Seattle Area Indpendent Bookstores

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Seattle Area Indpendent Bookstores

This is a map of various locations we've featured in our posts or wanted to draw attention to for some other reason. Looking for routes? You can find them on our routes page.
Displaying 10 of 18 locations.
November 28, 2023

University Bookstore

University Bookstore likes to boast of their (deserved) title of being Seattle's oldest bookstore. They started out in UW's Denny Hall in 1900 and have been in their present location since 1924.
4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
Seattle
98105
(0)
November 29, 2023

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales (Capitol Hill location here, but there's also one in Ballard) has what it's name implies -- stacks of used books.

But it also has lots of...CATS!

And a cat box (or at least its contents) dedicated to a local writer.
1833 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Seattle
98122
(0)
November 29, 2023

Third Place Books Ravenna

We think that, perhaps, Third Place Books deserves to be above Third Place! We love its selection of new and used books, its friendly vibe, and its cozy cafe.

They also have Seward Park and Lake Forest Park locations, but this one is for the Ravenna location.
2002 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
Seattle
98115
(0)
November 29, 2023

The Globe Bookstore

Another brick-walled Pioneer Square bookstore with used and some new titles and an upstairs loft filled with some pulp titles.
242 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
Seattle
98104
(0)
November 29, 2023

The Couth Buzzard

This long-time Seattle used bookstore (with a few new titles to boot) has been in its Greenwood location for a while now, after moving down the road from its original home closer to Phinney. Has an espresso counter and meeting space in the back.
8310 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
Seattle
98103
(0)
November 28, 2023

Secret Garden Childrens' Books

haven't been in this one for years...but I loved their location by Greenlake when my children were small. Now they're located in Ballard. Best children's bookshop in Seattle.
2214 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
Seattle
98107
(0)
November 29, 2023

Phinney Books

What do you do after you win on Jeopardy? Easy! Quite your job at Amazon, open a bookstore, and write! That's what owner of Phinney Books, Tom Nissley did. And it's a cozy spot in my former neighborhood.
7405 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
Seattle
98103
(0)
November 29, 2023

Old Seattle Paperworks

OK, this isn't really a bookstore...but its assortment of vintage magazines and ads will appeal to a certain type of book lover.
1501 Pike Pl # 424, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Seattle
98101
(0)
November 29, 2023

Mercer Street Books

We like Mercer Street Books for its many used titles...and we covet its vintage card catalog storage.
7 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
Seattle
98109
(0)
November 29, 2023

Magus Books

We love the exterior of this University District Bookstore...and you can find some magical used books inside as well!
1408 NE 42nd St, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
Seattle
98105
(0)

34 thoughts on “Seattle Area Indpendent Bookstores”

  1. I’m not adding this to the main post as it’s not in Washington State…but I’m hoping to get going with my rooftop tent this summer and take a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway…we’ll see. If I do, I may need to take a brief detour to visit this little Hobbit hole that I found in Northern California. It’s tiny at 300 feet…but the toadstool in front is a nice touch 🙂

    Reply
  2. I don’t have any walking issues but I love trekking poles! So good for balance and stability. I’d always use two over one, as that way both sides are balanced. Once you get into a rhythm they also provide a good workout because of the muscles you use with them, so I definitely think they’re worth it (and that’s a good case for using two – you don’t want mismatched sides)

    Reply
    • Thanks for supporting my cause! Yes, I think they add to the workout — they give my upper body a bit extra when I use them (and it needs it!)

      Reply
  3. Hi! I know some visitors here have been following comment updates on this post. I just realized that logged out users were being challenged by a CAPTCHA that was impossible to capture! That’s been fixed, and the persons responsible have been sacked (not really, because that would mean…me).

    Anyways, comments are working again if you feel like leaving a comment. If I find any more hobbit houses around here, I’ll add another one myself. I am planning a hobbit house visit myself in August, and, if that actually happens (it seems like I’ve had a confluence of events that seem determined to disrupt my plans), I will post an update.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  4. It’s too bad we were not able to get this in the article but this Thursday, Friday & Saturday (15th, 16th & 17th) and the following Thursday, Friday & Saturday (22nd, 23rd & 24th) there are free performances of “William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged).” It’s a hilarious performance of young Shakespeare’s first attempt at a very very very long play.

    Tickets are FREE. Show is at the City of Shoreline City Hall. Starts at 7 p.m. Due to content, rated PG-13. Would love to have you.

    Reply
  5. The close-ups are helpful, thanks. But you have only fourteen kings listed here, not fifteen. I think it’s Stephen that you’re missing, after Henry I.

    Reply
    • You’re right! How did I miss him? Thank you for pointing that out. I’m sure I have the picture in my collection somewhere. I’ll edit it as soon as I get the opportunity.

