiced against Crown."
	Open Sun-Thu 10AM-12M, Fri-Sat 10AM-2AM.
Ginza (1721 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20009, 202-331-7991).  A few
	blocks north of Dupont Circle.  A Japanese store which carries some
	books on things Japanese.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 12N-6PM.
Kramerbooks/Afterwords (1517 Connecticut Ave NW just north of Duport Cir,
	Washington DC 20036, 202-387-1400, FAX 202-232-7481; cafe
	202-387-1462).  Smallish bookstore, but good selection and nice
	cafe in the back.  One says, "Very good collection of political
	science and technical works" but another responds, "It's a nice
	place, but I think the focus of this version of Kramer's is much
	more towards non-political subjects.  For really good political
	and history selections, one needs to go to a mainline Kramer's
	store.  The magazine/journal selection in this particular store
	leaves much to be desired--I had to go to Crown's to find the
	infamous "state trooper" issue of "The American Spectator," for
	crying out loud.  This is really unacceptable by DC standards.
	Think of Kramerbooks/Afterwards as a place where people go to
	forget about politics.  The parent store is Sidney Kramer Books.
	Open Mon-Thu 7:30AM-1AM, Fri 7AM-Sat 12M.
Kulturas Books (1741 Connecticut Ave NW a few blocks north of Dupont Cir,
	Washington DC 20009, 202-462-2541).  Good general used books.
	Now takes American Express, Visa, and MasterCard.  Open Mon-Sat
	11AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-6PM.
Lambda Rising (1625 Connecticut Ave NW a few blocks north of Dupont Cir,
	Washington DC 20009, 800-621-6969 or 202-462-6969, FAX
	202-462-7257, lambdarising@his.com, America Online: gaybooks.
	Gay, lesbian, and bisexual bookstore founded in 1974.  Stocks
	virtually every G/L/B book in print, plus a large out-of-print
	and used selection; book searches welcome.  Good-sized SF and
	mystery sections.  Also magazines, newspapers, videos, music,
	greeting cards, jewelry, gifts--all with a G/L/B theme.  Free
	catalog issued quarterly.  Community bulletin board, free guide
	maps.  Open 10AM-12M seven days a week.
Lammas Bookstore (1426 21st NW, Washington DC 20036, 202-775-8218, FAX
	202-775-8218).  New and used books on women's issues.  Open
	Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-8PM.
Mystery Books (1715 Connecticut Ave NW a few blocks north of Dupont Cir,
	Washington DC 20016, 800-955-2279 or 202-483-1600).  Large
	selection of new mystery books, including British titles, and
	substantial backstock.  *Very* knowledgeable staff.  Mail,
	phone and fax orders accepted.  Semi-annual annotated catalogue.
	Signings.  Signed first editions.  Combination book and food gift
	baskets.  "I can't speak highly enough of the folks at Mystery
	Books."  Open Mon-Fri 11AM-7PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 12N-5PM.
The Newsroom (1753 Connecticut Ave NW a few blocks north of Dupont Cir at
	S, Washington DC 20009, 202-332-1489).  A good selection of national
	and international newspapers and magazines.  Open Mon-Fri 7AM-10PM,
	Sat 7AM-11PM, Sun 7AM-9PM.
Niel's Books (1615 17th NW btwn Q and R, second floor, Washington DC,
	202-483-4737).  The owner came from Pangloss in Cambridge, Mass, and
	has set up a nice used bookstore in an area which is becoming
	trendier.  Good stock of politics, recent history, modern fiction,
	psychology.  Open Mon-Thu 12N-9PM, Fri-Sun 12N-10PM.
Olsson's (1307 19th NW one block south of Dupont Cir, Washington DC 20036,
	202-785-1133).  See main entry under Georgetown.  Open Mon-Sat
	10AM-10PM, Sun 12N-6PM.
Rand McNally (1201 Connecticut Ave NW at M, Washington DC 20036,
	202-223-6751).  New books in the field of travel, maps and
	atlases.  Open Mon-Wed, Fri 9AM-6:30PM, Thu 9AM-7:30PM, Sat
	10AM-6PM.
Second Story Books (2000 P St NW one block west of Dupont Cir at 20th,
	Washington DC 20036, 202-659-8884, FAX 202-659-8884; see also
	Rockville MD, Bethesda MD, and Baltimore).  Used books (and
	records).  "Largest selection of any of the used book stores I
	go to (I look for paperback fiction and history, mostly)."
	Fiction semi-alphabetized (i.e., all the "A"s are together, etc.),
	but SF is not alphabetized at all.  The best used bookstore in
	Washington if you are interested in reasonably priced and varied
	stock.  They have a very fast turnover, seem to get excellent
	quality books in all the main subjects and prices are reasonable,
	though not cheap.  Stock which does not turn over makes its way
	to the Rockville warehouse where it is sold at half price.  Open
	10AM-10PM seven days a week.
Vertigo (1337 Connecticut Ave NW two blocks south of Dupont Cir,
	Washington DC 20036, 202-429-9272).  Good new books in politics,
	world literature, international affairs and the like.  They have
	aggressive discounting policies so look out for their special
	deals, book club, etc. (advertised in the City Paper), mentioned
	in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY as African-American-focused.  Open Mon-Fri
	10AM-7PM, Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun 12N-5PM.

Georgetown:

Not so long ago, it looked as though Georgetown was losing its
pre-eminence as a bookstore center but that has changed, as landlords
have lowered their rents.  Where else outside Paris would you find four
stores of the caliber of Ansari and Jung, Booked Up, Bartlebys and
Logic and Literature within two blocks?  With two large chains, a
first-class independent new bookstore in Bridge Street Books and
several other used bookstores, most tastes are catered for.  To get to
Georgetown can be tricky.  Parking is difficult and there is no subway.
(The nearest is at Foggy Bottom.  You can walk from it on a nice day
but it is 7-10 blocks away--turn left out of the subway and then left
onto Pennsylvania Avenue at Washington Circle.)

