Baltimore is rich in literary history and landmarks, having been the home of numerous renowned authors, including journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates and detective fiction pioneer Edgar Allan Poe. A large portion of that creativity is fostered and supported by the city’s independent bookstores, which act as hubs for the creative community in addition to selling goods. You should put these stores on your list of places to visit in Baltimore, whether your goals are to finish a collection, get a present, get a pick-me-up, or simply peruse unique books that you won’t find anywhere else.
Atomic Books
It should come as no surprise that this Hampden bookstore has a large assortment of oddball books that you won’t find in other bookstores, given its tagline, “literary finds for mutated minds.” Choose from a variety of books with edgy titles like “Memoirs of a Sword Swallower” and “Scum Manifesto” and artful covers in their “Atomic Canon” collection. Since Atomic Books is the location for collecting fan mail for the Baltimore genius, it is also the place to buy any books or artwork that resembles John Waters. Stop by Eightbar, which is tucked away at the back of the bookshop, for a drink after your shopping.
Bird in Hand
In Charles Village, check out Bird in Hand for a sophisticated coffee shop and bookshop experience. Bird in Hand is a sister store to The Ivy Bookshop that has been honing its “coffee, books, and community” blend since 2016. The lively location honors Charm City’s literary culture. Products by Baltimore artists and makers are boldly displayed in various displays, and floor-to-ceiling shelves are lined with colorful must-read novels. The cafe offers delectable pastries from a group of nearby businesses in addition to Thread Coffee, which is operated by women and LGBTQ people.
The Book Escape
Do not be fooled by the little shop in Federal Hill’s historic district. There are countless quantities of rare, old, and new books at The Book Escape. The Book Escape’s website allows users to look through over 40,000 volumes in storage, in addition to the books on shelves.
Charlotte Elliott & The Bookstore Next Door
You may be sure that Charlotte Hays, the owner of Charlotte Elliott, has an eye for vintage goods because she is a fourth-generation antiques and art trader. Fun clothing, ornamental items, china, textiles, metalware, and much more may be found at Charlotte Elliott. The Bookstore Next Door, as the name suggests, has two floors filled with volumes ranging from science and fiction to poetry and recipes. Her literary sense is similarly excellent.
Charm City Books
A charming and vibrant escape from Baltimore’s bustling downtown is Charm City Books, which is situated in the historic Seton Hill area. A wide range of contemporary fiction, memoirs, and literary theory can be found here, including works by Baltimore-based authors including D. Watkins and R. Eric Thomas, as well as books for young readers. Along with books, you will also discover stationery, stickers, and souvenirs from Charm City. It is also possible to see the owners’ four-legged companions wandering around the store, assisting clients in choosing the ideal story!
Drama MaMa Bookshop
We should “write… and then write some more,” says Alisa Brock, the owner of the drama MaMa in question. Drama MaMa Bookshop has all the nicest stationery you would ever need, whether you are writing the next great book or making a fast grocery list. You may even personalize your own notebook by selecting the cover and type of paper, as well as adding a logo or image.
Dreamers & Make-Believers
Miranda Nordell, like many of us, turned to books during the pandemic, but she struggled to find new stories because there were few bookstores nearby and libraries were closed. Dreamers & Make-Believers was founded when Miranda ultimately made the decision to fill the void herself. The Highlandtown Shop has a wide range of books and comics that support female, BIPOC, and queer voices. Along with other community events, the store runs a variety of specialist book clubs.
Greedy Reads
Julia Fleischaker, a Maryland native who relocated to Fell’s Point after working in publishing for almost 20 years in New York, established Greedy Reads, a bright bookstore, in 2018. Her store’s philosophy and programming, which includes a book club and discussions, are driven by her deep love of books and her desire to foster community. This led to the opening of a second location in Remington, which is close to well-known local stores like Mount Royal Soaps and the Remington Bottle as well as the well-known food hall R. House.
