Swap your allotted academic reading for a new or used book to curl up with in the evenings.
Whether you want to emulate an autumnal Rory Gilmore aesthetic, need an excuse to venture outside of the foggy bottom bubble, or just want to add a new endeavor to your reading list, a visit to one of DC’s local bookstores should be a must Be top priority. From Adams Morgan to Georgetown to Capitol Hill, here are some of the GW Hatchet staff’s top recommendations for cozy bookstores to browse after class.
Bridgestreet Books
Caitlin Kitson | Assistant News Editor
From tree-lined cobblestone streets to lively cafes, few neighborhoods in DC can replicate Georgetown’s quaint, fall atmosphere. So, as you breathe in the fresh fall air and stroll through the neighborhood, stop by one of the best bookstores DC has to offer – Bridge Street Books.
Established in 1980, Bridge Street Books is housed in a charming red brick building near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and M Street. With a bright, fluorescent sign in the window and rows of books on wooden shelves, Bridge Street Books welcomes visitors to browse its vast selection. From fiction to history to poetry, Bridge Street Books is sure to have the right title for every reader this fall.
2814 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 9pm, Sunday from 12pm to 9pm
Nicholas Anastacio | graphic editor
Lost City Books
Gabe Lopez | Contributing Sports Editor
Moody shadows, sprawling plants and dark wood bookcases. Those are three fall favorites and three things you can find at Lost City Books. Located in Adams Morgan, this independent bookshop sells new, used and rare texts and hosts regular author talks and book clubs.
Windows cast eerie shadows over the shelves that run from the front to the back of the store. Greenery on the windowsills and vintage furniture create the ideal autumnal setting for you to read a ghost story (they’re on the second floor near the back if you’re curious). The staff is friendly and ready to deliver you the perfect fall novel. You can’t go wrong with Lost City Books this fall.
2467 18th St. NW. Open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday from 11am to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 10pm and Sunday from 10am to 8pm
Books of the second story
Annie O’Brien | scientific Assistant
About a 15-minute walk from campus, Second Story Books is home to stacks of used books ranging in content from cooking to fiction to philosophy. With most of their holdings priced under $10, with the exception of antique editions, this store caters to those who read hard and fast.
More than other DC bookstores, Second Story pushes me to take risks with my genres, with a huge, eclectic selection of titles that many other stores lack while offering the newer releases. While I usually leave other bookstores with a historical novel or contemporary rom-com, I left Second Story with books I never expected to read, such as biographies of my favorite authors and books that offer advice on how to write give fiction. This is the bookstore for inquisitive bibliophiles looking to revitalize their reading lists with the new season.
2000 P St. NW. Open daily from 10am to 8pm
politics and prose
Abrigail Williams | Director of Community Relations
If you want to curl up with a book this fall, take a solo trip to Politics and Prose at The Wharf. Though the waterfront is best known for its summer night scene, with venues like The Anthem and Union Stage, the Strip is a great place to explore during the day. And with autumn around the corner, a stroll down The Wharf’s narrow cobblestone streets and a visit to the local bookshop could be the perfect way to welcome the season.
Stroll through the bookstore and browse the wide variety of genres, or pick up a game, stationery, or that tote bag you may have seen at another student sport on campus. The store is also known for hosting book talks and other events, so be sure to check the calendar if you plan on sitting there.
70 district square SW. Open daily from 10am to 8pm
Capitol Hill Books
Nikki Ghaemi | Contributing News Editor
Located just minutes from the Eastern Market subway station, Capitol Hill Books oozes with fall cheer and is the perfect way to while away a chilly afternoon. This cozy multi-story shop has lots of new arrivals as well as floor-to-ceiling stacks of used books full of hidden gems.
Handwritten signs with everything from genre labels to book suggestions to amusing one-liners adorn shelves throughout the store as part of this interactive experience. This store is perfect for the avid bookworm who wants to spend hours browsing through the stacks and the casual reader who wants to pick up the latest bestseller. With so many options and truly something for everyone, it’s hard to leave Capitol Hill Books empty-handed.
657 C St. SE. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturday from 9am to 8pm and Sunday from 9am to 7pm
This article appeared in the September 19, 2022 issue of Hatchet.
