Browsers Bookshop is one of those rare places that feels timeless the moment you step inside. A women-owned bookstore with a rich history dating back to 1935, it has passed through caring hands over the years while somehow retaining its soul--and you can feel that the instant you cross the threshold. The space is charming, small, and intimate, like slipping into another world where time slows down and curiosity takes over. Shelves are thoughtfully arranged and beautifully organized, making it easy to wander, browse, and actually find what you're looking for--whether you arrive with a title in mind or simply want to be guided by instinct. The selection is outstanding: carefully curated, diverse, and clearly chosen with intention rather than volume. And if you can't find what you're looking for, the knowledgeable staff are right there--warm, approachable, and genuinely passionate about books. Browsers isn't just a bookstore; it's an experience. A place that invites you to linger, explore, and leave with something unexpected in your hands--and a little extra inspiration in your heart. A true Olympia gem. My current read is The Dazzling Paget Sisters by Ariane Bankes. read more

This is an awesome bookstore! So many books, so hard to choose! I wasn't looking for anything in particular so I walked around and read staff reviews of all kinds of different books. I chose 2 books based solely on staff reviews. They also have a variety of gifts, snacks, greeting cards, bookmarks and reusable bags. I'm sure I missed other items they offer, it's a well stocked shop! The staff are very helpful and friendly! read more

The staff is some of the kindest, most intelligent and caring people I have ever met. Sky and Cassie are a testament to professionalism in the book trade. The selection is well curated, the store is relaxed and beautiful. read more

It really saddens me that I'm even writing this review, because I've given this store my business in the past and been happy to support a local, independent bookstore. But I just had a terrible experience after they sold me a faulty book and refused to either refund or exchange it, all because I didn't keep the receipt (who keeps BOOK receipts?). I purchased a copy of Dune, and after a few minutes of reading it, the glue in the binding gave out and the pages started falling out, one after another (see for yourself). I politely told them about this, showed them the book, and the refused to rectify it in any way, not even a store credit. That's the last time I intend to set foot in that store. I certainly wont be doing any holiday shopping there. Make your own decision about where to shop and give your money, just be aware that this is a store that does not respect their customers. read more

Browsers Bookshop - Bookstores Near Me - Olympia, Washington

See all

What a nice lil gem!! My daughter and I love visiting book stores and had the intention of looking for a specific book. Well, we came away with a lil more than we expected. The staff were super friendly and able to answer our questions. They do have used books, BUT it seems those "used" books appear like new. The pricing was competitive with a slight leaning to the bargain side. If you're a bibliophile, this is a must on your bookstores tour. Even you have some time to waste, ensure you have a timer set because you will definitely time travel while being pulled deeper into their web. read more

I am shocked at the conversation I was listening to from the owner to a customer. She was rude and customer wanted to change one of her items on hold for a different one and then asked if she could pay to have her order shipped to her. The owner said no! There was one item that was not a book and she would not do it. She hung up on the customer. The customer then called back and asked if she hung up! The owner said yes, she had to have some boundaries. Really!?! Well I have spent well over $400 there in the last few months. No any more. There is no excuse for rudeness. There are other book stores! read more

Wonderful service and very friendly staff! I went in today to pick up a gift card I ordered online and they were so prompt and helpful! They had so many fun books to choose from... perfect place for new and seasoned readers! I also LOVE their Harry Potter display in the window... such a fun spot! read more

Wonderful bookstore with lots of great finds, very helpful staff, can't wait to go back!!

Amazing book shop! So many different and interesting books along with cute little gifts. Definitely recommend.

Beautiful bookstore with a great selection in a small footprint. The number of staff picks ( a lot) is wonderful and drove me to purchase a book that I would have otherwise overlooked. Stop by if you are ever in Olympia! read more

Browsers Bookshop - Reader quotes - Bookstores Near Me - Olympia, Washington

I love supporting neighborhood establishments especially during this COVID pandemic time. The staff is always helpful. I personally appreciate their vigilance in practicing social distancing; ensuring customers wear face masks and spray sanitizer on my hands before I entered. read more

Ok, not worth digging through the 2% of the stock they have out. The gentleman at the desk said 98% of the stock was in back. If you knew what you wanted he'd look it up and get it for you. . What is out is difficult to get around; not disabled friendly. Items on the shelf were mixed up and not easy to browse. Could be cleaner, could be a lot better. Restrooms: None seen. read more

Store requires that I put on hand sanitizer before entering. Left swipe forever. I don't mind wearing a mask, but for all I know their sanitizer will catch on fire or poison me. read more

Like the name suggests, this is a lovely space to browse. They carry a good selection of books across various genres, and I love the way they highlight their staff's recommendations. I also really appreciated their COVID precautions (limiting customers, enforcing mask and sanitizer use, and keeping their doors open). I felt safe while browsing, and now is especially an important time to support your local small businesses! read more

