Joshua Fagan
November 2025
I believed I had reviewed this the last time I was here, but I suppose not. There are many vibrant and elegant bookstores in Seattle, places that are soothing not simply for purchasing books but for staying a while and basking in the contemplative serenity of the space, and this is one of them. The classic Beaux Artsy Seattle building in which this store is located, with the classical columns and the arched ceiling and the general feeling of cleanliness and refinement, is a large part of the draw, but the store deserves credit for repurposing the building in a way that makes sense and feels organic. This is the kind of adaptive reuse that should be promoted in Seattle and other American cities with relatively more historic downtowns. As much as I appreciate and respect a lot of the newer development that has accelerated throughout the city in the last 20 or so years, there is a kind of artistry to these old buildings that is rarely replicated. The selection is quite vibrant, with a mix of best sellers and older classics and books that very much fit the specific Seattle area, and the employees are extremely caring and helpful. If you are a book lover and you are wandering through downtown Seattle, coming here is highly recommended.
