Best Bookstores & Libraries in Seattle, United States
1. Elliott Bay Book Company
A locally-owned bookstore with three floors of books, events, and a cafe. Offers a wide selection of titles and a cozy atmosphere.
- Unique Selection: Stocks a broad range of new and used books, including hard-to-find titles.
- Community Hub: Hosts author events, literary discussions, and other community gatherings.
- Cafe Inside: Features an on-site café where you can enjoy coffee and snacks while browsing books.
2. The Secret Garden Bookstore & Cafe
A charming, cat-themed bookstore with a café serving homemade fare. Features a cozy atmosphere and an impressive selection of books.
- Cat-Friendly: Home to several friendly cats roaming the store, adding a unique touch.
- Cafe Inside: Serves delicious breakfast and lunch options, making it an ideal spot for a meal while reading.
- Book Clubs: Offers book clubs for various genres, encouraging engagement with fellow book enthusiasts.
3. University Book Store (UW Campus)
The official campus bookstore of the University of Washington. Offers textbooks, school supplies, and a vast selection of books for leisure reading.
- Textbook Availability: Stocks a wide variety of textbooks required for UW classes.
- Study Space: Provides quiet study areas for students and visitors alike.
- UW Spirit Gear: Sells UW-themed apparel, gifts, and souvenirs.
4. Seattle Public Library - Central Library
A modern architectural marvel housing a vast collection of books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Features multiple floors, quiet reading rooms, and technology resources.
- Architecture: Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the library showcases innovative and unique design elements.
- Technology Resources: Provides access to computers, Wi-Fi, scanners, and other technology tools.
- Community Engagement: Hosts events, workshops, and classes for all ages.
5. Annie Bloom's Books
A quaint bookstore with a curated selection of books across various genres. Offers personalized service and knowledgeable staff.
- Personalized Service: Staff members take the time to understand customers' tastes and make tailored recommendations.
- Community Events: Hosts author events, book clubs, and other literary-themed gatherings.
- Book Club Picks: Features a monthly selection of staff picks for book club discussions.
6. Ada's Technical Books
Specializes in books about technology, programming, design, and related topics. Offers a wealth of resources for tech enthusiasts.
- Technical Focus: Stocks an extensive collection of technical books, including rare and hard-to-find titles.
- Knowledgeable Staff: Employs staff members with expertise in various tech fields, ensuring helpful recommendations.
- Tech Community Hub: Hosts events for tech professionals and enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community.
7. Mysterium Cafe & Books
A cozy bookstore specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and mystery books. Features a café serving coffee, tea, and snacks.
- Specialized Selection: Focuses on genres that are often underrepresented in traditional bookstores.
- Cafe Inside: Serves coffee, tea, and pastries, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing read.
- Gaming Area: Offers board games and tabletop gaming opportunities, appealing to fans of those activities.
8. Book-It Repertory Theatre & Bookstore
A bookstore and theater combined, offering books and staging adaptations of beloved children's literature.
- Theater Performances: Presents live performances based on popular children's books.
- Book Selection: Offers a diverse selection of children's and young adult literature.
- Educational Workshops: Provides writing workshops for kids, encouraging literacy and creativity.
9. Hugo House
A nonprofit organization offering writing classes, workshops, and literary events for adults and young writers.
- Writing Education: Offers a variety of writing classes and workshops led by professional authors.
- Community Engagement: Provides opportunities for writers to connect, share work, and learn from one another.
- Literary Events: Hosts readings, book signings, and other literary events featuring local and nationally recognized authors.
10. Open Books: A Literary Social
A membership-based book club that offers events, discussions, and author appearances for book enthusiasts.
- Membership-Based: Requires a membership fee to attend events and participate in discussions.
- Community Engagement: Fosters connections among book enthusiasts through shared reading experiences.
- Author Appearances: Invites local and nationally recognized authors to discuss their work with members.
11. The Emerald City Booksellers
A consignment bookstore offering a wide variety of used books at affordable prices.
- Used Book Selection: Offers a vast selection of used books, ranging from rare and collectible titles to popular bestsellers.
- Affordable Prices: Sells books at discounted prices due to their used nature.
- Community Engagement: Supports local literacy initiatives and provides a space for community members to gather and discuss books.
12. Powell's Books at Union Station
A branch of Powell's Books located within Seattle's Union Station. Offers a wide selection of books and gifts.
- Convenient Location: Located inside Union Station, making it easily accessible for travelers.
- Extensive Selection: Stocks a vast collection of books across various genres and categories.
- Gift Shop: Sells Seattle-themed gifts, souvenirs, and other items.
13. A Contemporary Bookstore
An independent bookstore specializing in contemporary fiction, poetry, and art books.
- Contemporary Focus: Stocks a curated selection of contemporary literature, including new releases.
- Art Books: Offers an extensive collection of art books, showcasing various artistic movements and styles.
- Poetry Selection: Features a diverse selection of poetry collections from renowned poets and emerging voices.
14. Town Hall Seattle
A nonprofit organization offering lectures, discussions, performances, and other cultural events in a beautiful historic building.
- Cultural Events: Hosts a diverse array of speakers, authors, musicians, and artists.
- Historic Building: Housed in a beautiful historic building that was once a vaudeville theater.
- Community Engagement: Encourages dialogue, collaboration, and community engagement through its events.
15. East West Bookshop
A spiritual bookstore offering books, gifts, and resources for those interested in Eastern philosophy, spirituality, and meditation.
- Spiritual Focus: Specializes in Eastern spirituality, philosophy, and self-help books.
- Meditation Resources: Offers meditation cushions, incense, candles, and other resources for meditation practice.
- Community Resources: Provides information about local meditation groups, workshops, and retreats.