When I imagine the perfect cozy bookstore, this is exactly what I picture. The upstairs was easily my favorite part--the little book nook overlooking the entrance to Pike Place was absolutely calling my name. I could have curled up there with a book and stayed all afternoon. The collection itself was also so fun to browse. There were so many unique and interesting books that I don't normally see in bigger bookstores, and the whole place just had so much character. An absolute must-stop if you're a book lover visiting Pike Place! read more

Left Bank Books Collective - BookNook - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I tried for four days to place an order with this bookstore. I had to call them three times from overseas to get just a price quote, as they could not be bothered to answer an email. Each time I called they told me they'd look up the books and give me an answer and then they didn't do it. I said I was happy to pay for shipping, and to support the local book shop. I was ready to drop $1k to support a local store. But these guys can't even be bothered to sell me books. SMH. read more

There is no way to describe this bookstore except creepy. I love to visit local bookstores when traveling and was excited to spot this place while in the touristy parts of Seattle. This is not a regular bookstore. I am moderate politically but it was overrun with an extreme left political agenda. What a disappointment. I realize Seattle is pretty liberal and I know I would feel the same way walking into a religious or Christian bookstore and should've known better than to go into this one. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Storefront - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Absolutely offensive staff who threaten customers if masks aren't worn or if you question their choice of anarchist, garbage books. I experienced the most uncomfortable encounter when I asked why their books were so anti American and offensive. I was assaulted and asked to leave the store. I didn't mind because the stench from the musty books and their smelly staff wouldn't have kept me there long anyway. Proceed with caution. read more

Now this is a bookstore. A Palestinian flag on display and a whole section of books on Palestine? I almost cried. Perfect Victims is my favorite. It changed my life, but I'm Palestinian - while it was therapeutic for me, it will be disturbing for others. But that's the point, and I think that's the point of this bookstore too. Massive thank you to the owner and staff for the support. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A cute lil bookshop right in front of Pike Place Market! I stumbled upon this bookshop while walking to Pike Place and I just had to stop by. It's a tradition of mine to buy a book and bookmark while on a trip so this was a serendipitous find. This quaint spot feels like something out of a book with two levels to skim through many volumes of books. Upstairs, they had little nooks where you could cozy up with a book and look out the window to see a view of Pike Place. A great find in Seattle! read more

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Creepy atmosphere, strong political agenda We're tourists visiting Seattle and were excited to take our kids to a local bookstore near Pike Place Market, but we left really disappointed. The space smelled musty and felt dark and cluttered, not cozy or inviting. The whole atmosphere was honestly a little creepy. It quickly became clear this isn't a regular neighborhood bookstore -- almost every section and display seemed to be pushing a political message. I respect different viewpoints, but it felt more like walking into a political club than a bookstore. The staff didn't seem very friendly or interested in helping either. We love supporting independent shops when we travel, but this one just wasn't a good experience. If you're looking for a family-friendly place to browse books, I'd skip this stop. read more

I loved this bookstore! They had sooo much and it was overwhelming looking at everything. They also had some room to breathe, which was also refreshing. My husband and I came here so that we could get our bearings and find a cheese spot that we were looking for. And we ended up staying for about an hour, each in our own level, space. Hunger eventually overtook us and we left, but not without my husband making a purchase. They had so many books and the value was good. I know that I will definitely be back. The value is pretty good, which I'd expect from an indie bookstore. I don't buy these, but they had some local indie zines and other things of interest which was a nice touch. But the books were throughout the store and I didn't feel the claustrophobia, that I felt at another store. I appreciated being able to stay in here for the duration of my visit. So yes, I'll be back. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - But these books... - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Really fun and quirky place. If the cats playing music outside for tips put you off, it's probably not for you. But for the rest of us - it's a great time. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Store front - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Super cute, kitschy quirky bookstore at pike market. The store goes deeper than you expect and I like all the independent trinkets they sell and the causes they promote read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Quirky bookstore! I feel like if you enjoy browsing you will find something here. Take the left part seriously - there are some books that intrigued me just because of the cover. Let alone the content. I came in to get some books I found on their website that were about Arab Americans (non fiction), a Persian fiction novel and a special copy of a new book by a Nigerian author. All regular price points which is fine as I am Al about supporting small business. Whoever is curating is doing a good job. The plethora of signs and ways they showcase the books was both stark and comfortable. The person at the desk nice and helpful. Check the website and find a topic of interest. Keep an open mind and come check this place out. We all need learning and even if the views challenge your own - it's worth it. A mind always wants to be challenged and to think! read more

