Baltimore: The City That Still Reads
Baltimore’s literary history is pretty top-tier. Not only is our Enoch Pratt Free Library one of the oldest public and racially integrated library systems in the USA, Baltimore was also home to F. Scott Fitzgerald, H.L. Mencken, and, most famously, Edgar Allan Poe. Just think: How many other cities have an NFL team named after a poem?
Fittingly, Baltimore has a wealth of bookstores throughout the city with a variety of specialties and a lot of character. And fortunately, many of them are easily accessible from the Homewood campus, whether on foot or by shuttle. So, for anyone looking to thumb through a classic, pick up a bestseller, or maybe discover the next great author to emerge from Baltimore, here are some nearby bookstores to explore.
Atomic Books
Where: 3620 Falls Road
Why: A Hampden mainstay, Atomic Books is located just off of 36th Street (also known as “The Avenue”). On top of the standard literary offerings, Atomic Books boasts a strong collection of comics, magazines, local publications, and even a beer and wine bar in the back. It also happens to be where John Waters goes to pick up his fan mail. And if you’re looking to browse some vinyl, pop into Celebrated Summer, the record store next door that specializes in punk, jazz, and indie.
How to get there: Ride the Hampden Circulator Shuttle to the Roland Ave at 36th St. stop; then it’s just four blocks to the west.
The Book Thing of Baltimore
Where: 3001 Vineyard Lane
Why: Free books, that’s why! The Book Thing is a volunteer-run nonprofit that hosts a monthly used book giveaway at its warehouse on the Waverly/Abell neighborhood boundary. The only ask is that any books taken not be resold in keeping with their mission “to put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them, for free.” And as their inventory is entirely donation based, it can be a good place to pass along any books occupying needed shelf space.
How to get there: The Book Thing is less than a mile from campus, near some other locations on this list. Just make sure you check their website for the open dates ahead of time.
Greedy Reads
Where: 320 West 29th Street
Why: Greedy Reads—“Your friendly neighborhood independent bookstore”—has a bright, inviting layout that makes for easy browsing. New releases and works by Baltimore authors abound, along with special edition art books, an adorable children’s section, and an assortment of candles, bookmarks, and other local crafts. Greedy Reads also hosts events and author talks on a regular basis. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for in-store, their online shop offers a free ship-to-store option.
How to get there: Greedy Reads has two locations, and luckily one is just across from R. House in Remington. It’s a short walk from the Homewood campus, or just hop on the Remington Circulator Shuttle and hop off at the R House/FastForwardU stop.
The Ivy Bookshop
Where: 5928 Falls Road
Why: The Ivy’s homey building and outdoor reading space might be enough to recommend a visit even without mentioning its expansive selection of everything from classic fiction to history books to graphic novels. Located in the Mt. Washinton neighborhood in North Baltimore, The Ivy also hosts many events not only at the store but also at its popular Bird in Hand outpost right across from Hopkins’ Campus Store.
How to get there: While The Ivy can be difficult to access from Homewood without a car or a bus pass, books ordered online through The Ivy’s website can be shipped to Bird In Hand for pick up.
Normal’s Books and Records
Where: 425 E 31st Street
Why: For those who want to do some crate diving with their book buying, Normals Books and Records has you covered. In addition to a vast selection of used books of every category and genre, this Waverly gem sells new and used vinyl records plus CDs and DVDs. What’s more, their attached event space, known as The Red Room, hosts regular shows featuring local and touring artists in the experimental music scene.
How to get there: Only five blocks from campus, Normal’s is an easy walk on a nice day. It is also within the Blue Jay Night Ride service area for any Red Room shows.
Red Emma’s
Where: 3128 Greenmount Avenue
Why: A long-loved Baltimore institution, Red Emma’s has inhabited a lot of spaces around the city since its 2004 founding. Now settled in Waverly, the worker-owned bookstore, vegan café, and event space continues to offer a wide array of books with a special focus on social and political theory and practice. They also host a variety of workshops, meetups, book clubs, and conversations with authors.
How to get there: Only one street away from the aforementioned Normal’s, Red Emma’s is also in the Blue Jay Night Ride service area.
Station North Books
Where: 34 E. Lanvale Street
Why: Dubbed “Baltimore’s Most Eccentric Book Shop” by Baltimore Magazine, Station North Books specializes in older and hard-to-find books. Run by a former English professor who’s been collecting since 1987, Station North Books is a good place to search for books on history, art, architecture, and film, as well as signed books and fine bindings. But be prepared to hunt—the collection is dense and cluttered.
How to get there: Station North Books is one block north of Penn Station, around the corner from the Charles Theatre, and easily accessible using the Homewood-Peabody-JHMI Shuttle.
Urban Reads Bookstore
Where: 3008 Greenmount Avenue
Why: A bookstore and a source of community outreach, Urban Reads focuses on books by Black authors and prison authors and also offers a small selection of health and wellness products, hosts community events including author talks and annual youth summit. Urban Reads also provides publishing services for local writers and leads prison literacy efforts, providing books for incarcerated individuals and for children with incarcerated parents as well.
How to get there: Rounding out the Waverly bookstore roster, Urban Reads is two blocks south of Red Emma’s, about a 15-minute walk from Homewood.
