"With great power, comes great responsibility." With technology, comes great sacrifice. All those iPads and Kindles come with a heavy price... the slow death of the corner book store. In fact, it's gotten so bad, that even corporate giants are either disappearing (Borders) or in the process of (Barnes & Noble.) What's a well-heeled, educated Washingtonian to do?
Luckily, there are still a few places to go for those friendly few who refuse to give up their hard covers and paperbacks. Here are some of our favorites...
Books-A-Million: 11 Dupont Circle, NW. BAM! Great location (used to be Crown Books, back in the day) this small chain has a wide selection, with a neighborhood feel. Open until 10 Monday-Thursday, 11 Friday & Saturday (Sunday until 8.)
Books for America: 1417 22nd St., NW. Open 7 days a week, Books for America is a non-profit bookstore that encourages donations and purchases. Nothing to donate? Fear not: You can still visit and buy used books, CDs, DVDs and more.
Capitol Hill Books: 657 C St., SE. Located right across the street from Eastern Market, Capitol Hill Books is literally jam-packed with used books, first editions and more across two floors. A nice spot to visit after a day of food shopping. P.S. They sell cookbooks too.
Idle Time Books: 2467 18th St., NW. Their website is ancient (2009) but it's a bookstore, right? Great alternative to dining/drinking in the heart of Adams Morgan.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe: 1517 Connecticut Ave., NW. Never been? You simply have to visit. Open 24 hours a day over the weekend (and until 1:00 AM the rest of the week) you can eat, read and take in live music morning, noon and night. If those walls could talk...
The Lantern: 3241 P St., NW. Talk about unique. Open Thursday-Sunday only, this Georgetown mainstay (since 1977) is easy to miss; but worth the trip. Buy four books, get a fifth free.
One More Page: 2200 N Westmoreland St. #101, Arlington, VA. Got a boon last year when President Obama stopped by to do some Christmas shopping; but worth a visit all year round, especially for top-notch readings and signings.
Politics and Prose: 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW. 8,000 sq. ft. of books and almost daily lectures/signings including President Bill Clinton back in 2011, and First Lady Michelle Obama earlier this year. Don't miss the cafe downstairs. Open until 10 PM Monday-Saturday, 8 PM on Sundays.
Second Story Books & Antiques: 2000 P St., NW. The quintessential used book store, I've been coming here for
