Brightest Young Things

If there is one thing people always mention, it is that DC does not have enough independent bookstores. So, with our summer reading lists in mind, we figured we'd spotlight some of our favorites. We kicks off with:

Idle Time Books, which is located in Adams Morgan, 2467 18th Street

Owner: Val Morgan

How long have you worked here?

28 years

What about this bookstore is different from others in DC?

Mostly here it depends on the person who buys the books. My husband, Mr. Morgan, buys most of our books here; he has a great eye for them. We buy mostly from school sales or yard sales. Also this bookstore has had the same owners, me and my husband, the entire time it’s been here.

How does the location (being in DC or being in Adams Morgan) shape this store?

DC is a great book town. The people that come and live here are pretty literate, that helps with finding a great book selection too. Adams Morgan is also constantly growing and DC itself attracts a lot of visitors so there are constantly new people in and out.

What was your most unusual experience working here?

Every day, you never know what will walk in that door.

If your life was written into a book, what would the title be?

“Life of Val” (play off of “Life of Pi”)

What are you currently reading?

“The Pursuit of Love” and “Love in a Cold Climate” by Nancy Mitford

“The American way of Death” by Jessica Mitford

What are you dying to read?

Whatever takes my fancy.  “Letter to a Young Contrarian” by Christopher Hitchens

What do you think makes a really great book?

The writing, words and they way they fit together and the images they create.

If you had all the time in the world just to read a super long book, what book would you choose?

“Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth

What was your favorite classic?

I love a lot of them but Jane Austen.

What is your least favorite classic?

“Thirty-Nine Steps” John Buchan

Note: Though this interview seems to have gone smoothly, I got quite an ear full when I first arrived naïve and bright-eyed. Apparently “Summer Reading” is a touchy subject and not something I should bring up to a used bookstore. Though initially this speech nearly brought me to tears, I think Val is absolutely brilliant and I must include it, enjoy!

“When you come to a used bookstore, you must come with an open mind. Don’t have a title already in your head because it’s not guaranteed to be here every day. Instead, come and see what you didn’t know was there.

Why must people live so safe? Find a book, and if you hate it, well, that’s life. Would you rather discover what you love through trial and error? Finding a good book is like ordering at a restaurant, find something with ingredients you like and try it. People are too safe. Before they go somewhere they have to look up on the Internet if they will like it. Just go! Maybe you hate it but oh well, you know not to go there anymore. You discovered something about yourself, about your preferences.

People always come in asking for the same books. Why do people have to read the same thing as everybody else? They come in and ask for “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” or “Three Cups of Tea” and when I say I don’t have it, they walk right out. Well I have 40,000 other books they’ll never see!”

Previously in i heart dc:

• 2/13: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use:
• 2/13: 101 Reasons To Love DC-Part 1
• 2/10: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/9: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/8: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/8: Perfect Date Outfits + Outings
• 2/7: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use
• 2/6: DC News You Can Maybe Use:
• 2/2: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use:
• 2/1: DC News You Can (Maybe) Use: