Independent bookstores tend to be cornerstones of the communities in which they reside, and Seattle is no exception. In addition to helping customers discover their next read, these neighborhood hubs host weekly gatherings and events, like publication release parties, author talks, and book clubs. Many of them have cafés and reading tables that encourage lingering amid the welcoming scents of freshly inked paper and warm coffee.
Most people can easily visit their favorite independent bookstore via bike, car, bus, or light rail, but for a quintessentially Washington experience—especially during the summer months—there’s another option: hopping on one of the region’s beloved ferry boats. Planning an entire day around visiting bookstores via ferry offers sweeping water views and downtime to read the new titles you might have picked up along the way. I recently ventured on a bookstore-driven ferry adventure with my wife, and we found it to be more efficient than taking the highway, saving us time on longer drives that require looping around Puget Sound, though you’ll need to keep an eye on the ferry schedule and plan ahead to avoid long waits.
A popular stop by ferry is Ballast Book Company in Bremerton, which is located a few blocks from the ferry terminal. It’s 700 square feet and full to the brim with books from almost every genre, as well as gifts including stickers, journals, tea, and page holders. You may even find books by authors who live in Bremerton or nearby.
“I want to have something for everyone,” says Kate Larson, owner of Ballast Book Company. “It’s also good to have a well-rounded range of books since we’re Bremerton’s only bookstore.”
Another stop that’s a favorite among ferry riders is Eagle Harbor Book Company on Bainbridge Island. The store often fills up when passengers leave the ship, a rush affectionately known as a “ferry dump.” Farther north, there’s Saltwater Bookshop in Kingston, which is near the Edmonds-Kingston ferry route. All of these bookstores welcome locals and visitors alike, and taking the ferry to visit them can make your trip even more special. It’s a memorable, must-do activity for out-of-town guests looking for an authentic Northwest experience.
Bookstores often reflect their communities—their interests, location, and history. They support local writers and create meaningful relationships with patrons, oftentimes honing the selections on the shelves in response to local interests, lore, and requests. For those looking to branch out from their usual reading or authors, Larson suggests asking a bookseller for a recommendation based on books you already like, or subjects that have caught your interest.
“We also pick books based on what our community wants, and what might stretch them,” Larson says. “We’ll get a wider variety of things that might not be surfaced by their algorithm, which may skew very similar or toward white authors, and invite them to expand their horizons.”
The rise of genre-specific bookstores
Seattle has seen a rise in genre-specific bookstores, including a number of romance-focused spots that opened in the past few years. One that made a particular splash is Beguiled Books, which started in 2024 as a mobile bookstore and slowly moved from table to tent to trailer, and finally, to its current brick-and-mortar store in Pioneer Square. Located just a few blocks from the ferry terminal, the pier that serves the King County water taxis and Kitsap Transit fast ferries, it’s a great starting point to kick off a ferry-fueled literary journey, but if you’re looking to stay on dry land, the neighborhood has its own bookstore ecosystem, which includes Arundel Books, Open Books, Long Brothers Fine and Rare Books, and a short walk to Left Bank Books in Pike Place Market.
“When we started doing pop-ups, the idea of a genre-specific store was still new and exciting,” says Ashley Adair, owner and founder of Beguiled Books. “There was more cloaked excitement around reading romance, and now people are more unapologetic about it.”
While opening the bookstore trailer for pop-ups was a slow burn, finding and opening the brick-and-mortar space for Beguiled Books was instant love, especially considering it was the second space that Adair and her husband had toured.
Local lore, Ballast Book Company in Bremerton.
Photo by MARISA SPENCE
“Pioneer Square has so much history, and the underground tour even goes under our building,” Adair says. “There’s also a strong sense of community among business owners here.”
The store attracts romance readers from near and far, whether they’re going on book crawls, visiting before or after a cruise, or are getting a feel for the neighborhood after moving to Seattle.
“We get to celebrate with people and be a part of a special moment in someone’s day, week, or year,” Adair says. “Sometimes it’s a birthday, proposal, promotion, or someone’s first visit to a romance bookstore. We’re a place where friends meet up after a long time and a safe space where people are reminded who they are. That’s the magic of bookstores.”
Romance bookstores are just the beginning of specialty bookstores in the greater Seattle area. You can get cookbooks at Book Larder, poetry books and chapbooks at Open Books, comic books and graphic novels at Crow’s Nest Comics, and books by and about the LGBTQIA+ community at Charlie’s Queer Books. You can also stop by Mam’s Books in Chinatown-International District, which is the only independent Asian-American bookstore in the Pacific Northwest and focuses on stocking books by Asian American authors.
