Just spoke with Kathy Harig, who today announced the closing of her Mystery Loves Company bookstore in Fells Point on Dec. 31. Sad to see the ranks of Baltimore's indie stores shrinking -- we also lost Clayton's on Charles Street recently -- but at least MLC's three-year-old store in quaint Oxford (shown here) is still going strong.

Harig, who lives on the Eastern Shore, said a number of factors played into her decision to close the 17-year-old store in Baltimore. Among them: the long ride to Baltimore, a slowing economy and difficulty in attracting authors to the city for signings.

Speaking from Oxford -- and enjoying sunset over the Tred Avon River -- she noted that reading and writing are a central part of the Eastern Shore lifestyle. Many authors live in the area. And, she said, "People buy books here, just because someone's staying at their house or they're going to a birthday party."

Continue reading "Goodbye Mystery Loves Company -- Baltimore" »

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 4:55 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Gregg Wilhelm at the CityLit Project noted with some sadness the passing of Olsson's, a chain of bookstores in Dupont Circle and other Washington-area locations. It was one of the reader favorites on our Read Street map of great bookstores.

The company's problems predate the credit squeeze that is bruising the U.S. economy. Olsson's once had as many as nine stores, but more recently had slimmed down to five. Still, money was tight, and creditors forced the company into bankruptcy before the big holiday shopping season.

For fans, today's Washington Post has a news story on the business problems, and an appreciation. 

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 11:53 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

From my very first profile of Clayton Fine Books, I've heard Baltimore bibliophiles singing the praises of Royal Books owner Kevin Johnson. Just last week, Daedalus' Sara Roberson mentioned sending book lovers along to his 25th Street location, which specializes in first editions and rare books.

So I was extremely happy to score an interview with Johnson, and even more happy to check out his place. It didn't disappoint.

While Johnson concedes that the location on historic Book Row isn't what it used to be, (as far as I can tell, only Kelmscott Bookshop and Johanson Rare Books have stuck it out with Royal in this stretch of the block) the store has maintained a loyal customer base, which Johnson credits largely to their Web site.

And if you can't make it to their physical store to check out the books, not to worry! Royal Books does a better job than any bookstore I've seen of providing detailed descriptions and photos of the books they're offering. "It can really be the tipping point for someone who's about to lay down $300 on a book," Johnson says, explaining their attention to detail.

Want more options? You can also subscribe to their bimonthly catalog. The latest includes a first edition copy of Hitchcock/Truffaut, signed by the Master of Suspense himself; an original still photograph of Ingrid Bergman, circa 1945; various noir film posters; and first editions of Faulkner, Atwood and Albee, just to name a very few.

Continue reading "Royal Books: A book connoisseur's dream" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 5:00 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

These days, you can't get much for $10. Maybe a movie ticket, but no popcorn. A cup of coffee at the local coffee shop, but I hope you didn't want a sandwich with that.

But how about two or three books? And I'm not talking pamphlet-sized reading that covers obscure topics, like the birth of Muzak.

I'm talking about a biography of Eudora Welty, the latest Laura Lippmann and your favorite Charles Dickens novel. Daedalus Books & Music at Belvedere Square was made for cheap booklovers, just like me.

Continue reading "A trip to Daedalus with $10" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 3:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

For those of you (like Dave) who gave me a puzzled look when I mentioned my upcoming profile of The Book Escape, your confusion may lie in the fact that it was originally named The Book Rendezvous.

And if you've still never seen the place, it's time for you to explore Federal Hill. I'm always pleasantly surprised by the dearth of pleasant stores that are harder to admire at night when the place is crawling with bar-hoppers.

Co-owner Andrew Stonebarger is actually celebrating the store's five-year anniversary this month. While it sells primarily used books, they also offer prominent displays of the latest best-sellers and regional books. In short, you'll probably find whatever it is you're looking for at The Book Escape.

Continue reading "The Book Escape: Don't forget to say hello to Theodore" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 4:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

What's even better than a book blog named Read Street? How about a bookstore named Read Street, located on that very road?

