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

Can I give zero stars? This is such a pretentious place, makes me sick. I used to love living in the city but the employees (if you call them that) make me realize why I moved a couple miles out. Really, lose the f'*in attitudes and stop talking to your co worker when there is a (not now) customer waiting. Too many places like this with WAY better service. Will not return. 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

Oh third place, how I miss thee. You literally built a wall between your old magical, intangible, peaceable community vibe and your customers. Where are the tables scattered between the stacks? Your half wall looks like a pen. Are you keeping people in or out? Vios Cafe has great food and friendly if uninformed staff, but it's like they're only in the building because they had no choice. Like they don't really want to be part of the Third Place vibe. The vibe that is now gone. Maybe it will change in summer when people can sit outside, but I don't think so. What used to be a perfect "third place" is now a great bookstore, a great pub and a good cafe all under one roof. That doesn't sound terrible, you say. It isn't. It just isn't magical any more. read more

Sometimes, you fall in love with a business as soon as you walk in the door. Third Place Books in Ravenna is that kind of joint. How can you go wrong with that big, friendly smiling bear up in the front of the store? The layout encourages you to take your time wandering through the stacks, enjoying their great selection of new and used stuff. The bakery in the back leaves plenty of room to have a tasty snack and read. The staff are friendly and chatty, willing to discuss everything from your book selections and further recommendations to the music being played. There's even a great little rare books section. I am a sucker for a privately owned bookstore, but I really dig this one... to me, it reflects everything I like about the Pacific Northwest. My biggest problem is that every single section has stuff I want to buy... not good for the budget. read more

My favorite place as of last week (finals week). This place is a nerd's paradise. They have a private parking lot, but there's also street parking. Right before you walk in there's a covered patio area, but with this "Juneuary" weather no one uses it. Back to the nerd's paradise. There's a selection of new books as you walk in and a section of national and international newspapers. Right behind the new books section there's a used section with books for a dollar! There's always a few good books in this section. I'm not going to go over every section, but there's a section for everything you will find in B&N. Used books are randomly placed throughout the bookstore, so if you want to save on a book you might find a used one next to that new book you are looking for. Another nice touch are the little notes and ribbons placed in front of highly recommended books with a side note. Great touch! They buy used books in case that wasn't obvious. Past the bookshelves you will find an open floor with around 10 tables. What's a bookstore or cafe without a fireplace? I say nothing! They have a nice wood-burning fireplace with big comfy seats and a love seat. WIFI! There's bar type seating (8 stools) next to the window with power if you're there just to check your email. The cafe offers hot foods and cold foods; they have breakfast, lunch and dinner. I've only had coffee. The prices are pretty reasonable, and the place doesn't fill up with "stinky" food smell. You'll find an eclectic group of people here which makes for a far more interesting place to chill at...people watch. Hey, I have to take breaks. I was here last week studying for my finals, and the 4 hours went by without a distraction. I ordered a breve, found a good size table, opened my laptop to my gmail and google, played my Randi Rhodes podcast, and off I was. Perfect study setting. Why I love this place: -WIFI -Smell of old books -Options for food -Hidden reading areas -Cozy fireplace -Plenty of tables -Low noise level -I can listen to my podcast on my laptop -Old books! -AND the eye candy...lotsa hot nerdy college girls. I can live here! read more

When I was 16 years old, I had a huge fight with my parents regarding our political viewpoints, with me emphatically maintaining that society was ruined and I wanted no part of the current system. I think the argument ended with me shouting something like, "I want to go live in the woods and EAT BARK!" I was a little further left back then. Ravenna Third Place Books is where I MEANT to be. Delightfully quirky, giving back to the community, and spreading joy without wanting much in return. Lovely idea, friendly people, great used (and new) books. Also, a (mostly organic) cafe in which to feed your inner liberal. Five stars for meeting me in the middle. read more

Charming local bookstore with new and used books. The cafe has lots of vegan options and there's a bar downstairs!

