Mostly a new books spot, with some used sprinkled in small batches for a quick find if you are lucky enough. Their main stock is varied and shows a real care to not be a cookie cutter that you can appreciate. Tons of pull tabs marking local authors, and recommendations from the workers. Gives you a simple callout for attention in busy shelf isles. They have a lot of signed books in select areas and some more nice collectables. Their cafe and food is a real plus for indoor and outdoor space. A great location overall with private parking as if you are lucky on timing. read more

Most local authors. Great feel to have a non commercial bookstore in the neighborhood.

Perfect neighborhood bookstore! Bright, friendly, and welcoming vibes. Has an extensive variety of books; nothing too overwhelming, like some bookstores are. Also has a good mix of gifts and trinkets and a quaint and cozy cafe in the back. And not to mention the friendly and knowledgeable staff! Amazing place to get books and/or just browse. read more

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I came here for a book club presentation thingee. I enjoyed the vibe quite a lot. It really feels like that kind of bookstore where you are going to either find a treasure or meet someone cool and eclectic or both. I haven't been back much since that one time because I no longer live in this area (which is hands down a cooler and more artsy area than where I live now!). So I can't speak to their current collection and staff etc. however I am positive they are still a typical PNW bookstore where you can find lots of reading gems that are relevant to the times. I saw them recently at a presentation where they were selling the books put out by the presenter; the person manning the table was very friendly; unfortunately I did not ask the price so I can't comment on value. read more

I enjoy a good bookstore and have enjoyed browsing or attending events at the Lake Forest Park location. I like this location just as much or even better! Great bookstore combined with a cafe/restaurant on a cute corner. Nicely organized with ample room around book shelves and tables to walk around. Felt comfortable browsing. They offer some of the latest titles and all the classics and other options in between. Local books about Seattle, cookbooks, Lora of cultural and diversity awareness titles, manga and comic books, stationary.... They also have a counter to buy your used books, a discount bookshelf at the front, and nice employees. The cafe at the back smelled great and had indoor and outdoor seating in an adorable patio. Free street parking. read more

Loved it! Been doing a bit of a book crawl this Seattle visit, and had to hit at least one of the Third Place Books. Parking is good. They have their own private lot, and we were able to get a parking space without waiting. Service was great! They allowed me to start a stack in the front (they also have baskets) , and they have shipping available (at a cost per book). Staff was very nice when I was there. And super-helpful! It's a good-sized store, and they hit upon all of the genres. I love that they have signed editions on the newer books, but that they also have a rare/collectible section, as well. There's a cafe available in the back/side, with a good amount of seating. Would visit again! read more

Cute neighborhood bookstore that I look forward to exploring more often. First, there's parking! Yaay! And a cafe that serves real food and brunch on the weekends. My kiddo wanted all the kids books, but we left with her pouting carrying a $20 book in tow. Kids! Customer service was eh. No offers to help and when checking out there was barely any interaction with the cashier which was a bit disappointing; especially with a pouting kiddo. We shall try another day when their less busy, or come much earlier in the day. read more

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Very cute bookstore! It's a little smaller than their other locations but they are happy to order anything in if you need it. They also have a really robust use of the space and have more than you'd expect. Friendly service when I asked after a few books and things seemed reasonably priced for an indie bookstore. read more