Ansari and Jung (1066 31st St NW one block south of M, Washington DC
	20037, 202-965-4353, FAX 965-4360).  Very high quality
	second-hand bookstore.  Apart from a collection of children's
	books, most of the books are at least 25 years old and, in many
	cases, much older but are still reasonably priced.  Stock in
	philosophy, literature, Americana, travel, children's, history,
	biography.  Open Sun-Mon, Wed-Thu 12N-8PM; Fri-Sat 12N-10PM.
Barnes and Noble (M Street at Thomas Jefferson between btwn and 31st,
	Georgetown).  New store which opened November 1995.
Bartlebys Books (3034 M St NW at Jefferson, second floor, Washington DC
	20007, 202-298-0486).  After moving around over the past few
	years, Bartlebys has settled, at least for now, at this location.
	It is on the second floor so you have to look out for it but is
	well worth it.  A high-quality used book store with a superb
	stock of Americana, including pre-20th century US history and
	regional Americana; also economics, art, literature, particularly
	foreign literature in English translation.  Open Tue-Sat 10AM-3PM.
Booked Up (1204 31st St NW one block north of M, Washington DC 20007,
	202-965-3244).  High-quality and high-priced antiquarian bookstore.
	Since Wayward Books moved to Maine, the only DC bookstore
	part-owned by a famous writer (Larry McMurtry of "Lonesome Dove"
	fame).  Open Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM, Sat 10AM-12:30PM.
Bridge Street Books (2814 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20007,
	202-347-4590).  Good general new books.  Open Mon-Thu 10AM-7PM,
	Fri-Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 1PM-6PM.
Georgetown University Leavey Center Bookshop (3800 Reservoir Rd NW,
	Washington DC 20057, 202-687-7482, FAX 202-687-7925).  University-
	oriented books.  Georgetown University is to the northwest of
	Georgetown, well away from the center and Reservoir Road is the
	northern end of the University.  There is a separate law bookstore
	at 600 New Jersey Avenue (202-662-9458, FAX 202-662-9472), which is
	the other side of town, near the Capitol and a separate medical
	bookstore at 3900 Reservoir Road (202-687-1268, FAX 202-687-3186).
	Open Mon-Fri 9AM-8PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-5PM.
Kinsey Marable & Co. (1525 Wisconsin Ave NW opposite Volta Pl four blocks
	north of M, Washington DC 20007, 202-337-3460).  Books (and
	bookcases) for people who buy books to impress the neighbors rather
	than to read them.  High-price coffee-table books, fancy bindings,
	etc.
Lantern Bryn Mawr (3160 O St NW one block off to the right of Wisconsin,
	Washington DC 20007, 202-333-3222).  The bookstore of Bryn Mawr
	alumna but surprisingly good for a charity store.  Open Mon-Fri
	11AM-4PM, Sat 11AM-5PM, Sun 12N-4PM.
Logic and Literature (1209 31st St NW one block north of M, Washington DC
	20007, 202-625-1668 ).  Used and rare books.  "The best used science
	book selection I have ever seen, bar none.  Excellent selection of
	history and classical literature.  Some selection in other topics,
	but owner Candee Harris deliberately emphasizes just what the name
	of the store would suggest."  Open Mon-Tue 11AM-5:30PM, Wed-Sat
	11AM-6PM, but don't expect her to always arrive punctually at 11AM.
	These hours tend to move to 12/12:30 opening in winter.
Old Forest Bookshop (3145 Dumbarton NW a couple of blocks north of M, on the
	right of Wisconsin, Washington DC 20007, 202-965-3842).  Named after
	the Peter Taylor novel.  Formerly in Bethesda.  Good general used
	book store.  Open Tue-Sat 11AM-7PM, Sun-Mon 12N-6PM.
Olsson's Books & Records (1239 Wisconsin Ave NW one block north of M,
	Washington DC 20036, 202-338-9544, FAX 202-342-2342; other
	stores at Dupont Circle, Metro Center, Alexandria, and Bethesda;
	mail order 202-337-8084, FAX 202-342-1320).  Good selection,
	including some hard-to-find books.  Also a music store.  Will
	order from Books in Print, and, at the Georgetown store, British
	Books in Print.  Also a music store; mainly classical.  One poster
	says, "Not all that great, but okay.  Given the hype, I was
	disappointed.  They are also more expensive than Borders on most
	things.  Music prices are just plain outrageous, though they do
	sometimes have harder to find labels."  [I definitely concur,
	especially on the over-pricing.]  But another replies, "I really
	think your review is too hard on Olsson's.  Try thinking of
	Olsson's on Wisconsin Ave. as a Georgetown University student
	bookstore, where you might find future presidents filling their
	minds with trendy policy wonk literature, when they aren't running
	for student body president.  Seriously, Olsson's does best by its
	academic offerings--most of my real treasures in the arena of
	political philosoph once in a while but it isn't as much fun
	finding it.  I've long since outgrown Olsson's military affairs
	fare.  Juvenile stuff, lots of illustrated picture books with the
	aircraft.  The emphasis of Olsson's shelves on the flashier
	aspects of militaria--and spycraft--is, quite frankly, a bore.
	But that should not negate the excellence of some of Olsson's
	offerings in political history, political philosophy, and
	(sometimes) international studies/regional studies.  This store
	marches to the beat of a different drum.  Please keep in mind that
	I am a Georgetown alumnus, and will admit to some degree of bias.
	Olsson's in Georgetown is still really a dumpy, overcrowded
	store, like Sidney Kramer's used to be before he moved to I
	Street."  Open Mon-Thu 10AM-10:45PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-12M, Sun 12N-7PM.
Rock Creek (1214 Wisconsin Ave NW one block north of M, Washington DC
	20007, 202-342-8046).  Book quality is good--used books, with a
	strong emphasis on history but beware.  The owner chain smokes and
	the store and books smell accordingly.  "Open: anybody's guess.
	They have no official opening hours and I have only found them open
	once in four years."
Yes! Bookshop (1035 31st St NW one block south of M, Washington DC 20007,
	800-YES-1516 or 202-338-7874, FAX 202-338-8150).  New books in the
	field of new age, health, environment, etc.  Open Mon-Thu
	10AM-7:30PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 12N-7PM

North of the city:

Alphaville (5612 B Connecticut Ave, Washington DC 20015, 202-363-2775).
	Just south of the MD State line at Chevy Chase Circle, near the
	Avalon cinema.  Good general used book store.  Open Mon-Thu
	11AM-8PM, Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-5PM.
Book Market (2603 Connecticut Ave NW just south of the zoo, Washington DC
	20008, 202-332-2310).  Used books, in varied fields, somewhat
	scattered around the store.  Open Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat
	11AM-12M.
Cheshire Cat Bookstore (5512 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20015,
	202-244-3956).  Good quality new childrens books.  Open Mon-Sat
	10AM-6PM, Sun 1PM-5PM.
Cleveland Park Bookshop (3416 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20016,
	202-363-1112, FAX 202-362-9264).  Near the Cleveland Park subway
	stop.  Good quality new books of a literary bent.  Open Mon-Sat
	10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-6PM.
National Zoo (30001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008, 202-673-4967,
	FAX 202-673-4738).  New books about animals.  Open 9AM-6PM seven
	days a week.
Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Ave NW at Nevada, Washington DC 20008,
	800-722-0790 or 202-364-1919, FAX 202-966-7532).  A full-service
	bookstore.  Recent fiction and current affairs, politics.  Often
	has authors speaking.  Open Sun-Thu 9AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 9AM-12M.
Pyramid Bookstore (2849 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC 20001, 202-328-0190,
	or 202-265-6921).  Near Howard University.  New books of
	African-American interest.  Open 11AM-7PM seven days a week.
University of the District of Columbia Bookstore (4200 Connecticut Ave NW,
	Washington DC 20008, 202-282-7447).  University-oriented books.
	Open Mon, Thu, Fri 9AM-4PM; Tue-Wed 9AM-6PM.
Yesterdays Books (4702 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20016, 202-363-0581).
	General used books of varying quality and fairly low prices.  They
	claim that this is Michael Jackson's favorite DC bookstore, which
	is further proof of Michaels lack of taste.  Open Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM,
	Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 1PM-7PM.

Smithsonian/Capitol:

Bookworks/Washington Projects for the Arts (400 7th St NW, Washington DC
	20004, 202-347-4590, FAX 202-347-8393).  Located in a basement.
	Has good books on modern art, literature and the like.  Open Tue-Sat
	11AM-6PM.
Capitol Hill Books (657 C St SE, Washington DC 20003, 202-544-1621).
	Used books, especially classics and history.  Open Mon-Fri 11AM-7PM,
	Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM.
Folger Shakespeare Library Shop (201 E Capitol St SE, Washington DC 20003,
	202-544-4600 or 202-544-4623).  New books on Shakespeare and
	Elizabethan England.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM.
Fords Theatre Museum Bookshop (511 Tenth St NW, Washington DC 20004,
	202-426-0179).  Fords Theatre is the theater where Lincoln was
	assassinated and is currently managed by the National Park Service.
	The bookstore carries books on Lincoln, the assassination and the
	Civil War.  Open 9AM-5PM seven days a week.
Freer Gallery of Art Museum Shop (Jefferson Drive at 12th St SW, Washington
	DC 20560, 202-357-2700).  A lovely gallery, containing both a fine
	collection of Oriental art and a fine collection of American art,
	with lots of Whistler.  The bookstore has books on these topics.
	Open 10AM-5:30PM seven days a week.
Great Train Store (Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave, Washington DC 20002,
	202-371-2881).  Books and stuff relating to railroads.  Located
	inside Union Station.  Open Mon-Fri 8AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun
	12N-6PM.
National Air and Space Museum Bookshop, Independence Avenue at 6th St NW,
	Washington DC 20560, 202-357-1387).  New books on air and space
	topics in the nation's most-visited museum.  Open 10AM-6:30PM
	seven days a week.
National Archives Museum Store (Constitution Avenue btwn 7th & 9th),
	Washington DC 20408, 202-501-5235).  New books on US history,
	politics, archives.  Open 10AM-9PM seven daya a week April-Labor
	Day, 10AM-5:30PM seven days a week Labor Day-March 31.
National Gallery of Art Bookstore (Constitution Avenue at 6th NW, Washington
	DC 20565, 202-842-6466, FAX 202-842-4043).  New books on art.  Open
	Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-6PM.
National Museum of African Art (950 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC
	20560, 202-257-4600).  New books on Africa and African art.  Open
	10AM-5:30PM seven days a week.
National Museum of American Art (8th & G Streets NW, Washington DC 20560,
	202-357-1545).  New books on American art.  Open 10AM-5:30PM seven
	days a week.
National Museum of American History (Constitution Ave at 14th St NW,
	Washington DC 20560, 202-357-1527).  New books in the field of
	American history.  Open 10AM-5:30PM seven days a week.
National Museum of Natural History (10th and Constitution Ave NW,
	Washington DC 20560, 202-357-1536).  New books on natural
	history (including dinosaurs).  Open 10AM-5:30PM seven days a
	week.
National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave NW, Washington DC
	20005, 202-783-5000).  New books on art created by women and women
	in the arts.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 12N-5PM.
National Portrait Gallery (8th and G NW, Washington DC 20560, 202-357-1447).
	New art books.  Open 10AM-5:15PM seven days a week.
Olsson's (1200 F St NW, Washington DC 20041, 202-347-3686).  By Metro Center
	subway.  See main entry under Georgetown.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM,
	Sun 12N-6PM.
Reprint Bookstore (456 LEnfant Plaza SW, Washington DC 20024, 202-554-5070).
	An independent, new book store, with a good tradition of service
	and a good stock of books of local interest and, of course,
	politics.  Open Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Shop (950 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC
	20560, 202-357-4880).  It's a lovely gallery (Oriental art) and the
	bookstore sells books to match.  Open 10AM-5:30PM seven days a week.
The Trover Shop (221 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC 20003, 202-453-8006,
	FAX 202-547-5584).  A long, narrow store, a block from the Capitol,
	densely packed with everything a policy wonk needs: out-of-town
	newspapers, political tracts, directories of lobbyists, Grisham-type
	fiction, etc.  The famous or infamous Democratic Leadership Council
	has its offices just above the Trover Shop.  Open Mon-Fri 7AM-9PM,
	Sat 7AM-7PM, Sun 7AM-3PM.
U. S. Government Printing Office Bookstore (710 N Capitol St NW, Washington
	DC 20401, 202-512-0132, FAX 202-512-1355).  "Did you know that the
	U. S. Government Printing Office operates 24 bookstores across the
	country? ...and that they have some of the most >ahem< unusual and
	interesting things you'll find anywhere?"  Open Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Store (100 Raoul Wallenberg Place
	SW, Washington, DC 20024-2150, 202-488-0419 and 202-488-0455, FAX
	202-488-2606, http://www.ushmm.org).  Near the Independence Avenue
	exit of the Smithsonian (Orange/Blue Line) subway stop.  Open daily
	except Yom Kippur and Christmas 10AM-5:20PM.

