Atomic Books

So when a place makes your child happy it goes on the list of unforgettables. My baby turned 4 last year and usual Mommy Bell fashion I was picking up the gift the day before. She lives Totoro and this place has a stuffed one!!! Myosaki (I’m sure I butchered the spelling of his name) movies aren’t necessarily mainstream so Atomic Books is one o those places you can score on those off the beaten path items. At least it was for me!!!

On our last trip to Baltimore, my boyfriend and I checked out Hampden. I wanted to check out this book store specifically. Being a fan of the great John Waters, it was a must-​see destination for me during our jaunt to this neighborhood. It’s where he collects his fan mail. After visiting, I can also say that Atomic Books is a great spot. It’s not just limited to only books; there are comics, music, toys, art, and other random awesomeness. I’d definitely recommend it if you are in Baltimore.

I love comic book stores– ahem– graphic novels. the place has a bar in the back? whaa. need to come back and see what that’s about. I went on Halloween day and they were giving out a few free comics. Nice selection of comics, graphic novels, books, and zines

They no longer accept bitcoin, which is why I made the 45 minute trip out there. I was definitely disappointed but I’m still going to give them 4 stars because it’s a cool store.

I mostly read non-​fiction and sci-​fi, and didn’t find many books to suit my taste here, but I do think they do a great job selecting diverse books to suit the populace in such a small space. This is a great place to find unique, fun gifts for just about everyone you know. It has a 90’s alt/​indie vibe to it that makes me feel nostalgic. In the internet/​social media age, you just don’t get that experience in many places nowadays. The staff is not very friendly, not rude, but just not very welcoming either, like they aren’t «people persons» ya know? I mean I’m not very warm and social either, so I get it, but then again, I also don’t work in a job where I have to interact with the public… And apparently there’s a bar/​coffeeshop in the back?

I’ve loved atomic books since I was a teenager. My taste in comics, novels and art books happens to overlap a lot with the curated selection you can find in this small bookstore. I have treasured every single book I’ve bought here. Although I am a student and I usually just buy books off amazon for the prices, when I have enough cash I do like to make the trip to hampden and purchase something at atomic to support a local business.
I do agree with other Unilocalers that the people working here are not really keen on giving you a warm welcome when you walk in. I know that they like to preserve an «alternative» atmosphere, but I really think more people would come in and buy things if they put a little more effort into being hospitable. For me, I’ve been here enough times that I don’t really care about being welcomed. I just head straight for the «new» section and check out what novels and comics have been added.
Something I’ve noticed on a recent visit — I think it is pretty strange that they put up signs telling customers to put away cell phones. Atomic, don’t you know that having customers posting photos with #atomicbooks on instagram, facebook, etc would help spread the word about you and bring you more business? Having this policy really ruins the «hip» factor at this bookstore.

While I will always have a certain level of appreciation for this eclectic bookstore, few things are enough to compensate for service with a sneer. I used to love shopping here, and this is a great spot to find a gift for nearly anyone. Their selection, while not necessarily diverse, offers the feeling that it has at least been selected with care — not at all like some of their employees such as the particularly nasty girl who’s almost always camped at the front counter to remind you that photography isn’t allowed (even when you’re clearly in the midst of writing a lengthy text message). Indpendent bookstores are a dying breed, and it’s always a disappointment to feel as though your money is better spent on Amazon. Despite the slightly hostile atmosphere utterly devoid of help, it’s worth at least walking through once, and only once, if only to reminisce.

The book selection is ok. They can order some stuff, but not a whole lot. Why is feminist lit next to the cook books? The dude that owns it is smug and full of himself. His attitude towards the customer stands to be improved.

Could diversify the selection of books to include more POC authors (was hoping to find Chiamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ‘Americanah’ here so they could have my money), but regardless, this is a great bookshop with a great graphic novel section and nice food joint in the back. Absolutely love it and love supporting small business.

This is a cute bookstore with a quirky selection and definitely fits the Hampden neighborhood well, but I have some issues with it. First, the staff appears to be deliberately unhelpful. I have never been greeted upon walking into this store and I find that really odd because, as a small, independent bookstore, customer service must be pretty important to them retaining any business. It’s just a really frosty atmosphere, where you’re made to feel like you’re doing something wrong by walking in (as other reviewers have noted). Not only that, but the books are ridiculously overpriced. I would be willing to pay a little more to support a local business if the local business were a little more friendly, I think. Their selection is quite small and books you might expect them to have, they most likely don’t. They do have a lot of toys, comics, and novelty items (I would say at least a third of the inventory is toy-​ish things). I would say definitely call ahead if you’re not just browsing and are searching for something specific.
I respect what Atomic Books is trying to do and I think it has a lot of potential. I really appreciate that they highlight local authors and are trying to stay alive in the world of Amazon and one-​click shopping. But I think they have a lot of work to do to meet their true potential.
In the meantime, thankfully, we have Red Emma’s!

Visited last week on a whim, which is probably the best mindset to have when you go. This isn’t the kind of bookstore you visit with a title in mind to buy — odds are, you won’t find it. Atomic Books specializes in novelty reads, with an extensive collection of comic books and hipster-​esque pop culture anthologies. If you’re looking for something bizarre and obscure, like zombie erotica or a guide to low-​budget cult horror films, this is the place. The books seemed a little expensive, but that’s the price you pay for indie.

Nice little place. But super small selection, I was looking for a much larger sort of store. If you’re looking for comics and animé, this is your spot.

I love big, old, meandering bookstores. And that is not what you’ll find here. Rather, you’ll get creatively organized, carefully selected offerings of graphic novels and traditional literature. There is so much to love about Atomic Books — just come and shop for yourself. It is impossible to leave empty handed.

I love bookstores. Wanted to check this one out for awhile now. But while there’s a large, good selection, I didnt feel as welcomed as some other bookstores I’ve been to… almost like you walk in and you’ve interrupted someone’s busy day. There was no offer for help, or if there were any questions etc after browsing for about 30 minutes which could be good and bad depending on why you’re there and well… as much as I’d like to love it, I didn’t. But to be fair, I didn’t hate it either. Just would stick to larger chains (which is NOT something you’ll usually hear me saying!) Or online books.
Good aspect is that there are books here that you would not find at many of the bigger chains and a decent sized wall of zines.
P. S. the sign asking you not to take a photo of stuff unless permission is obtained is well… in this day and age… kinda old, especially when I may want to spread the word about cool stuff they sell there but of course I respect a privately owned business’ request.

I come primarily for the city writing/​urban section of the store – lots of great books that I hadn’t heard of when I began my Jane Jacobs/​Lewis Mumford studies of cities and how they operate and interact. The sales clerks are aloof but I don’t care. I like to browse and find it on my own, anyway. Neat little shop if your interests align with their offerings!

I wound up at Atomic Books in search of a book for my father. I was impressed by the wide and offbeat selection, as well as the layout and décor of the store. Additionally, the staff was friendly and helpful. If you are in search of indie or local authors — or quirky books you won’t find in mainstream bookstores, this is the place go. If only I lived closer, I would frequent Atomic Books more often.

:This is a great little bookstore in Hampden. It is a cross between a comic book store and an eclectic bookstore — lots of little various toys and comics, anthologies and really interesting books.
The space is very deceiving, so beware. You will think you have walked into a sparse ship that you can cover in matter of minutes, and hours later you are still perusing book somewhere in the shop. I also like their selection of magazine, some I haven’t every seen before.
This store is right in its element in Hampden and is a must-​visit.

One of my favorite things about Baltimore is that places like Atomic Books (and Soundgarden) can still thrive. There are lots of towns where shops like these couldn’t stay in business, but I’m really happy to live in one where they can.
You can walk into Atomic books every time and find something that you never knew existed that you absolutely need to have. They have books on DIY craft projects, histories of Norwegian black metal, and everything in between. So not only do I always find new things for myself at Atomic, it’s also a perfect place to shop for gifts. It doesn’t matter who you’re shopping for, you can find something for literally anyone here.
As for the service, I’m not sure why some people have complained. I’ve never felt like I was treated rudely here. I take my book up to the counter and get rung up, I’m not expecting to have a red carpet laid out for me.

This store is great!
Plenty of fascinating trendy reads, comics, manga, toys, records, local artwork, you name it.
It’s design-​savvy and I always find something interesting to check out and/​or buy.
Great for gifts!

They brought it back to the old school, and I’m an old fool, because it’s so cool.
Yeah, get your geek on. This spot reminds me of the back-​in-​the-​day comic stores, featuring a selection of new and acclaimed graphic novels, manga, and the traditional covers from the big houses like Marvel and DC. Animé selections in print and video are available, as are card games and hard-​to-​find collectibles. Posters and t-​shirts are obligatory.
The space is open and well-​lit, and the selection is sure to please the range from novice to moderate fanboy.