Second Story Books

Been coming here for 25 years.
Great collection and so important to the neighborhood. A treasure!
The staff doesn't seem too friendly, however. Lots of eye rolls, and shrugs.

This is a space that celebrates the beauty of old ideas, of yesterday’s beauty, the beauty of being haunted by images, memories and feelings. The space is cozy and full of used books, old paintings, prints, and other art. I came to be in a space full of things that I love and I definitely found it. (I also two books that came home with me!)

In many ways I really like this place: It has a great location and a wide selection of interesting books. I've shopped here a lot. Sadly, in recent years - including on this past weekend - some among the staff increasingly seem disinterested and/or are offputting when inquiries are made at the front desk. Other times they talk very loudly amongst themselves while customers browse. I'm actually not that interested in their personal lives, and I don't want to hear about them while wandering their store. Sounds like a little thing but it is enough to reduce my future visits. Bummer.

A well curated local used bookstore. Customer service is courteous, knowledgeable, and friendly. This place is staffed with well educated book lovers, and their love for books is contagious. And, the prices are right for any budget. The 3 books I purchased (2 paperback, 1 hardcover, all in "like new" condition) were -- in total, for all 3 -- $16.00. In sum, get in here, and stick it to the online, mega-retailers (yes, I mean you, Amazon). Local, friendly merchants that are our neighbors win, hand down. 5 Stars.

Second Story Books is a treasure trove for bookworms full of interesting and rare titles and used books dating back to the 1700s. I lost track of time browsing through their extensive selection. They have books on any subject you want science, fiction, nonfiction, economics, history, and more. The staff is passionate and helpful in finding the perfect read. It's not just about the books – it's the whole experience. I've discovered new authors and revisited old favorites here. Second Story Books is great to spend some time out with your favorite books. Highly recommend.

I recently developed an interest in philosophy so naturally, I went to the bookstore with philosophy books placed in their window display. Sartre, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche - possibly every philosopher an entry level reader should know (except Schopenhauer) has a spot on the Second Story shelves. If you’re looking to escape the chaos of Dupont Circle, take a moment to browse their $4 carts outside. I’m certain something will entice you.

I saw Second Story Books on Google maps while I was in the area, and I thought I’d pay them a visit. I’m glad I did. The shelves were stocked full of fascinating titles, with some used books dating back to the 1700s. There were books of art, botany, sci-fi, fiction, nonfiction, history, politics, economics, and everything in between. While this was a book store, what I found most interesting were the old art prints and maps they had in store. As a social studies nerd, these truly piqued my interest, and spending time looking at them was a great addition to my afternoon. I would definitely recommend playing this little shop a visit!