Busboys and Poets Books
Busboys and Poets aims to be not just a restaurant, but also a space in which intellectual, cultural, political and social issues can come together for a discussion that benefits everyone. Our bookstore, Busboys and Poets Books, aims to be a space in which literature, politics, society and social justice can be engaged with in a productive and exciting atmosphere.
Busboys and Poets Books is an extension of our mission to promote cultural, political and historical awareness in our diverse communities. We hope to use and maintain this space as one in which the local community can come together to learn about the great artistic, cultural and political developments of our time.
As an independent, local bookstore, one of our highest missions is to promote the work of local authors – of whom there are a great deal! Our community is both well read and well written, and we hope to shine a spotlight on its talents. In the past we have hosted several exciting events by local authors, such as a discussion of the history of the American folk music tradition by Hyattsville resident Steven Wade, on his book The Beautiful Music all Around Us: Folk Recordings and the American Experience.
We have a deep commitment to showcasing books and authors who have contributed to great social struggles, especially that of the black struggles for civil rights. This extends also to issues of women’s and LGBTQ liberation, and more generally to the experiences of all the dispossessed and marginalized in this country. Around the year you will find us featuring titles, authors and events as our own contribution to their struggles for awareness and justice, as a special part of our mission as a bookstore. We also feature diverse selections of children’s and young adult books, helping to integrate us into the community at all levels.
Busboys and Poets Books can be found at our Hyattsville, Shirlington, and 5th & K locations.
Busboys and Poets Book Club in Hyattsville
This monthly book club meets on the last Saturday of the month at 9am in Hyattsville to discuss books that align with the Busboys and Poets mission and address/highlight social justice issues. Our bookstore makes sure to carry the books our book club members choose to make it easy and accessible for all our members. Our members understand the importance of supporting local businesses, especially their local bookstore, and make a conscious effort to purchase their books in-house, whenever possible.
April 2013
: Harvest of Empire by Juan Gonzalez
May 2013
: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
June 2013
Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
To join our book club and be added to the listserv, email Laela (laela@busboysandpoets.com)
