This much-cherished shop has vast offerings in literary fiction and nonfiction alike and an excellent children’s department. It has expanded again and again over the years to accommodate its clientele’s love of books in every genre, as well as a growing selection of greeting cards, journals, and other gifts. The shop hosts author readings nearly every night of the year, sometimes two or three in a single day. A warm, knowledgeable staff assists customers. Downstairs is a pleasant coffeehouse. Politics and Prose has another location at 70 District Square SW (tel. 202/488-3867) at the Wharf, in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood, and one scheduled to open near Union Market, at 1270 Fifth St. NE. See website for latest details.