Today marks a new era in Aged Pages (brief) history. Not only will today be the first guest post of the series, but it’s also the day we’ll expand our horizons. Until now, I wanted the focus of this series to celebrate everything great about used bookstores. Why the hell not, am I right? Well, that’s going to change slightly…but for the better. I am willing to feature independent booksellers as well.
The reason: They can be great places for books as well. They may not have the smell or feel to their books like a 100 year old shelve of books could…but there is character there. Each of these stores will be just as unique as any used bookstore I’ve come across.
Think about it, we love books. Let’s support all the people who want to provide us with them.
On that note, let me introduce a brilliant author who is no stranger to A Life Among The Pages. Let’s have a big round of applause…I mean fingers tapping the keyboard…for the one, the only S.M. Boyce!
Politics and Prose
Live in Washington D.C.? Maybe you’re visiting soon? Then I have a great bookstore for you—Politics and Prose.
Address: 5015 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 364-1919
P&P is a two-level, independent bookstore with live events in the back of the top level and a delicious café on the bottom floor. The café can get a little loud, but I still love it.
A friend of mine suggested this place for a meet up, and I’m happy she did. We spent most of our time in the café, which has some of the most delicious green tea (seriously, what do they add? It’s amazing) and some equally munchable hot sandwiches. They even have vegan options. That didn’t matter to me personally—I love me some meat—but I think it’s cool that you have a wide range of hand-assembled food for any time of the day. Not to mention a fresh cake sitting in a display on the counter. Yum.
Just beyond the café is a string of bookshelves filled with cartoons and kids’ books, but most of the shop is up a flight of stairs. There were only best sellers and traditionally published books as far as I could tell, but I couldn’t stay too long so I didn’t look that hard. Hopefully this independent store also stocks independent books. I’ll have to talk to a manager next time I go to see how they feel about it. I’ll keep you posted.
Politics & Prose hosts near-daily events, most of which are authors speaking or doing book signings. You can check out their full calendar here.
There are only two downsides to P&P: D.C. driving and parking. If you can walk, do. But come on, it’s D.C.—driving and parking suck here. The homes surrounding Politics & Prose are beautiful, though, which makes the stop-and-go effect less painful. There are usually spots along the backstreets, too, if you can’t get into the parking lot out back.
Parking Tip: turn into the CVS parking lot and hang a left before you get to the next street over. That’s the parking lot. I got lost the first time I went. Poltiics & Prose shares a parking lot with a strip mall, so parking in the lot can be a beast, especially in the evening.
So if you’re ever in D.C., give this shop a go. Try a biscotti and some iced green tea if you want something light. Pretty much everything on their menu is delicious, so you can’t really go wrong, and the people are incredibly friendly.
This post can also be found on Boyce’s blog
I’m S. M. Boyce -an author, editor, book blogger, and smart ass.
I’m a bit of sarcastic twit, but my friends seem to like me anyway. I write fantasy and paranormal fiction, and I’m currently working on my Grimoire Trilogy. Go ahead and click the link. I’ll wait til you get back.
I update this blog a few times each week so that you have something to wake you up in the morning (phht, who uses coffee?). I also have a B.A. in Creative Writing, which naturally qualifies me to serve you french fries.
If you want to see the full about me page, complete with the all-too-cool video, head to my website.
For more on S.M. Boyce please check out the following links:
Book one of the Grimoire Trilogy, Lichgates, can be purchased at the following stores:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Createspace
A Life Among The Pages 