The DC Traveler » capitol-hill-books http://www.thedctraveler.com A Washington DC insider's travel guide that's full of area information for both tourists and residents. Covers area attractions, activities, events, nightlife, memorials and monuments, historic sites, museums, the Smithsonian... Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:17:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Books on “The Hill”…and What Seems Like Everywhere Else! http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/10/books-on-the-hilland-what-seems-like-everywhere-else/ http://www.thedctraveler.com/2006/10/books-on-the-hilland-what-seems-like-everywhere-else/#comments Sun, 22 Oct 2006 20:04:00 +0000 http://www.thedctraveler.com/books-on-the-hilland-what-seems-like-everywhere-else/ Post from: The DC Traveler

]]> Capitol Hill Books - Storefront - Washiongton DCIf you need a book for your flight home or just a great place to take a break from site sighting, there’s an interesting and funky little used bookstore in about a half mile from The Capital. 

Jim Toole, a retired navy man, took over Capitol Hill Books about 12 years ago.  With a classic dry sense of humor that he shares freely with his customers, he’s also always ready to display a rather broad knowledge of books and authors. Jim - Capital Hill Books - Washington DC

His shop is literally crammed from floor to ceiling with roughly 20,000 reasonably priced used books, from first editions to more current popular best sellers. Covering three floor plus a couple staircases and even a bathroom in an older Capitol Hill row house, the shop can seem a bit claustrophobic.

He told me he sources quality used books by spending a good deal of his time at estate sales and at book auctions.

Capitol Hill Books - Shelves of Books - Washington DCOn my most recent visit, I eavesdropped on a conversation between Jim and a customer where he displayed a rather deep knowledge of Winston Churchill biographers. Later at the counter while helping a different customer, there was an interesting exchange with a “Capitol Hill insider” who told a story about how Watergate reporter Bob Woodward was able to get past White House policy and interview Donald Rumsfeld for his latest book.  

I asked Jim about the most requested author. Without hesitation he stated, “Kirt Vonnegut, his books fly off the shelves”. He describes his shop as “disorderly and confused”, when in fact it’s fairly easy to find just about any of the dozens of genres he stocks. 

You can get a glimpse of Jim’s sense of humor by reading various signs around the shop, especially at the front counter where he displays some popular best sellers. 

Capitol Hill Books - Sign over Law Books - Washington DC

For an example, see the above photo over the law books section.  He even makes a statement about foreign language books by storing them in one of the shop’s bathrooms because, as he put it, “…the state of foreign language in the U.S. is in the toilet”. 

It’s an enjoyable place to browse and get lost in a great book…that is, if you’re not claustrophobic. 

Capital Hill Books
657 C Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 – Across from Eastern Market
Phone: 202-544-1621
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11:30-6:00, Sat. & Sun. 9:00-6:00

Post from: The DC Traveler

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