Very quaint book store. Truly lives up to its name. Lots of fun to browse. New and used books. Very thorough and interesting selection. Hand written signs and descriptions add to its charm. Extremely well organized. I found a very specialized book for my map addict friend. What a surprise! read more

Browsers Bookshop - Small fun bookstore in Olympia historic downtown. - Bookstores Near Me - Olympia, Washington

See all

Browsers' Bookshop. They get 5 stars just for the name! Friendly staff, clean and well-organized stock, interesting selections. They had plenty books about gladiators, the Caesars, Roman history, et cetera. They offer a good selection of local northwest gardening books, and knick-knacky items for birthdays or anniversary gifts and such. Cozy, cute, and charming. Truly a treasure is Browsers' Bookshop! read more

See all

Book store lovers unite! Break free of your Amazon and Internet search chains to feel & smell books in your own hands! This is your local treasury of used books. Whether you are a browser or collector, you'll enjoy these book shelves. I especially love the front window displays with their themed book collections. It's eye candy of the bibliophilic type! The staff is extremely helpful & knowledgable. Feel free to browse without the pressure of buying, but you can't resist! Lol read more

See all

Love this spot Relaxing, intriguing, and enjoyable Shop Local Support Local Business Lots of great finds here and they can order what you don't find Grab a seat and have a quick read b4 buying - fun to hang out read more

Love this local book store. Super clean and hipster but old School environment. Lots of book choices, very well laid out and we are planning on making this a weekly stop for us. Owner was super sweet and loved getting to talk to her! read more

Went to Browsers a couple weeks ago - I hadn't been in since they remodeled, and wow! What a change! I bought a copy of Matilda (my favorite book of all time) and a really cute bookmark, and I'm so happy with my purchases! Prices were fair, staff were very nice and helpful, atmosphere was so warm and cozy feeling, and merchandise was very nicely displayed. For finding great books AND supporting a local business, Browsers is definitely an A+ for me! read more

Browsers Bookshop - I hadn't been to Browsers since before they remodeled - what a change! Feels so much cozier and more open! - Bookstores Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Browsers is such a great store, with great customer service. I love their selection of gardening and history but, they have a wide variety other than those two items. They are priced very good and it's better because you're supporting a local business. Go here! You will not be upset with your decision. read more

I love this store! Their window display right now is extra cute and festive featuring iconic Harry Potter moments. It made my day! Highly recommend going to check it out to add a whimsical touch to your day. read more

Great little independent bookstore. Nice selection of new and used books that are attractively displayed. I feel like there might be a bit of a political agenda with their book club picks but this is a minor concern for me. Overall, a great place to inhale the sensuous smell of new books. read more

This cute little book store is very clean, well organized and the helpful and kind people make it comfortable and inviting. They have staff picks that give mini reviews and thoughts of some of the books which was cool. If I come back to visit I would stop here again! read more

I was on my way downtown when I read Paul TK's review, so I tripped on in to Browsers amid other errands. What a great find! (Thanks Paul!) I don't typically frequent used bookstores as I find them to be junky and/or musty more often than not. Not Browsers. Very clean and orderly with no grandma's basement smell. And the books are in very good condition. It's bigger on the inside than it appears from outside, with a nice selection of literature. Most soft covers priced at $7. Although it was beastly hot and 5pm-loud out on Capitol, it was cool and calm inside the bookstore. I enjoyed a leisurely half hour puttering about. Nice, relaxing music playing. And the gentleman working (I assume the owner) was very friendly, tho didn't pester me as I browsed. I spend too much money on books, so finding a used bookstore like this will save me plenty. Maybe I can save a tree or two as well. Supporting local business AND saving trees... I rock. read more

Amazing, cozy, charming, warm bookstore with a wonderful selection. The owner has renovated the space magnificently, while keeping the old charm of the building as well. Beautiful store! The books are so well taken care of, the people who work there obviously care a lot about their books. Everyone who works there is amazing! I can't believe how lucky I am to live in Olympia. Best Bookstore around. Wonderful prices too, great selection of new books, used books and super cheap pulp books! Great place to spend time getting lost in a book, they have lovely chairs and you can just hide away in a secret place in the store and read. I've been to many bookstores all across the states and I really think this is hands down the best one I've ever seen/been in. read more

I was really disappointed in the service I received at this shop. I came in last Saturday afternoon and found the literature section, but didn't find what I was looking for. I asked the woman at the counter about a specific author and she didn't know if they had any of the author's books but told me to check the literature section. I said I'd already looked but that I would give it a second try, she responded that 'everything is in alphabetical order.' She didn't attempt to assist me or ask if I'd found what I was looking for. She also could have recommended another author or book. It's not like me to walk out of a bookstore empty handed, but I did, and I won't likely be back. read more