This wasn't on my itinerary for my Seattle visit, but we were walking around Pike Place Market when I spotted this bookstore. If you know me, then you know I can't resist going into a bookstore. I just love the smell of books and seeing crisp pages being passed at every turn. Unfortunately, this is kind of where the appeal ends with this one. The bookstore itself was cute, two floors even, reminiscent of independent bookstores such as Books & Books in Miami. The ambiance? Meh. There was one cashier up front and he was apathetic, not even saying hi. I felt like a bit of a bother even stepping in. The fact that it was just my best friend and I in the store didn't help. I felt downright ignored. Needless to say, I went up and down the stairs, took a few photos, left, and just didn't look back. Enjoyed my time much more at a second bookstore I later went to in Seattle. read more

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I have frequented in this bookstore many times in the last few years since I live nearby. I always come by myself and I never hang around for too long. I never leave without buying a book because I'm just the type of person that doesn't like hanging around a bookstore without buying a book. I have always respected their mask mandate. I know the staff recognize me at this point and yet they have never been particularly kind to me or even acknowledged that I am a regular customer. A couple of weeks ago I went in and didn't take too long to make my selection, a brand new book that cost thirty dollars. I went to pay and made some polite small talk with the staff member, and they responded with something noncommittal, so the conversation ended quickly. I thanked them and then started flipping through the free bookmarks to pick which bookmark I wanted. I guess I pulled my mask down to see better because just a few moments later the staff member asked me to please put my mask back on. I immediately did, picked out my bookmark and left, a little embarrassed. I was a little taken aback to be treated so curtly given how nice I have always been to them and how much money I have spent with them. I just don't feel welcome there read more

Can't Evan tell you how great a book store this is I can't go Thare . You couldn't get me out of that store assume assume treasures everywhere overwhelming if you're a book freight like me fortunately I don't have enough money to go into places like that cause I wouldn't be walking out with any change just for sure read more

Cool spot for books! Large collection of social justice related non-fiction. The shop has a cool vibe with stickers all over. Be mindful if they are asking you to mask up at the front door - lots of people walked right past the big sign and mask box while I was perusing in front. They didn't seem to have a ton of used options (usually marked with a sticker) when I went or I probably would have bought something, but they have a cool selection for nonfiction. The sci-fi and fantasy section is a bit smaller if that's what you're looking for, but lots of classics and memoirs and even a section upstairs for history and technical books. Really cool spot to browse and buy! read more

Tried to check it out. Love the sabot & Ralph Chaplin's cat in the logo. But you can't go in unless you wear a mask. I wore a mask whenever ill 20 years before the pandemic. This is some projection of fear onto customers. Very similar to anticipatory obedience. Funny how fundamentalists want to rule, regardless of philosophy. read more

My fiancée and me are always looking for great small hole in the wall book stores to come too. This store had a great selection of critical thinking books, very much contemporary thinking and some old vintage books from the past! The store is relatively small but has two floors of books to see they are moderately priced and the staff here is very helpful and resourceful! Lots of nostalgia in the books and a lot of allied branding around just make sure to wear a mask before entering for a safe space for everyone! Check it out if you're a book lover! read more

Mid bookstore. Tiny space that feels stuffy and dusty. minimal selections on just a small selection of topics and the staff does not interact with you in any way read more

What a wonderful bookstore! We found tons of great books and I'm sure we could've spent hours more browsing if we'd had time.

I've been living in Bellevue for a month and my boyfriend and I finally made the trip to Pike Place on Saturday morning. This was one of three bookstores we visited and I was particularly impressed with the intelligence possessed by the curators/staff evidenced by the selection and layout. I absolutely loved it. I've been to about 10 bookstores in Washington and each time I purchase a book, especially new, I like to feel like I'm supporting a bookstore with it's own personality and therefore am willing to pay full price for a book. This place made me feel so good about buying from them, I'd love to come back. It's cozy inside, filled with new and used books. I purchased Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney and Thriving in Sex Work. read more

Great cute book store around the market area. Great selection of indie queer and diverse authors. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Books! - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The storefront looked interesting but that's where my enthusiasm ended. The staff was kinda rude and pretentious. We get it, you read more books than most people. I won't be going back. read more

Not just "Left Bank," but rather left leaning. Not that there is anything wrong with that (to quote Seinfeld) but I did find that quite a few of the books are pushing a more liberal line of thinking. Anarchy. Progressivism. Liberalism. Anti-capitalism. Points of view from minority authors. Interesting and perhaps I would learn quite a lot from many of these books. I was pleased to see Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" on the shelves, which I've read at least twice for schoolwork. Hey, maybe that's for you in which case you'll enjoy this small bookshop. I found it interesting but nothing I was really looking for today. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Left Bank Books at Pike Market - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Excellent book store right outside of Pike Place Market! I almost skipped my visit here since it was getting dark but, decided to chance it. I felt completely safe and even scootered back to my hotel in Belltown afterwards. I'm so glad I stopped to visit! The store feels like a shop inside the Harry Potter world. The shelves were filled with books and gave me apothecary vibes. There are posters along walls with various calls to action. The shop is a bit narrow on the top floor but I found it impressive how much they were able to fit inside a limited space. I was disappointed with their selection of zines, but I did see them. The people inside the bookstore were really nice and helpful. I even had a thoughtful and informative conversation with the person at the register about Puerto Rico. I really, my experience here was great! read more

I've been wanting to come to Left Bank for months now to browse their extensive collection of political books & zines. Now that I finally made the trip down to Pike Place, it was even better than I had been hoping for! Their selection is extensive & covers many different regions of the world. I was even able to find a recently-published book by a small political collective that I've had my eye on for the past three months -- I /never/ expected to find that book at an in-person book store! Many comments mention the "agenda" this store has. It's true that it does have a clear political bias, and that's exactly why I loved this store so much -- it's SO hard to find a dedicated leftist bookstore that's not online. It was refreshing to shop for these kinds of books in-person for a change. Definitely will be coming back in the future! read more

The agenda in this bookstore was very... pronounced. Good picks on political science and whatnot, and the store itself was very cozy and fun to walk around. It depends on what you're looking for, but I probably wouldn't expect to find a wide variety of books on other topics. Very leftist, definitely check it out if it piques your interest! read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Cozy book nook - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Don't ask for the wrong book or you'll be kicked out of the store! Don't ask for a poster supporting American Jews and not just Gaza terrorism and they'll call security! Lol. Security came and outside the store we laughed about how incredibly rude the employees are required to be. read more

I absolutely love a good local bookstore. The hubs and I popped in before a dinner reservation. There were so many good books to look at and so many that I hadn't seen before. I could have spent hours looking through the books; both new and used. As it was, we didn't have that kind of time so I ended up getting a book and dashing to dinner. read more

I loved the way the place was organized. They had some really great book options. And the inside was super cozy and cute. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Awesome book store! It's 2 stories but has an area at 1.5(?) stories and tons of books It's a bit difficult to navigate if you're actually looking for a specific book, but really fun to look at cute little post-it's with book recommendations and little descriptions! Loved it because there's this adorable windowsill that's perfect for reading/sitting/PICTURES I spend like 30 minutes here w my bf to takr cute af pics ahaha read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Cute, hidden window sill - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Nice co op book store with a great collection of books. Super selective and not main stream titles. Great location as well

I'm so glad to know co-op bookstores like Left Bank Books exist! They have a great selection of diverse and inclusive books - I can't wait to stop in the next time I'm in the area. read more

Super great bookstore! As the name implies this bookstore is going to be a place that readers of the political left will love! One doesn't come across these bookstores very often...or at least I don't frequently come across them in my journeys and going into Left Bank Books is like a breath of fresh air! There is poetry and fiction as well as a generous amount of nonfiction as well...with good signage as to what topics you may be interested in. They have great postcards that with humor and poignancy which completely rings true to our modern day society...even if some of those cards may come across as cynical to some. At any rate one could spend a great deal of time pouring over their book selection and other merchandise so if you have some time to kill definitely give this unique store a peek! read more

