Idle Time Books Becomes Lost City Books “We’ll remain a place where intellectualism, creativity, openness, and a love of books are a priority.”

2467 18th Street, NW

Ed. Note: See our discussion on D.C.’s best bookstores here.

From a press release:

“Idle Time Books, an iconic neighborhood bookstore in Adams Morgan DC, will rename itself as Lost City Books. The new name, brand, and identity follows the retirement of founder Val Morgan and the sale of the bookstore in January 2019. While under new ownership, the store plans to remain in Adams Morgan indefinitely and is dedicated to remaining the neighborhood staple that Idle Time Books has been: a fantastic and idiosyncratic institution that proudly served the neighborhood for 36 years.

Owner Operator Adam Waterreus has been a career bookseller and publishing professional for the last decade. His plan for continuing the work of a unique bookstore in the heart of Adam’s Morgan is clear in the design of Lost City Books.

“Lost City Books will remain true to the core of what Idle Time Books was–a place for the bookworm and the intellectually curious, a bookstore engaged in culture both past and present, and a place full of unique and rare books–but we also intend to update the store and to revive it as it enters the next phase of its life in this neighborhood and in this city.

The store needed an update and I think changing the name will signal that. We’re making some changes, but we’re trying to take it slow and to be thoughtful about what we change. We’ll remain a place where intellectualism, creativity, openness, and a love of books are a priority.”

Lost City Books will remain a majority used bookstore with the addition of highly curated newly published titles, handpicked gift items, and a nuanced selection of ephemera. A renovation of the bookstore is planned later this summer with an eye towards more retail space and community event space in the near future.

Lost City Books is and will always be an independent bookstore offering used, new, and rare books for Adams Morgan and the greater D.C. community.

The store remains open for business, 11am to 10pm, 7 days a week.”