Books on “The Hill”…and What Seems Like Everywhere Else!
If 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.
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.
On 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.
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
3 Comments
I’m visiting Washington D.C. for the first time in about a month.
Thanks for this post! I’ll be making a beeline for this bookstore.
I’m subscribed to your feed as well. Your blog has started at the perfect time for me!
Thanks Paull: Enjoy your trip. And if you find any great places, please let me know.
I visited this bookshop on the weekend and it was everything I anticipated from this blog post and more.
I love second hand book stores and this is the best one I’ve ever been to. Even if you’re not into books you’ll enjoy the experience of this shop.
Great stuff!