Shirlington is a literary community!

We had a great meeting this past Saturday morning at Shirlington welcoming new members and choosing upcoming books to read & discuss.

The book club meets on the third Saturday of every month at 9am in the Robeson Room. Always open to new members!  Support your local, independent bookstore and purchase your books from Busboys and Poets Books at Shirlington!

Upcoming books and meetings:

August 17, 2013

: “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz
Chapter 1 of “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn

September 21, 2013

: “The Other Wes Moore” by Wes Moore
Chapter 2 of “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn

October 19, 2013

: “What It Was” by George Pelecanos
Chapter 3 of “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn

We also have a book club at Hyattsville that meets on the last Saturday of every month at 9am in the Zinn Room.

The Making of Busboys and Poets

A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets

We’re proud to announce A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, the new memoir from our CEO and Founder, which reveals the vision, challenges, and triumphs behind opening Busboys and Poets. Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, Andy Shallal’s memoir takes us on a “How I Built … Continued

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For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals.  He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.”  … Continued

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Palestine Week 2024

January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

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Art All Night – The Drive-Thru Art Gallery in Anacostia

Created by local artists in partnership with the Anacostia BID and Busboys and Poets, the Art All Night Drive-Thru Art Gallery brings the Anacostia business corridors to life with an eclectic collection of artistic installations and original work. Follow the CURATED MAP of artwork and businesses throughout the streets of Anacostia. The artistic installations will … Continued

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Split This Rock Poem of the Week: Monica Rico

The Universe, According to Rufino Tamayo  Past the breath that only stars have, I find myself an open hand of night with pupils that eclipse the moon. The blackness underneath my feet, not above where the sky is filled with sea. My eyelash covers the arm of the galaxy with one word that means, here. I shake … Continued

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Everest Base Camp #14

Getting the key to finding your mojo. It’s 5:30 am. I am sitting upright in my bed just plain miserable. It is still dark outside. My sad excuse for sleep was horrible. 3 hours tops. Drinking 4 cups of obviously well caffeinated milk tea before bed. Dogs barking all night long. Cold feet (literally). 4 … Continued