White House:

American Institute of Architects (1735 New York Ave NW, Washington DC 20006,
	202-626-7475, FAX 202-626-7420.  New books on architecture, design,
	etc.  Open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-5PM.
B. Dalton (1776 K St NW, Washington DC 20006, 202-872-0863, FAX
	202-457-0599).  Fairly large, standard chain, new books.  Open
	Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat 12N-6PM.
Franz Bader (1911 I St NW, Washington DC 20006, 202-337-5440).  Near
	Farragut West subway station (18th St exit).  Good-quality books in
	the field of art and design.  Note that the address is the letter I
	and not the number 1.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM.
Borders Books & Music (1801 K Street NW, Washington DC 20006, 202-466-4999).
	On the corner of 18 & L, notwithstanding the address.  A very large
	branch of Borders with more than 100,000 book titles, 50,000 music
	titles, and a pretty good espresso bar.  The staff is newly hired
	and still learning how to use the computer system, but the selection
	of books is probably the most diverse in the District.  Open Mon-Sat
	9AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-6PM.
Chapters Literary Bookstore (1572 K St NW, Washington DC 20005,
	202-347-5495).  Near McPherson Square subway station.  "Robin and
	Terry and their staff really know and love books and are
	extraordinarily helpful.  Yes, the stock has a primarily literary
	bent but they will recommend and/or get what you want.  They also
	have a frequent buyer plan.  Regular book buyers should shop here."
	Open Mon-Fri 10AM-6:30PM, Sat 11AM-5PM.
George Washington University Bookstore (Marvin Center, 800 21st St NW,
	Washington DC 20052, 202-994-6870).  University-oriented books.
	Open during the school year Mon-Thu 9AM-7PM, Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat
	11AM-4PM.
Health Source Bookstore (1404 K St NW, Washington DC 20005, 800-713-7122 or
	202-789-7303, FAX 202-789-7899, healthsource@appi.org,
	http://www.appi.org/healthsource).  New books on health topics.
	Open Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 11AM-5PM.
The Map Store Inc. (1636 Eye St NW, Washington DC 20006, 202-628-2610, FAX
	202-783-0346).  Located by the 17th St. exit to Farragut West subway
	station and on the south side of Farragut Square.  An excellent
	source of maps, travel guides, etc.  Open Mon-Fri 9AM-5:30PM, Sat
	10AM-4PM.
Reiter's Scientific and Technical Bookstore 92021 K St NW, Washington DC
	20006, 800-537-4314 or 202-223-3327, FAX 202-296-9103,
	books@reiters.com).  They have a very broad stock of technical books
	and are also willing to do phone and mail order worldwide.  Open
	Mon-Fri 9AM-7:30PM, Sat 9:30AM-6PM, Sun 12N-5PM.
Sidney Kramer Books (1825 I St NW, Washington DC 20006, 800-423-2665 or
	202-293-2685, FAX 301-881-1930).  Just by the 18th St exit of
	Farragut West subway station.  "Sidney Kramer's offerings in foreign
	policy/affairs, economics/monetary policy, and military affairs are
	the best in the District.  The competition is tougher nowadays, and
	some of the prices are astronomical.  No, I take that back--ALL--the
	prices are astronomical. [Someone notes that these are the regular
	retail prices for these books, so don't blame Sidney.  -ecl] That's
	just the price Sidney makes you pay to be the only kid on your block
	to own the London Institute for Strategic Studies annual edition of
	THE MILITARY BALANCE.  I would be a pauper if I went there once a
	week.  My lowest bill has been sixty bucks, and I blew $120 the
	other day on THE MILITARY BALANCE and an interesting book on
	"nonprovocative defense".  But Sidney keeps his shelves squared
	away--his offerings are state-of-the- nation, cutting edge stuff.  I
	bought my copy of Freddy Brown's _Army in Transition II_ there.  It
	is not a place for last year's policy wonks, or works of simple,
	historical value.  If you want history, you're better off joining
	the History Book Club than buying from Sidney.  His military history
	section is, however, superb.  The Pentagon Book Store (yes--IN the
	Pentagon) is his only competition in this area.  Political, topical
	history, not so great (You can probably find what you're looking for
	at either Olsson's or Borders).  This is a complaint--as magnificent
	as Sidney Kramer books is in international relations, etc., his
	journal offerings are terribly inadequate ... you'd be better off at
	Barnes and Noble's.  This is really sad, because what Washington
	REALLY needs is to get more international periodicals on its
	shelves--the kind of offering you would find at every dirty train
	station bookstore in Europe.  Reading DER SPIEGEL or THE ECONOMIST
	once a week (for five bucks a pop) is not a 'good enough' solution
	for Americans trying to observe the rest of the planet from the
	shores of the Potomac."  Open Mon-Fri 9AM-6:30PM, Sat 10AM-5PM.
U. S. Government Printing Office Bookstore (1510 H St NW, Washington DC
	20065, 202-653-5675, FAX 202-375-5055).  "Did you know that the
	U. S. Government Printing Office operates 24 bookstores across the
	country? ...and that they have some of the most >ahem< unusual and
	interesting things you'll find anywhere?"  Open Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM.
Waldenbooks (1700 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20007, 202-393-1490).
	By the White House.  As they took over from Globe, they have kept
	Globe's foreign-language orientation and may be the best general
	foreign-language bookstore in DC since the demise of the Modern
	Language Bookstore.  Open Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-6PM.
Washington Law Book Company (1900 G St NW, Washington DC 20006,
	202-371-6667, FAX 202-289-6203).  New and used law books.  Open
	Mon-Fri 9:30AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-5PM.
World Bank Bookstore (701 18th St NW, Washington DC 20433, 202-473-2941,
	FAX 202-477-0604 (for orders 202-676-0581).  New books published
	by the World Bank in the field of finance, development, economics,
	environment, etc.  Open Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM.

