Capitol Hill Books is an institution which is simply which I just enjoyed visiting there and roaming around, experience their wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling books. However, their pricing was just a bit annoying to me. Almost every used paperback was at least $7.50, even if in fact the book when priced new, was less than that. For that reason and what I was looking for, it just did not seem worth it. I usually just get paperback books between $2-$4, read them, and then place them in a Little Free Library. Nevertheless, Capitol Hill Books was still a great time for a visit and to just be around books. read more

Cute cozy bookstore near the Eastern Market that's floor-to-ceiling with books! You'll feel enveloped by them, which for most book-lovers, is a welcome feeling. In the front you'll find the current bestsellers and staff picks, which is what we putzed through during our visit. However, there are shelves upon shelves categorized throughout the space that you could spend hours going through. We came as a group of 3 and were chatting about the books displayed, but got the sense that they'd prefer we not talk out loud here. Great spot that's a neighborhood staple! read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

As an avid reader, I LOVE this place. Orderly stacks upon stacks upon stacks of used books in pretty good condition and at great prices. Right across from Eastern Market. I got two books that sticker price is $34 for just $12!! They have books EVERYWHERE, even in the bathroom. Expect to spend at least 1 hour looking at everything, then another one trying to decide. Fiction upstairs, nonfiction downstairs. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This shop has been around long enough and enough has been written about it that I do not feel the need to write an in depth review, just state that they have gained yet another customer who is absolutely in love with this place. Jam packed with books of any and every kind, it is a readers haven. Space is large and yet somehow still filled to the brim, and I love it, and despite the sheer number of books it is all incredibly well organized. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, interior was clean and quirky, and pricing was incredibly fair and varied as they not only carry everyday books, they also have an incredible selection of rare books, first editions, signed, and more. Would highly recommend and will absolutely be returning read more

Great selection of books that are all reasonably priced and witty genre signs. What more can you ask for? read more

If you are looking for used and vintage books- this is the place for you. But, if you are looking for new books you should skip this one. It is bigger than anticipated and has a large variety of books. read more

Great store, really amazing collection of books and wonderful employees. The prices are fair and they have very interesting rare books that would definitely entice any collector. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely love random bookstores that have so many different twists and turns with more and more books ! It is a little overwhelming since there is soooo much- but it seems quite organized (for as best as it can). They were quite busy when we stumbled in- but there was a little art market on that block that day. The prices were fairly cheap. Their new books were regular price (duh), the other books like ranged a bit between like 30-60% off ? Give or take the type of book it was- vintage or just slightly used or slightly damaged. I really only saw one lady sitting the table and couldn't quite see if anyone else worked there. But the lady was quite nice and was welcoming to everyone who was there. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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If you love books and shops in which every nook and cranny is stuffed with books and more books, this used book store is for you! What a fun place to peruse while at the Eastern Market. Today's discoveries included: 1. A book with photos still tucked inside (A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton). I can't help but wonder if the people pictured are missing those photos and if they'll ever be recognized or reunited?! 2. The law books were located inside the bathroom, much to my amusement as my browsing companion is an attorney. (I think they rotate because I've seen pics with other subjects located here) 3. Cheeky, spot-on political commentary 4. A book my son has been hoping to read, now purchased 5. Numerous other books of all genres waiting to be discovered by YOU! read more

Capitol Hill Books - lol - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fun and quickly secondhand bookstore. You can find books hidden in every crevice, including in the bathroom! They also recently restarted second Saturday's which has been on hiatus since the pandemic. It's a lovely event with wine, cheese, and crackers and 10% off purchases during the event. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Second Saturday's wine and books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

There are books EVERYWHERE. Upstairs. Downstairs. In the closet. On the floor. In a box. In the other closet. In another box. In the damn bathroom. If you like the smell of old books, this is it. Not a tablet in sight. It was quiet. It was refreshing. Cookbooks. Religion. Women's Studies. US History. Children's books. All the books. All the subjects. This place is full of gems, both old and new. Not sure if you can quickly find what you're looking for, but it's an adventure just to look. If you've got time, stop by and roam around. __ IG: @f.hux I #yelp and I know things. Keep reading... https://linktr.ee/f.hux #foodieHUX #yelpelite #yelpeatsdc #yelpdc read more

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I love this place so much, such a great place to find deals on used books. They have some new books as well, but I love the hunt of secondhand books & also the discounted price. Spent 2 hours here today and got 8 books for $72.50. I'll definitely be back, as we recently moved to DC and I have a number of new bookshelves that need filling. Great spot for any book lover. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Today's haul - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very quality used book collection and actually respects good books and classics. Cool nook that you can get lost in for hours

