Book shopping in Washington
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A
Elliott Bay Book Company
In its new home on Capitol Hill, the venerable Elliott Bay Book Company has gone from creaky and labyrinthine to vast and soaring-ceilinged. At first everyone worried about the relocation, but the new space has an open, energetic vibe – maybe even better than the original (sacrilege!). Still the best bookstore in town, and one of the best in the Northwest, Elliott Bay is also the local leader in author appearances, with writers appearing at a reading or signing almost nightly (think Tom Robbins, Sherman Alexie and David James Duncan). Readings are held in a dedicated room downstairs. They are usually free and generally start at 7pm. Pick up a schedule near the store entra…
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B
Kinokuniya
A great source for hard-to-find imported books and magazines in Asian languages (and in English about Asian culture), this bookstore inside Uwajimaya Village is also one of the few shops in the country where you can buy the lesser-known films of Kinji Fukasaku and other masters of Asian cinema on DVD. It has a fabulous supply of wrapping paper, cards and notebooks, not to mention imported comics and toys. Hello, Kitty!
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C
Left Bank Books
This legendary bookstore and distributor is small but fierce, with an essential collection of political theory, off-center fiction and surrealist literature. A sign in the anarchist section humbly requests that, if you’re going to steal books, you do it from a corporate chain store, not a workers-run collective.
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D
Wide World Books & Maps
Travelers will want to make a pilgrimage to Wide World Books & Maps. In addition to a great selection of travel guides, this pleasant store offers a full array of travel accessories and a staff of seasoned globetrotters. Ask for a calendar of events such as slideshows and author readings.
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E
Twice Sold Tales
Twice Sold Tales’ Capitol Hill location has moved, but it’s still a cozy den full of used books at excellent prices, stacked haphazardly along narrow aisles. A book ‘happy hour’ discount kicks in after 6pm. A bunch of aloof cats roam the shop, actively ignoring everybody.
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F
University Bookstore
University Bookstore is vast and all-purpose, though lacking the time-worn charm of many of Seattle’s other, quirkier bookstores. It does have absolutely everything, though, including textbooks and highlighter-abused secondhand books.
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G
Peter Miller Architecture & Design Books
This store, whose window arrangements can make a bibliophile or a design fiend drool, specializes in luxurious architecture books. It also sells gorgeous stationery and writing instruments, sketchbooks and some art supplies.
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H
Magus Books
Magus is a great used-book store, the kind of place where you can literally spend hours getting lost in the crooked, narrow aisles on the hunt for that obscure title you’re not sure you can even remember anymore.
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I
Fremont Place Book Co
This is a friendly little place with a relatively small but interesting collection of new fiction and nonfiction. Ask about in-store author readings and monthly discussion groups.
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Flora & Fauna Books
Seattle has some great theme bookstores. Flora & Fauna, a longstanding underground favorite for nature-lovers, has books on natural history and local field guides.
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K
Secret Garden Bookshop
The children’s collection, especially the fiction selection, is excellent at this bookstore, and the staff will order you anything they don’t have.
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All for Kids
Near the University District, All For Kids has one of the largest selections of children’s books in town and also stocks a lot of children’s music.
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Beyond the Closet Books
Beyond the Closet is the city’s primary gay-focused bookstore. It also holds readings and book signings; check local papers for a schedule.
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Alphabet Soup
Alphabet Soup is a darling little cottage dedicated entirely to children’s books, with both new and used, reasonable prices and helpful staff.
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Queen Anne Books
This quiet little nook is a charming neighborhood bookstore, with frequent special events and a nice selection of children’s materials.
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Bailey/Coy Books
This is a general bookstore with a good gay and lesbian section and a really classy, well-chosen supply of literary fiction.
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Seattle Mystery Bookshop
The name gives it away – Seattle Mystery Bookshop is a specialty store for page-turners and whodunits.
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Open Books
Open Books in Wallingford is devoted totally to poetry; call to ask about readings and events.
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