We spent a fabulous day recently in Annapolis, Maryland,
that charming town on the Chesapeake Bay. (see my post
here!)
I love returning to a place and visiting familiar sites and shops.
However, it's always a thrill to discover a new place to investigate,
and thrilled I was to have found The Annapolis Book Store!
The sparkling chandelier had me at "Hello!"
Such a fabulous collection of used, new, and rare books,
set in an inviting atmosphere of integrity and class.
Walls painted in warm tones of goldenrod and terra cotta.
Wood floors covered with old Persian rugs.
Crisp white woodwork and moldings.
Fine art in gilded frames.
Fireplaces, leather chairs, globes, and ceramic busts
all lend themselves to the ambiance of wisdom and antiquity.
Relax and linger over the rich, leather-bound volumes!
An oak Arts & Crafts style table, topped with a pitcher of fresh blooms,
sits next to an iron spiral staircase which descends to the lower level.
On the wall, a Virginia Woolf quote is stenciled:
"Second-hand books are wild books, homeless books;
they have come together in vast flock of variegated feather
and have a charm which the domesticated volumes of the library lack.
Besides, in this random miscellaneous company
we may rub against some complete stranger who will,
with luck, turn into the best friend we have in the world."
Dimly lit, brick-walled rooms with makeshift shelves.
Books are cleverly displayed in vintage luggage and an antique trunk.
With no need to rush, we paused for a cappuccino in the cozy cafe!
Here's the children's nook, complete with tiny table & chairs, and a not-so-tiny teddy.
Oh, an antique Underwood typewriter!
You can find the Annapolis Bookstore at 35 Maryland Avenue,
