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Columbia, MD

Queen Takes Book

We are Columbia, MD's only independent bookstore. We believe that everyone should be able to see themselves in the pages of a book and are committed to providing a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Columbia is halfway in-between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., making us accessible to people from both of these cities. We have a robust slate of book clubs and also do on-site and off-site author events and book fairs.

Queen Takes Book space

Upcoming Events

Nov16
Queen Takes Book November Translation Book Club, featuring Barbara Isn't Dying by Alina Bronsky November 16th from 6pm to 7:15pm
Book ClubTranslationColumbia, MD

Works in Translation Club - November '26

6:00 PM • Monday, November 16, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Works in Translation Club meeting on Monday, November 16th at 6pm. (This is a week later than usual.) We'll be reading Barbara Isn't Dying by Alina Bronsky (translated from German by Tim Mohr). Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through November 16th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) to support local independent bookstores.

Nov17
Queen Takes Book Sci-fi/Fantasy Pop-up Book Club meeting on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:45pm. We're reading "The Second Death of Locke" by V L Bovalino.
Book ClubFantasyColumbia, MD

Sci-fi-Fantasy Pop-up Club - November '26

6:45 PM • Tuesday, November 17, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our final Sci-fi/Fantasy Pop-up Club meeting on Tuesday, November 17th at 6:45pm. We'll be reading The Second Death of Locke by V L Bovalino. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through November 17th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Nov18
Queen Takes Book Winter Book Fair at Cushwa and Rad Pies Taproom on November 18 from 6pm to 8pm
Book FairColumbia, MD

Cushwa Winter Book Fair 2026

6:00 PM • Wednesday, November 18, 2026Cushwa and Rad Pies TaproomFree

Come browse gift recommendations, wintry staff picks, new releases, and our 2026 winter reading guide! Queen Takes Book is so excited to be back at Cushwa & Rad Pies Taproom for our 2026 Winter Book Fair! We'll have copies of our new 2026 winter reading guide, Winter Wonderland, and plenty of copies of all of the books inside of it! We'll also have other wintry books, books that almost made the guide, and the biggest books of the season. This is the perfect place to pick up holiday gifts: for others or for yourself! This event is free to attend, but we kindly ask that you RSVP. We can't wait to see you there! Our winter reading guide is designed by the lovely and incredibly talented Sierra Lee! Be sure to check out her array of cards and other printed goods.

Nov19
Join us for an author talk with Linda Marshall and Donna Stramella on November 19 from 7pm to 8:30pm
Book SigningMemoirColumbia, MD

Author Talk - Linda Marshall feat. Donna Stramella

7:00 PM • Thursday, November 19, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Authors Linda Marshall and Donna Stramella will be joining us in-store for an author talk on Thursday, November 19th at 7pm! This event will feature an author talk, audience Q&A, and book signing. It is free to attend, but we kindly ask that you RSVP. For more information about the authors and their books, see below: Linda Murphy Marshall is a multi-linguist and writer with a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literature. She also has a Master’s and a BA in Spanish, and an MFA in Creative Writing. She is a docent at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Her first memoir was published in 2022 (Ivy Lodge: A Memoir of Translation and Discovery) and her second memoir was published in 2024 (Immersion: A Linguist’s Memoir). More than 24 of her essays and stories have been published in literary journals. Donna Koros Stramella is a Maryland-based writer who holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Tampa. She is a previous award-winning journalist and video screenwriter/producer and her short pieces have been published in newspapers, literary magazines, and two anthologies. She is the author of two award-winning novels. Coffee Killed My Mother tells the story of a revealing mother-daughter road trip. The whodunit mystery Among the Bones is set in a wildly different Pacific Northwest community where residents cautiously connect with their new neighbors while guarding individual secrets.