============================================================================
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Virginia:

Though Fairfax County is one of the richest and most educated counties
in the United States, the quality of bookstores in the county is very
low.  You'll do much better in DC or MD, though Arlington and Alexandria
have a few good stores.  Note that the city designations used here are
those defined by the US Post Office.  These do not conform to the
boundaries of the local jurisdictions.  Thus, several of the stores
mentioned as being in Alexandria are in Fairfax County and not in the
City of Alexandria.  The same applies to Falls Church, Fairfax,
Manassas and Vienna.  Note that, unless you have lived in the area for
at least twenty years, you are certain to get lost.

Alexandria:

Air Land and Sea (1215 King west of Washington, Alexandria VA 22314,
	703-684-5118).  New and used aeronautical, nautical, and military
	books, prints (and collectibles, and other knickknacks).  Open
	Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat-Sun 9AM-5PM.
Blue and Gray Books and Prints (210 King, second floor, Alexandria VA
	22314, 703-739-9849).  A Civil War bookstore.  Open Sun-Thu
	12N-6PM, Fri-Sat 12N-9PM.
Book Rack (7001 J Manchester Blvd, Alexandria VA 22310, 703-780-2325).
	Used bookstore, mainly paperback.  Open Mon-Thu 11AM-7PM, Fri-Sat
	10AM-6PM, Sun 12N-5PM.
Book Stop (3640A King, Alexandria VA 22302, 703-578-3292).  At the back of
	the Bradlee shopping mall and near the Route 395 intersection.  A
	good general used book store Open Mon-Wed, Fri 12N-6PM; Sat
	11AM-6PM.
Colusa Books (5741 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria VA 22303, 703-960-4685).  Three
	blocks south of Beltway, exit 2, on the left in the small mall past
	the Pearl art store.  Good general used bookstore with specific
	emphasis on history (from all over the world.)  Open Mon-Fri
	9AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6PM.
From Out of the Past (703-768-7827).  "Eclectic mix of books, sometimes
	overpriced badly IMHO, but *the* place in Washington to buy
	things like old Life magazines.  They currently have no store but
	hope to get one in 1996.  They are running a mail order business
	and you can call them.
Gilpin House (208 King, Alexandria VA 22314, 703-549-1880).  General new
	books and gifts.  Open Mon-Thu 9AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 9AM-11PM.
Hearthstone Bookshop (5735-A Telegraph Rd, Alexandria VA 22303,
	703-960-0086).  In the same mall as Colusa (see above).  New books
	in the field of genealogy and local history.  If this is your
	field, a fascinating store, carrying many unusual books about
	local history, with emphasis on Virginia local history but much on
	other states, particularly those in the East.  Also CD-ROMs of
	marriage and census records.  Open Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 10AM-5PM.
Kay's Bookshelf (8727-D Cooper Rd, Alexandria VA 22309, 703-360-3202).
	General used books, mainly paperback.  Open Mon, Wed, Fri 10AM-8PM;
	Tue, Thu 10AM-6PM; Sat 10AM-5PM; Sun 12N-5PM.
A Likely Story (1555 King west of Washington, Alexandria VA,
	703-836-2498).  A good children's bookstore.  Open Mon-Sat
	10AM-6PM, Sun 1PM-5PM.
Olsson's Books and Records (106 S Union, Alexandria VA 22314, 703-684-0077).
	For description, see main entry under Washington DC, Georgetown.
	Open Mon-Thu 10AM-10AM, Fri-Sat 10AM-12M, Sun 11AM-6PM.
One Good Tern (1710 Fern, Alexandria VA 22302, 800-432-8376 or
	703-820-8376).  New books on nature and the environment as well as
	nature and bird paraphernalia.  Open Mon, Wed, Fri 10AM-6PM;
	Tue, Thu 10AM-8PM; Sat 9AM-6PM; Sun 12N-5PM.
Ptak Science Books (810 N Fairfax, Alexandria VA 22314, 703-683-6837, FAX
	703-684-6843, JFPtak@access.digex.net).  One block west of the river
	and 8 blocks north of King St.  Used and antiquarian science books
	and maps.  Open Wed-Sat 12N-5PM.
Super Crown (550 King, Alexandria VA 22314).  Discount superstore.
Voyages Books and Art (209 Madison Ave, Alexandria VA 22304, 703-739-2484).
	"They are in the Washington Antiques Center (at the back) at Madison
	and North Fairfax.  Relatively small stock of used and antiquarian
	books.  Despite the name I found very few travel books but a more
	general stock."  Open 11AM-6PM seven days a week.

Arlington:

Book Ends (2710 Washington Blvd, Arlington VA 22201, 703-524-4976).  A good
	general used book store.  Note that they do not take credit cards.
	Open Fri-Mon 12N-6PM.
Bookhouse (805 N Emerson, Arlington VA 22205, 703-527-7797).  Off Wilson
	Blvd by Safeway and a couple of blocks from George Mason.  The store
	is in a private house.  High-quality used and rare book store.  Open
	Tue-Sun 12N-6PM.

Burke:

Burke Center Used Books & Comics (5741 Burke Center Parkway, Burke VA 22015,
	703-250-5114).  A hundred yards east of 123/Ox Road.  They have both
	hard and paperbacks, some role-playing game books, a lot of
	comic/serious T-shirts and posters.  There is also a sports card
	shop inside.  Open 10AM-8PM seven days a week.