Yes you can purchase books at better price online but love visiting this store and get a book as a souvenir while you visit places. Highly recommend checking this place out! read more

This was such a fun used book store! I was a little worried based on the pictures if it would be hard to find anything, but all books are placed in different sections and alphabetized- making it easy to look through the chaos (chaos used in a positive way). I was able to find two books I've been wanting to read in great condition for half retail price. The cashier was so kind, the selection was amazing, and the experience was overall a 10/10! read more

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I love a good bookstore in a new city, so Capitol Hill Books fired on all cylinders during my recent visit to the DC area. Tucked into an old house-turned-store in the Eastern Market neighborhood, this place features multiple levels of books. So. Many. Books. It's the type of place you could get lost in for hours, or even days, if you wanted to. The building itself is old, with narrow stairs and lots of little rooms tucked away. They've tried to keep it organized, but there was definitely room for improvement - I found myself putting books away on a few shelves which were so disheveled it was impossible to find anything. Perhaps that's what adds to the charm of this place! read more

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Absolutely love this book store. I'm constantly reading so having a solid used book store has been on my list of things to find now that I'm a new DC resident. I also liked that they do also have new books so you can still find new & upcoming books all in one bookstore! Came on a Friday afternoon and the guy at the front desk was helpful and explained what type of books were on each floor. There are so many options to choose from. There isn't a ton of space for hanging out and reading inside, but there is a cafe right around on the corner. Can't wait to read the books I got today and come back for more. read more

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There's a reason this spot is a local favorite! Its tucked into a small space in Eastern Market, around the corner from Pitango, and it's seemingly been there forever. It's the kind of quirky, unpretentious hole-in-the-wall of a bookstore that serious readers will love. The shelves are overstuffed, rickety, and crowded together. There are snarky handwritten signs all over the place. It's a maze that can be difficult to navigate and fun to get lost in, and it's super rewarding when you find a treasure for super cheap. They've got everything, especially the obscure and the academic. My favorite features include the "Wacko shelf" of books by extreme political figures, the rare book display, and their Twitter account which is sarcastic and hilarious. Actually, no, my favorite part is they have a public restroom without a keypad code. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Let's just say if you can't find the book you are seeking. Or a book in the genre that you are searching for then it doesn't exist. Capitol Hill Books is filled from top to bottom with some of the most amazing books ever written. Book lovers of when you are in the DC area make sure Capital Hill Books are on the agenda. read more

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Great bookstore and proprietor. Several first editions for collectors. Curated selection of new and used. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Reading chairs for hunters. - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

One of my favorite bookstores ever. Books stacked everywhere, floor to ceiling, and into every nook and cranny, on the steps, and even in the restroom! There is a loving approach to how the books are organized as well, with witty guide signs and notations sprinkled throughout the store. Reading the signs are just as amusing and thought-provoking as browsing the stacks. Science fiction is in the basement (think twice about venturing downstairs if you're claustrophobic!), mystery has its own room with some reading nooks upstairs, politics is appropriately with its back against the wall, and foreign language is (where else) in the bathroom. Go on a Saturday in summer and you can also treat yourself to perusing the wares at Eastern Market and grabbing a gelato while you crack open your newest acquisition of a well-loved book. read more

5 stars for the variety of topics and pretty decent organization despite the appearance of massive clutter and old book smell. 2 stars for the prices. There are examples where some of the used books (all the books are used) are listed at a higher price than you could buy them for brand new on Amazon. I'm not sure if their list prices are negotiable but I didn't even try. They also have a pretty impressive vintage / antique book collection, including an 1884 copy of Poe's The Raven. Too bad it was just sitting out in the open, unprotected, and not in the greatest shape. Some of the other classic books at least made it into a glass case, albeit very unsecured. I'm happy the front desk runs a pretty tight ship. Some lady walked in with food and the cashier told her to either cover it or finish it and come back. read more

A very small but beautiful bookstore right by Eastern Market! Great selection of books and very well curated displays as well.

