The Rockville, MD location of Second Story Books is even better than the DuPont store! It’s a giant Costco-sized warehouse with labyrinthine shelving and everything is 50% off the labeled price. Plus there are some fantastic Korean, Filipino, and Chinese restaurants in the area to make a day of it.
I am shouting out two in Middlebury VT and not just because it's my home turf. Monroe St Books which is also the largest used bookstore in the state is incredible, it's rows and rows of the tallest shelves.
Otter Creek Used Books is also great, I was there last and got a copy of Cræft and! The Wide Sargasso Sea which I am excited to read thanks to you.
oh i lived in Boston too and i LOVE brattle!!! the outdoor space is so much fun and such a dream. Obvi, I am partial to Lot 49 Books in philly... there's also a great one called book corner in philly where hardcovers are $3 and paperbacks are $1... its an extension of the public library so thay have GREAT titles, it's so much fun to hunt there!
Thanks, EJ! Where in Boston did you live? I was in hip and exciting (lol) Brighton. I haven't been to Philly in a million years, and I don't remember if I visited a bookstore the last time I was there. It's so close, and I've been meaning to get down there. Will put Lot 49 on my list!
Oh man, I love Trident so much! Every time I'm back in Boston, I pop in and sit at the counter and have a cup of coffee and a snack. Like a big muffin or something. When I was in college, Newbury Street was the spot. There was a big Newbury Comics there (like there is now, but bigger and with CDs) and there was a Tower Records on the corner. I used to hang out all the time at a bar called TC's Lounge over by the Berklee School of Music until it burned down in a fire. Lots of memories over there, and Trident is definitely a fond one.
Thanks, Gabrielle! I hope you're getting settled and that you're liking your new city. I think I went to Third Place Books when I visited Seattle on that road trip, if memory serves. The Couth Buzzard looks great.
Oh wow, this was a fun trip to take virtually. I always love the Wicker Park hangouts and Myopic! And how have I never been to Bluestocking even though I lived in San Diego a decade? And what - Yellow Dog Books! Yay! You and Donna need to come for a re-visit, as it's in my hometown!
But most shocking - did someone say Walter Lippmann? Wow. I used to teach a chapter called "The World Outside and the PIctures in Our Heads," a title I love, and it used to just collectively blow our minds. Maybe this time in the world is a great time to revisit Walter Lippmann!
Thanks so much! It might be time for a Lippmannaissance, for sure. I read him heavily when I was trying to get into journalism school. I've since sold much of my collection, to the Strand, actually--but one book they didn't take that I'm pretty certain I bought at the Brattle: 'Liberty and the News.' I felt that was maybe a sign lol. We had a fun visit to Columbia when we saw Yellow Dog etc. I looked at the journalism school, but it was summertime and no one was around. I took pictures of it, though!
Second hand book stores are the best! Great cat names too - I've always wanted a cat named Moriarty but none of the cats I've had have suited it (yet...)
In Dallas, Texas, Lucky Dog Books (just local) and Half Price Books (expanded across the midwest) both family owned where I have been buying and trading for 45 years. Always find some prize to take home.
Thanks, Liz! I was in Dallas a year or so ago, but I can't remember if we went to Lucky Dog. Old age, I guess. But the name rings a bell. DItto on Half Price Books. I think I ordered something through Alibris via them once. And maybe I drove by one in Houston? Why is my memory so bad?!
Ha! Thanks, Dane! I really loved Las Cruces, even though I was only there for a night. Went to the Chili Pepper institute and ate at a place called Si Senor, which was awesome. But COAS was incredible! Can’t wait to go back.
Capitol Hill Books has the best shelf labels ever: "Can't Stoppard, Won't Stoppard"; "White Ladies at the Beach" over a shelf of Elin Hilderbrand and similar novels; "Books arranged by author (in theory)"; Hoover Oover Here" in presidential biographies....half the fun of browsing is the labels.
Ha! Thanks, Katya! Those labels are so fun. I was just looking through the photos I took inside and somehow didn’t capture any! All the more reason to go back!
The Rockville, MD location of Second Story Books is even better than the DuPont store! It’s a giant Costco-sized warehouse with labyrinthine shelving and everything is 50% off the labeled price. Plus there are some fantastic Korean, Filipino, and Chinese restaurants in the area to make a day of it.
Thanks, Lillian! That all sounds amazing! What's better than books and awesome food?! NOTHING!
I am shouting out two in Middlebury VT and not just because it's my home turf. Monroe St Books which is also the largest used bookstore in the state is incredible, it's rows and rows of the tallest shelves.
Otter Creek Used Books is also great, I was there last and got a copy of Cræft and! The Wide Sargasso Sea which I am excited to read thanks to you.
Thanks, AI! Those places sound great! I'm so excited you're going to read 'Wide Sargasso Sea.' Let me know what you think of it!
oh i lived in Boston too and i LOVE brattle!!! the outdoor space is so much fun and such a dream. Obvi, I am partial to Lot 49 Books in philly... there's also a great one called book corner in philly where hardcovers are $3 and paperbacks are $1... its an extension of the public library so thay have GREAT titles, it's so much fun to hunt there!
