Second Story Books, Washington DC

I have been to this store many times throughout the years though not recently since my parents moved away from the area. I think its in what the locals call Dupont Circle. I also think I might be an idiot, since as far as I know, the store is entirely on the first floor or storey; I have never seen stairs! You'd think the name would be a pun on the physical layout of the store as well as the condition of the books. Well, the mysterious name just gives you one more reason to go check it out.

As can be expected from its location in DC, there's a healthy government, international relations, and politics thing going on. The political theory and gender sections have yielded many finds too. But there is also a nice back room full of literature. The help is pretty friendly, relative to other joints--I remember the young lady behind the counter helped me look up a book on the internet the last time I was there.













store features:

Not spacious, but not really cramped either, it's possible to spend a few hours here.
I saw cds and I beleive they have something of a rare books collection, though that is not my thing so I don't pay much attention. You can apparently order from the store's website too.

standout sections:

sociology, military, history, international relations, government, art, gender, science, political theory and philosophy. Fiction, poetry and literature are in a separate room in the back of the store.

what i bought:
to be updated...when i remember!


location and contact:

2000 P Street, NW
Washington DC, 20036
(202) 659-8884
Hours: 10-10 daily
www.secondstorybooks.com

Book Corner: Philadelphia, PA

Though there are quite a few gems, the store doesn't have a lot of academic press books, but that is due to the nature of the stock. Book Corner's stock is entirely donated by Philadelphians! So in a way, it's like browsing the consciousness of Philly.

store features:
This is a spacious store with three rooms and seating inside and out. The volunteer service staff is friendly. One thing you may notice is that the store is set up like a regular retail store, with books of interest expertly organized and displayed to catch your eye--this is unfortunately uncommon in used stores and makes for a great browsing experience.

There are some hilariously quirky little reference books, (which I ended up being unable to snatch up) laying around the place too. The books are in suprisingly good shape for donations, and the prices are uniformly reasonable. Plus, the proceeds go towards the Friends of the Free Library so you are doing "good" as well as doing "well" by hoarding books like you can't control yourself!


standout sections:
Sections I remember include: Politics, Philosophy, Women's studies, language, pets, sports, education, world regions, and history. I also noted comics, records and cds.

The fiction section has been put in its own room with literature and mysteries separated out. It seems well-stocked and there is a neat little idea I have never run across before: a "Classics" section within the literature section. It's a cool idea if you're like me, and tend to wander fiction or literature sections trolling for ideas, or trying to remember such and such's name. I imagine this section is a godsend for highschool and college kids with required reading lists and finite budgets, too.

In the Main room...









There is plenty of seating if you want to check out potential purchases. There are even a few tables outside.









And, if you're a yuppy-spawn like me, you'll be relieved to see that up the street are the two symbols of our decadent culture: Starbucks and Wholefoods.











what I bought:
Here is a selection of what I got (all books in excellent shape unless noted):

Eats Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss (hardcover, $5.00)
Schott's Original Miscellany by Ben Schott (hardcover, $5.50)
The Superior Person's Book of Words by Peter Bowler (hardcover, $6.00--unmarked, save for a funny inscription :" John, I could no think of anyone who could use this more! Ken 1993")
Pure Baseball, by Keith Hernandez (softcover)
America's Failure in China, 1941-50 by Tang Tsou (old soft, $3.00)
This sex which is not one by Luce Irigaray (trade paper, $7.50)
The Used Book Lover's Guide to the South Atlantic States (soft, $6.50 decent shape)
Looking for Spinoza by Antonio Damasio (hardcover, $9.00)
The Diviners by Rick Moody (softcover, $6.50)

location and contact:

311 N 20th StPhiladelphia, PA 19103
(behind Central Library at 20th and Vine St.)

(215) 567-0527

verdict:
a must-see in Philly.