By some measures, Seattle is the most literate city in America (with a nod to other frequent list-toppers like Portland, Minneapolis, and Boston). In a city with sky-high college graduation rates and long periods of the year with gray skies, can you blame us?
The Seattle Library System is world class, but sometimes even the most frugal Northwesterner has a tome that he or she just has to make a permanent addition to the bookshelf.
For those times, here are some of the best spots to make your purchase.
Elliot Bay Book Company
Where: Capitol Hill
Few booksellers would dispute Elliot Bay’s preeminence in Seattle. Not quite a match for Portland’s epic Powell’s, Elliot Bay has a breadth and depth that nobody north of the Columbia river can match. The bookstore moved from Pioneer Square to new digs on Capitol Hill, and the change has energized and already great book store. The spacious but warm new store is a book browser’s paradise.
Twice Sold Tales
Where: U-District / Fremont / Capitol Hill
This chain of cat-loving bookstores is the best place to grab your favorite book at a used price (Elliot Bay abandoned their used book section in the move). The staff here is about as real as you can get—they’ll plainly let you know if they don’t like a particular book, or your behavior. They consistently acquire great books which they offer at unbeatable prices—including a nightly 25% discount at the Capitol Hill store.
Magus Books
Where: U-District
In just one location, Magus offers possibly an even better selection of great used books than Twice Sold Tales.
Just across the street from the University of Washington, Magus no doubt benefits from thousands of barely (or un-)read books by college students. A wonderful and dense browsing experience on their small footprint, Magus is the oldest independent book store in the city and not to be missed.
Spine and Crown
Where: Capitol Hill
Spine and Crown’s Kris Minta is passionate about books and speaks thoughtfully about the (in his mind, dismal) future of brick and mortar book sellers. He is a rare bookseller who cares far more about what is good than what sells. S&C is still open on Pine but has recently placed a “for lease” sign in the window. Stop by, buy a book, and make sure wherever Spine and Crown is headed it lands on its feet.
The Seattle Library System is world class, but sometimes even the most frugal Northwesterner has a tome that he or she just has to make a permanent addition to the bookshelf.
For those times, here are some of the best spots to make your purchase.
Elliot Bay Book Company
Where: Capitol Hill
Few booksellers would dispute Elliot Bay’s preeminence in Seattle. Not quite a match for Portland’s epic Powell’s, Elliot Bay has a breadth and depth that nobody north of the Columbia river can match. The bookstore moved from Pioneer Square to new digs on Capitol Hill, and the change has energized and already great book store. The spacious but warm new store is a book browser’s paradise.
Twice Sold Tales
Where: U-District / Fremont / Capitol Hill
This chain of cat-loving bookstores is the best place to grab your favorite book at a used price (Elliot Bay abandoned their used book section in the move). The staff here is about as real as you can get—they’ll plainly let you know if they don’t like a particular book, or your behavior. They consistently acquire great books which they offer at unbeatable prices—including a nightly 25% discount at the Capitol Hill store.
Magus Books
Where: U-District
In just one location, Magus offers possibly an even better selection of great used books than Twice Sold Tales.
Just across the street from the University of Washington, Magus no doubt benefits from thousands of barely (or un-)read books by college students. A wonderful and dense browsing experience on their small footprint, Magus is the oldest independent book store in the city and not to be missed.
Spine and Crown
Where: Capitol Hill
Spine and Crown’s Kris Minta is passionate about books and speaks thoughtfully about the (in his mind, dismal) future of brick and mortar book sellers. He is a rare bookseller who cares far more about what is good than what sells. S&C is still open on Pine but has recently placed a “for lease” sign in the window. Stop by, buy a book, and make sure wherever Spine and Crown is headed it lands on its feet.