I love the grumpy old man at the front. When I was there last year, this young guy came into the store and asked to sell his books. The old man offered a small amount since he only wanted a select few of the books the young guy was selling. The young guy got upset because he thought he could sell the whole thing, but he didn't look at the website like the old guy/owner told him to, and like I did. It says on the website that he does not buy mystery/thriller books because he has too many, and won't take specific books for the same reason. The owner and young guy go back and forth, and the young guy storms out calling the owner an asshole, and the old guy goes "Hey... fuck you!" There was a pause, and then a customer or two next to me start giggling, which made me giggle. It was comedic the way it went down. He was just a typical grumpy old man. He found out I was in the Navy, and I found out he served in the Navy. So we got along fine. BOOKS: omg, there were so many! The mystery/thriller section was overflowing, to where I was worried about the old man because the weight of the books and shelves made the floor dip a little I think, and this room was right above the old man's head. I was scared it would cave in if I stepped into it, but it didn't. You can see based on how the shelves were slanted that there were just too many books in this place. There were some dips in the floor, indicating that the weight of the books and shelves were just too much for the floor to handle. There was a non-fiction section, fiction section, history section, psychology section, etc. There were very old books, recently published books, dusty books, slightly-faded books, cooking books, etc. read more

This is a phenomenal bookstore, exactly what you want your bookstore to be. It looks like a tiny space, but there are three floors and they FILL every corner. They have an incredible selection, great variety! This is a bookstore I bring everyone who loves books to, such a cool find/vibe and each person has told me they could spend hours there. The employees are awesome and give great recommendations! They really take their time thinking about what you might like. read more

This was high on my list of places to visit while I was in DC. I was looking for one book in particular, and I couldn't find it, but I did manage to grab two free books in the bins outside. All of the books in the bins out front are free! The first level is mostly non-fiction, the upper level is fiction and poetry, and the basement is sci-fi. There is definitely a mildewy smell, and I may have gotten seven mosquito bites IN the store, but it was worth it? Maybe? The owner and a bunch of people helping the owner sort books had a bunch of food just sitting out when I was there, which just made me feel like I was in a college dorm. Prices here are between $7-12. I prefer to buy books for $5 or less, so I was not super inclined to purchase anything for that reason. It's worth going here for the little notes spread throughout the store though. Some of the commentaries are pretty hilarious. They also sell a Capitol Hill Books tote bag that is super cute. read more

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So much to say about Capitol Hill Books but I have to start by telling you to follow them on Twitter because it is quite possibly the funniest and most joyous account, specifically for book lovers. Traditionally a used bookstore only (for something like 4 or 5 decades), during the pandemic they started selling new books to support their team and pay their rent. The signs throughout the store, labeling the different sections are not only helpful but very funny. You can find just about anything in this store, it's endless and filled to the brim with books. Sometimes I wonder how everything hasn't toppled over. The staff is funny and so passionate about stories, it's inspiring. My one critique is since selling new books, they've started putting them in the used books section at full price, which is confusing. I'll frequently pick up a book from my TBR, thinking it'll be maybe $10, but instead it's the same price at any other bookstore. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Obscure selection. Find what you weren't even looking for! Cool building. Lots of nooks and crannies to pop a squat and relax for a few.

Every city must have a quirky bookstore filled with lots of recommendations, punny jokes, and dusty books from all ages. Like the Strand in NY or CityLights in SF, Capitol Hill books is a place to get lost in words, the filing/inventory system seems completely random but you feel the history of words envelope you as you navigate the creaky stairs, round lopsided bookcases jammed with books, and find a moment of privacy in bathroom airing public radio opera programming. It's what makes a great city interesting! Love this place!! read more

Great book barn. They buy used. Sell books, texts for decent prices. Awesome shop. 5 read more

Went here looking for interesting finds and charm. It seems like a very popular spot and they state at the door that it's a "small space" THEYRE NOT KIDDING. It's an extremely tight space that is falling apart at the seams. The books are organized but not very well... the icing on the cake was the "foreign language room" aka the bathroom. I'm not kidding. The bathroom was also a room where they sell foreign language books... peruse French literature while you go. It says "if this door is closed, knock" lol. This is not a sanitary setup. The basement stairs are falling apart- I physically feel unsafe in the establishment. read more

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Quirky, eccentric, maze-like, chaos. All these things come to mind when I think about Capital Hill Books. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with mounds of books everywhere. And by everywhere I mean, along the stairs, in the "kitchen", in the basement, basically anywhere there's room. I don't think having a particular book in mind will help you here because it might take forever to find it! I think this store is better for wandering around the book maze and accidentally finding something new. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Books galore - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I am a sucker for bookstores, and I make a point to visit independent bookstores when I travel. Capitol Hill Books was the only bookstore (not in a museum) that I made it to during my five days in DC. And it was great. Books everywhere. Books in pyramids on the floor. Books in the bathroom, books in closets. Books on the main floor, upstairs, basement. So many books bookshelves were collapsing under the weight. Books of every conceivable genre. The owner of Capitol Hill Books has a great sense of humor, and you'll see it around the store. Live in DC? Visiting DC? Go to Capitol Hill Books. It's a charmer - and you'll find some good books for great prices! read more

