I bought my copy of George R.R. Martin’s A Dance with Dragons at that particular location.

About eleven years ago, I moved into a small place in Georgetown – my first apartment in Washington, DC. I used to make the lengthy (90-120 minutes) from the Dupont Circle metro to my place at 34th and Prospect. There were a series of bookstores that I passed on that trek – Olsson’s (now gone), Bridge Street Books, Kramer’s Books, Second Story Books, a now defunct used bookstore near the Childe Harold (which, I think, is also now gone, but I have no more good landmarks for you), and this Barnes & Noble.

It was big and spacious and friendly, with a great collection periodicals. You won’t find a better collection, I daresay, anywhere in DC anymore. Though three floors may have been wasteful in many ways, it also allowed for one to shift about and make one’s browsing feel like it really counted. Plus, back in my Georgetown days, a public restroom was a precious thing and this B&N was generous in that regard.

Now, when women drag me shopping over, I will have lost the best comfy place to relax, sip coffee, and browse while others clothes shop.

Lord, it’s very depressing to read (and, like rubbing one’s tongue on a broken tooth, write) about so many bookstore closing. Ugh.