I must have walked by Back Creek Books dozens and dozens of times - on Main Street among dozens of other shops and restaurants and bars, it's right truly in the heart of historic Annapolis. And yet I'd never stopped in until last week! I don't know what took me so long. It's a bookstore, but it's not your every day bookstore. Back Creek Books sells used books and antiquarian books (rare and very old books). It's small, so I wondered if I wouldn't find something I wanted to take home with me. What a silly thought. I had about 20 minutes to kill before heading to a work event and popped in. I found several books I wanted to take home within just a few minutes and without even leaving the first one or two bookshelves (fiction). They have lots of older editions, signed books, and less common finds - many at still very affordable prices (don't get intimidated by their very rare and quite expensive books in the front window, not everything in the shop is a first edition with a high price tag). I picked up a signed book of short stories that I'm really excited to read. This probably isn't the bookshop for you if you're looking for something specific or if you only read new releases. But it's a great shop for browsing if you're looking for something unexpected, different, or special! read more

If you are into unique and collectible books, then this is the shop for you. They have some amazing treasures here! The shop is nicely organized and well-maintained, and the guy running the shop is very friendly. I was amazed at how many cool books they had! read more

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This is a good place if you are looking for rare/antique style books, not really the used books variety. Not a huge store/selection. Lots of the books looked like they had been discarded from a library with the cover protector still intact. read more

Charming store full of collectible and rare books - will definitely go back when in Annapolis!

It's Back Creek Books but the words on the awning also add "& Antiques" and this is far from the usual bookshop that I generally frequent. And having read Alyssa's excellent review, I don't know that I have any more to add. This isn't a "used paperback book shop." This is the sort of place that deals in rare and higher end books that are read in libraries with leather chairs and hushed lighting, not the sort of thing that you zip through as your beach book. Very tidy, very refined. And if I am ever looking for a gift for a book reader, the perfect spot. read more

Back Creek Books - Back Creek Books & Antiques in Annapolis - Bookstores Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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Such a stupendous little find! The gentleman working was so king and personable. The books are well maintained and plenty to choose from. What a gem! Thank you! read more

What a great little bookshop on Main Street! They have a nice selection of books that is easy to browse and not overwhelming in number. Sometimes I like to get lost in a bookstore and search for buried treasure, but other times I prefer to just pop in and look for a few things, and this is the latter type of store. Bookworms will love it. read more

When I opened the door to this brilliant little shop, I was greeted by the welcoming scent of aged paper and the kind of warm nostalgia that only the feeling of the far past can bring. I was certainly entertained as I first began browsing the owner-curated selections in categories like military history and fiction, many with author signatures on their first edition pages. But it was when I found the low, glassed in cabinets towards the back of the shop and knelt down reverently to browse their contents that I realized I had found the place where old dreams are rediscovered and new ones found. Carefully, as requested by the hand lettered sign above these cabinets of true curiosities, I opened the doors and gently extracted first a wooden bound one of a postcard collection dating back almost a century. I admired the photos and wondered at the maker's life, then replaced it on the shelf. It was then that I caught sight of a signed Tom Clancy novel, the perfect Father's Day gift for my Clancy obsessed dad and the first of a series of finds so extraordinary that I'm still giddy about it. From Clancy I stumbled upon a beautiful edition of Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales that, although lacking the dust jacket , still had its box. A book including the classic tale of briar rabbit and the tar baby made itself mine without a moments hesitation, and nearly half a dozen other extraordinary finds later I had amassed a small collection that I cannot wait to both read and display. Perhaps one of the most intriguing discoveries, and one of several congratulatory gifts for my med-school bound fiancé, was a series of plates from an extraordinary work of anatomical documentation by one of Darwin's own teachers. (Yes, that Darwin!) It was truly an indescribably wonderful experience, made even better by friendly service from the exceptionally well informed and clearly passionate owner. He even offered a sign up sheet with the opportunity to list interests so as to be informed of future finds and, after we discussed the potential of tracking down the anatomical plates in their complete form, he emailed us that very night following up with information on the book. Truly a gem of a bookstore, although we might need to find a new word because "bookstore" really doesn't do this place justice! Happy browsing! read more

Love it here. Every single book has been hand picked & the shop is meticulously kept. If you are looking for something specific, Rockford will be sure to find it. I just wish it had big lounge chairs to peruse awhile. Overall, great spot. read more

The best bookstore in Annapolis, if not Maryland. Great selection of unique books, reasonable prices, and helpful employees.

A nice little book shop in the heart of Annapolis, you don't come here to find the newest YA novels or super popular novels in general. It has a large variety of eclectic books that you couldn't really find anywhere else; once I found a book about Armenian art featured in New York museums. If you're a book lover and really enjoy the aesthetic of old books this place is for you! read more