Former Washington Post reporters Bradly Graham and Lissa Muscatine bought community book store in June. Photograph by Lars Townsend
Since Barbara Meade and Carla Cohen opened Politics and Prose in the fall of 1984, the much-loved independent bookstore at 5015 Connecticut Avenue has become a neighborhood icon, offering everything from new literature and non-fiction to author events and classes. After Cohen passed away from cancer this past fall, Meade sold the store in June to Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine. Both former Washington Post reporters and editors, the husband and wife team have also been closely involved in politics—one of Graham’s two books is a biography of Donald Rumsfeld and Muscatine was most recently the State Department’s director of speechwriting. We sat down with them recently in their Bethesda home to talk about what’s next for the bookstore, what's on Muscatine’s book shelf, and Graham’s favorite spot in Washington.
You both have had long, successful careers in politics and journalism. What made you decide to switch gears to running a bookstore, especially at a time when bookstores nationwide are struggling to survive? Graham: We were both at a place in our careers where we were ready to embark on another project, so the sale of the store came along at an opportune moment. I was starting another book, and Lissa was about to leave government, so we were both able to embrace another opportunity.
Muscatine: We also were interested in doing something community-based, and although we didn’t plan on owning an independent bookstore, the announcement that Politics and Prose was being sold made us realize that we didn’t want to see such an important part of the community slip away.
A recent New York Times article noted how some independent bookstores are now charging admission for author events or requiring attendees to purchase a copy of the book in the store. Is that something you would consider doing?
Graham: Over the years, the idea of charging for events had been considered by P&P’s previous owners, Barbara Meade and Carla Cohen. We have no plans to change the existing policy of free admission.
Some stores have started offering print-on-demand-machines. Do you plan to have one at Politics and Prose? Graham: These machines have proven especially popular with some authors who are interested in self-publishing and also with customers who want to obtain out-of-print books. We’re looking into the economics of it.
How do you persuade people that the bookstore experience is something that e-books and books bought online can’t offer and that’s necessary to a community? Muscatine: The differences are so stark in my mind. An independent operation like Politics and Prose is more than a bookstore. It’s a forum, a gathering spot, and a public space where ideas are exchanged. Our staff of buyers and booksellers rightly view themselves as curators of the books we sell. They’ve read the books themselves; some of them know the authors personally. They have expertise to offer to customers and a level of personal interaction that you just can’t get on Amazon.com or in a large chain store. In addition, we have over 500 author events a year that are a free service for our community. So P&P has become a venue for the kind of civic discourse that simply doesn’t exist in the same way on-line.
Are there any books you would recommend?
Muscatine: As we say on P&P’s tote bags and t-shirts: “So many books, so little time.” There are countless great books I’d recommend. But I’ll stick to a couple of fairly recent titles: The Tiger’s Wife is a wonderful example of allegorical fiction written by an exciting young author, Tea Obreht. I’d also suggest A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan. For non-fiction, The Emperor of All Maladies is a “biography” of cancer and a towering work that is brilliant.
W hat has your impression been as the new owners of Politics & Prose?
Graham: I guess the primary impression that we’ve come away with so far is the excellence of the staff. We’ve spent our first weeks in the store meeting individually with each employee, which has just confirmed for us how knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and creative the staff is.
What’s your favorite spot in DC? Graham: Right now our favorite spot is Politics and Prose. It was pretty high on the list even before.
Muscatine: Besides P&P, my favorite spot is probably cycling the Crescent Trail by the river early in the morning.
Q&A With Politics and Prose’s Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine
The new owners defend the independent bookstore, changing technology, and offer some recommended reads
Since Barbara Meade and Carla Cohen opened Politics and Prose in the fall of 1984, the much-loved independent bookstore at 5015 Connecticut Avenue has become a neighborhood icon, offering everything from new literature and non-fiction to author events and classes. After Cohen passed away from cancer this past fall, Meade sold the store in June to Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine. Both former Washington Post reporters and editors, the husband and wife team have also been closely involved in politics—one of Graham’s two books is a biography of Donald Rumsfeld and Muscatine was most recently the State Department’s director of speechwriting. We sat down with them recently in their Bethesda home to talk about what’s next for the bookstore, what's on Muscatine’s book shelf, and Graham’s favorite spot in Washington.
You both have had long, successful careers in politics and journalism. What made you decide to switch gears to running a bookstore, especially at a time when bookstores nationwide are struggling to survive?
Graham: We were both at a place in our careers where we were ready to embark on another project, so the sale of the store came along at an opportune moment. I was starting another book, and Lissa was about to leave government, so we were both able to embrace another opportunity.
Muscatine: We also were interested in doing something community-based, and although we didn’t plan on owning an independent bookstore, the announcement that Politics and Prose was being sold made us realize that we didn’t want to see such an important part of the community slip away.
A recent New York Times article noted how some independent bookstores are now charging admission for author events or requiring attendees to purchase a copy of the book in the store. Is that something you would consider doing?
Graham: Over the years, the idea of charging for events had been considered by P&P’s previous owners, Barbara Meade and Carla Cohen. We have no plans to change the existing policy of free admission.
Some stores have started offering print-on-demand-machines. Do you plan to have one at Politics and Prose?
Graham: These machines have proven especially popular with some authors who are interested in self-publishing and also with customers who want to obtain out-of-print books. We’re looking into the economics of it.
How do you persuade people that the bookstore experience is something that e-books and books bought online can’t offer and that’s necessary to a community?
Muscatine: The differences are so stark in my mind. An independent operation like Politics and Prose is more than a bookstore. It’s a forum, a gathering spot, and a public space where ideas are exchanged. Our staff of buyers and booksellers rightly view themselves as curators of the books we sell. They’ve read the books themselves; some of them know the authors personally. They have expertise to offer to customers and a level of personal interaction that you just can’t get on Amazon.com or in a large chain store. In addition, we have over 500 author events a year that are a free service for our community. So P&P has become a venue for the kind of civic discourse that simply doesn’t exist in the same way on-line.
Are there any books you would recommend?
Muscatine: As we say on P&P’s tote bags and t-shirts: “So many books, so little time.” There are countless great books I’d recommend. But I’ll stick to a couple of fairly recent titles: The Tiger’s Wife is a wonderful example of allegorical fiction written by an exciting young author, Tea Obreht. I’d also suggest A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan. For non-fiction, The Emperor of All Maladies is a “biography” of cancer and a towering work that is brilliant.
W hat has your impression been as the new owners of Politics & Prose?
Graham: I guess the primary impression that we’ve come away with so far is the excellence of the staff. We’ve spent our first weeks in the store meeting individually with each employee, which has just confirmed for us how knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and creative the staff is.
What’s your favorite spot in DC?
Graham: Right now our favorite spot is Politics and Prose. It was pretty high on the list even before.
Muscatine: Besides P&P, my favorite spot is probably cycling the Crescent Trail by the river early in the morning.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Scott Bessent Got in Another Argument With a Coworker; Trump Threatens Chicago, Gets Booed in New York; and Our Critic Has an Early Report From Kayu
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Donald Trump Dines at Joe’s Seafood Next to the White House
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion