The Top Bookstores in Seattle
Although folks in Seattle can be gourmands in our bookstore tastes, not at all ashamed to frequent Borders or Barnes and Noble, we far prefer to be gourmets. Here are some gems worth going out of your way for when you feel like getting finicky about where to shop for books.
Elliott Bay Book Company – A quaint and not-quite-cramped bookstore located in a brick building in the heart of historic Pioneer Square, Elliott Bay Book Company is one of those treasures that locals and Seattle tourists alike love to patronize. When you go, be sure to explore the various nooks and crannies throughout the store. Just when you think you’ve found all the books there are, you’ll round another corner and discover even more. Elliott Bay Books boasts a collection of 150,000 titles and many them are specialty books, books from small publishers, signed by authors and even limited edition or antique books. If you’re looking for a particular book, you’ll almost certainly find it at Elliott Bay Book Company, and if you’re open to the experience, you’re sure to discover something completely new as well. It’s the discoveries of books that you might not have otherwise considered and in fact might not have otherwise even found that make patronizing an independent bookseller a truly special experience.
When you visit Elliott Bay Books, be sure to leave time for a visit to the Elliott Bay Caf�© downstairs in the basement for snack, coffee or lunch. Cool in the summer and cozy in the winter, it just feels like someplace you want to be. The exposed brick adds to the ambiance downstairs and there is a small side-room where the bookstore regularly hosts author readings and other special bookstore events.
When you’re done reading your printed treasures, Elliott Bay Book Company buys back used books too. Keep everyone reading by putting your books back into circulation. If you opt for store credit over cash, you’ll be offered 50% more for your used books.
Elliott Bay Book Company location – 101 South Main Street, Seattle, Washington 98104 Regular hours – Monday-Saturday 9:30 am – 10 pm; Sunday 11am – 7 pm; many holidays 11 am – 5 pm For more information – call (206) 624-6600 or (800) 962-5311, or visit their website at http://www.elliottbaybook.com
Bailey/Coy Books – What this Capitol Hill bookstore lacks in size, Bailey/Coy Books more than makes up for in personality and easy accessibility to Dilettante Chocolates next door. When you’re in the mood to make an afternoon of book browsing and enjoying fine chocolate, this is the destination of choice. You’ll find great recommendations here and personalized service well worth the visit. If you’re already in the area, you have no excuse whatsoever for not stopping in.
Although historically well-known as a focal point for the Seattle gay community, Capitol Hill is a diverse neighborhood with a distinctly bohemian feel full of interesting dining and retail shops. Not surprisingly given its location, Bailey/Coy Books carries a significant selection of gay and lesbian titles. They also carry a wide variety of other kinds of books so readers of every stripe are sure to find something appropriate to their individual tastes.
Bailey/Coy Books location – 414 Broadway E., Seattle, WA 98102 For more information – call (206) 323-8842
University Book Store – This is arguably the Seattle bookstore you want to have around if you’re only allowed one. The main branch of this University of Washington icon might be mistaken at times in size and feel for one of the chain bookstores but it has all the personal involvement from staff, including the helpful handwritten recommendations, that we all love about independent booksellers. And while you’re likely to find just about any title you’re seeking as well as some cool out-of-the-way finds, there is so much more to UBS than books.
Unlike most independent bookstores, University Book Store has several branches, each with their own personality and specialties. In addition to a massive collection of books, the main branch of the University Book Store carries music, photographic supplies, great gifts and cards, clothing, makeup, an entire basement full of the most fun (and useful) school, office, and art supplies imaginable, and of course textbooks too. As an added bonus, it seems UBS also now buys general used books in addition to textbooks. It’s beginning to look like there isn’t anything they don’t do. A person could easily spend several days here and not get bored. Some have even commented that it might be possible to live there indefinitely if it were allowed. Next door is the UBS Technology Center, carrying a sizeable assortment of computers and electronics. Parking is free for a limited time in select lots with bookstore validation.
The small on-campus branch is located in the Husky Union Building (HUB) and focuses primarily on a few key school supplies, gifts, some snacks, and books for personal enjoyment. In short, everything an over-stressed college student needs right now for times when the hike to the main bookstore is simply too much. Sadly, there is no longer a downtown Seattle branch of the University Book Store but most days this is compensated for by the existence of the downtown Bellevue store with free parking in an underground garage, conveniently located just a short hop across the lake from Seattle proper. The Bellevue University Book Store is in many ways a scaled back version of the main branch. In fact, one theory is that the failure of the Bellevue Square Borders can be at least partly attributed to the presence of the University Bookstore practically across the street. They have lots of books (along with staff recommendations), as one would hope, and also carry gifts and cards, a more-than-adequate selection of school supplies, and some Washington State Cougar clothing as well as the expected University of Washington apparel. Oh, and they carry some select textbook titles now too.
University Book Store also has a Health Sciences bookstore located on campus within the University of Washington health sciences complex and bookstores located in Tacoma, Bothell, and Mill Creek.
At least two locations (main Seattle store and Bellevue store) regularly host author signings, readings, and other special book-related events, including some geared specifically for children so be sure to check out their schedules.
One cool and very helpful tip every Seattle resident and former UW student should know is that the University Book Store functions much like a co-op. Students, faculty, and members of the University of Washington Alumni Association earn patronage refunds on their purchases each year, which can really make shopping for books, gifts, and supplies much less expensive. If you pay cash, simply collect and make note of your receipts using the specially-provided envelope. Or better yet, get a UBS credit card and have all your book-related purchases tracked for you automatically.
University Book Store main location – 4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 Regular hours – Monday-Friday 9 am – 9 pm;Saturday 10 am – 7 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm For more information – call (206) 634-3400 or (800) 335-READ, or visit their website at http://www.bookstore.washington.edu
Special Mentions – One Seattle bookstore not reviewed here (for the simple reason of lack of familiarity) that is consistently rated a favorite among Seattleites is Third Place Books. If you’re looking for bookstores outside the Seattle area that meet the high standards of a Seattleite bookstore gourmet, Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon (http://www.powells.com) is famous for being nothing short of amazing and the Tattered Cover in Denver, Colorado (http://www.tatteredcover.com)
is a favored destination for book lovers everywhere.
If you need to find a way to make room on your bookshelf for all your new purchases and aren’t looking for money in return for your used books, consider sending them on walkabout and then tracking the whereabouts of your old “friends” using BookCrossing.com, an internet-based “read and release” program. With more than a hundred BookCrossing zones in Seattle and at least a couple thousand BookCrossers in and around Seattle, there are always opportunities to find new homes for books or even find new (to you) books for free. Just remember that all that wet Seattle winter weather may be great for reading by a fireplace but isn’t too kind to books, so be sure to bundle any that you send traveling in sealable plastic bags so that they’ll stay warm and dry for the next person to read!