Read Street Books is another perfect example of the thriving local literary scene in this city.

"When people in the neighborhood found out that the space was going to be a bookstore, bags of books started showing up at the front door," owner Chris Bittner says. "We decided that these books would be placed on a cart that we keep in front of the store and that all sales of donated books would be given to Chase Brexton Health Services."

You can find Read Street Books in a cute residential/small business section of town, in a gorgeous building that screams Baltimore. And Bittner does her fair share of supporting local artists, as well as providing good books to local readers.

"This past February, we started offering entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings," Bittner says. "We feature original singer/songwriters. Our next performance is scheduled for August 29 when the group Vote Yourself a Farm will be on our stage."

Continue reading "Read Street Books: Home away from home" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 5:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

OK, so Baltimore Reads isn't exactly a bookstore. But I figure since I write the posts, I make the rules.

And the vast amount of books this organization has provided to the community for the past two decades makes them profile-worthy to me.

The organization's primary focus has been to combat adult illiteracy, but with the birth of the book bank in 1992, Baltimore Reads has donated more than 1 million books, new and used, for families to read together.

If you ever want to donate books to the cause, their warehouse is in a pretty familiar place: The Baltimore Sun building at 501 N. Calvert St. And the friendly staff are always happy to receive both donations and volunteers.

The Ripken Adult Learning Center, which is housed in the Baltimore Reads main location on Frederick Street, services hundreds of adults every year, helping many earn their GEDs.

In other words, this is an extremely worthy enterprise, manned by people who care about books and making them available to everyone.

Continue reading "Baltimore Reads: 20 years of books" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 5:00 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Though summer is almost over, we're still expanding our United States map of favorite bookstores. We've been adding recommendations each week, and now have more than 160 great stores from Maine to California (and lots of points between) to help your trip planning.

We've already had more than 20,000 visitors to the map, so we hope it's been helpful in finding those out-of-the-way stores that can enrich a vacation or business trip.

Thanks to several fellow bloggers, including those at the Dallas Morning-News, the National Book Critics Circle, Minds Alive On the Shelves and Write to Travel (a New Zealand-based blog for travel writers), the map continues to grow. So when you plan your next trip, check it out. (Headed to Denver for the Democratric convention? The map will guide you to The Tattered Cover, just a few blocks from the convention center.)

And when you come across a great store, let us know, and we'll add it to the map.

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 5:00 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

If you're not careful, you may mistake Constellation Books as another well-loved home on Reisterstown's Main Street. Only the star-studded banner and book display belies the impression.

 But once you walk in, it's nothing but books, and book lovers. Lauretta Nagel and her staff has converted this 19th-century house into a home for all bibliophiles who wander by. Just park your car in the back parking lot and wander through the air-conditioned rooms. You can even plop down on their comfy couch and peruse the selection at your leisure.

And of course, the friendly folks inside will help you with whatever it is you need.

Continue reading "Constellation Books: A world of reading" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 4:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

 On their Web site, Red Emma's bills itself as a "collective, in which the real management of the company is carried out in a directly democratic and egalitarian manner."

So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when they responded to my e-mail in a collective manner.

"Credit the text to Cullen Nawalkowsky, John Duda, and myself, members of the books coordinating committee at Red Emma's," Kate Khatib requested. And so, reflecting their democracy, all further quotes in this post are credited as such.

It's pretty hard to miss Red Emma's while strolling down or driving up Saint Paul Street. And if you haven't had a chance to steal inside yet, you may be surprised at the breadth of material they offer for activist and capitalist alike.

"We are informed by anarchism, but we never had any desire to be an 'anarchist bookstore," the committee explains. "We are also informed by feminism, queer theory, Afrocentrism, Marxism, Dada and the avant-garde, literary modernism, and dozens of other traditions."

Continue reading "Red Emma's spirit of democracy" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 3:00 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

I got a flashback to "Miracle of 34th Street" -- the scene where Macy's new store Santa starts sending customers to Gimbels. Outrageous! But it certainly made me a Tattered Cover fan.

