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 entrance.