A place to gather
In addition to helping people find their next read, bookstores provide the community with a space to gather, meet new people, and bond over shared interests. Beyond your next favorite read, booksellers are great sources of information about their neighborhoods: new restaurants, great boutiques and galleries, and the must-not-miss spots you might otherwise, well, miss.
“If you plan a trip around visiting a bookstore, you can ask for recommendations on what’s open that day or what’s nearby,” Larson says. “We get to be an unofficial tourist spot for that reason.”
Ballast Book Company is Bremerton’s beloved independent bookshop, offering titles by regional authors, genre-specific reading groups, and a fully stocked kids section.
Photo by MARISA SPENCE
The aforementioned Ballast Book Company is a treasured part of Bremerton, and it’s often people’s first stop when they move to the area. Its events and genre-specific book clubs—science fiction, movie lovers, fantasy—are perfect for fostering connection.
“It can be hard to make friends as an adult but at these events, you can sit down and have a real conversation based on your shared interests,” Larson says. “Having a book that you both read is a great starting point for making friends, especially for people who have just moved to the area and want to meet people.”
Adair agrees, sharing that being a romance reader is an icebreaker in and of itself.
“There’s a hunger for analog activities and in-person events,” she says. “Indie bookstores are primed to be contributors to the community.”
A ferry ride makes even a quick bookstore stop feel like a day out. Here are eight independent shops to browse in Seattle and across the Sound, all within walking distance of a terminal or a short drive after you dock.
Visit These Eight Indie Bookstores by Ferry
Ballast Book Company
Bremerton, WA
Ballast Book Company has the honor of being Bremerton’s only independent bookstore, and it’s located within walking distance of the city’s ferry terminal. At 700 square feet, this shop is small but mighty, and you’ll find books from every genre ranging from science fiction and fantasy to kid-friendly titles. Pair your finds with bookish items from small business owners including stickers, journals, art prints, and page holders.
Saltwater Bookshop
Kingston, WA
Opened on Indie Bookstore Day 2023, Saltwater Bookshop started as a few shelves in its sister store, Borrowed Kitchen Bakery, and grew into an entire bookstore that primarily offers cookbooks, children’s books, and books by Indigenous authors. It’s located a few minutes from the Kingston ferry terminal, making it a great stop on a day of visiting bookstores by boat. In addition to finding your next read, come by for music and story times for kids, book clubs, and author events.
Liberty Bay Books and Away with Words Bookshop
Poulsbo, WA
If you have extra time, drive from Bainbridge Island to historic downtown Poulsbo, where you’ll find Liberty Bay Books. This bookstore has been a cornerstone of Poulsbo since 1977, though it went by a different name at the time, and continues to stock books, cards, stickers, and games. Stop by for author events and book clubs that cover genres like mystery, science fiction, history, and even Nordic literature.
Nearby is Away With Words Bookshop, a husband-and-wife-owned establishment. In addition to stocking books and stickers, you can get body care goods like lotions, soap, scrubs, and bath bombs from small, independent brands.
Eagle Harbor Book Company
Bainbridge Island, WA
Eagle Harbor Book Company is a short walk from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal and often hosts local and visiting authors, book groups, and story readings for kids. It’s also the site of the Bainbridge Book Festival, an opportunity for authors and readers to gather for panels and workshops.
Beguiled Books
Seattle, WA
Beguiled Books is one of the newest bookstores in Pioneer Square, though it’s in good company as one of several romance bookstores in Seattle. It’s also within walking distance of the Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 42, which serve the West Seattle water taxi and Kitsap fast ferries. Check out their art-o-mat vending machine of art prints, murals by Kaitlyn Lloyd Art, and a Blind Date with a Book, where you can find your next read based on a brief description of the plot and key tropes.
Arundel Books
Seattle, WA
Arundel Books has been a part of Seattle’s fabric for more than 40 years. The stunning shop features historic archways inside, and it stocks rare and out-of-print books. If you’re looking for a literary two-for-one, Arundel is just a short walk away from Beguiled Books and stays open late to participate in Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk.
Open Books
Seattle, WA
Open Books in Pioneer Square specializes in poetry, out-of-print editions, chapbooks, journals, and more. This includes poetry in translation, fiction books by poets, and half-price and used books.