      Reply
  6. What a lovely post, Cheryl! Really enjoyed reading about these famous graves, Chief Sealth, in particular. We haven’t been to Seattle in a long time. When we revisit, would love to add these destinations. Glad we found your blog! Will check other posts as well!!
    By the way, fantastic site design!!!

    Reply
    • Thank you so much! I love visiting cemeteries — in Europe in particular, where there are much older graves. So you’re from the Bay Area? What cemeteries would you visit there? I just passed through SF this summer, but didn’t stop at any cemeteries in CA except for the one in Ferndale.

      Reply
  7. I was searching for Halloween stuff and happily came across your blog. I’m from Seattle and I love reading local blogs. Your cemetaries post really struck me. About 10-15 years ago, I went “ghost-hunting” with a friend who was involved with a group of ghost hunters. We went to a small, forgotten cemetary in Renton that had been recently discovered by Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts got permission from the city to clean up the cemetary and my friend’s group was able to get the key to the gates from the scouts (and permission to go into the place at night and hunt ghosts). I’m not really a skeptic, but I felt that this group of about 30 people were more interested in being scared then really exploring. We went at night (of course) and it was spooky – especially in one specific area of the cemetary. The cemetary had been overgrown with vegetation from 100+ years of neglect. The scouts had just started weeding and clearing away bushes all around the cemetary. The clean up was still in progress when we chose to visit; the scouts had just discovered the cemetary a few weeks before.

    It’s important to note that at the time this cemetary was in use there was a very prominent family in Renton with the last name “Monster”. You can still see that surname in and around Renton to this day. It’s also important to note that at this time (the tombstones had dates from the 1800s) families often did not name their children until they were several months old; life was harder then and the weak often didn’t survive. So when these babies died, their tombstones were engraved with “Baby” plus the last name. You can probably see where I’m going with this.

    So in this little fenced off part of the cemetary the wealthy Monster family had their graves, separated from the other tombstones. There is one headstone engraved with “Baby Monster” and it just pulls at your heart strings. The cemetary is named Saar Pioneer Cemetary – I don’t know if that’s the original name or if it was renamed after rediscovery. Because of your interest in cemetaries and because you live locally, I realize you may be familiar with this story. But I thought I’d share it with you anyway. If you aren’t familiar with this story but are interested, in the age of social media you can find many pictures and stories online of Baby Monster.

    Reply
    • Thank you for telling me about this ! No, this is a first for me; I’ve never visited Saar Pioneer Cemetery. I will definitely need to visit this cemetery next time I’m in Renton.

      Reply
  8. Just a note: I realized after I wrote this that my daughter referred to MrCheckedBaggage in her text, implying that she did NOT go carry-on only. She intended to and Chester did, in fact, fit in the overhead bin just fine, but MrCheckedBaggage, a large suitcase, ended up accompanying them on their trip so she could take things her friend in France needed and also bring things home for her (along with some very nice gifts.)

    Reply
    • I had a great time — very cold and rainy when I was there, but I was prepared! And, yes…very busy. I was there over a bank holiday weekend and it seems everyone goes to York to party.

      Reply
    • Yeah, I like messing around with video, but I don’t necessarily putting my face and voice on things. I plan to do more video posts in the future…I just may not be in them as much as possible! ?

      Reply
  9. Love reading about visitors’ experiences at Stonehenge! Always new things to discover and see this one-of-a kind adventure through other people eyes! Now wish we visited Woodhenge and Old Sarum during our tip to Stonehenge as well!

    Reply
  10. There are 2 issues I have found after 2 years of using the Pro 2-3 time a week with carbon kayaks. First, the cheap material between each bar flattens and then your kayak is pressing on metal. Second, if you kayak rests on the two humps near where the pistons are they will dent your boat.

    Reply
    • Thanks, and good point! I’ve only been using the Hullavator with rotomolded plastic and thermoform kayaks and, so far, haven’t had issues. But I’m not a 2-3 times a week kayaker! For me, it was the easiest way I found to take the kayak out on my own.

      Reply
  11. WOW! What a phenomenal show this was that showcased how someone can have a stunning PNW garden! I loved the natural elements of the fungi, the cedar wood planks and the moss that surrounded many of these spaces making it feel like a true PNW fairy tale garden. Excellent photos!

    Reply
    • Thanks! It’s a treat getting to go to their previews…but I wish I’d gone back for the rest of the show. It’s amazing what these designers, gardeners, and landscapers dream up and accomplish each year!

      Reply
  12. This event is June 23rd, not May 5th. The May 5th event is the Emerald City Ride, also hosted by Cascade Bicycle Club, so I think someone mixed them up.

    Reply
      • Well that’s a bummer, that must have happened just within the past day or so. BTW – I appreciate your work here to consolidate these events onto one calendar. They are oddly more difficult to find individually, particularly for someone like myself who is relatively new to biking.

        Reply

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