Nov20
Join us for a Cozy Friday Stuffie Sleepover & Storytime for kids of all ages November 20th from 6pm to 7:30pm
Story TimeColumbia, MD

Cozy Fridays - Storytime & Stuffie Sleepover

6:00 PM • Friday, November 20, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join Queen Takes Book at our fall event series, Cozy Fridays! This week we are hosting Storytime & Stuffie Sleepover on November 20th at 6:00pm. Come hang out with us for a storytime led by our bookseller, Christy! Pajamas and stuffed friends are encouraged. If your little one would like, they can leave their stuffed friend with us for a fun bookstore sleepover! We will be taking fun pictures of the bookstore hijinks the stuffies get up to when left unsupervised. Stuffie pick-up will be the next morning when the store opens at 10am. This event is FREE to attend, but we kindly ask that you RSVP. Please RSVP for all of the children who are attending; adults do not have to RSVP or include themselves in the RSVP numbers. We can't wait to see you there!

Dec4
Cozy Friday Cookie Exchange at Queen Takes Book on December 4th from 6:30pm to 8pm
Community EventCookingColumbia, MD

Cozy Fridays - Cookie Exchange

6:30 PM • Friday, December 4, 2026Queen Takes Book$8

Join Queen Takes Book at our fall event series, Cozy Fridays! This week we are hosting a Cookie Exchange on December 4th at 6:30pm. What would December be without some sweet treats?!! Join Queen Takes Book for a festive cookie swap! Participants will need to bring their own platter to display cookies and a container for bringing home cookies. We also ask that you please include a list of ingredients and avoid all nuts due to allergies. Tickets are $8 to reserve your spot. Attendees will receive a $5 Queen Takes Book voucher you can use that night or in the future. Looking to try out some new recipes? We’ve got you covered with some of our favorite collections, listed below.

Dec7
Queen Takes Book Horror Book Club featuring 25 Days by Per Jacobsen on December 7th from 6pm to 7:15pm
Book ClubHorrorColumbia, MD

Horror Book Club - December '26

6:00 PM • Monday, December 7, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Horror Book Club on Monday, December 7th at 6:00pm. This month we'll be reading 25 Days by Per Jacobsen.Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through December 7th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Dec8
Queen Takes Book Mystery Book Club featuring The Museum Detective by Maha Khan Phillips. Join us on December 8th from 10am to 11:15am
Book ClubMysteryColumbia, MD

Tuesday Murder Mystery Club - December '26

10:00 AM • Tuesday, December 8, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Tuesday Murder Mystery book club on Tuesday, December 8th at 10am. This month, we'll be reading The Museum Detective by Maha Khan Phillips. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through December 8th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Dec10
Join Queen Takes Book's Romance Book Club featuring It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter on December 10th from 6:45pm to 8pm
Book ClubRomanceColumbia, MD

Evening Romance Club - December '26

6:45 PM • Thursday, December 10, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Evening Romance Club on Thursday, December 10th at 6:45pm. This month we're reading It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Ally Carter. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through December 10th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Dec11
Join us for a Journaling night hosted by Queen Takes Book on December 11th from 6:30pm to 8pm
ArtColumbia, MD

Cozy Fridays - Journal Night

6:30 PM • Friday, December 11, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join Queen Takes Book at our fall event series, Cozy Fridays! This week we are hosting a Journal Night on December 11th at 6:30pm. Reading journal, junk journal, writing journal, bullet journal? Yes, please! Whatever your New Year intentions – we’ve got you covered! Take a break from stressful holiday planning or set up your journal for the new year. We will have journaling supplies available, but feel free to also bring your own materials. Journaling newbie? We’ve got you, too. Our gorgeous Archer & Olive journals, markers, and washi tapes will be 10% off for event attendees only. P.S. – these journals also make excellent gifts! This event is FREE to attend, but we kindly ask that you RSVP. We can't wait to see you there!

Dec14
Queen Takes Book Translation Book Club featuring One Part Ocean by Dominique Fortier on December 14 from 6pm to 7:15pm
Book ClubLiterary FictionColumbia, MD

Works in Translation Club - December '26

6:00 PM • Monday, December 14, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Works in Translation Club meeting on Monday, December 14th at 6pm. We'll be reading One Part Ocean by Dominique Fortier (translated from French by Rhonda Mullins). Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through December 14th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback) to support local independent bookstores.

Dec16
Queen Takes Book Fiction Book Club featuring 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff December 16 from 6:45pm to 8pm
Book ClubLiterary FictionColumbia, MD

Evening Fiction Club - December '26

6:45 PM • Wednesday, December 16, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Evening Fiction Club on Wednesday, December 16th at 6:45pm. This month we'll be reading 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through December 16th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Dec18
Join Queen Takes Book at our fall event series, Jolabokaflod, December 18th from 6:30pm to 8pm.
Community EventColumbia, MD

Cozy Fridays - Jolabokaflod

6:30 PM • Friday, December 18, 2026Queen Takes BookFree

Join Queen Takes Book at our fall event series, Cozy Fridays! This week we are hosting our final event, Jolabokaflod, on December 18th at 6:30pm. Our final cozy Friday of the year! Jolabokaflod is an Icelandic tradition that loosely translates to “Christmas book flood,” and involves exchanging books with loved ones and then sipping hot cocoa while you read in front of a fire. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season! Bring friends and family and spend a night among the stacks. We will have a fresh batch of Blind-Date-with-a-Book, yummy drinks, sweet treats, and booksellers who can't wait to talk books with you and assist with all of your gift book-buying conundrums. Seriously though, hand-picking holiday gifts is our favorite! This event is FREE to attend, but we kindly ask that you RSVP. We can't wait to see you there!

Jan4
Join Queen Takes Book's Horror Book Club, featuring The Hollows by Daniel Church January 4th from 6pm to 7:15pm
Book ClubHorrorColumbia, MD

Horror Book Club - January '27

6:00 PM • Monday, January 4, 2027Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Horror Book Club on Monday, January 4th at 6:00pm. This month we'll be reading The Hollows by Daniel Church.Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through January 4th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Jan12
Join us for our Murder Mystery book club on Tuesday, January 12th at 10am featuring Murder at Gull's Nest by Jess Kidd
Book ClubMysteryColumbia, MD

Murder Mystery Club - January '27

10:00 AM • Tuesday, January 12, 2027Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Murder Mystery book club on Tuesday, January 12th at 10am. This month, we'll be reading Murder at Gull's Nest by Jess Kidd. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through January 12th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Jan14
Join us for our Romance Club on Thursday, January 14th at 6:45pm to 8pm, featuring The Broposal by Sonora Reyes
Book ClubRomanceColumbia, MD

Romance Club - January '27

6:45 PM • Thursday, January 14, 2027Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Romance Club on Thursday, January 14th at 6:45pm. This month we're reading The Broposal by Sonora Reyes. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through January 14th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Jan21
Join us for our first official Sci-fi/Fantasy Club meeting on Thursday, January 21st at 6:45pm featuring As Many Souls as Stars by Natasha Siegel
Book ClubRomantasyColumbia, MD

Sci-fi/Fantasy Club - January '27

6:45 PM • Thursday, January 21, 2027Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our first official Sci-fi/Fantasy Club meeting on Thursday, January 21st at 6:45pm. We'll be reading As Many Souls as Stars by Natasha Siegel. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through January 21st. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.

Jan27
Join us for our Fiction Club on Wednesday, January 27th from 6:45pm to 8pm featuring "A Guardian and a Thief* by Megha Majumdar
Book ClubLiterary FictionColumbia, MD

Fiction Club - January '27

6:45 PM • Wednesday, January 27, 2027Queen Takes BookFree

Join us for our Fiction Club on Wednesday, January 27th at 6:45pm. This month we'll be reading A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar. Copies of the book are available at Queen Takes Book and can be purchased at 10% off in-store through January 27th. Use the code BOOKCLUB to get 10% off through our website. You can also order through Bookshop.org (paperback or ebook) or Libro.fm (audiobook) to support local independent bookstores.