{"id":472,"date":"2006-05-23T12:39:11","date_gmt":"2006-05-23T16:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.spritewrites.net\/?p=472"},"modified":"2006-05-23T12:39:11","modified_gmt":"2006-05-23T16:39:11","slug":"guardian-unlimited-books-shoptalk-stephen-moss-on-indepenent-bookshops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spritewrites.net\/?p=472","title":{"rendered":"best of the independents"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have mentioned before how jealous I am of those living in the U.K. because they have access to The Guardian<\/em> in its hard copy format. It is possibly the best book paper in the world and easily surpasses anything I’ve seen here in the U.S.<\/p>\n

This week they look at what makes a successful independent bookseller: “The Best Sellers”<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of independent bookstores. I will patronize the national chains when I’m looking for something I know the smaller shops in my area won’t have (crossword puzzle books for Gramma, for instance), but if I’m buying a book for myself, it’s not going to be at a huge mega-bookstore.<\/p>\n

Looking for quality independents in the D.C. area?<\/p>\n

Olsson’s<\/a> is a local chain with two stores in D.C. and three in Virginia (including one at National Airport). I’ve not visited their Courthouse location, but I can recommend without hesitation, any of their three other stand-alone stores. Dupont lacks a cafe, but you’re not missing it in that neighborhood. Over the last few years they have expanded from just selling books, cds, and dvds to include renting out art house\/BBC movies and series. And they offer a free membership that nets you discounts over time.<\/p>\n

Politics and Prose<\/a> is what you envision when you envision a local bookshop — or what it would be if it regularly appeared on Book TV on C-Span2. It feels cosy, even if it has expanded over the years. New books and an area for readings are located upstairs and the downstairs is devoted to remainders, a great kids’ section, and a tasty coffeeshop.<\/p>\n

You couldn’t go wrong with either one.<\/p>\n

Via Bookish<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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