The Book Escape

05/25/2026

With the Orioles entering an important series with the Rays this week at beautiful Camden Yards, it might be a good time to bring up the name Janet Marie Smith.

Who?

Most people have never heard of Janet Marie Smith. But she is the urban planner who was instrumental in shaping Camden Yards into the iconic stadium we know today — the ballpark that reminded baseball stadiums they could feel beautiful, human, and connected to the city again instead of just giant concrete circles surrounded by parking lots.

After Camden Yards opened, stadium design across America started to change.

It’s also a reminder that some of the people who make the biggest positive impact on daily life are often not the loudest voices in the room. Sometimes they’re simply the ones working quietly outside of the camera, influencing our lives for the better.

05/23/2026

A lot of Orioles fans came into the store today after their game got rained out.

The one that really tugged at my heartstrings was a young woman carrying one of those clear stadium bags — glove inside, ready to catch an Oriole homer, and now unexpectedly browsing books instead.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

She ended up leaving with a Stephen King novel, after we talked a bit about how used Stephen King books used to be everywhere, but somehow aren’t nearly as plentiful anymore. She took one of the last used ones we had.

Anyway, happy to welcome all Orioles fans in any circumstance — before the game, after the game, and, well... like now.

The O’s just began a season-high 10-game homestand yesterday, so we’re looking forward to seeing plenty more orange and black around the store in the days ahead.

05/23/2026

Opened the store this morning and, just as I was putting the key in the lock, a tiny gray bird flew right up to the front door and tucked himself beside it. I thought he was hurt for a second, but he wasn’t. Turns out there was a crow nearby, and the little guy just wanted some temporary protection. When I put the key in the door again, he flew off.

Meanwhile, a few minutes later, I cracked open a box of books — and what do I see but a short stack of bird books, including identification guides and H is for Hawk.

Sometimes the bookstore theme of the day chooses itself. And maybe it’s the perfect theme for this Memorial Day weekend, when a little bird watching and book reading could well outshine a gray and rainy beach.

The store is open every day this weekend, including Monday.

05/22/2026

Looks like the Memorial Day weekend might be a little bit of a washout and not the best time to go to the beach. But we've got the goods here to help you relax! (ignore the shark).

BTW, don't forget about our Friday Happy Hour from 4-7pm. Buy two books, get the third one FREE!

05/19/2026

Hot one today, and it followed a retail rule that is surprisingly reliable:

First really hot day of the season? Sales will be ice cold. As they were with us today.

At closing time, though, we still had a few lingering customers in the store. A big box place, of course, would’ve gotten on the loudspeaker and blared: “Attention Kmart shoppers, we will be closing in 10 minutes. Please make your purchases now or we are going to kick your ass.”

Hungrier small businesses are not like that. So we waited a full half hour and let people keep browsing.

One person didn’t buy anything at all. But the last young lady bought a popular trade paperback for $7.95. And now that hungrier small business owner has actually almost the exact amount needed for a pint of Ben and Jerrys from the nearby 7/11. Funny how the movement of money, and ice cream, works.

Another hot one tomorrow, but we’ll be closed anyway.
Back Wednesday. See you then!

05/17/2026

One of the first sales of the day today at The Book Escape was to a deaf customer. Afterward, I realized I wished I knew at least one thing in sign language besides awkward smiling and an overenthusiastic thumbs up.

So today I learned how to sign “thank you.”

It’s actually pretty simple, and there’s a short video here showing how to do it. Hopefully next time I’ll get it right.

The sign for thank you in American Sign Language (ASL).

05/12/2026

Today’s off day thrift store find: a very Pollock-esque 16" x 20" burst of color, possibly with a little more cheerfulness than Jackson usually allowed himself.

Best part: the name written on the back. "Melissa". Like Madonna, but for the art world.

Who knows, maybe Melissa becomes a household name in 20 years. Or maybe she doesn’t. But if she does... the current price is going to look pretty good, and you’ll get to tell people you discovered her in the music section at The Book Escape.

Until then, it’s perfect for that one spot in your house that could use a little more joy, chaos, and questionable art-market speculation.

Label Details:
“Pollock-esque”
16" x 20"
Artist: Melissa (written on back)
Goodwill “School of the Fine Arts”
Price: $65

05/10/2026

Last day for our $2 outside art book sale at The Book Escape.
Honestly, some truly incredible bargains out there right now.

So stop by on your Mother’s Day walk and treat her to something beautiful… to match her own beauty. (Aw... But true.)

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at The Book Escape.

05/09/2026

A couple visiting from Philadelphia today told us how much they miss the used bookstore in their own neighborhood. The owners’ “labor of love” comment certainly rings true.

Fortunately, that’s not the direction things seem to be going here in Federal Hill. Word has it that Protean Records & Books has reopened on Hanover Street, and word is another bookstore is coming to the area later this fall.

Maybe we’re all a little nuts, but honestly, we don’t mind. Federal Hill becoming the bookstore destination in Baltimore sounds pretty good to us.

And on that note: The Book Escape has some exciting changes coming later this year, too. We’re not sharing all the details just yet, but it does involve more space — while still staying right where we are.