Thanks, EJ! Where in Boston did you live? I was in hip and exciting (lol) Brighton. I haven't been to Philly in a million years, and I don't remember if I visited a bookstore the last time I was there. It's so close, and I've been meaning to get down there. Will put Lot 49 on my list!
I was in back bay! trident booksellers was one of my fave spots, though not secondhand. def get down to philly there’s some great bookstores!!
Oh man, I love Trident so much! Every time I'm back in Boston, I pop in and sit at the counter and have a cup of coffee and a snack. Like a big muffin or something. When I was in college, Newbury Street was the spot. There was a big Newbury Comics there (like there is now, but bigger and with CDs) and there was a Tower Records on the corner. I used to hang out all the time at a bar called TC's Lounge over by the Berklee School of Music until it burned down in a fire. Lots of memories over there, and Trident is definitely a fond one.
Downtown Books Bought & Sold in Milwaukee is a forever favorite of mine.
Thanks, Chelsey! I've never been to Milwaukee, but I've always wanted to. Very high on my list of places to visit!
Don't forget skylight books in Los Angeles 🙏🏾
Thanks, Alex! I've heard so many great things about Skylight. I wanted to visit the last time I was in LA, but we ran out of time. Next trip!
I got three in the DMV:
- Second Story Books (Rockville)
- Friends of the Library
- House Mouse Books
Thanks, Klaus!
Always. This is a great town to buy books. Maybe too good.
Just moved to Seattle, I like Third Place Books (Seward Park location) and The Couth Buzzard so far.
Thanks, Gabrielle! I hope you're getting settled and that you're liking your new city. I think I went to Third Place Books when I visited Seattle on that road trip, if memory serves. The Couth Buzzard looks great.
Oh wow, this was a fun trip to take virtually. I always love the Wicker Park hangouts and Myopic! And how have I never been to Bluestocking even though I lived in San Diego a decade? And what - Yellow Dog Books! Yay! You and Donna need to come for a re-visit, as it's in my hometown!
But most shocking - did someone say Walter Lippmann? Wow. I used to teach a chapter called "The World Outside and the PIctures in Our Heads," a title I love, and it used to just collectively blow our minds. Maybe this time in the world is a great time to revisit Walter Lippmann!
Thanks for the engaging virtual road trip!
Thanks so much! It might be time for a Lippmannaissance, for sure. I read him heavily when I was trying to get into journalism school. I've since sold much of my collection, to the Strand, actually--but one book they didn't take that I'm pretty certain I bought at the Brattle: 'Liberty and the News.' I felt that was maybe a sign lol. We had a fun visit to Columbia when we saw Yellow Dog etc. I looked at the journalism school, but it was summertime and no one was around. I took pictures of it, though!
A treasure trove! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise!
Thanks AdriAnne! And thanks for the great idea!
Second hand book stores are the best! Great cat names too - I've always wanted a cat named Moriarty but none of the cats I've had have suited it (yet...)
Thanks, Kate! I agree about the cat names. Mycroft is a perfect name, IMO. Hopefully one day you'll find Moriarty!
In Dallas, Texas, Lucky Dog Books (just local) and Half Price Books (expanded across the midwest) both family owned where I have been buying and trading for 45 years. Always find some prize to take home.
Thanks, Liz! I was in Dallas a year or so ago, but I can't remember if we went to Lucky Dog. Old age, I guess. But the name rings a bell. DItto on Half Price Books. I think I ordered something through Alibris via them once. And maybe I drove by one in Houston? Why is my memory so bad?!
Hoping to travel more in 2025 and 2026. I will be saving your post and visiting those gems when I can get to any of those cities. Thanks for sharing.
That’s so great! I hope you get to them all!!
Powell's is truly incredible. I still have a beat-up used copy of A Moveable Feast I treasure from there.
That’s great, Lauren! I think about that place a lot. I gotta get back there!
If you ever make it to Southeast Michigan, my two favorite used shops are The Dawn Treader in Ann Arbor and John K. King Books in Detroit.
King is former glove factory with four floors. They give you a map when you walk in!
Thanks, Nathaniel!! Any bookstore that requires a map is a MUST!
Atlanta Vintage Books (in ATL, GA of course) is a must-visit shop for great books and sweet kitties.
Thanks, John!! I’ve never been to Atlanta but it’s high on my list. I’ll definitely check it out!
Wow, not gonna lie, I came here to flex COAS assuming no one would have swung through Las Cruces and there it is on the list. Good job dude.
Ha! Thanks, Dane! I really loved Las Cruces, even though I was only there for a night. Went to the Chili Pepper institute and ate at a place called Si Senor, which was awesome. But COAS was incredible! Can’t wait to go back.
Capitol Hill Books has the best shelf labels ever: "Can't Stoppard, Won't Stoppard"; "White Ladies at the Beach" over a shelf of Elin Hilderbrand and similar novels; "Books arranged by author (in theory)"; Hoover Oover Here" in presidential biographies....half the fun of browsing is the labels.
Ha! Thanks, Katya! Those labels are so fun. I was just looking through the photos I took inside and somehow didn’t capture any! All the more reason to go back!