Politics & Prose Bookstore and Modern Times Coffeehouse
Washington D.C.'s neighborhood bookstore. Superior service and unusual book choices. A gathering place for people who love reading, meeting authors, and discussing books.
About Politics & Prose Bookstore and Modern Times Coffeehouse
- Categories
- Hours
- Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. -10 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Modern Times Coffeehouse opens at 8 a.m. daily.
Shopping
Pictures of Politics & Prose Bookstore and Modern Times Coffeehouse
Message from Politics & Prose Bookstore and Modern Times Coffeehouse
Our staff loves books and enjoys helping customers find books they will enjoy reading. We see the store as a fun place to be, to shop, and to work in. We chat with customers. We urge them to sit down and look at books before they make a decision. We tell them what we know. We go the extra mile in trying to locate a book for a customer. We have events for play as well as to learn. We make it easy for customers, trying to move them through the line as fast as possible. We are selective about the books that we order, offering what is important to our customers and what is important to us. We sell books about the nation and the world, about people’s lives and their ideas, and we love fiction. Our staff tries to read as much as we can so that we can recommend new books. It is the enthusiasm and commitment of the staff that make the store unique. Our author talks and our publications are integral to everything that we do. We want to facilitate the relationship between books and authors and readers. Authors enjoy coming to P&P because the staff treats them with respect and the customers are exceptionally well informed. It’s a great chance for authors, who work in solitude on their books, to meet readers. Our customers enjoy the author talks and the constant activity of the store. It’s a lively atmosphere. We host authors every night and often twice on weekend days. Publishers compete to place their authors at Politics and Prose because we do our homework and know the book when we introduce and because we have a great audience. We host many book groups, some run by staff, some run by interested customers. In addition, we provide books for about 75 book groups that order their books for discussion through the store. We also have classes on literature and psychology that meet at the store and serve store customers. - Barbara Meade and Carla Cohen
Insider Pages Reviews for Politics & Prose Bookstore and Modern Times Coffeehouse
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Every time I've eaten at the Coffehouse, I've thoroughly enjoyed my food and found the staff to be, at least, competent. The Coffehouse seems cool, but not sure that I've ever done anything in there other than browse while I waited for my table.
November 22, 2010Was this review helpful to you?
Politics & Prose is a Washington tradition and a fun place to meet locals. It's a quiet place to find a good book and get a cup of coffee. (and a cell phone free store at that!) I live close and enjoy picking up new books and supporting an independently run bookstore - there are so few to choose from! It's an amazing place and a readers paradise.
June 25, 2007Was this review helpful to you?
Insider Expert
| Rank: 5,215
This bookstore has a pretty average selection. They do not feature a lot of political books, unlike the name suggests. The store is relatively small, but it is very well organized and you can easily find what you're looking for. The children's section can be found in the basement. The best thing about it by far is that there are readings by local and national authors on an almost weekly basis in the back of the store almost on a weekly basis. Definitely check them out, and get there early.
November 08, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
Politics & Prose is where the hipsters go to buy their books. It has a great selection of books and even some literary magazines and journals that you can't find at most of the chain shops. They have a cute little cafe and an adorable children's section. Many famous authors have stopped by for free chats about their work, which is always a plus for avid readers.
November 02, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
Politics and Prose offer all the books and selection youwould find at regular book stores like Borders or Barnes and Noble but its off the beaten path. Since its smaller than the mega bookstores you don't feel overwhelmed and the people are really nice who work there.
October 27, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
Insider
| Rank: 17,920
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April 02, 2011Was this review helpful to you?
This bookstore is probably not the best place for conservatives to go unless they are looking for an argument. With that said, it is a fun exciting bookstore with a particularly good selection of political and historical books, the the political tone is clearly to the far left. They frequently invite authors to speak at events which draw quite a crowd and can be fun to go to with a few friends.
August 23, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
Insider Guru
| Rank: 2,089
If you are looking for somethign a little different from the chains, this may be the place for you. Although it does not have as many titles as Borders, it has a very interesting selection. The staff is very knowledgable, and they actually seem glad to help you. Fun place to shop.
July 27, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
Not only is Politics & Prose a good bookstore, it's also a place to get a date. Many Washington insiders go to Politics & Prose to be hit on and to meet potential love interests. This store also has many locations and frequently hosts well-known authors. They have also hosted events that have been featured on CNN book tv.
PROS:
CONS: none
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If you can get to Politics and Prose, which is inconveniently located on Conneticut Ave far past where the metro runs, this is the best place to spend an afternoon looking at books. With a large, well-stocked selection of books on every topic under the sun, P+P has a wonderful staff, affordable prices, and inviting atmosphere.
Worth the hike from the Tenleytown or Van Ness metro stop.
PROS:
CONS: Inaccessible by public transport without a hike.
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I could spend my whole life and all my money here. There's a wonderful children's section and *huge* remainder section in the basement behind the coffee shop. They are also adding a CD department with very interesting selections, and I always learn something reading the staff reviews posted all around. Wonderful and knowledgeable staff. The only downside is the coffee shop is frequently too crowded to sit down!
June 13, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
Great atmosphere and selection of books. They have speaker programs that cannot be beat. Amazing quality of authors that they get -- whereelse would Clinton (both Hillary and Bill) go to sign there books?
May 30, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
This is a great bookstore- truely independant. Wonderful service, comfortable chairs that you can sit in all day without getting "the look" and a pretty good selection of books (although no periodicals, so don't go there looking for a newspaper). A hike from the nearest Metro, but right on the L busline. Cafe downstairs has great coffee and snacks and there are several interesting book clubs.
May 23, 2005Was this review helpful to you?
