Kramerbooks and Afterwords was the first to set up shop in Dupont Circle. This bookstore and cafe is always crowded, particularly on weekends when singles who would rather skip the bar scene flock to this surprising hot spot. Live music is an added feature of this cozy literary joint. The cafe is a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The entrees are traditional American dishes, like chicken and lamb chops.

In this deceptively tiny shop tucked on a side street near DC's iconic Eastern Market, patrons have been known to spend hours browsing an extensive collection of used books. It is an old house converted into a bookstore, which holds more paper than one could ever imagine. The two levels of this place are covered floor to ceiling with secondhand books on literature, history, poetry, and more. Somehow the owner knows exactly where everything is and is always happy to help his customers in their book hunt here. Still, if you can't find a book of your choice, you can pick up a free book from one of the boxes kept outside this lovely bookstore.

Politics and Prose is an independent bookstore that one simply cannot miss. Hosting meets with authors, book-signing events and even literature classes, this bookstore is a cultural icon in Washington DC. Browse through their impressive collection to find classic novels as well as hidden literary gems. You may even spot autographed first editions of famous books on sale here. The bookstore also doubles up as a coffeehouse, offering caramel cider, mint mocha, latte and many more tempting beverages to accompany your reading marathon.