Centreville:

McKay's Used Books (14114 Lee Highway, Centreville VA 22020,
	703-830-4048).  In the Newgate Shopping Center.  They have some
	hard backs, mostly paperbacks.  Also sell used CDs.  No new
	books.  Starting to get into used video tapes, too.  Open Mon-Sat
	9AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.

Fairfax:

Book Nook (10312 Main, Fairfax VA 22030, 703-591-6545).  On Route 236,
	near Pfalzgraff just before (if you are traveling east) you
	enter Fairfax City.  Good new childrens bookstore.  Open Mon-wed,
	Fri 10AM-6PM; Thu 10AM-8PM.

Falls Church:

Aladdins Lamp (126 W Broad, Falls Church VA 22046, 703-241-8281).  Near
	the intersection with Washington St.  New childrens books.  Open
	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10AM-6PM; Tue, Thu 10AM-8PM; longer near
	Christmas.
Hole in the Wall (905 W Broad, Falls Church VA 22046, 703-536-2511).  It's
	in a private house on the left (as you going towards Tysons Corner).
	SF, fantasy, and strange odds and ends.  They also have a location
	in Manassas, VA Open Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6PM.
Mike's Books (5618 Columbia Pike, Falls Church VA 22041, 703-820-5050).  In
	a small mall behind Bailey's Crossroads, on the left just past
	Circuit City (if you are traveling east).  Look for the Craven Tire
	sign.  This may well be the name of the store (at least according
	to owner Mike Hardisty) but the sign on the door says Mike's TV, as
	Mike is primarily a TV and stereo repair guy.  He decided to use
	some spare space to get rid of his surplus books and the bookstore
	idea blossomed from there.  Though the stock is small and you will
	have to climb over old TVs to see it, it is surprisingly good and
	pretty cheap.  Good on history, particularly Civil War and WWII
	(Mike's heroes are Sherman and Patton) but used books in other
	areas as well.  Open Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-2PM.

Herndon:

Virginia Technical Books (131 Elden, Suite 100A, Herndon VA, 800-266-7080 or
	703-709-7080, FAX 703-709-7082, vtbooks@aol.com).  A full-service
	book store specializing in the technical fields, including
	telecommunications, computers, engineering, mathematics, physics,
	science and business and management.

Manassas:

Richard McKay Used Books (8079 Sudley Rd, Manassas VA 22110, 703-361-9042).
	Five stoplights down from I-66 in the Westgate Shopping Center (on
	the left), by CVS and Giant.  Mainly paperback and cheap hardback
	used books.  Open Mon-Sat 9AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.
RW Books (8657 Sudley Rd, Manassas VA 22110, 703-257-7895).  In Canterbury
	Hills shopping mall, opposite Prince William Hospital, three miles
	south of I-66.  General used bookstore, including history, Civil
	War, fiction (quite a few old novels).  Reasonable prices.  Open
	Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Fri 10AM-9PM, Sun 12N-6PM.

The Manassas National Battlefield Site at Sudley has a good stock of
new books on the Civil War, particularly on the two battles of
Manassas/Bull Run.

McLean:

Old Book Co. of McLean (6829 Redmond Dr, McLean VA 22101) 703-734-0858, FAX
	703-734-0885).  From Route 123, turn right onto Old Dominion and
	right onto Beverly.  Store is in row of shops on left.  Good-quality
	general used book store, with good stock on Americana, things
	English, spy stuff.  Open Mon-Sat 11AM-8PM, Sun 1PM-6PM.

Reston:

Reston's Used Book Shop (1623 Washington Plaza, Reston VA 22090,
	703-435-9772).  From Reston Parkway, right onto Baron Cameron (660),
	right on Village Road, left on Northshore, immediate right into Lake
	Anne Parking Area.  General used stock, reasonable prices.  Open
	Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 12N-5PM.

Springfield:

Jeff's Baseball Corner (5222 Port Royal Rd, Springfield VA 22150,
	703-321-9209, FAX 703-321-8881).  "Specializing in out-of-print
	sports books, periodicals, magazines, memorabilia" per the ad in
	the phone book.  Open Mon-Fri 10AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 12N-5PM.

Vienna:

Borders (Tyson's Square, 8311 Leesburg Pike, Vienna VA 22182, 703-556-7766).
	Just beyond Tysons on Route 7 (going east), on the left.  Even
	bigger than the Bethesda store.  Coffee shop.  Open Mon-Thu
	9AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 9AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.

Warrenton:

BJ's Books (Waterloo Station, 381 W Shirley Ave, Warrenton VA,
	703-347-4111).  On Business 29 on the west of the city, just after
	where 211 West turns off Business 29.  Basic used boosktore,
	primarily paperback, but cheap prices.  Also sells comics, baseball
	cards.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 12N-5PM.

============================================================================
------------------------------

Maryland:

Better than Virginia, particularly Bethesda, though Wonder Books in
Frederick is probably the largest used bookstore in the area.

Bethesda:

Book Cellar (8227 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda MD 20814, 301-654-1898).  At the
	far end of Woodmont (i.e. away from the subway) on the right
	opposite the parking garage.  Forget the pun.  They really are down
	in a basement.  A fairly cheap second hand book store.  Open Wed-Mon
	11AM-6PM.
Georgetown Book Shop (7770 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda MD 20814, 301-907-6923).
	By the Montgomery County Parking Facility, where you can park free
	at the weekend.  They used to be in Georgetown but kept the name
	when they moved.  Good general used book store, with a good stock of
	books on history (particularly US and Russian) and baseball.  Open
	10AM-6PM seven days a week.
Mystery Bookshop (7700 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda MD 20814, 800-572-8533 or
	301-657-2665).  New mystery books.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun
	12N-5PM.
Olsson's (7647 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda MD 20814, 301-652-3336).
	Near the intersection with Woodmont and opposite the Mystery
	Bookshop.  For description, see main entry under Washington DC,
	Georgetown.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-7PM.
Second Story Books (4836 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda MD 20814, 301-656-0170).
	Opposite Giant.  For description see entry under Washington DC,
	Dupont Circle.  Open 10AM-10PM seven days a week.
Travel Books (4931 Cordell Ave, Bethesda MD 20814, 800-220-2665 or
	301-951-8533, FAX 301-951-9546).  Good selection of travel and
	language learning books.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 12N-5PM.

