Like pretty much everywhere else, the District has lost its share of both indie booksellers and big chains over the years (in fact, for better or worse, there aren’t any of the latter left in D.C.), but those that remain seem to be thriving. And, much to the surprise of print-is-dead doomsayers, a handful of new and used bookstores have even opened up in the past year or two; another one, East City Bookshop, is slated to open its doors in Eastern Market at the end of April. Admittedly, we think pretty much all of D.C.’s bookstores are wonderful, so here’s our ode to them.

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UPSHUR STREET BOOKS: This new-ish shop in Petworth’s Upshur Street corridor doesn’t have the space to offer a huge selection in every category. Instead, it is a well-curated store, with big names next to lesser known titles, that is particularly strong in local authors and D.C. history, fiction, and children’s books. Scattered around are prints, cards, zines, and other things you didn’t know you wanted until a bright graphic grabbed your attention. Though only open for about a year and a half, Upshur Street Books has already made it to the big time: President Obama came to visit this past November. It’s also always worth it to stop to the the reading room at Petworth Citizen, right next door, to take your pick of free books, donate those overflowing from your shelves, or just curl up with a cocktail and a recent purchase.—Rachel Sadon

Upshur Street Books is located at 827 Upshur St NW

(Photo by Rachel Sadon)

WALL OF BOOKS: Whereas many used bookstores have a cramped feeling, like a handwritten page with little space to spare, the latest entry in D.C.’s bookstore scene is roomy and light-filled. Located in a small strip mall on Georgia Avenue in Park View, rows upon rows of wooden bookshelves beckon invitingly. There’s a particularly large picture book section, with a model train set, and they often have events for children. Wall of Books also consigns books, and they’ll buy back any book purchase made at the store for 50 percent of the price (you get it back in the form of store credit; the Wall of Books sticker still has to be on there). —Rachel Sadon

Wall of Books is located at 3325 Georgia Ave NW

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CARPE LIBRUM: What started as an annual pop-up shop to raise funds for the education non-profit Turning the Page has turned into one of the only places to buy a book in downtown D.C. And with some of the lowest prices around—paperbacks go for $1-3, hardcovers are $4—it is really hard to walk away with a light bag. I think Carpe Librum delights me so much because I rarely set out to go, but find myself popping in whenever I’m in the area. It’s such a nice change from the otherwise bland Farragut North, and I always resolve to come back more often. Depending on the day, they also have DVDs, CDs, records, paintings, and other donated items. —Rachel Sadon

Carpe Librum is located at 1030 17th St NW

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POTTER’S HOUSE: This staple gathering place in Adams Morgan has lined its shelves with books since 1960. In 2013, the Potter’s House closed for renovations and re-opened last year with new offerings like locally-sourced menu options in its cafe.The bookstore also got new comfy furniture—always a plus for squatting—and the wood formerly on its walls has been reclaimed as cafe tables. I attended a non-profit event in the store’s community and workshop space last summer; the back room’s makeover is bright and airy, comfortably seating about 50 people at tables—and they often host community events, like jazz night, in the front of the store. As for the books, there’s a robust selection in spirituality, social issues, and cultural studies, but with a collection that includes novels, literature, poetry, and children’s books, there is something for everyone. —Christina Sturdivant

The Potter’s House is located at 1658 Columbia Rd NW

(Photo by Andrew Pasko-Reader)

IDLE TIME: The customer service varies and the prices aren’t the lowest, but the selection is varied and they certainly have some out-of-print and vintage offerings that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Idle Time also stocks greeting cards and old magazines/newspapers in the hard-to-miss green shop on Adams Morgan’s 18th Street strip. —Rachel Sadon

Idle Time is located at 2467 18th St NW

Photo by Michael T. Ruhl

POLITICS & PROSE: In a city often filled with partisan pettiness, Politics & Prose sits high atop a hill. Maybe it helps that the bookstore is away from downtown drama in the leafy outskirts of the District, but it has (nearly) all the recognition of the monuments. It was founded in 1984 by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade, and was bought in 2010 by Washington powerhouses Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine. To the relief of many, P&P has retained its charming neighborhood bookstore status. I frequently went as a kid in the ’90s, and the familiar layout, decor, and coffee shop vibe always bring me back to simpler times. (Though the coffeehouse has been undergoing renovations since January, so new vibe TBD.) They also have started running the bookstores at most of the Busboys & Poets locations.—Nicole Dubowitz

Politics and Prose is located at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW.

PHoto by Elvert Barnes

SECOND STORY BOOKS: Second Story Books is the place to go if you’re hoping to find a rare book, vintage map, or another gem you didn’t even know you were looking for. It’s been a landmark on its Dupont Circle corner since 1973, and with a maze of organized, narrow aisles, it’s a book lover’s paradise. They have books of all topics (though most are consigned, so not a huge selection), as well as maps, posters, prints, and other collectibles. Make sure to check out the carts they set up on the sidewalk with discounted books and CDs for some fun outside browsing. —Nicole Dubowitz

Second Story Books is located at 2000 P Street NW.

(Photo IamJomo)

KRAMERBOOKS & AFTERWORDS CAFE: The neon Kramerbooks sign beckons passersby to come in for books, food, and drink — and they’re all top notch. An impressive selection of books and magazines are well-organized and packed into a relatively small space. This makes the store a cozy place to browse, but not necessarily thumb through, self-help books on the floor. The dining area includes a patio in the back, which is ideal for upcoming warm evenings. Kramerbooks has significantly ramped up its event lineup over the past few years, with traditional author talks as well as erotica slams, humor readings, and book swaps. It’s brought the bookstore even closer to its neighborhood and the D.C. community. —Nicole Dubowitz

Kramerbooks is located at 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW.

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BRIDGE STREET BOOKS: When Barnes and Noble’s Georgetown store closed to make way for Niketown, the neighborhood lost a well-stocked behemoth with a cafe. But Georgetown didn’t lose its best bookstore. Despite its small footprint, Bridge Street has long had the area’s best selection of new poetry books in the area. The shop also hosts a regular poetry reading series (Cathy Eisenhower and Mark McMorris are reading this Sunday, April 3 at 6 p.m.) and is well stocked in film and music books. Chat up the owner sometime and he’ll tell you something about old school Washington book stores, especially the shop that he considers the best Washington ever knew, Georgetown’s long-gone Seville Books. —Pat Padua

Bridge Street Books is located at 2814 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

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RIVERBY BOOKS: This Capitol Hill used bookshop was shuttered for months after owner Steven L. Cymrot was hit and killed by a truck in late 2014. When it reopened in the fall of 2015, it looked like a new store, with newly organized stock and even branded tote bags and caps. Riverby hosts readings (biologist Olivia Messinger Carriland will appear on May 18 to sign her new book The Bees in Your Backyard) and regularly offers free tea and cookies to customers. Riverby has also begun selling used records and sheet music. —Pat Padua

Riverby Books is located at 417 E Capitol St SE

Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art

THE GALLERY SHOPS: The shops at the National Gallery of Art may be the area’s number one source for fine art reproductions and toys to spark the young creative mind. It’s also the best shop for books on art and photography, from massive art monographs and small but dense volumes on art theory to inventive children’s books and a selection of books on film.—Pat Padua

The Gallery Shops are located at Constitution Ave NW & 6th Street

Photo by washingtonydc

CAPITOL HILL BOOKS: Situated across from the local produce stands and craftsmen’s stalls of Eastern Market, Capitol Hill Books offers visitors the chance to freely explore a landscape constructed entirely of books. The used bookstore occupies three floors of an old house that appears to have been overrun by books. There are foreign language books in the bathroom, a mystery section bedroom, cookbooks on the kitchen sink, and science fiction and a creepy “weird books” section down a rickety basement staircase. Of course politics and history books greet visitors in the living room. It’s the kind of bookshop that you want to poke around in with an open mind. You’re likely to discover the perfect gift or collector’s item that you wouldn’t have considered had you entered with a shopping list. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a specific title, even a first edition, as long as you follow the handwritten signs directing shoppers to obscure nooks of the house. Can’t find D.H. Lawrence under “L” in fiction? Follow the arrow pointing to the Lawrence cupboard.—Nathan Wilkinson

Capitol Hill Books is located at 657 C Street SE.

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BOOKS FOR AMERICA: It might look like any old used bookstore, but Books for America is first and foremost a local nonprofit organization that donates books and other educational media to schools, prisons, libraries, shelters, assisted living facilities, and other institutions. The books you find in the store have all been donated and most can be purchased for $1-$5 (yes, you read that right.) Many appear to be new or only gently used and the selection, while not huge, is well curated, with particularly rich offerings in fiction, history, international relations, and food. All proceeds from book sales fund the operations of the nonprofit, so you can feel great about really filling up a bag. —Jenny Holm, from a previous list

Books for America is located at 1417 22nd Street NW