Has anyone had a similar experience? How's the service you get at chain or independent bookstores? Is it better than, say, restaurants or department stores?

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 11:48 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

If you find yourself taking a stroll down The Avenue, and the weather is a bit too punishing for your tastes, stepping into breathe books is about as refreshing as you can get.

I'm not just talking about the air conditioning -- although that is nice -- I'm talking about the tinkly music and the gurgling fountains in the wonderland Susan Weis has created in her New Age book store.

Whether you're looking for enlightenment or a healthy recipe, breathe books has the tools to help you live the life you want.

Plus, the store's logo is pretty cool.

Over a table filled with rose quartz, hematite and amethyst, a sign hangs urging patrons to keep any cell phone conversations "short, sweet and quiet." I think this sums up this newcomer's experience pretty well; this is the perfect place to come if you're looking for a little peace.

Continue reading "Cool down at breathe books" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 12:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

While in Denver this week, I visited The Tattered Cover, one of America's most prominent independent bookstores and one of those recommended by readers for places to visit on vacation (see our U.S. map). Though the name conjures up images of a dark, dusty shop loaded with used books, The Tattered Cover deals in new books from some outstanding locations.

Pictured here is the E. Colfax Avenue store, in the former Lowenstein Theater; what was once the orchestra pit now is one of many reading areas. In historic LoDo, the Tattered Cover has another large, airy store in a 19th-century building. I picked up a copy of Pete Dexter's Deadwood to get a taste of the Old West and John McPhee's Rising from the Plains for the really old west. I'm drawn to interesting locations, whether they're indies or a chain location such as Barnes & Noble's store at the Inner Harbor.

What makes a good bookstore to you? Is it the selection, the workers, reading areas or something else entirely?

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 5:00 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

 Towson's Ukazoo Books has something for everyone: a wide (and cheap) selection of children's books; a large mystery section, complete with taped body outlines, a couple of comfortable reading rooms for flipping through books or holding a meeting, and local artwork throughout.

But what impressed me most about this used (and new) bookstore was that, in talking to store manager Olivia Tejeda, they are eager to expand their offerings, both in books and events, for the Towson community. And the community is responding, making Ukazoo a part of their lives.

"One of our customers proposed to another last night," Tejeda told me last week. "It's just amazing."

Continue reading "Ukazoo for you" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 3:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

 By the end of the month, Atomic Books will be gone.

But don't worry -- it's just moving down the street, to the bigger space currently occupied solely by Atomic Pop.

With the merger, owner Benn Ray says he hopes to have a little more down time and a lot more room to showcase the many toys, gadgets, artwork and books.

 "The new location is just going to be called Atomic Books, but we'll still carry everything from both stores, plus have a little more space to expand," Ray says.

So if you thought you spent too much time in the stores now, just wait till everything's all together; I expect I'll have to retrieve my boyfriend from the place on a regular basis.

You can, of course, keep up with all the changes at the official Atomic Books Blog, as they move their books over to the Falls Road location. Or find them on Facebook. Or MySpace. In fact, they're pretty much impossible to hide from.

Continue reading "Atomic Books, Atomic Pop, it's all awesome" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 1:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

 The original Greetings & Readings was founded in 1969, as a book (that's the Readings) and card (that's the Greetings) shop.

Now at its Hunt Valley location, the store has become the state's largest independent bookstore, offering souvenirs, printing services, desserts, coffee and nearly anything else you could want, including balloons! (OK, I really like balloons.)

"It just got bigger and bigger," co-owner Steven Baum says. "It was always cards and gifts. Now we have Waterford. Our latest addition has been purses: Vera Bradley, Hobo, Marc Chantel and Dooney & Burke."

And don't bet on them slowing down. "The store will keep changing and evolving. That's one thing we can guarantee you," Baum says.

Continue reading "Greetings & Readings" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 12:45 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Kathy Harig knows a good mystery starts at home. That's why she devotes so much of her time showcasing local authors.

 "There are 1500 authors in this region that have written very good books that are very well-known," she says. It's just a matter of showcasing their talent.