All five stars for the best freaking bookstore I have ever been to. And I live in Santa Cruz, home of the most independent-bookstores per capita except, um, Seattle, I guess. Here's why Third Place Books (see separate review for harrowing adventure at the Hobbit Pub Downstairs) rocked my world: --The shelves are just the right height. You can feel like you can do some browsing, but don't have to look down every aisle to find someone. --It's bright, but not too bright. --There's a good mix of used and new books. --The organization made sense and I didn't feel like the arrangement was overly merchandised like at a Borders where they have calculated that if they put a book on the third shelf you are 17% more likely to buy it. --It's not overwhelming, yet I found everything I was looking for. It's like they went out and just stocked the shelves with "good" books. Books that I would be interested in, that I wanted to buy. --There was one cashier and when the customer in front of me asked her to gift wrap something, she was like, "No problem, let me just ring up this customer behind you and then I'll get it done." And the other dude was like, "No problem." I totally appreciated that she explained the most efficient approach and then carried it out. It just... made sense. --The customers seemed really cool. The noise level in the cafe was like this quiet conversation. Lots of people just hanging out. It gave me faith in humanity. I just had a really great experience there and I can't wait to go back and spend an afternoon up there, checking out books and exploring their pasty (that was supposed to say "pastry" selection but both seemed to apply pretty well so I'll leave it as it). But to get the full story, you have to see the review for the pub downstairs. read more

This quickly became my Third Place. I am a regular after only 2 weeks because I'm here EVERY DAY. I love this place. The staff are friendly and helpful. It's obvious they want you to enjoy yourself, and how can you not? The bookstore is great, with all the books I want to find and none of the ones I don't. Well, except in the Political Science section. The bookcase is leaning precariously to the left. It's going to fall over soon if they don't get some right-wing material for it. Don't get me wrong, I like the left, but I feel guilty buying political books from a shelf that is so unashamedly biased. The cafe in back is spacious, with plenty of little 2-seater tables as well as a couple huge redwood tables for study groups and whatnot. They have 2 couches by the fireplace (which is also by the stage, so watch out on open mic night - you'll be forcibly relocated). Their espresso drinks are tasty, and I love the Italian sodas. Good home-made food (macaroni, lasagne, quiche, fritata, sandwiches, pastries, desserts, etc). I love the Tyler's Turkey: foccacia, basil aioli, turkey, caramelized onions; grilled. I add avocado and remove the onions. I easily eat this one 3 times a week. Free wi-fi in the cafe, but the router gets jammed several times a night, so that's annoying. Hey - it's free, right? BEST PART: The Pub. Go to the left corner of the cafe and go downstairs. I couldn't believe how awesome it was down there. It's the womb of a redwood tree. I would live in here if I could. The tables are all made from big pieces of redwood that were cut to follow the shape of the trunk. There's books and boardgames on the shelf by the bar, underneath the wide flat panel TV. I liked the music selection - Eddie Lang, Tom Waits, and some unknown Rock I didn't mind a bit. They serve draft beer of many varieties and wine. The best part is that it's perfectly acceptable, heck, even expected, to read while you drink. Now, it might be that I'm from California, but this is novel to me. I used to get strange looks for reading in bars, but not here. I might become a lush just so I can read in the redwood womb (say that 5 times fast)! read more

So much potential. Such pretentious waitstaff. Had dinner with my family. Finished dinner. Went to buy a book. Came back to get my family and leave. Was immediately asked if I owned the book, told to buy it or leave the dining area. They appear to prefer policies to customers. Ah yes, and for what its worth the restaurant is mediocre at best. Bar food downstairs is much better. read more

Excellent book selection, knowledgeable staff, and a lovely cafe. They'll gift wrap your book purchase for free. It is out go to place to purchase a birthday presents, and a lovely place to meet a friend. I always check out their used book selections. They have a parking lot. It does get busy on the weekends. read more

This wonderful bookstore and cafe (Honeybear) is one thing I miss the most about Seattle. In fact, it is what I miss the most about the Pacific Northwest. I miss the cool crisp autumn air, stepping over crisp leaves, and people smiling as they pass by. I'd walk in, browse the books on the front table near the registers, then put my books down on a free table, and eye the baked goodies as the pros make my latte. There is nothing like this place in the Bay Area. If you know of a place, please let me know! read more

I admit that I love ordering books from Amazon. Brick and mortar bookstores hold less appeal these days. However... - Third Place is cute. - They have tables of books up front showcasing the ones that are currently all the rage. - They've got employee recommendations. - They've got used books. - They buy your used books. - There are cards for all your last minute birthday/special occasion needs. - There is a cute gift section for your last minute birthday/special occasion needs. - They've got magazines and journals for your last minute entertainment/therapy homework needs. - They've got a café in back to grab a mocha or muffin or gelato and tables to sit and have lunch or just a coffee and work on your laptop. Basically it's a bookstore that does what you want a bookstore to do; tell you what's good to read, maybe give you a used option, take some of your finished books back, let you hang out and work while watching the neighborhood walk by, and make you a coffee while you're doing it. read more

In 2004/05, I used to meet with a tiny group to knit on the comfy couches by the fireplace in the back. I loved the community events! Science club meetings, some woman sharing slides from her trip to Nepal, etc. We drank coffee and chatted, and because I was in there for the cafe/bakery, I often ended up buying books/journals/gift items. I returned here last winter from Philadelphia (where I go to school) to show my partner my old haunts. I was absolutely SCANDALIZED to find that they had gotten rid of the comfy bakery and giant tree trunk tables and put in a NOISY, dark restaurant. WHAT?! What kind of sense does that make?? At one time you could study here, meet here, enjoy coffee and a book quietly by the fireplace. No longer. The restaurant was so noisy that I could hardly concentrate on just browsing. This is the worst idea I have ever seen put into play. I can't express how distraught I was to see what they had done to the place. It's incredibly sad. read more

This is my favorite place on the entire planet. A bookstore that's open at 8 am ('cause it's also a bakery)! A bakery that's open 'til 10 pm ('cause it's also a bookstore)! What more could you want? How' bout: great food, decadent cake, Morning Glory Chai and espresso drinks? New and used books all on the same shelves, and only the good ones? Live music and readings? Cozy fireplace? Helpful staff, great cozy rustic decor, and even a pub downstairs? Yeah, Ravenna Third Place has it all. I could easily stay here forever. read more

Pretty neat place! I came with the hubby to sell some books we no longer needed. We brought a decent amount, maybe 30ish books. The store took maybe 10 out of those 30 for $16. While I didn't make a TON of money, I'll take it for stuff I never use or read anymore! The cafe in the back is super cute and there's even patio seating! I'll be back when I want to get some used book/sell some old books. FYI, their website does say they only take books without broken spines, but I saw some books that weren't in pristine condition. That being said, you might get less cash for those books... read more

Bookstore and more! I'm so glad this independent neighborhood bookstore is in the north end. They have a restaurant, coffee shop and bar. The food is decent and the service is good. read more

They changed their hours. :( Otherwise, it's a super cute mini-version of the larger Third Place in Lake Forest Park. I like its snuggy cabin-y feel, not very many chairs to sit though. Smaller store equals smaller book selection..but it's a different selection than the expected best sellers (which they do have, of course). The magazines are also great, we've found many non mainstreamy mags while browsing. They do have a cafe towards the back of the store, which is usually closed whenever we are there. Parking can be tight, about a dozen spots and they seem small for our car. It's a nice place to visit if you feel like a bookstore that isn't Barnes and Noble and you can't quite work yourself up to LFP for the big one! read more

Ok, I screwed up. I was referring to the Third Place in Lake Forest Park. The Third Place in Ravenna doesn't have Honey Bear and it's half the size, but I like it more as a destination, if that makes sense. If I get bored or I can't find a book I'm looking for, I'm in walking distance from a variety of other cool places in Ravenna. If I get bored at the Third Place in Lake Forest Park, I'm restricted to the mini-mall it's located in. A cool bookstore all in all, and some good eats from Vios to boot. read more

I went to a book reading here this evening and thoroughly enjoyed myself as well as the coziness of this store. Hard wood floors, tons of books neatly arranged, bar downstairs below it and a cafe in the back- what doesn't this place have? The staff were all very friendly and there is a parking lot which makes driving there easier. I was impressed by the array of books they had in general too. read more

Great bookstore and right down the street from me and a nice cafe and a pub in the basement (okay the pub isn't the greatest but...) Well worth a visit. read more

I love Third Place Books, always. I feel a bit squashed in this one. Is it me or is it because I recall so many years when this was an old PCC and we were sooo squashed? Practically the first one with the free clothes box in front! I really appreciate the selection of books: old, used and new. The cafe, tho' I have not yet tried the food ,is inviting and lends a homey atmosphere for readers. Come, browse, read, eat, read mor ean dbuy books. I 'll be back continuously. It's conveniently located near the Herbalist, that community fitness place and some great pizza. read more

why wouldnt someone come here? cool old and new books, a fun kitsch section of toys like a yodeling pickle and windup toys, various humorous scents for you car... they also buy used books. The Ravenna one isnt as big as the LFP one but still fun to shop at. I always seem to leave happy. they didnt earn 5 stars because.... I am sad they stopped carrying the spinach pesto lasagna and black bean dish at honeybear but they still make descent sandwiches, quiche etc. coffee has always seemed descent but I do order it with a flavor, so I cant say I'm a true connoisseur.... read more

Such a quality place to dork-out. The wooden floors and bookshelves provide a quality ambiance to browse for books. And the books provide a quality ambiance should you wander into the cafe section. Before the remodel, this place used to be one of my favorite places to study. After the remodel, there's less room to study in the evenings, but it's a quality cafe. A change, for sure, but not necessarily for the worse. read more

service sucked !! we sat around waiting for meat they took forever so we got full on the salad bar. their hot food was cold. After 1.5 hours there and waiting for the manager to swipe our credit card 15min later he comes to us saying his machine isn't working and we have to pay cash !! seriously for 5 of us who carries cash this way. Luckily between two of us we had enough to pay minus tip. Not going back there EVER read more

UPDATE 12/08 My favorite place in the free world -- Ravenna Third Place Books -- recently underwent a drastic change. Yes, "drastic" -- any change that entails the constraining of space for books is drastic. Honeybear, oh my beloved Honeybear, is gone and Vios, a Greek cafe is in its place. The bookstore has somehow smallened (yes, that's an adverb/adjective you grammar nzia!). Vios just opened around Thanksgiving and while I know I need to give it some time, I have to admit that RTPB has definitely lost some of its homey feel. This is not to say that Vios isn't great (and I love the owners commitment to issues around PPD), it is, but I guess I, the sloppy, poor grad student who can't tell the difference between a crab croquette and a hockey puck, appreciated the more laid back feel of Honeybear. A small drip coffee is $2.19 --- WHAAAAAAAA? And to be honest, I'm too ashamed to ask the maitre dude if I'm allowed to have free refills a la Honeybear. I'll have to come back and have an actual meal and update my review. But until then RTPB will maintain its 5 star rating, at least for now... ********************************************************************* If it were possible to flog oneself in public with a rubber hose, I would engage in such penitent behavior for not coming to Third Place Books sooner than today. By far, one of the best neighborhood new/used bookstores EVER, not because of its vast selection or cathedral ceilings (ala Barfs and Noble) but because of the unique ability to make you feel upon entering as if you are putting on a pair of your most comfy shoes, sans the foot odor. Yes, it is that kind of place, the kind of place you feel you have been before, or perhaps never left and the kind of place that starts to feel like an old, treasured friend who happens to have a lovely cafe in its posterior! The Honeybear Bakery in the back is comfy and cozy, with plenty of tables and a fireplace. The sandwiches are good (a whole one is $6.50 and comes with veggie stix or potato salad) and there are free refills on non-take out drip coffee. I could easily stay here the rest of my life. read more

I've never had a pleasant experience in the handful of times I've visited but this time I need to leave a review. Staff is never friendly nor do I find them knowledgeable on books. I have a very strong hunch I'm treated differently by staff because I'm Asian American. The same goes with their cafe staff. read more

There are two parts to this establishment: a great bookstore and a fine cafe. The bookstore - Third Place Books - specializes in a good mix of new and used books in every category. I just purchased an unexpected find for $2.25 - how could I resist? And the collection of art and design books is surprisingly comprehensive for a medium-sized store. The cafe - Vios - is a branch of the Capital Hill institution. It's a major step up from the old Honey Bear Cafe (which wasn't anything like the original Honey Bear). For one, the coffee is actually quite good and nicely presented. The scones, salads, and other dishes are well-done - better than the average cafe food. Servers are friendly and the communal tables provide a nice alternative to the more private individual tables. I'm glad this store is within walking distance - it's a real treat to be able to browse for an interesting and inexpensive book, and then settle down over a good cup of coffee for a deeper read. read more

I like this place because it feels alive. I walked in and there was stuff going on. Someone was preparing to give a presentation and the room was full of people waiting. It was exciting! There is a cafe and a place for kids to play. Since I have been working as a nanny this Summer it is a perfect place to read books and drink some nice beverage and sit and play with toys in the kids area. I also found the book I needed for my road trip. "The Lonely Planet British Colombia" They have so many great books and great prices. I also like the staff too. I will go back there for sure. Seattle is the best!!! read more

A nice little neighborhood book store. Apparently different than what it was years back. The staff here has always been helpful and greet me whenever I come in . . . even if I'm just grabbing a cup of coffee from Vios. I've found some great new and used books, as well as some used comics/graphic novels for decent prices. It may not be the coziest place, but I go in to get books, not sit and read. I can do that at home. I will say this, there are some truly rude reviews in here from a couple years back. People hoping that "they go broke" - unbelievable that anyone would wish this on a local business when the business doesn't live up to their personal expectations, but does what they feel is right for them. I hope those people figured out whatever it was that was making them so unhappy and changed it. read more

We hardly ever go north of the ship canal anymore, but when we do it's fun to explore old haunts. Third Place Books is one of the places we used to go when we lived in Ravenna/U-District (1997-2001). Well, I used to go to the PCC in that building, but after Third Place moved in and we got over the shock of the original (!) PCC closing, we went there. Anyway...back to the topic at hand. Third Place has a great selection of used and new books and the people who sell them know about books. They leave you alone while you're browsing and respond if you ask questions--a great balance. I have no need for coffee, food, or beer while I'm in a bookstore, so I haven't been to any of the establishments selling these things at Third Place. I'm sure they're nice. read more

The bookstore itself is great and I would love to give it 4-5 stars. Nicely selected items for the front display tables, nice mix of new and used books, great decor. Feels like a real, old-school, pre-Barnes and Noble bookstore. I do wish it were more browse-friendly, though. Unfortunately, the cafe set-up is weird. The casual coffeeshop section feels sterile and sort of unwelcoming. And I understand why they wouldn't want people to bring unpaid-for books in, but it still feels a bit lame. I made the mistake once of ordering an iced cofee. I made sure to ask if it were "real" iced coffee. The barista assured me it was, and then proceeded to pour hot coffee over ice. That is not real iced coffee! When I protested, she got totally condescending and snitted that "this is what iced coffee is." Ugh. The restaurant part of the store is nice, but the food is "meh." read more

This place is pretty awesome. One of the only places in Seattle that my girlfriend and I can go and play a board game and hang out in a cool pub with great beer. I really like the ambiance of the place, the heavy solid wood tables the wall of books and just the general overall feel of being in a cabin. Although, it is a bit pricier than I would like, their food is good and worth ordering. I have ordered the burger several times and it has not failed to impress me. My GF opts for a taste of the Mediterranean and gets the pita and spread trio. I can't say too much about the actual bookstore, but I have cruised through a couple times and it's pretty kosher. The place is clutch. Try it out. read more

Dear Third Place Books and my fav endearing scruffy bartender, Thank you for getting me through last Friday. Starting at 0600, I was counting down the hours until meeting the boy and friends for happy hour and used book browsing.... two of fav things. As shitty on top of shitty continued, I reminded myself that no one can stop the clock. Few more hours until I can chill with you, sip from the fantabulous selection on tap and munch on food that is leaps above bar food (though not quite to the yuppy gastro-pub level). I do wish you would add some comfy chairs to sit and read. ...and this fireplace that others reminisce about sounds wonderful. Glad I didn't know you then...I may have also been put out that it was gone. My only NY resolution worth mentioning is to visit you more, buy more books, and beat the boy in cribbage over good beer. Sincerely, CD read more

Great book store! Their SFF section is second only to the U-Bookstore's, and they also have a dedicated and fairly well-stocked Horror section. Their used selection is OK, and it is mixed in with the new. Their collectible/rare section is superb, and I almost always find something to add to my growing collection. The prices are generally good, the selection is great, and it has a good feel. A real Seattle-area treasure. read more

Great little cafe in the back of a great little bookstore! Fireplace, nice amount of seating without being clumped together. The Rooibos tea I got was excellent. Super yummy coconut macaroon that was big enough to share with my boyfriend. Only one kind of chai which made me sad because it happened to be a spicy chai which I don't enjoy, but I'm sure it's good or people who do! A few more options would have been nice. read more

Unpleasant environment: I stopped by to read a periodical for ten minutes and, after reading for 8-10 minutes, was asked by a staff member in his 20s whether I "was just going to stand there and read" or pay for the item. I replied that it was my understanding that bookstores are places for browsing. I was so miffed by the interaction that I simply left. I MIGHT have bought something, but certainly not after that remark. I've been going to bookstores all my life and no one has ever said anything like that to me before. read more

Great environment and selection. They are SUPER snobby, patronizing and rigid. I dropped books off-meant to pick them up according to policy. There was a windstorm in Seattle-we had a huge branch fall down in our yard and I came down with the flu. I called to apologize and try to figure out a time for my husband to pick them up. They told me they had chosen some books but could not give me credit or cash for them and that they were dumping the rest off in the recycle! I understand those actions if I had not contacted them, but really??? They were not understanding or empathetic at all.. just incredibly rude and dismissive read more

If Third Place positioned itself as a bakery that happened to have books, my review would be more positive. The bakery and overall store atmosphere are very pleasant. However, because Third Place's brand represents itself as a bookstore, I feel compelled to judge it first and foremost on that basis. And as a bookstore, this Third Place location falls flat. Though the new book section can offer some interesting browsing, it is small and offers nothing truly special to a town with the Elliott Bay Book Co. Most of Third Place's stock is used books. Unfortunately, my observation is that the turnover of books at this location is abysmal. Repeat visits (motivated by my daughters passion for the bakery) have revealed a selection of books locked in time: the same Camus' books, the same Theroux books, the same "rare" books, etc... Part of the problem seems to be pricing. The rare books are invariably priced 50% higher than one finds anywhere else, including their own bookstore in LFP. The pricing of their antiquarian books has led my friend to dub this bookstore "the Museum" since the result of their pricing strategy has been a Museum-like atmosphere where you can look at the books, but you cannot buy them. Wanna safe place to store your money? Try placing it in the Orwell Reader they have in the antiquarian section. Trust me, you can return at retirement and your money -- along with the book -- will still be there. The Ravenna Third Place could really use a few book scouts (to bring interesting stock in), and a more aggressive selling strategy focused on lower prices and regular sales to move some of those old Albert Camus' books out the door. That or a re-branding strategy that deemphasizes a specialty in books. read more