A D.C. book club for every genre

1 big thing: A book club for everyone 

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2. ICYMI: Last week's hot headlines

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Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores

3. What to read, according to local bookstores

📖 Happy Sunday, bookworms! It's Chelsea with an edition all about reading. 

Today's newsletter is 764 words, a 3-minute read.

📚 I'm reading "All's Well" by Mona Awad. 

Edited by Alexa Mencia and copy edited by Patricia Guadalupe.

Washington D.C.

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

Axios D.C.

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D.C.'s Dave Thomas Circle do-over begins

1 big thing: Dave Thomas Circle do-over

2. 🟢 Green Line heads up

The National Zoo is throwing a panda birthday party for Mei Xiang

3. 🐻‍❄️ Panda birthday party

A giant panda birthday party at the National Zoo 

4. Around the Beltway: Fatal crash

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Stay booked and busy

5. 🥲 Chelsea says goodbye! 

⛅️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny and a high near 88° with possible showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. 

🏈 Situational awareness: NFL team owners yesterday voted unanimously to approve of private equity executive Josh Harris acquiring the Washington Commanders, ending the Dan Snyder era. Go deeper

🎂 Happy early birthday to our Axios D.C. members Susan Moyer and Danny McMahon!

Today's newsletter is 849 words, a 3-minute read.

The summer of meddling in D.C.

1 big thing: The summer of meddling

The U.S. Capitol dome pictured upside down in a reflection off a puddle of rainwater

2. ✍️ "Race. Your Story. Six Words."

The illustrated cover of Norris' book "Our Hidden Conversations, with a variety of sketched faces of differing ages and races in front of a cloudy background.

Where to watch Women's World Cup games in D.C.

3. ⚽ Let's go, Team USA 

4. Around the Beltway: Let's fly

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5. 🐼 Where's Go-Go?

Stuffed animal panda Go-Go sits on a railing outside of a steel building with an American flag in the window's reflection.

⛅️ Today's weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy with a high near 87. 

Today's newsletter is 893 words, a 3-minute read.

Editor's note: In yesterday's story about the nomination of D.C.'s next police chief, we incorrectly suggested that Bijan Ghaisar was riding a motorcycle when he was chased and shot by Park Police officers. Ghaisar was in an SUV.

☢️ Cuneyt is bracing for Oppenheimer.

😉 Anna is excited about the new Indiana Jones! Kidding #TeamBarbie.

Commanders fans count down to impending sale vote

1 big thing: 🏈 Commanders reboot, loading...

Organizers call out Smithsonian for canceled Asian literature festival

2. Why an Asian lit festival was canceled 

3. 🦪 Oyster and pizza bar opening

The Oyster Oyster crew is expanding (chef Rob Rubba, second from left). Photo courtesy of Rey Lopez

4. Around the Beltway: ER emergency 

Do you see yourself with a new career?

5. ✈️ Where's Go-Go? Revealed!

Go-Go the stuffed animal panda poses in front of the rounded bar at DCA's Terminal A, as patrons watch TVs and chat with their suitcases.

⛅️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny with highs near 89° and a chance of showers at night. 

Today's newsletter is 925 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Former U.S. Park Police chief Pamela Smith named D.C.'s new top cop

1 big thing: New chief in town

Pamela Smith speaks at a podium in her U.S. Park Police uniform.

2. Virginia goofs on tax holiday

Illustration of a pattern of apples and stacks of textbooks. 

New vintage and handmade goods shop opens in Eastern Market

3. I Spy: 💐 New retro shop

4. Around the Beltway: Festival fallout 

A new career is waiting for you

5. 💪 Calling all Weekend Warriors

Michael Wardian runs the Marine Corps Marathon. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

☀️ Today's weather: Hazy and sunny with a high near 92°. A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect, meaning the air is unsafe for sensitive groups. 

🚀 Become a member today and help fuel our mission of getting readers smarter, faster on the news that matters here.

Today's newsletter is 862 words, a 3-minute read.

💨 Cuneyt is disappointed in the wildfire smoke's return.

🎂 Anna is celebrating her brother-in-law's birthday. Happy BD, Aaron! 

Today, the Tidal Basin is off-limits to swimmers but in the early 1900s it was basically the go-to pool.

How it worked: The Bathing Beach on the Tidal Basin opened in 1918, thanks to one very sweaty U.S. senator from Nebraska and an act of Congress, WETA reports.

Swimmers played water tennis, lounged on a makeshift beach, ate ice cream, and lined up for miles to visit. Bureaucrats even competed in diving contests!