 And she's a woman on a mission: She's a member of Sisters in Crime, whose membership consists of both authors and readers, and Mystery Writers in America. Both of these groups work to support authors, and distribute them in the mainstream -- they read manuscripts and host first signings for them. "It's the stuff that big stores don't do."

Oh yeah, and she runs two popular bookstores, one in Fells Point the other in Oxford. "We love to discover the hideaway people that may not hit the best-seller list," Harig says. "Because that's what Barnes & Noble and Amazon can't stock."

(Photo courtesy of mysterylovescompany.com)

Continue reading "Mystery Loves Company" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 12:30 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

We asked for favorite bookstores you've discovered on vacation, and you really delivered. Read Street readers sent in more than 100 great stores across the country, stretching from Gulf of Maine in Brunswick, Maine to Left Bank Books in St. Louis to Macdonald Bookstore in Estes Park, Colo. (my pick) to the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, Ariz. 

Now, to make it even easier to find the stores -- and so you don't have to scroll though all the recommendations -- we've created this map of the United States. When your itinerary is set, just click on the blue markers to get information about nearby stores that are reader favorites. (We'll leave the map up all summer, over there on the right.)

And if we've haven't included your favorite, post a comment so we can add it to the map.

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 5:00 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

 "Children's specialty bookstores are a dying breed," JoAnn Fruchtman explains. "There aren't many left -- there weren't many when we started."

The owner of The Children's Bookstore in Roland Park, who's been in the business of selling books since 1978, should know. Her store is colorful and inviting, but without the grating, oversized cartoon characters or vapid music that some venues devoted to children can provide.

But the store itself is hardly the biggest contribution toward her welcoming retreat for young bookworms. Ten years ago, Fruchtman founded an educational orgnanization whose one goal is to put books in the hands of the children who need them most.

Continue reading "The Children's Bookstore" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 12:10 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

In keeping with our beach read theme this week, I decided now would be the perfect time to branch out and discover some of the wonderful bookstores that might not happen to be in Baltimore. In that spirit, I took a trip down to the Eastern Shore and visited Betsy Henry, owner of Market Street Books in Salisbury.

This community-driven used bookstore is the perfect place to stock up on new-to-you reads before you continue on to your beach adventure at O.C. or Assateague. While I know the instinct is to keep driving through till you hit the Atlantic, if you avoid the bypass this one time for a 20-minute detour, you won't regret it. Nothing cools you down after spending hours in that stifling beach traffic like having a friendly conversation about your favorite books -- and possibly finding a new favorite bookstore.

Continue reading "Market Street Books: It's worth a trip" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 12:00 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Last summer, I stumbled upon Macdonald Book Shop when we visited Rocky Mountain National Park for a few days of hiking. The store recommended Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose for its depictions of the Old West. A great pick.

Sun columnist Susan Reimer -- who makes her Read Street debut tomorrow with a new weekly post about audiobooks -- swears by Atlantic Books and Bethany Beach Books at the Delaware shore. Sun food editor and Parenting blogger Kate Shatzkin picks Island Bookstore in Duck, N.C. And Read Street's Nancy hates New York, but loves the Strand (below).

We're searching for the best bookstores for vacationers -- in Maryland and beyond. Give us your recommendations and we'll put together a list and map for all to use. (Update: Using your recommendations, we've created this U.S. map of stores.)

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 10:30 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (36)
        

That's right, I hate it. Maybe it's because I grew up in teeny tiny Salisbury, but ever since my first trip to the Big Apple in high school, I've found it to be too noisy, too crowded and way too busy. When do you get to catch your breath, anyway?

 So while it's clear I would never survive the city that never sleeps, (that's another thing -- I LOVE sleep. Stupid NYC.) there is one place that almost makes up for all that aggravating hustle and bustle. The Strand.

It's big, it's quietly chaotic and it's full of books. Eighteen miles of books, as their motto says. In an unguarded moment, I even got all touristy and bought a bag. Don't expect that to happen at the stupid old Empire State Building.

So if you're forced to go to the dreaded island, take a look. Tell them Nancy sent you. They'll have no idea what you're talking about, but they're used to crazies blathering on in Manhattan, right?