Anarchy. Communism. Proletarianism. Any of these words sound familiar? Well, you'll probably enjoy then this lefty bookstore smack in the heart of the Pike Place Market. The bookstore is small and cozy, informative yet somewhat predictable. The collection of books, as previously mentioned cater to those on the left of the political spectrum. And as a general source of information it does a good job. But I was bit disappointed in the section focused on Asia, especially with the small section of China - I mean this is a leftist bookstore after all. Most books are mass paperbacks that could really be bought anywhere. I think the store plays more into the cool souvenirs and little trinkets that make this place more hipster and cool. The books here looked used but I think are actually new - so be aware that some of these books might be slightly shelf worn and aren't actually used. There's a comfortable little seat on the second floor where you can snuggle up to a book - but maybe that's why the books look slightly worn. Overall, this place is cool to look at but I wouldn't buy anything here, a little too gimmicky and not enough to the content itself - I was hoping to find some more interesting and unusual books. A lot of reviewers also mentioned the strict backpack rule, I had not been asked my any staff member to remove mine although I did see a sign on my way out - oops! read more

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My Favorite Bookstore In Seattle Promotes Extremely Worth Causes SITREP It may sounds odd to say, but this store is doesn't sell people "books" as much as it shares "ideas", and promotes causes. SETUP I first became aware of this store from work conducted with the program "Books to Prisoners." Left Bank operates as a sort auxiliary command center in helping organize the volunteer efforts of individuals who want to contribute both their time and their book-resources to enabling prisoners have access to reading material. MISSION However, it does go much deeper than just helping find "books & magazines" for prisoners to read to keep their minds active. While in law school, I was very much involved in the different prisoner legal-service efforts for those incarcerated unjustly and for whom the wheels of justice did not turn effectively. WRITING & SPEAKING "LEGALESE" Often in trying to write their own appeals and solicit information on the legal processes they must engage in, prisoners need access to legal self-help guides to communicate through the legal system if they are "in pro per" for themselves, and to also make appeals to attorneys to possibly take on their case on a pro bono basis. To communicate effectively, legal dictionaries, thesauruses, legal codes, etc. are such resources that they need to utilize, and Left Bank is an organization that makes this happen. And this is not the only cause that this collective takes up - it is just the one I am most familiar with. Left Bank works closely with Puget Sound Anarchists, the men & women of Queer Rock Camp, and the Seattle Solidarity Network. These and several more organizations find synergy by working with Left Bank, and all are worth exploring. THE LOWDOWN The Left Bank Books Collective actively engages in many missions that go far above merely the shelves of books they store, but actually give hope to people. read more

Was told rudely, not asked, to wear a mask inside the shop (even though no other shops around ask people to do this). Most of the inventory or books are leftist, anti capitalist, anarchist, etc views...which is fine if this is your thing. They also sell stickers of police cars on fire so that definitely wasn't my deal and walked out immediately. Not impressed. read more

Cute little book store in Pike place. I'm usually not attracted to book stores, but I came in with my cousin and I liked the layout of the store. There are two stories and books everywhere. read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

One of those old bookshops that you can peruse through for hours... I love it! There is a small window seat upstairs where you can sit and read or people watch... cozy feel... tons of great books.... I got a kick out of all the posters and t-shirts for sale.... the bf got a book on immigration... I resisted buying up a storm on graffiti books and social justice themed teacher books discussion the evils of standardized testing.............. A must take a looksy if you are in the Pike Market area read more

Love love love that they also sell used books. I was not tryna drop $15 on Paolo Coelho's Pilgrimage, and was glad to find a used copy here! For less than what I would've spent on that new book, I was also able to snag a used Sandra Cisneros book for $5! Support and donate to this wonderful local enterprise! read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I love Left Bank Books Collective bookstore, they have all the classics in all areas of politics and even some literature classics. It's a small store so they don't have piles of books but you can stay there reading for a while on one of the chairs. Bookstores like this are what are keeping some people from slipping into complete complicity, stupidity complacently, and total subservience to "authority". read more

Left Bank Books Collective - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington