Ballast Book Company

A perfectly fine small bookshop. It's colorful, bright, and welcoming. If you have been to an artsy contemporary bookstore in Seattle or the surrounding area, you probably know what you're going to see here. There is a lot of romance, some thrillers, a lot of deeply earnest books about activism and fighting Injustice. There are not a lot of books written before the year 2000, aside from the obligatory situating of The Great Gatsby, some Harlem Renaissance writers, and a few other American classics. There are certainly not a lot of older books in translation. You will know as soon as you step inside whether you are going to like the atmosphere of this place, as that atmosphere is quite well designed and well curated by the people who work here, who seem genuinely passionate about the shop and their work. Like all bookstores, it is cozy and peaceful, and I am glad I visited.

Ballast Book Company is a fantastic book store. Don't take my word for it. It's been nominated for the "best book store in the country"! The owner Kate was so welcoming and helpful. There are kids' books and plenty of chick lit. Plus a good selection of LGBTQ lit. I bought "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. There was a special, so I got to pick up "Mapping the Interior" by Stephen Graham Jones for $5 with my purchase. I especially love how they ask you to donate your rewards credit to the Kitsap Regional Library. Having the libraries and book stores support each other is crucial!

I definitely liked the selection and the organization. The book recommendations around the store were super cute especially ones by kids. I liked all the different things from cards to magnets to jelly beans and of course all the books. My daughter had fun seeing the mushroom stools out. We will definitely come back for more!

Ideal neighborhood bookshop. Suggestions when asked. Selection that's useful. Services make being a customer fulfilling. Why I also order what's not on the shelf, so the circle is unbroken.