The Ivy Bookshop
Bestsellers and specialized books are both available at the well-stocked independent Ivy Bookshop on Falls Road. Join a book club, meet local and national authors, or get advice from experienced book consultants to find the book of your dreams.
Normals Books & Records
Normals has been the hub of Waverly’s literary community for over two decades, providing a space for artists, readers, and alternative thinkers to congregate and exchange ideas while also appreciating art. Poetry readings, movie screenings, dance performances, and other events are often held at the store, which also hosts Red Room Collective’s High Zero Festival. Expect to read a lot of philosophy, classic literature, speculative fiction, ancient Greek and Roman writings, and modern writers like Cormac McCarthy and Octavia Butler.
Protean Books & Records
Protean Books & Records, one of Baltimore’s biggest independent book and record stores (with over 20,000 titles), offers a welcoming alternative to the bustling eateries and bars in the Federal Hill district. Protean sells books, music, video and board games, clothes and costumes, turntables, and novelty things.
Red Emma’s Bookstore & Coffeehouse
A radical worker-owned cooperative initiative, Red Emma’s is named for Emma Goldman, a 19th-century anarchist, feminist, and activist. It includes a vegan cafe and bookstore. Red Emma’s, a self-described “infoshop,” seeks to unite people in the exchange of ideas that are not frequently discussed by the media. They have held discussions with activists and writers like Dorothy Roberts and Chelsea Manning at their Waverly location.
Royal Books
Given its regal moniker, it is understandable why Royal Books takes pride in offering only the best rare books and documents for sale. There is a little bit of everything here, but the literature and prints about pop culture, art, and film from the 20th century stand out the most. Visit their shop on 25th Street in Charles Village, which is close to well-known eateries and bars including Clavel, Fadensonnen, and Dutch Courage.
Snug Books
Married locals Emanuel Figueroa and Katie Beltz made their dream come true with Snug Books, seeing the main Hamilton-Lauraville location as a community hub as well as a bookstore. They regularly hold activities like craft sessions, story times, and reading clubs. Given the sizeable children’s and young adult department of the Hamilton store, Snug Books’ second site inside the Port Discovery Children’s Museum makes sense.
Station North Books
Rare books and antiques are the specialty of this quiet, unassuming book nook in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Since 1987, the proprietor, Professor Ned, has been collecting books, and his store is filled with amazing first edition treasures, such a five-volume collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s complete works from 1903. It is the ideal spot to get some fresh reading material before your train journey, and it is located across the street from Penn Station.
The Sound Garden
The Sound Garden has received recognition for its unmatched collection of CDs and DVDs (they have over 100,000) since it opened in 1993. However, The Sound Garden offers a wide range of new hardback and paperback books in addition to their well-known music collection. Fantasy, historical nonfiction, and celebrity memoirs are among the genres. Discover them in historic Fell’s Point, where novelist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass once lived.
Urban Reads
Urban Reads is growing—and rightfully so—with a location in Waverly and a new booth within the famed London Market. Thanks to its free internet, notary services, vegan cafe on site, and regular events, this center for books by Black and incarcerated authors also functions as a community gathering place. Additionally, Urban Reads regularly utilizes Instagram to promote social justice movements and local charity drives, and it uses the platform to inform its audience about racism, jail reform, and other structural concerns.
Vinyl & Pages
This Black-owned boutique in the Bromo Arts & Entertainment District offers a carefully chosen assortment of new and used books and records, but it also makes room on its shelves for other creatives and small business owners to display their goods. Since it is run by Eric and Lynnette Dodson, the owners of the well-known Cuples Tea House, it should come as no surprise that every element of the store, including the artwork on the walls, the music playing inside, and the product prices, is designed to foster an approachable, imaginative environment that encourages creativity and teamwork. In addition to hosting author events, book signings, art exhibits, game evenings, music jams, and other activities, Vinyl & Pages serves as a community center.
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