I'm going to Nashville in August, and I'll be looking for some great places to get a little literary.

 (Photo by linder6580 at stock.xchng.com)

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 5:00 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Cameron and Donna Northouse have been selling books for 32 years.

And while Clayton Fine Books and Cyber Cafe, tucked between office buildings at 317 N. Charles St., is soon closing up, the Northouses seem happy to have spent their lives reading and sharing literature.

Whether you're in the market for a great book, a little piece of history, local art or just a quick bite to eat, you'll find it at Clayton Fine Books.

Continue reading "Clayton Fine Books: Come in for the literature, stay for the conversation" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 12:00 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Just back from a whirlwind weekend in Roanoke, Va., The trip was mainly for a big-band holiday party (awesome Sway Katz) , but it included a pilgrimage to the Green Valley Book Fair near the Shenandoah Valley town of Mount Crawford, about two and a half hours from Baltimore.

If you haven't been to the fair, you're missing a slice of book heaven. Drive down a couple of narrow, country roads, past cow-filled pastures to a group of buildings filled with tens of thousands of discounted books. Like $1.99 for Oscar Hijuelos' The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love and few books more than $5.

The fair is open sporadically; the next one is June 28-July 13. I'll post again closer to the date, with photos, so all can witness the glory.

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 12:15 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Do you have a slightly eccentric aunt or uncle, who's traveled extensively, always has a strange story to share (with the documentation to back it up), and who you are convinced is the coolest person on earth? Someone whose house is filled with artifacts from travels, photos of exploits and exotic friends met along the way.

Now imagine your relative owns a bookstore. That's Normals.

Recently named in Rolling Stone as one of the venues that makes Baltimore the country’s “Best Scene,” Normals in Waverly is celebrating its 18th birthday this year, and between big discounts and a party headlined by local punk rockers Thank You, it's a celebration you won't want to miss.

“When we first opened, we made a conscious decision to be diverse,” co-owner Rupert Wondolowski says. “We once even sold a bike to John Waters.”

And while Waters may be disappointed that bikes are no longer offered at Normals, the "diverse" vision persists with a vast library and vinyl selection.

Continue reading "Normals: Where readers go to rock" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 10:30 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Barnes & Noble is considering a bid for Borders, a move that (anti-trust considerations aside) would create a book-selling behemoth with a third of the retail market, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Since Borders put itself on the market in March, more than 30 people have expressed interest in the company, the Journal said.

What would the B&N/Borders combo mean here? In my neighborhood, the Towson-Lutherville-Timonium metroplex, I'd bet that "store closing" signs would go up at either the Borders off Ridgely Road or the B&N in Towson. Why have nearby stores that fight one another for customers? Ditto for the competing stores in Annapolis.

As for the local indy bookstores, they'd face much tougher competition from the new Goliath. We'd likely see fewer and fewer of the boutique-style stores that enliven neighborhoods and provide a break from the one-size-fits-all megastores. 

Posted by Dave Rosenthal at 2:00 PM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

You know you've become more than just a bookstore when one of your employees holds her wedding in your walls. And by that measure, The Ivy has become a member of the North Baltimore family.

Tucked in the Lake Falls Village Shopping Center on Falls Road, The Ivy is well-known for its store recommendations, many of which stem from their clients own suggestions.

 "It's a combination of our selections that we think are really worthwhile, and the customers' favorites, the ones that they're buying the most," owner Darielle Linehan explains.

"It's easy to distinguish them, because they're not the more commercial books, many of them are older books that either have been out of print for a while -- and therefore have been resurrected and reprinted -- or they're just ones that we've kind of discovered, and our customers sometimes lead us to them."

"We're known for our in-store recommendations. We really try and find interesting things," says The Ivy's Greg Szczeszek.

And that's just one of the thoughtful touches you'll notice when you walk into this thriving independent bookstore.

Continue reading "The Ivy Bookshop: A growing family" »

Posted by Nancy Johnston at 9:00 AM in Bookstores | Permalink | Comments (2)