College Park:

Maryland Book Exchange (4500 College Park, College Park MD 20740,
	301-927-2510).  An above-average technical/university bookstore with
	some used books.  Every ten years they have a half-price book sale
	(that's right, new books half-price) but, unfortunately, the last
	one was in 1994 so you'll have a long wait till the next one.  Open
	Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 12N-5PM, closed Sun in summer.

Frederick:

Wonder Books & Video (1306 W Patrick (Route 40 W), Frederick MD 21702,
	301-694-5955).  "A large used bookstore that I've always found well
	worth searching."  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 12N-10PM.

Gaithersburg (exits 8-11 from I-270):

A-Z Used Books (Festival Shopping Center, 373 Muddy Branch Rd Gaithersburg
	MD 20878, 301-590-0022).  Exit 9B from Route 270, right on Diamond
	Back, right to Muddy Branch, store on right by entrance.  General
	used book store of below-average quality and prices.  Open Mon-Fri
	10:30AM-8PM, Sat 10:30AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-5PM.
Battle Books (18770-B, N Frederick Rd, Gaithersburg MD 20879, 301-963-2929).
	Same directions as Olde Soldier (below); located at the back of the
	Olde Soldier store.  Books on WWII and Vietnam War.  Open Mon-Sat
	9AM-3PM.
Book Alcove (15976 Shady Grove Rd, Gaithersburg MD 20877, 301-977-9166).
	Exit 8 from Route 270, Shady Grove Road east.  At second light, turn
	left at Gaither Road into shopping mall.  Book Alcove is at the back
	of the mall at the far side.  A fairly cheap secondhand book store.
	A large selection at excellent prices.  Many technical books.
	Better (and bigger) than the Rockville store.  Open Mon-Fri
	10AM-9PM, Sat 9:30AM-9PM, Sun 12N-6PM.
Olde Soldier Books, Inc. (18770-B, N Frederick Rd, Gaithersburg MD 20879,
	301-963-2929).  Exit 11 from Route 270, left onto 355 (Frederick
	Road).  Go just over a mile (past Hechinger and the Gazette
	newspapers) and turn right at the bottom of the hill onto Game
	Preserve Road.  Take first right and then first left.  Store is in
	the warehouses.  They have a superb collection of Civil War books,
	including some very rare material.  Not cheap but if you have to
	have it, it's worth going.  They also publish.  Open Mon-Sat
	9AM-3PM.

Kensington:

All Books Considered (3776 Howard Ave, Kensington MD 20795, 301-589-2157).
	Just off Connecticut Ave (I-185).  Philosophy and related subjects.
	Though it is small, it is well worth a visit if you are interested
	in philosophy.  On the Kensington Antique Row.  Open Mon-Fri
	11AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 12N-5PM.
All Books Considered (3786 Howard Ave, Kensington MD 20795, 301-942-0137).
	Just off Connecticut Ave (I-185).  General used books but strong on
	books on antiques and collectibles.  Open Mon-Sat 11AM-5:30PM, Sun
	12N-5:30PM.
Borders (11301 Rockville Pike in White Flint Mall, Kensington MD 20895,
	301-816-1067, FAX 301-816-8940.  The best.  Aside from having a huge
	selection, it has employees who actually know something about books.
	Pricey, but a great place to hang out.  Coffee shop.  Open Mon-Sat
	9AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-8PM.

Rockville:

Book Alcove (706H Rockville Pike two blocks south of Viers Mill Road,
	Rockville MD 20852, 301-309-1231).  Not quite as large a selection
	as their other store.  Not as many technical books either.  Open
	Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat 9:30AM-9PM, Sun 12N-6PM.
Victor Kamkin (4956 Bolling Brook Pkwy, Rockville MD 20852, 301-881-5973,
	FAX 301-881-1637).  This is in what looks like a warehouse at the
	back of the shopping center.  Apparently the largest Russian book
	store outside the former Soviet Union.  Most of the books are in
	Russian but they do have translations of Russian books as well as
	some great art books.  Open Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM.
Leaf Through (1701L Congressional Plaza, Rockville Pike, Rockville MD,
	301-230-8998).  Going North on Rockville Pike (away from White
	Flint), it is on the left just past Twinbrook.  Leaf Through is in
	the smaller of the two malls here (i.e., the one that Tower is not
	in), near Danker's furniture store.  Not far from Twinbrook subway.
	General used bookstore.  Nothing exciting here--the emphasis is on
	paperbacks and cheap hardbacks--but prices are reasonable.  Open
	Tue, Wed, Fri 10AM-7PM; Thu 10AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 12N-5PM.
Second Story Books (12160 Parklawn Drive, Rockville MD 20852, 301-770-0477).
	Take Rockville Pike north and make a right onto Randolph Road. Left
	onto Parklawn, pass first stoplight, its the ugly warehouse
	building on the left.  (It's also near the last stop on the red
	line.)  The discount/warehouse part of the operation.  For main
	entry see under Washington DC, Dupont Circle.  Open Sun-Thu
	10AM-7PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-9PM.

Silver Spring:

Imagination Books (946 Sligo Ave, Silver Spring MD 20910, 301-589-2223).
	Off Georgia Ave at the far (southern) end of Silver Spring.
	Deceptively small used book store but it keeps going back when you
	get in.  Quality is high, the stock is varied and prices
	reasonable.  Open Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-4PM.
Silver Spring Books (938 Bonifant, Silver Spring MD 20910, 301-587-7484).
	Some of the people who used to be Imagination formed this store, so
	you have several bookstores in one.  Good quality mix of used books.
	Open Mon, Thu, Sat 10:30AM-6:30PM; Sun 10:30AM-5PM.
Tales Retold (939 Bonifant, Silver Spring MD 20910, 301-588-1933).  Decent
	SF and horror and assorted stuff (and the owner's a great lady).
	Open Mon-Sat 11AM-6PM, Sun 1PM-4PM.

Wheaton:

Abe's Jewish Book and Gift Store (11252 Georgia Ave in the Wheaton Triangle
	Mall, Wheaton MD 20902, 301-942-2237).  Also known as the Jewish
	Bookstore of Greater Washington.  Judaica.  Proprietors: Joshua &
	Menachem Youlus.  "If it's Jewish, we have it."  "They're a
	delightful father/son team who have been in the same location for
	many, many years and have filled a double-store front area with
	about every imaginable title covering all corners of Judaica.  They
	also stock quite a wide array of gifts, and Jewish novelty items.
	I'd love to see them get as many customers as their fine and
	complete inventory deserves!"  Open Mon-Thu 10AM-7PM, Fri 10AM-3PM,
	Sun 10AM-5PM.
Bonifant Books (11240 Georgia Ave by University Blvd, Wheaton MD 20902,
	301-946-1526).  Good used books at decent prices.  "Big store, good
	books.  Vinyl too."  Open Mon-Fri 10AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun
	11AM-6PM.

============================================================================
------------------------------

The following may have disappeared:

Lisbon's Hebrew Books & Gifts (2305 University Blvd., West, Wheaton MD
	20902, 301-933-1800, FAX 301-933-7466).  Fine collection of Jewish
	books and Judaica (invitations, yarmulkes, supplies, etc.).
	"Happily does mail order world-wide.  Nice people!"

Museums and other institutions (zoo, Kennedy Center, World Bank,
American Institute of Architects, US Government Printing Office, etc.)
usually have pretty good bookstores on their subjects.  You can often
get discounts with Smithsonian or similar membership.

Bookfairs

There are lots of book fairs and sales, with many public libraries
holding regular sales.  Check the What's Doing section in the Weekend
section of Friday's Washington Post.  The following are some of the
regular annual ones:

Association of American Foreign Service Women Book Fair.  Held in the
State Department in the middle of October.  Used to be during the week
but now on two consecutive weekends.  Books are, well, State Department
books.  Big on politics, history, foreign.

Goodwill.  Currently held in mid-November in the Convention Center.
Big and cheap.

Stone Ridge.  Held in the Stone Ridge School, at 9101 Rockville Pike,
Bethesda MD 20814, 301-657-4322.  Held early summer and very good it
is.

Vassar.  The best.  Dealers from all over the East line up two hours
before opening and then start fighting about who was first in line.
When the doors open, there is a mad dash and the dealers sweep up
everything into boxes but there is still plenty left for us.  Held in
spring.

The local stores put out "The Washington Area Antiquarian Booksellers."
Brigadoon Bay Books (P.O. Box 957724, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195)
publishes "The Book Lover's Guide to Washington D.C." which is fairly
useful (though already out of date).  In particular, it mentions which
stores are wheelchair accessible.  They also claim to publish similar
guides for Boston and Cape Cod and Chicagoland [sic].  Book Hunter
Press has published The Used Book Lovers Guide to the South Atlantic
States, covering, MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL.  Though published in
1995, it is well out of date, though they do have comments on most of
the stores.  They also publish similar guides on Pacific Coast States,
Mid-West, New England and Mid-Atlantic States. Central States is
coming.  There are annual updates so they keep up to to date.

One poster writes, "You have some good comments here but I would like
to add a few.  Firstly, the politics.  Allan Stypeck owns four branches
of Second Story books (Dupont Circle in DC, Bethesda Ave in Bethesda,
Parklawn Ave, Rockville (discount store) and Baltimore.  In my opinion,
these are excellent bookstores.  They have a good, varied, general
second-hand stock, prices are generally reasonable, turnover is fast
and they stay open long hours.  A significant amount of the other used
bookstores in the area are owned and/or run by Second Story graduates,
some of whom have nice things to say about Allan and some who do not.
On the new book front, Crown moved in some 15 years ago.  They were set
up by Robert Haft, son of Herbert Haft, owner of Dart Drug, Trak Auto,
Shoppers Food Warehouse, Total Beverage and a superb pompadour.  Crown
discounts all of its books and soon spread all over and drove out a lot
of the competition.  They also spread elsewhere, including the left
coast.  Books were marketed in the same way as bathroom tissue--quantity
not quality was the issue.  Sensing quality issues, they created Super
Crown which were bigger and, supposedly, better.  Then the Haft
family--mom, dad, two sons and a daughter had a spectacular and very
public falling out which left Haft Jr. out of Crown.  Since then Crown's
spread has slowed.  Part of the problem may be the arrival of Borders.
The first one set up near White Flint but has since moved into the
White Flint mall on Rockville Pike.  There are also stores at Tysons
Corner, VA (it's smaller than the White Flint one but still pretty
big), Bailey's Crossroads, Falls Church, VA and downtown DC at 19th and
L and more are opening.  These have further zapped the local market,
including Crown, because they are bigger and have staff who know the
difference between White Cloud and WHITE FANG.  Barnes and Noble are
also entering the market, as Crown is cuting back."


============================================================================
Copyright Notice

Information contained in this FAQ is compiled from many sources.  The
compiler accepts no responsibility for the comments contained herein.
The comments are provided "as is" with no warranty, express or implied,
for the information provided within them.

This FAQ is not to be reproduced for commercial use unless the party
reproducing the FAQ agrees to the following:

 1) They will contact the FAQ maintainer to obtain the latest version for
    their collection.
 2) They will provide the FAQ maintainer with information on what collection
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 3) They will agree, in writing, that the FAQ will be included in the
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    contributors (if any) to the FAQ remain in the FAQ.
 4) They will agree, in writing, that the collection including the FAQ will
    be distributed on either a non-profit basis, or have some percentage of
    profit donated to a non-profit literacy program.  Project Gutenberg
    counts.

To support this, this FAQ is Compilation Copyright 1996 by Evelyn C. Leeper
(the FAQ maintainer).

============================================================================

Evelyn C. Leeper | +1 908 957 2070 | eleeper@lucent.com

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Evelyn C. Leeper    |  eleeper@lucent.com
+1 908 957 2070     |  http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4824
"El sueno de la razon produce monstruos."
--caption to plate 43 of Goya's "Caprichios"
