Hello friends, readers and bookstore lovers:

Amy Joyce and Gayle Weiswasser here with some very exciting news! Later this year, we are fulfilling our dreams as we open Wonderland Books, an independent bookstore in the heart of Bethesda. We also hope to fulfill this community’s dream of finally being home to the perfect place to read, wander and wonder, and also connect with authors and other readers. We couldn’t be more inspired and excited to bring this store to life. 

Why open a bookstore right now?

Communities like Bethesda need and support bookstores that speak to them – places that build community, sell the books they want and the ones they don’t know yet that they want, hold events that are engaging and fulfilling, and carry gifts and other products they love. These local bookstores really know and understand their communities, and they become the hearts of those communities. 

Also, despite the proliferation of screens, people are still reading paper books! People like to take time to browse and explore a curated collection of books, and not just buy them from a massive, faceless, algorithm-propelled website. 

Finally, in an era of book banning and political polarization, having access to books – the pathway to civil discourse, empathy and understanding –  is more important than ever. 

For years, we have each visited every independent bookstore we have come across around the world. We know that Bethesda needs a community bookstore, someplace uplifting and invigorating, where people feel welcome and can find books and other treasures that educate, entertain, delight and inspire. It’s been a missing piece here, and we’re so thrilled to have the chance to fill the need.

We chose the name Wonderland Books because that is what bookstores represent to us – a wonderland. We also believe that people never outgrow their sense of wonder. Books provide a gateway to different worlds of all kinds, they help us feel understood, they spur ideas and conversations and, to be blunt, they can save lives. We want to help people of all ages continue to wonder and learn.  

The store will be located at 7920 Norfolk Avenue, in what we call “old” Bethesda. This is a dynamic neighborhood full of small businesses with a growing population of engaged, curious people. Wonderland Books will sell new books for adults, young adults and kids, including fiction, non-fiction, sports, cookbooks, business, poetry and more. We will also have beautiful and fun gifts like stationery, candles, puzzles, toys and other cool things. (And reading glasses. Amy insists on this!) 

We can’t wait to welcome you to Wonderland.

Join Us On This Journey!

Want to be a part of Wonderland? We would love your help and support as we make Wonderland Books a beautiful independent bookstore that reflects its community and helps connect readers, authors and lifelong wonderers. Our space is perfectly located, and it will be transformed into a store that will delight customers. Founding supporters will get limited edition merch reflecting their founder status, access to founders-only events, and the knowledge that they helped make what we know will soon become one of their favorite bookstores a reality.

Opening a bookstore is very expensive, and contributions of any size will make a big difference. 

Some of the perks supporters will get:

• Custom merchandise (totes, water bottle, etc.)
• Invitations to private after-hours shopping events and holiday gift presentations
• Hand selected books sent to your door
• Recognition within the store and community
• The chance to name a bookshelf

The Impact

Independent bookstores ensure that people have access to a wide range of viewpoints and the opportunity to connect with other readers. Unlike large online behemoths that focus only on the bottom line, independent bookstores reflect what their communities want to read and host events that bring readers together. Supporting independent bookstores also helps the fight against book banning and the censorship of ideas.

Other Ways You Can Help

Whether or not you make a donation, there are a lot of other ways that you can support Wonderland Books!

• Help us get the word out about Wonderland Books and this campaign. Share it with the readers you know.
• Sign up for our email list. We’ll share construction updates and keep you in the know as we approach our fall opening.
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
• If you’re in a book club, consider asking your fellow book club members about becoming a Founding Book Club. Founding clubs receive benefits like private, after hours shopping events at the store, invitations to Book Club Speed Dating events, special edition merch, and their name permanently featured on a wall in the store. If your book club is interested, please email us (gayle@wonderlandbooks.com and amy@wonderlandbooks.com).
• If you want to buy books and audiobooks online, please do so at Bookshop.org and Libro.fm and designate Wonderland as your bookstore. We will receive a commission on every sale.