The Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, Washington

The Elliott Bay Book Company is a large, local bookstore in the Pioneer Square area of Seattle, Washington, which is filled with books to fit even the most discriminating reader’s taste. As you enter the store, you face the employees’ choice books. I find this section interesting because it featured quite a few books that aren’t on the New York Times Best Seller List or Oprah’s Book Club. I hope the employee reviews are honest, as I worked at a chain bookstore for a while in college and their reviews were not. At that location, employees seldom read the books. They read the synopsis on the jacket cover and wrote a few sentences based on that. Not fair. I bought The Nimrod Flipout, which I will review as soon as I finish. And I saw, but did not buy, Baseball Haiku. It was a whole book devoted to haikus about baseball. I should have purchased it as well, so I will now eagerly await a friend or family member surprising me with it on my birthday (hint, hint).

This is one of those local bookstores that is really involved in the local and regional literary scene. The store offers readings and book signing most nights by local and regional authors. It is a landmark store in a city of landmarks and within easy walking distance of the Waterfront District and the Pike Place Market.

In the basement of the book store is a fantastic cafe. I can’t remark on the food, but the Mocha was excellent. When you think Seattle coffee, this is what you think of. It was a great atmosphere for getting a latte and curling up with the book you just bought upstairs.

Find it at:

101 South Main Street
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-6600