Such a cute little book store! Great inventory, awesome small kids section, not the friendliest guy working, didn't really look at us once or ask if we needed any assistants, but cute non the less! read more

Browsers Bookshop - Cutest book store ever! - Bookstores Near Me - Olympia, Washington

See all

Support local small businesses like this one! Browsers is cute and quiet and I can never leave empty handed because there is always a book on the shelves calling my name. read more

Great used book store, very well organized and a great selection of books. Very browser friendly. Very friendly staff and an even more friendly dog! read more

Browsers bookstore has become my go to bookstore in Olympia. Ever since the new owner purchased the store, she's given it an amazing makeover, a lot of TLC, and most importantly - she has re-done the book stock for the store, so that it is now contains a wonderful mixture of new, close to new and contemporary books, as well as a fantastic back shelf of used and antiquarian books. A lovely gem in the heart of downtown Olympia. Highly recommended! read more

With the new ownership in recent years, this has become the BEST bookstore around! They hold special events and have readers review and recommend great books. They have recently remodeled and the shop is so much cleaner and brighter--it is just a relaxing, happy place. read more

I love Browser's Books. I've been going here since 1999. They have a great selection of used books. This was my favorite place to find replacement copies of books my family owned, but fell apart due to frequent use. This was one of the few places I could find good quality books to add to my mother's Nurse Nancy collection. She was very happy to receive new books for her collection. The staff is very friendly. They will reserve books for customers. Looking for a book? Let the staff know. If they don't have it, they can notify you when they get it. read more

I enjoy visiting this store for some odd reason. I usually have difficulty finding what I want. But I support local businesses. I recently ordered 2 books, at a cost of $44. The assistant said they'd arrive Friday; I was contacted Saturday that they'd been delivered. Picking them up on Monday, I'm choosing to believe that another assistant is perhaps on the spectrum rather than rude; the lack of eye contact, of a thank you, or have a nice day, or anything after paying for the books is what I most remember. read more

I frakking love this place what else is there to say?? (For those who need more said:) Atmosphere: Great. A little narrow so not really a lounge and read kinda place, though there are a few chairs around. It's like being hugged by books or in the womb of a book so for book lovers you'll really love it. It doesn't smell musty or dirty but like book paper and wonderment. There's also a super friendly pooch that will force you to pet him. And he's so fuzzywuzzy ahhh! Staff: Always awesome. Super helpful, friendly, will recommend stuff, help you find it, talk to you about books, help you with stuff behind the glass, etc etc they're great! Selection: Nice. I don't think I've ever found anything I went in looking for, but I've always found SOMETHING i wasn't expecting...isn't that the beauty of the locally owned book store? I love it. Price: Decent, ya know. They have to make a living. You're likely to find a steal every so often, but I've also seen some things overpriced. They had a Barnes and Noble leatherbound edition of Hitchhiker's Guide compendium kinda thing for $60, when it's $20 brand new from B&N (sometimes 2 for $30). Maybe they just didn't know, but it was shocking to see. So I'd say be a little careful, check prices online or something, but I've also found some excellent deals in there. The books are good quality, too. These aren't 25 cent romance novels you find at a garage sale (though outside they do have the Cart for Cheapskates...awesome!). I will also add this is a great place for travel books and language books...such great prices! so in short yes I lovelovelovelove this place and so should you. read more

I brought two boxes of very nice books (all in jacket protectors) to the store for credit. I was expecting 75-100$ in store credit. I didn't get a call back so called the store and was told my books had been given away! I asked why and the person on the phone said she didn't think I was coming back so she "panicked"! I didn't have my books or any store credit for them. read more

This little bookstore is tucked away in the heart of downtown, great selection of books, and an awesome gem to have in Olympia.

My first stop in Browsers was exhilarating! I am certainly returning. I saw an earlier reviewer complaining about the political leanings of the store's offerings. Thank God stores like Browsers reflect what they believe and endorse, whether or not one likes where they land philosophically. You'd have to turn off your brain and your heart not to find a great book at Browsers to lose yourself in. read more

Wonderful little bookshop with an abundant collection of books that are well curated. It's lovely to wander around and feel like you could pull a book off any shelf and find it intriguing. However, the true highlight of the shop is the literary art and trinkets display that any bibliophile would find charming. The only criticism I have is that the prices are a little high, but I understand that you have to turn a profit to keep bookshops open. read more

What bookstore dreams are made of! Wonderful selection; loved the curated section. Stuff to look at for hours, made easy and comfortable by the beautiful space. I literally could have passed the entire day here but was shuffled out by an impatient friend (we were just passing through town so did not in fact have all day to spend, anywhere but the car). Book lovers, be warned that you should go here alone, so you will have time to properly enjoy this lovely place. read more