Politics and Prose, the marvelous Washington bookstore that offers an A-list of author readings, announced today that co-owner Carla F. Cohen has died at age 74. "For all of us here at Politics & Prose, it is difficult to believe that someone larger than life has died, and I will badly miss my friend and partner," co-owner Barbara Meade wrote on the store's website. Cohen had a rare form of cancer.

Cohen, a Baltimore native and former Congressional aide, founded the store in 1984, the Associated Press said. her philosophy was to create an indepedent bookstore with a strong identity. "We don't have to carry anything that's just ordinary. We don't have a romance section," she was quoted as saying in the Washington Post obituary. The store, which was put up for sale this summer, is a regular stop on book tours. Among those scheduled this month are former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ron Chernow and Michele Norris.

Rest in Peace, Carla.