Bookstore Review
Baltimore is known as "The City That Reads," and the bookstores in town do not disappoint. Check out this list of must-visit Baltimore Bookstores.
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by Baltimore has a wide variety of independent bookstores that are always a pleasure to visit. Due to the large numbers of Baltimore booksellers, this review is limited to those that sell new books. A review of used book stores will be next!
Atomic Books
3620 Falls Rd in Hampden
Tue-Sun opens at noon until at least 6pm (Wed, Fri until 8; Sat until 7)
Atomic Books specializes in comic books and graphic novels. You can also find music and art books as well as fiction books. There is a large selection of zines, whimsical toys, and magazines. They host reading clubs, comic book clubs, and author readings. Their bar serves beer and wine and is open Wed and Fri 5-8, Sat 4-7, and Sun 3-6.
Bird in Hand
11 E 33rd St in Charles Village
8am-7pm daily
Bird in Hand has author readings and book club events where readers can speak with authors. You can sit at the large plate glass window and read while enjoying coffee, tea, or snacks.
Charm City Books
782 Washington Blvd in Pigtown
Wed & Thu 10am-5pm; Fri & Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-4pm
Charm City Books has a small, but well-curated selection of books with an eye toward Black and LGBT+ literature. Their children’s room upstairs is cozy and ideally suited to snuggling with your child as you peruse the books. They host a virtual story time, kids’ book club, and writing classes for kids.
Their “Baltimore Bards” program includes oral recitations of classic literature and poetry and personal narratives. In addition, Charm City Books hosts author readings and talks with local authors, including those who are self-published and published in small press. Their community work includes collecting books and other learning materials for schools, community centers, and other charitable organizations.
Dreamers and Make Believers
400 S. Highland Ave in Highlandtown
Tue-Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 8am-4pm
Dreamers and Make Believers identifies as an “inclusive comic shop, coffeehouse, and bookstore, focused on stories by and for BIPOC, women, and the LGBTQIAA+ community” They sell kids’ books, romance, sci fic, superhero fiction, and comics. Dreamers and Make Believers hosts in-person and virtual book club meetings, and “art walks.” A vegan coffee shop is included and has well-lit tables to drink coffee and consider your purchases.
Everyone’s Place African Cultural Center
1356 W. North Ave in Druid Heights
M-Sat 9am-7pm; alternate Sundays noon-5pm
In business for 37 years, Everyone’s Place African Cultural Center is a pan-African bookstore catering to Black people and the community. The books are upstairs with a marvelous collection of fiction and nonfiction books. It has a children’s and young adult section which sells books you won’t find elsewhere.The downstairs smells pleasantly of the incense they sell. It also has clothes, jewelry, and assorted other items.
Ivy Bookshop
5928 Falls Rd in Mount Washington
10am-7pm daily
The Ivy hosts book signings, readings, and book launches. In good weather, these events are held on the outdoor porch. In addition, there is a large garden to ease the eyes. The Ivy also holds a workshop for students to develop their college essay and application.
Greedy Reads
320 W. 29 St in Remington
1744 Aliceanna St in Fells Point
12-6pm Mon-Thu; 11-6pm Fri-Sun
Greedy Reads has a variety of book clubs including translated fiction, queer books, black femme books, and nonbinary books, climate change books, young adult books, and a general book club. Author readings and discussions are held. At Bark Social, they host a romance book club for people and dogs-you can even go to a Sunset Cruise and Book Swap!
Red Emma’s
3128 Greenmount Ave in Abell
We-Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 10am-2pm
Red Emma’s is a worker cooperative bookstore with a strong emphasis on world literature and left-leaning nonfiction. They hold book readings. a book club, and a game night. There is a community events space and a vegan cafe. Don’t forget to try to open the mysterious huge, metal safe which came with the building!
Snug Books
4717 Harford Rd in Lauraville (plus a small branch in Port Discovery Children’s Museum)
Sun-Thur 10am-6pm; Fri & Sat 9am-7pm
Snug Books specializes in children’s literature. They have story time, and book clubs (general fiction, fantasy & sci-fi, romance, middle school). Go to the “Read & Ride” at the Street Car Museum of Baltimore and ride street cars from the 1800s!