Wonderful local book store, but they've recently made some maddening changes that make me less likely to purchase gifts there in the future. The most important of these is that they won't provide a gift receipt anymore. Instead, they just say that anyone can return an item that was purchased there without a receipt as long as it matches an item that was in their inventory in the last 30 days. When I asked the cashier why they won't give gift receipts anymore, they said it was because the gift receipt doesn't provide the store with any useful information and they don't want to waste their receipt printer paper. Never mind that the purpose of a gift receipt is to provide useful information to the *gift recipient.* When I asked how the gift recipient should know where the gift came from, the cashier responded by inserting a Third Place bookmark into the books....this was printed in color on card stock, which is surely more expensive than a gift receipt! Also, it doesn't solve the problem that the recipient will not know when the gift was purchased, and therefore will not know whether they are in the 30 day return window or not. Another, much smaller disappointment around my last gift purchase at Third Place: they only had two kinds of gift paper to choose from, only one of these was kid-themed, and it had dinosaurs on it. Now, I truly wish I lived in a world where my young daughter and most of her girlfriends had not gotten the message that dinosaurs are strongly boy-coded, but unfortunately, that is still the world we live in. If they are only going to have one wrapping paper option, it would be nice if it could be neutrally gender-coded. Both of these complaints are pretty minor on the one hand, but one the other hand, there are probably many people out there like me who only really buy physical books anymore when we're giving gifts to other people. So I'm not writing this review to discourage people from shopping at Third Place, but just to urge the store to return to the policies that made it the local go-to for buying gifts. read more

I would leave two ratings if I could one for the bookstore and one for the reselling process. The bookstore itself is a great local business with a huge variety of books. The staff is always helpful. Now for the reselling process, I would rate zero stars. They give you pennies on the dollars it doesn't even cover your time or gas to get to the appointment. I would only recommend this if you were interested in donating your books and do keep in mind that you will also then have to drive your books elsewhere for the ones that they don't want. The one perk is the 10% off discount they give you if you buy in-store the same day you donate to them. read more

Third Place Books has an astonishing, eclectic selection of books. They show a lot of class with the comfortable chairs located at the end caps of some of the rows of shelves, you can curl up with a book, good lighting and on most days, a fairly quiet ambience. Third Place Books has selected its desired market--not too big a store, no frenetic noise of books hustling out the door, the availability of top shelf pastries, sandwiches and even . . . drum roll . . . a selection of many, many beers and ales. That's a pretty hard combination to beat! read more

I love this bookstore! The café is fine. It's a café. Nothing special - nothing bad. The selection of books and the helpfulness of staff are fantastic. One example, I was looking for a book for my book club and I couldn't find it on the shelf so I asked somebody and she said "it is over here, "but as she was walking me over, she said "wait a minute," went back to her computer, and said "we just got a used copy in, would you be interested in that?" How kind of her to help me both save money and recycle a book! A couple of times I've had my dog with me when I've come in, and they've been very kind to him as well. All all of the third place book locations have specialized in being, well, a third place- a place not work, nor home, but a place to go and hang out. They succeeded beautifully. read more

What a delight! I came to Seattle to meet up with my reader friends and visit bookshops. They have so many great ones - and Third Place Books did not disappoint. It feels so lovely and secluded on the back patio with lots of foliage and trees. The parking lot in the back is quite small, but seemed to have just enough spots for the number of people coming and going. I liked that there were plenty of spots to take a seat and relax, chat, or page through a few books. They also have a cafe, which I didn't order from but the cafe area was spacious with plenty of seating on a Saturday afternoon. Seemed like a nice spot to study or read. The stacks themselves were great, they have a big and interesting selection here. The tables up front had lots of staff picks and recommendations, popular interests, all that good stuff. I was impressed with the non-fiction selection - I think there's influence from it being near a university. Great range and some more or less academic works depending on your taste. If there's a topic you want to learn about, they'll have an interesting book about it. The fiction area was great too - even though this was our third stop of the day, I found books here I hadn't come across in the other bookstores yet. They have tons of literary fiction, contemporary fiction, and even a sizable shelf of contemporary light fiction and romance which seemed to be popular. Great staff and atmosphere, too. I'll look forward to shopping here again in the future! read more

Third Place Books - Third Place Books window - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I will start by saying, I love this book store company as a whole. I came here for a book club meeting and we went to the restaurant. With it being books club we don't always know who all is going to come or what they are going to want. Upon entering the waitress asked us if we wanted coffee or the full menu. Not having ever ate/drink there before we opted for the full menu. After about 20 minutes (everyone had finally arrived and everyone ordered a drink) a waitress told us if we were only going to have drinks we needed to move to the other section as the dine in section was only allowed for both drinks/food. We explained that we didn't know this and we would take a look at the menu and determine if we wanted something. Right after this, the First Lady who greeted us came over and said "they are saying you said I never told you this section was for dine in" she was SO incredibly rude and was basically yelling at us... even other tables were looking over. She accused us of lying to the other lady when it was simply a misunderstanding. I left feeling so disrespected and uncomfortable, I would not go back to this location again based off of that interaction. It was handled in such an unprofessional manner. read more

I love this cozy little book shop! They always have a great selection of books and the cutest goodies. The cafe in the back has some of the best fries I've ever had and is a perfect spot to hang out and work or read. read more

We love it here! Firstly, there is parking; street parking as well as parking in their private lot. Books galore at every turn. Come and stay awhile as you peruse, glance, read, and enjoy coffee or a meal at their in-house restaurant, now called Artsy (or something?). There is a small, enclosed play space for children (catered to younger toddlers, but accessible to every child). There is a nice children's section, with a rug on which to perch and read, as well as a few chairs interspersed throughout the establishment. Author spotlights (especially local!), readings and book signings also take place regularly and seem to attract a good number to cozy up in the small space allotted them. Overall, a lovely book shop in a nice setting with a variety of books, something for everyone. read more

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Book stores as a rule are generally welcoming and warm. Third Place books goes beyond that. I have been to all of the locations but the one in Ravenna is the most accessible for me being right off the Link line. It is vibrant and has a very eclectic selection as well. If you don't keep track of time you can easily spend hours browsing and relaxing. read more

What an adorable store! We came seeking respite from a rainy evening and it's a great place to browse and relax. The cafe attached has both self-service and full-service sections as well as a little enclosed play area for kids. They have a variety of books including a foreign language section, and the prices seem totally reasonable. I am glad to have found this place and I'll be back! read more

Third Place Books - Children's play area - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I love their unique selection of new and used books. The reason I would not give it five stars is there book selling program is set up strangely. When you make an appointment, it is explicitly sad that if you show up to the appointment, you are accepting whatever offers they make on any of the books that they want. If you are late to your appointment, they will blacklist you. I think for a small bookstore chain. That's not a great idea for keeping customers coming in. You can buy books on Amazon for way less that aren't read, bent or obviously shelved wrong a few times and scuffed. Over all, the aesthetic is really cute. There's a nice little café and it's a fun little neighborhood bookstore. I just don't love how they do their book buying. read more

Fantastically located, cozy vibes, great book selection, there's an upstairs cafe area (coffee shop vibes), then a cafe bistro area, then a downstairs, dark pub area (where you could also work if you like to work in darkness). So a variety of everything. There's a parking lot connected to the store, but there's tons of street parking as well. It's walking distance to Ravenna Park, so I drove here, did a walk, then came back to the bookstore to get a coffee and do some work. The hours for all the businesses (bookstore, cafe, pub) were varying, so it feels a little confusing. I came for the coffee shop, and I thought it was totally serviceable, but not my idea of the coziest setup. There's a counter facing the bookstore with dining chairs and then several two tops with dining chairs. The downstairs pub area had great vibes, and several people on laptops there, but I personally would not want to work in darkness. Overall, a great stop, really nice employees! read more

This is such a cute, fun place. The book selection is great, there is a nice little variety of gifts and it has a beautiful patio for outdoor seating and a cafe attached in the back. I grew up going to the Lake Forest Park location but this is a great spot to meet with friends who live deeper in the city. It's also a lot quieter and more compact than the LFP location as it's not attached to such a large food court/other stores etc. There's plenty of street parking as well as a good sized little parking lot - great stuff! read more

I love third place books - especially the Ravenna location. It's very sweet and cozy, and the people are friendly enough. The atmosphere and wood construction is nice! read more

Great book selection but we came for lunch and it was fabulous. The Greenlake location...

This place is pretty damn amazing. It's like a much more community-based old Barnes and Noble but also sells and deals in rare and unusual books. Easily could get lost in here. My biggest complaint is the "wokeness." I question if it's a simply a product of the actual buying habits of the customer base or a managerial decision. When there is a small pile of books written by Sam Harris but *no* books written by Jordan Peterson available for sale (despite both authors sell similar subject books at similar volumes), and enough available books by Ibrahim X Kendi to bury alive two separate families... I HAVE to question the verisimilitude of the customers' demand versus the bookstore's personal agenda. Still, possible propaganda aside, 10/10 would come again. read more

I went for a specific book for a present which is a gamble right before Christmas. We looked in three logical places and couldn't find it before asking an employee bc it was busy and I didn't want to snag them until/unless I needed them. He spent a good amount of time looking for it and found it for me, which was VERY kind. The cashier was pleasant too. Tons of books, fun to hang out in for awhile and talk books with a friend. Glad I popped in instead of ordering it from a corporate overlord. read more

My go to local bookstore. I just love this place. I like getting books as gifts, unfortunately sometimes at the last minute. If you call and ask whether they have a book in stock, not only will the tell you, they'll go get the books and hold at the counter for you. Always friendly helpful service. I went to the one in Lake Forest Park a few days ago and was reminded of the serene, friendly, neighborhood feel. I love the sprawling but well-organized space, and the fact that they have *everything.* Because they also stock used books, you can find out of print books too, often in like-new condition. The attached bakery/lunch cafe is also wonderful! read more

Figures after I move from Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood to Shoreline 13 years ago, this former PCC site became an independent bookstore, Third Place Books. Honey Bear Bakery/Café later was replaced by Vios and has a pub downstairs, perfect for this walkable, pleasant neighborhood. Tiny compared to its other sister site further up north in Lake Forest Park, but does the job if you go out of your way to not shop the chains or go the Amazon route. read more

Awesome cute bookstore! It has board games, books, puzzles, and other cool things. There is also a cafe where you can grab a drink.

Love this bookstore. They are always willing to help you find books, they have a great selection of new and used books, they have great greeting cards and other knick knacks, and I'm happy to support a local bookstore versus Amazon. They also have pretty awesome bookmarks. read more

I moved to the neighborhood seven years ago and since then Third Place Books has become one of my favorite places in Seattle. My favorite way to idle away an afternoon is to read with a cup of coffee and pastry, sitting next to one of their big windows to people watch when it's sunny or enjoy a cozy afternoon with raindrops rolling down the glass. After a busy or hard day at work, I've taken to stopping in here to rest my brain for 45 minutes before getting home and to the to-do list there. Now that the café is closed Mondays, I anticipate I'll be spending more time in the pub downstairs doing the same thing. On nice days, it's a very pleasant bike ride away. The atmosphere is exactly what I want out of a local bookstore - warm woods everywhere, big windows, café in store with a decent menu (having cut down on pastries, I most miss the muffins served here), a small selection of gifts, shelves and shelves of books to have within eyesight - but not overcrowded or too busy. This might be a small thing, but I especially like the layout of the front of the store with shelves and tables creating spaces and the mid-height shelves halfway through to the full height shelves in back of store. On my way out, I always peruse the new books and often find at least a handful to add to my wishlist. I've not had a single pushy experience with the staff - I'll spend 20 minutes looking at the new books and walk out without ever having someone try to push me on my way or interrupt. Yet, whenever I've had questions, the staff has always been incredibly helpful and friendly, ready to help. Admittedly the selection in store is not as vast as their location a few miles away in Lake Forest Park, or as complete as other bookstores in Seattle - especially if you're looking for anything other than literary fiction (though, I do appreciate their Books about Books section). However, for me, I use bookstores more as a home-base for relaxation, thinking, productivity, and discovery - less for utility. I love to buy gifts for loved ones at Third Place because I feel like the store has so much warmth invested into the space and that transfers to the gift-buying and gift-giving experience; but when I am looking for a specific book for myself, I'll check here first to support the store, but it's no skin off my nose if I have to go elsewhere. The only downside to this spot is less about the bookstore and more about Vios/the internet cafe (in my mind they are inextricably linked, though) - the café has become popular enough it's hard to find seating on a weekend and it can feel crowded in the space set aside. My sister was using her computer at one of the freestanding tables and since there are only outlets under the bench table lining the small dividing wall, she was chastised for her cord crossing the floor. So this would be the only spot they could potentially redo and improve. read more

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I love this place! It is a cozy local bookstore near Seward Park. I love the tables of featured books and others they have selected throughout the store. They also have some great deals/ books on sale. The kids section is really fun as well. The staff is friendly and helpful. It is also nearby a coffee shop so it is fun to combine both items. Additionally, they have easy parking (both for cars and bikes.) I am looking forward to when the new chuck's hop shop opens next door! read more

Third Place has a great selection of books, and regularly hosts readings and events featuring local community members!

I'm not bookworm so this review is less on the bookstore aspect and more on the coffee shop. They serve Illy and have a gorgeous Illy espesso machine. Their desserts served are delicious and freshly made. I appreciate the quaintness of this store and think it is the perfect place to relax, drink coffee, have a little dessert and unplug for the everyday stresses of life. read more

Third Place Books - Quick and delicious - Bookstores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Nice local bookstore and also a great spot to hang out in. Third Place has two branches, this is the newer and smaller store, in the Ravenna neighborhood. While a small, independent bookstore, they have a very good selection, and you can find some good deals - they have both new and used books side by side on the shelves. They feature a good selection of funky gifts and cards, and the back third of the store is a HoneyBear Bakery and Coffee shop. Lots of seating, including some sofas around a gas fireplace, and Internet access complete what is a neighborhood anchor. You'll see lots of groups having coffee meetings here, and there are events at night. Pros: Good selection and prices. Great ambiance for reading with a cup of coffee and a cookie! Cons: Not much to speak of. You won't find the same selection as Barnes and Noble. read more

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Miss coming into my Third Place Books more often! I bought some books curbside and it was easy. They come out to a table outside, get your order number, then bring it out to you. Parking is easy, so that's not a problem. Before covid, this was my favorite bookstore to browse in. The staff do a great job curating book recommendations. read more

I love everything about it in here. Amazing atmosphere, great book collection, excellent customer service...glad to support small, local bookstores. read more

This bookstore is probably the only bookstore I know that keeps their new and used titles in one area. As in, you'll find a book and you have to pull it out to see if the book is selling for new or used. Usually bookstores have them separated. I'm not sure if I like this sorting method because I usually want the used books since they're cheaper and I couldn't really tell with some of the books without having to pull them out. The new prices are the cover prices. The used prices generally tend to be half of the cover price or even 40% (so not quite half). The cafe on the side makes the bookstore quite loud because there is a lot of people and chatter. I don't see myself going here to study. The bookstore is also a bit off the beaten path. It is in a very residential area (with some abandoned/graffiti-covered buildings nearby). It was fun browsing the different titles, but I am not sure I would come back to this bookstore again. Also, there was a guy that was soliciting something right outside the bookstore (not sure if begging or if trying to get you to sign a petition - either way, I didn't expect that all the way out in the middle of nowhere). read more

We love this book store and they are adapting to the Covid regulations all year. We've bought books directly in store and have had them order some as well. The cafe is really nice when it is accessible. Hope it makes it through the quarantining. read more

The reviews by staff underneath the books are helpful. It smells good (some bookstores don't) and feels cozy but not crowded. I was here during the week and there was plenty of room to sit and wander around and the cafe had seating available. I didn't try anything. Self-serve water would be nice. I plan to return on a weekend day to see how crowded it gets. read more

My twin toddler daughters and I were asked to be quiet or leave last night during a fancy book event. This was worse than the library. We were told by 3 separate store associates to hush down. I was so excited to share this bookstore with my little girls and very saddened and embarrassed by the experience. My daughters father and I are going through a divorce and I was looking for a friendly family oriented place for us to enjoy. I was alone trying to manage two toddlers. This is not the place! The staff is a bit snobby too and the food in the restaurant not very tasty. My daughters weren't interested in the food at all which is rare for them. read more