Yes, but: The beach was only open to white people. Black swimmers were forced to swim in dangerous, undeveloped areas of the Potomac.

A group of women in bathing suits and swim caps at the bathing beach at the Tidal Basin in D.C. in the early 20th century.

Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Between the lines: The demise of the site began in the 1920s when Congress began to squabble over whether to allocate money for an African American beach along the Potomac, per WETA. 

When funding for that project was eliminated, lawmakers "fearful" that Black swimmers would try to integrate the Tidal Basin pushed for it to close.

By 1925, the bathing beach was no more and some people turned to swimming in the Reflecting Pool.

A group of boys waving at camera while Playing with a toy sailboat in the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, July 7, 1926 . 

Sailboat fun in the Reflecting Pool in July 1926. Photo: History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Remember When: People swam in the Tidal Basin

In the early 1900s, it was basically the go-to pool.

A large crowd of boys in bathing suits on the beach at Washington, DC's tidal basin, in the early twentieth century. The Washington Monument is visible in the background. 

On the "beach." Photo: Bain News Service/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Outdoor activities

Today, the Tidal Basin is off-limits to swimmers but in the early 1900s it was basically the go-to pool.How it worked: The Bathing Beach on the Tidal Basin opened in 1918, thanks to one very sweaty U.S. senator from Nebraska and an act of Congress, WETA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://boundarystones.weta.org/2015/07/21/cooling-tidal-basin" data-vars-content-id="1f737dc0-1159-4242-9308-e6d37c77ff58" data-vars-headline="Remember When: People swam in the Tidal Basin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://boundarystones.weta.org/2015/07/21/cooling-tidal-basin" target="_blank">reports</a>.

News

We asked local bookstores what books should be on our summer reading lists.

🪵 Solid State Books: "Loot" by Tania James.

A historical fiction novel by a D.C.-based author about a young woodcarver whose prized work is stolen by British forces.

🗣️ Politics & Prose: "Do Tell" by Lindsay Lynch.

A gossipy romp through Hollywood's Golden Age, written by an author originally from D.C. who briefly worked at the bookstore. Politics & Prose tells Axios that Lynch wrote the first draft in their break room.

⭐ East City Bookshop: "The Daydreams" by Laura Hankin.

A fun read about the reunification of stars from a popular teen show — 30 years later.

👀 Kramers: "What the Neighbors Saw" by Melissa Adelman.

A new thrilling mystery set in the D.C. area. When a devoted father is found dead on the banks of the Potomac River, the community is divided and suspicions grow.

A gossipy romp through Hollywood's golden age, and a new thrilling mystery set in the D.C. area.

Photo: Calla Kessler/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Books

We asked local bookstores what books should be on our summer reading lists.🪵 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Solid State Books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/" data-vars-content-id="53c07b0c-d791-4ae6-b77c-0a8c8723b29c" data-vars-headline="Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/" target="_blank">Solid State Books</a>: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Loot" data-vars-click-url="https://bookshop.org/p/books/loot/18868625?ean=9780593535974" data-vars-content-id="53c07b0c-d791-4ae6-b77c-0a8c8723b29c" data-vars-headline="Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/loot/18868625?ean=9780593535974" target="_blank">Loot</a>&quot; by Tania James.<ul><li>A historical fiction novel by a D.C.-based author about a young woodcarver whose prized work is stolen by British forces.</li></ul>

Things to Do

Recreational marijuana is now legal to purchase in Maryland for anyone over the age of 21 with a valid ID.

Why it matters: Weed is legal to possess in D.C. and Virginia, but the Maryland suburbs are the only places around the Beltway where the law allows you to buy it.

Here are shops in the state selling pot, per the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

Prince George's, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Charles counties

Where to buy weed in Maryland

Your guide to all the shops around the Beltway and in the state selling pot.

Illustration of a marijuana leaf decal on a ticket dispenser.

Washington, D.C.

Recreational marijuana is now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legal to purchase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/03/maryland-dispensary-rules" data-vars-content-id="99cb230c-98b2-4e42-af83-a6568ede41d2" data-vars-headline="Where to buy weed in Maryland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/03/maryland-dispensary-rules" target="_self">legal to purchase</a> in Maryland for anyone over the age of 21 with a valid ID.Why it matters: Weed is legal to possess in D.C. and Virginia, but the Maryland suburbs are the only places around the Beltway where the law allows you to buy it.

Business

The infamous Dave Thomas Circle is no more and, from its ashes, a new intersection will rise.

Why it matters: The chaotic traffic circle was hated, loved, and feared by pedestrians and motorists alike — and now the city is trying to make it safer.

Flashback: In early 2021, the city used eminent domain to seize the Wendy's in the middle of the intersection where First St., New York Ave., and Florida Ave. NE meet,  which Washingtonians unofficially dubbed Dave Thomas Circle after the fast food chain founder.

That same year, the city released its plans for a reimagined intersection.

Driving the news: On Wednesday, crews started the demolition of the Wendy's to make way for the new $41 million intersection's construction, slated for later this month.

Details: According to District officials, the new intersection will:

Realign and add two-way traffic to First Street NE.

Restore two-way traffic on Florida Avenue NE. 

Include protected bicycle lanes and three new public park spaces.

The public park spaces, which are being designed by a landscape architect firm, will be in front of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in the space where the Wendy's was, and in front of the People's Building.

What we're watching: The circle is in need of a new name.

More than 1,200 community members sent in ideas to the NoMa BID's naming contest this spring.

D.C. has narrowed down the list to five finalists.

Douglass Crossing, after abolitionist and D.C. resident Frederick Douglass.

Mamie "Peanut" Johnson Plaza, after the first woman to ever pitch in the Negro League and who lived in Northeast D.C.

The People's Plaza after the former warehouse of Peoples Drug along First St. and Florida Ave. NE, which was a predecessor to CVS.

Three Stars Plaza, after the three stars on the D.C. flag and the three parks in the new space.

Tiber Gateway, to represent the Tiber Creek that ran near First St. NE and now runs underground.

What's ahead: D.C. residents can vote on the names online or by calling 202-289-0111 until August 25 at midnight.

Intersection construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

The chaotic traffic circle was hated, loved and feared by pedestrians and motorists alike — and now the city is trying to make it safer.

Mayor Muriel Bowser knocks down a brick wall that was part of the former Wendy's at Dave Thomas Circle.  Photo: Minh Connors/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Traffic

The infamous Dave Thomas Circle is no more and, from its ashes, a new intersection will rise.Why it matters: The chaotic traffic circle was hated, loved, and feared by pedestrians and motorists alike — and now the city is trying to make it safer.

D.C. is a book town, equally obsessed with our Little Free Libraries as we are with our local bookshops.

Why it matters: With extreme weather and smoke keeping many of us indoors, it's as good a time as any to catch up on those books you totally promised you'd read this summer. But you don't have to do it alone!

What's happening: Scroll through TikTok or other social media apps and you'll soon find #BookTok, a devoted community of readers who have revived a Luddite pastime for many — and turned it into a group thing.

What they're saying: "Popularity and interest in reading has always remained constant despite our phones and screening services getting in the way," says My Nguyen, assistant manager at D.C. Public Library's West End branch.

However, she says, access to book clubs has grown in recent years thanks to the proliferation of video chatting, which means people can gather without being constrained to a physical space.

State of play: There are plenty of book clubs across the city that can keep you on target with your reading, and cater to your favorite genres. Here are a few of the communities on our radar:

BookTok Book Club — a D.C. Public Library group that reads books popular on TikTok. It meets every month at the Southeast Neighborhood Library branch.

Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant runs a club focused on cookbooks (with the option to bring a dish!). The next meeting is Aug. 2 at 7pm.

Sci-fi, queer lit, romance, social justice, and young-adults-for-adults monthly book clubs are offered at East City Books.

Solid State Books has a horror book club that meets every third Wednesday monthly, and — very intriguing — another one focused on books we love to hate, so come every third Monday of the month (every other month) with the books you refused to finish or hate-read.

Poetry lovers can find their club at Lost City Books every first Wednesday of the month or visit a club devoted to books translated from other languages.

💭 Chelsea's thought bubble: Since joining a book club, my appetite for reading non-journalism-related words — which has wavered over the years — is back. Not only am I excited to talk about our monthly pick with my friends, I also get great recommendations.

Between the lines: D.C. Public Library patrons can sign up for Discover Summer, an all-ages summer reading program that tracks your reading on the Beanstack app.

Pro tip: You get entered for a raffle that could earn you tickets to a D.C. United game, Artechouse, and the International Spy Museum.

The bottom line: "When you share a table and a text with other people, this gives you the opportunity to share ideas, to learn, to listen, to grow and maybe to broaden your perspective," Nguyen says.

It's as good of a time as any to catch up on those books you promised you'd read this summer. But you don't have to do it alone!

D.C. is a book town, equally obsessed with our Little Free Libraries as we are with our local bookshops.Why it matters: With extreme weather and smoke keeping many of us indoors, it&#x27;s as good a time as any to catch up on those books you totally promised you&#x27;d read this summer. But you don&#x27;t have to do it alone!What&#x27;s happening: Scroll through TikTok or other social media apps and you&#x27;ll soon find #BookTok, a devoted community of readers who have revived <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Luddite pastime for many" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/01/books/tiktok-books-booktok.html" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/01/books/tiktok-books-booktok.html" target="_blank">a Luddite pastime for many</a> — and turned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="it into a group thing" data-vars-click-url="https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/08/08/booktok-tiktok/" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/08/08/booktok-tiktok/" target="_blank">it into a group thing</a>.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;Popularity and interest in reading has always remained constant despite our phones and screening services getting in the way,&quot; says My Nguyen, assistant manager at D.C. Public Library&#x27;s West End branch.<ul><li>However, she says, access to book clubs has grown in recent years thanks to the proliferation of video chatting, which means people can gather without being constrained to a physical space.</li></ul>State of play: There are plenty of book clubs across the city that can keep you on target with your reading, and cater to your favorite genres. Here are a few of the communities on our radar:<ul><li>BookTok Book Club — a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. Public Library" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dclibrary.org/attend-event/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dclibrary.org/attend-event/book-clubs" target="_blank">D.C. Public Library</a> group that reads books popular on TikTok. It meets <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="every month" data-vars-click-url="https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=BookTok+Book+Club&amp;r=months&amp;n=4" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dclibrary.libnet.info/events?term=BookTok+Book+Club&amp;r=months&amp;n=4" target="_blank">every month</a> at the Southeast Neighborhood Library branch.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant runs a" data-vars-click-url="https://www.boldforkbooks.com/" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.boldforkbooks.com/" target="_blank">Bold Fork Books in Mount Pleasant runs a</a> club focused on cookbooks (with the option to bring a dish!). The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="next meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bold-fork-cookbook-club-yiayia-by-anastasia-miari-tickets-668292108687" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bold-fork-cookbook-club-yiayia-by-anastasia-miari-tickets-668292108687" target="_blank">next meeting</a> is Aug. 2 at 7pm.</li><li>Sci-fi, queer lit, romance, social justice, and young-adults-for-adults monthly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="book clubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" target="_blank">book clubs</a> are offered at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East City Books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/book-clubs" target="_blank">East City Books</a>.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Solid State Books " data-vars-click-url="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/book-clubs" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/book-clubs" target="_blank">Solid State Books </a>has a horror book club that meets every third Wednesday monthly, and — very intriguing — another one focused on books we love to hate, so come every third Monday of the month (every other month) with the books you refused to finish or hate-read.</li><li>Poetry lovers can find their club at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lost City Books" data-vars-click-url="https://lostcitybookstore.com/poetry-book-club-series" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lostcitybookstore.com/poetry-book-club-series" target="_blank">Lost City Books</a> every first Wednesday of the month or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="visit a club" data-vars-click-url="https://lostcitybookstore.com/in-translation-book-club-series" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lostcitybookstore.com/in-translation-book-club-series" target="_blank">visit a club</a> devoted to books translated from other languages.</li></ul>💭 Chelsea&#x27;s thought bubble: Since joining a book club, my appetite for reading non-journalism-related words — which has wavered over the years — is back. Not only am I excited to talk about our monthly pick with my friends, I also get great recommendations.Between the lines: D.C. Public Library patrons can sign up for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Discover Summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dclibrary.org/discover-summer-2023" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dclibrary.org/discover-summer-2023" target="_blank">Discover Summer</a>, an all-ages summer reading program that tracks your reading on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Beanstack" data-vars-click-url="https://www.beanstack.com/" data-vars-content-id="fc2d6b2d-2eb4-4521-8d24-74b333fe2654" data-vars-headline="A D.C. book club for every genre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.beanstack.com/" target="_blank">Beanstack</a> app.Pro tip: You get entered for a raffle that could earn you tickets to a D.C. United game, Artechouse, and the International Spy Museum.The bottom line: &quot;When you share a table and a text with other people, this gives you the opportunity to share ideas, to learn, to listen, to grow and maybe to broaden your perspective,&quot; Nguyen says.

Chelsea Cirruzzo

Stories

Remember When: People swam in the Tidal Basin

A D.C. book club for every genre

Books to read this summer, according to D.C. bookstores

Where to buy weed in Maryland

D.C.'s Dave Thomas Circle do-over begins

Newsletter editions

🤓 Summer reading society

🚦 RIP Dave Thomas Circle

🏈 Commanders countdown

🥊 Meddling pols

🚔 New top cop