Books With A Past

If you loved to read, and love books, this is the place to be! Was so happy to find this store while exploring the area. Will definitely be a returning customer!

Amazing store with wonderful staff and a great selection of everything. A real gem of a store. We spent a half hour there and I walked out with a pile of books. They sell new and used books with decent prices. Worth the drive out there.

I sit corrected. This wonderful store did NOT close! My wife is very happy about this and, of course, that makes ME happy. Get out there, say hi to Erin and buy some books!!!

Good news folks — this store is still open (although under new management).
At a friend’s recommendation, my guy and I checked it out for the first time this weekend. We were impressed by the well-​organized shelves, collection, and knowledgeable, friendly staff. The military, biography, and cookbook sections are very large — one could spend hours browsing. They even have a sitting area so you can rest up b/​w aisle explorations! This is one of the nicest, well-​run, and cleanest used book stores we have ever visited.
My one caveat about this store is that its prices seemed higher than other local bookstores, like Second Story Books (Rockville, MD) or Second Edition (Columbia, MD). Perhaps that’s a result of the new management. I am not sure. Regardless, the store has high-​quality, often rare, books, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
If you’re ever looking for a day trip to Glenwood, I recommend that you grab a nice BBQ lunch at Smokin’ Hot (which is in the same strip mall, literally next door to this bookstore), hold onto your lunch receipt, and then check out Books with a Past. The bookstore currently gives you 10% off your purchase if you show them your Smokin’ Hot receipt (I assume it’s a same-​day policy).

Another serendipitous find in the Maryland countryside.
I love to get lost when I have the time, and back in the day when I commuted from Gaithersburg to Baltimore, I explored the back roads every which way.
Books with a Past is an amazing used book store, that I gladly drive out to for nothing more than to wander the aisles with no other agenda.
Very organized and lovingly maintained, there are newspaper articles near the front that tell the story of the proprietors of this shop. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the specifics other than to say it really resonated with me. Something about a love of books and taking the time to do what you enjoy in life.
If you enjoy reading in the least bit, I highly recommend you stop by for a visit!