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Books is right! This place has books! Books on shelves, books on windowsills, books on staircases. It's a labyrinth of books in there. I did a quick walk through, because my brother works for Bookstore Movers and I wanted to see the bookstore behind the movers. It was a bit like stepping back in time, to the days before digital. This may also be attributed to the fact that there was a guy selling records outside that day. I'm not gonna lie, I felt slightly claustrophobic in there. I was uneasy with the height and density of the book stacks and the fact that the whole place is probably about 5 books away from collapsing in on itself and into the basement (where there are even more books!). Navigating the tight, winding spaces between the bookshelves was interesting and I tried not to think about how scary it would be to try to escape in an emergency. Despite these hazards, it's definitely a cool place to check out. It's got lots of character. There are funny notes all over the place- my favorite being the Wacko Stacko area, but also, the foreign language section is in a bathroom! I looked around for a few self help books (see above concern for safety and overactive imagination regarding health hazards). I ended up purchasing a book and a sweet tote bag. Will I go back? If I am in the area again sometime, sure! I wish there were more bookstores like this in the world, even if they are health and safety incidents waiting to happen. At least death by books would be a good way to go. read more

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A quirky townhouse crammed to the gills with books. There are indeed books in the bathroom! There were secondhand books on virtually every topic imaginable; I walked (read: staggered) away with a number of books on engineering, art/design and industry which I have never come across before. Books which cover a blend of these topics are uncommon at best. The sections are organized, and the store has plenty of signage to help you find exactly what you want. The labels, however, can be somewhat whimsical with their naming conventions. The kid's section was "Breeders this way", which I found hysterical but may not be for everyone's sense of humor. Another label of note is "businessmansplaining" which actually yielded some very good finds on tech management. The employee at the front counter clearly loved his books, and he was very knowledgeable about where everything was located. Hope to be back soon! read more

Capitol Hill Books - "EVEN MORE RAILROADS" - an example of the labeling methods for sections - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Adorable little place right in the heart of the Capitol! This gem of a store is easy to miss if you don't know about it. Make sure you stop, you wont' be disappointed. Every inch of the place is stacked full of books, I mean every free slot - even in the bathroom! The staff is friendly and sits right at the entrance of the store to direct you. They have a great selection of decently priced books! Three stories full of thrillers, travel, biographies and so much more. Handwritten labels direct you and they have some funny notes tucked in throughout the store as well. This place isn't just a store, its an experience. If you are in the area and have some time, this place is must! read more

Good selection of average priced books. Brought a handful down to purchase but ended up not buying any of them as the bitter old owner kept making rude and outright mean comments throughout the entire ordeal. Sadly couldn't bring myself to support that kind of business read more

Absolutely great selection of books! Much better than any other used book store I've been to. People in DC and surrounding areas sure have good taste in reading material compared to other places - that's all I can figure. I got several books on Egyptology, a few on Elizabethan England (by Alison Weir), "Eminent Victorians," and (in True Crime) "Tinseltown" and "Serpico." They have tons of Stephen King and other popular but excellent fiction writers and, of course, tons of classic lit. And anything else (almost) a book worm with practiced taste could want. Love, love, love it!! read more

I'm a library slut but this is arguably the best bookstore ever. I love the way it's organized. I kinda get what people are saying about it being claustrophobic but it honestly just adds to the vibe. Also, THE place to go for a cool first edition if you want a great gift for a book-lover in your life. read more

I recognized Capitol Hill Books as my Mecca the moment I realized that every observable window was filled, top to bottom, with stacks of books. From the foreign language section in the bathroom, to the low-ceilinged maze of a basement, to the peaceful reading area on the second floor, I love it, snarky signs and all. Prices were pretty average for a used bookstore - lower than list price, higher than Goodwill. As I was checking out, the cashier launched into a story about a trip to Russia she'd gone on some time ago. "Did you love it?" I asked. "Love it? No, how could I love it? Poverty was rampant." This lead to another story, which involved corpses. "Oh my gosh," I said. "Don't say 'Oh my gosh.'" "It's just that--" "DON'T say 'Oh my gosh.'" I didn't realize until returning home and checking out the Yelp business page that saying 'oh my gosh,' isn't allowed at Capitol Hill Books. Look into the list of banned phrases and consult your thesaurus before heading in; it's totally worth it. read more

Capitol Hill Books - Used Bookstore Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia